ESM Petrel Review by Mark Jensen

Review R/C Model ESM’s 2.6m Petrel electric glider.

Mark Jensen

Having been hit by the electric glider phenomenon, I was looking for an ARF electric glider that was slightly larger than the standard 2-metre class. This was not as easy a task as I first envisaged. I was on the Modelflight site and noticed the Petrel, a 2.6-metre ARF electric glider. I purchased one on line and eagerly awaited its arrival.

It finally arrived and the best part about modelling is opening the box to have a look at the bits. Once opened, I was not disappointed with everything packaged in plastic bags for safe transport.

The fuselage is gel-coated fibreglass with a great finish and very light. The wings are foam core with balsa sheeting and come pre covered in pro-film with the ailerons already hinged using the pro-film.

I must say that anyone with modelling experience will put this baby together very easily. Even with little experience, if the directions are followed in the instructions, you can’t go wrong. I always like to have a read of the instruction booklet to get a feel of how the model is going to go together.

As the booklet suggests, I started with the wings. I used some mini JR servo’s that fitted neatly into the already prepared servo wells. You will need to use a 600mm aileron ext lead that slides through a pre cut channel in the wing and into the fuselage. All that is left to do is to fit the supplied control horn and the push rods that are made to size and the 2 wing half’s are finished. (How easy is that)

The fuselage is no much harder. The tail is easily attaché by two screws into blind nuts pre installed in the top of the fin. The rudder is glued using the supplied hinges.

Two servos were installed in the fuselage up the front. (Yes – servo trays are pre installed!) The kit is supplied with cabling with the instructions showing to epoxy the quick link to the cable. I did not like this idea so I used light wire and soldered the quick link to the wire.

The motor is pre installed with a folding propeller. I used an 8.4v 2400 NiMH pack, which slides neatly between the servos and a 30 amp ESC. C of G was easy to achieve as the battery can be moved forward and back. Although a very snug fit, I packed in some hard foam to enure the battery could not move.

The last thing to do now was to set all the movements on the control surfaces to the ones given in the instruction booklet. I always use the suggested movements and adjust them to my liking after the initial first flights. The battery was charged that night and ready to fly the next day.


As usual the weather was less than perfect with the wind quite gusty. However once at the field I had to see how she flew. I added some red trim to the wing tips and the finished model looked great and received some good interest. After again testing the movements and doing a range check, I got a club member to hand launch the model. I was surprised at the performance of the supplied motor (normally no good) as the Petrel climbed at a reasonable rate. Once at the desired hight I turned the motor off and held my breath. I need not of worried. The Petrel need a small amount of elevator trim and flew hands off. Because of the weather flight times were not great and after a few climbs I decided to land. The Petrel is very controllable and looked fantastic as it fly past and banked around for final. It came in as if it were on rails to land easily. Make sure you give yourself some extra room as it just keeps on flying from about 300mm of the ground.

I have since put a brushless motor in the Petrel and can now gain my hight at a faster climb. I recommend this, as it is such a great model to fly.

Overall this kit from ESM is great money for value. You could never build a 2.5m electric glider for this price. To have it ready in just over a week is a bonus as well.

	View ESM Petrel Review     ESM Petrel 2.6M ARF electric glider, fibreglass fuselage, foam/balsa wings. Aileron, rudder, elevator control. Speed 600 type motor and 8 x 4.5" folding prop included.

	Schulze Slim 40be - 40 amp (52 amp Max), 6-12 cells, 20g weight including brake feature. Ideal for electrics with Speed 480-700+motors.

	JR Aileron/Servo Extension Leads [JRPALEXT100] Ail Ext Lead 100mm S [JRPALEXT1000G] Ail Ext Lead 1000mm G [JRPALEXT200G] Ail Ext Lead 200mm G [JRPALEXT300] Ail Ext Lead 300mm S [JRPALEXT300GHD] Ail Ext Lead 300mm G [JRPALEXT450G] Ail Ext Lead 450mm G [JRPALEXT600G] Ail Ext Lead 600mm G

	[DSBXP22503]2250 mAh 11.1V (10-12C) High Discharge XPOWER Connector None Capacity 2250mAh Weight 150g Size (mm) 103 x 34 x 19.5 Cont Current 27A Max Current 36A (30 sec)

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	E-Flite S75 Sub Micro Servo - Type: Sub-Micro, High-Speed and High-Torque Torque: 17.2 oz/in (1.17 kg. cm) @ 4.8V Weight: .12 sec/60 deg @ 4.8V Weight: 7.5g Size: 23 x 12 24mm Motor Type: Coreless [EFLRS751] Gear Set S75 servo [EFLRS754] 3D servo arm set w/screws (4) suit S75, HS-55

	JR NES 331 Mini Servo - High output and reliability make this a very popular servo for any application where size and low weight are at a premium. <JR Servo Comparison Chart >     Size mm: 30x13x28.5mm Weight: 18g Torque: 3.25 kg.cm torque Speed 0.23 Gears Plastic Ballrace No Each 2 units 4 units Metal Gears

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