The satisfaction that comes with putting together RC airplane kits is undeniable.
Sometimes it’s a nice idea to be able to pull a plane right out of the box and get it flying without really having to do a thing but there is just something to be said for transforming a pile of wood and parts into an excellently crafted flying machine!
Compared to say RC tanks or higher end RC trucks you have a much wider range of choices when it comes to quality kit sets in terms of planes. Also kitset RC helicopters proably tend to be the least common of the lot, although there are some good kitset RC boats available.
Different Types of Kits
RC airplane kits come in two forms: those that are almost ready to fly and those that require complete assembly, both of which are a blast.
Today, there are hundreds of RC airplane kits available to choose from.
This is great if you have years of experience with RC airplanes and know what to look for when choosing a kit, however, if you’re relatively new to constructing and flying RC airplanes, the multitude of choices can be daunting to say the least.
Lucky for you, I’ve compiled some excellent RC airplane kit suggestions for beginners and skilled airmen alike.
So, if you’re interested in a fun project and ready to watch the fruits of your labor soaring through the skies and pulling off trick after trick, you’ve come to the right place.
Let’s take a look at the best RC airplane kits on the market today!
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1. Value for money.
The Dumas Taylorcraft Electric Airplane Kit RC Airplane is definitely one of the better kits available today. Upon opening the box, you’ll find extremely lightweight and durable balsa wood stock, music wire, balsa parts precision cut by a laser, and a poster of your soon to be plane.


You heard that right, a poster!
You won’t find an almost ready to fly plane, or ‘ARF’, inside this box as the Dumas Taylorcraft Airplane Kit is a kit in every sense of the word.
However, after purchasing a motor and a few other inexpensive parts, you’ll have a terrific flying machine at a laughably cheap price.
When assembled, the kit plane is a flying machine! Rather than taking off like a rocket, it motors effortlessly through the air in a graceful fashion that can’t be matched by modern foam planes.
Flight times of 20 minutes or longer can easily be achieved with a 2-cell Li-Po battery.
2. If you want a great kit for kids.
Designed by famous RC pilot Martin Muller, who also happens to be the German Indoor Aerobatics champ, you wouldn’t necessarily equate the Park Master 3D Electric ARF Airplane with a kid-friendly plane, but that’s exactly what it is!
You can check out some of Martin Muller’s amazing flying skills with a different plane in the video below.
Since it’s an ARF, the Park Master comes with everything your kids need to get the plane running and up in the air in no time at all.
The kit features moulded ELAPOR parts, fuselage, carbon fibre and plastic glass-filled spars, linkage components, a sheet of decals, detailed instructions that are easy to follow, and all of the other parts needed to quickly and easily assemble the kit airplane.
The Park Master is lightweight and durable enough for daily flights.
When combined with its ease of assembly and use, it’s a no-brainer if you’re looking for an RC airplane kit that’s perfect for the kids.
3. If you want an entry point airplane kit you can improve over time.
Unlike smaller planes, the Great Planes Goldberg Eagle 2 Trainer .29-.49 Kit GPMA0955 has a massive five-foot wing span, making it stable, but it is also reasonably easy to operate, and it’s also surprisingly durable.


The well-known strength and durability of the plane comes from its plywood fuselage, making it very forgiving for novice aviators.
The kit comes with pre-stamped plywood and balsa wood as well as all of the plastic parts and basic hardware for the structure of the plane.
While you don’t need any special tools or adhesives to put the Goldberg Eagle 2 together and begin flying it, there are a number of optional parts and upgrades that can be made, making it the perfect airplane kit for anyone who wants to delve head first into RC airplane kits and improve their RC airplanes over time.
4. If you want something that is relatively easy to put together.
Sometimes, you just want an RC airplane that although still a kit is not really that hard to put together.
So if you’re in the market for an RC airplane kit that requires a little work but is pretty easy to assemble, then the Great Planes Pluma 3D EP ARF RC Airplane is for you.
This performance RC plane takes less than an hour to assemble, and once it’s put together, you’ll have hours upon hours of good times flying an ultra-light RC plane.
Thanks to a high power-to-weight ratio, this ARF kit plane can perform endless loops, rolls, waterfalls, and more!
That’s a lot of high-flying action for a not too expensive plane.
Just be aware however that there are a number of mechanical parts and electrical components that you will need on hand not included in the box in order to complete this model. Definitely make sure you read these details carefully so you can shop and have everything needed on hand for when you are ready to put this great plane together.
5. If you want something that is just awesome fun.
If you’re like most of us RC plane enthusiasts, you want a plane that simply performs and provides you with countless hours of high flying fun.
If this is the case, then you can’t go wrong with the Fun Cub Kit.
Whether you’re playing around in your backyard, at the beach, or at a large air park, the Fun Cub is an amazingly versatile plane.
Complete with a top of the line five-channel radio controller and large wheels, the Fun Cub can take off from just about anywhere.
Those new to RC planes will enjoy its lower speed flying ability making it more manageable for the novice, while seasoned RC pilots will appreciate its unique ability to perform a wide variety of aerobatic manoeuvres.
In the end, this is one of the most fun kit airplanes to have in your RC plane arsenal.
The Best RC Airplane Kits!
Whether you’re looking for a project plane or one that will begin pulling loops straight out of the box, I’m sure one of these RC airplane kits is sure to be a right fit for you.


Concerning the Dumas Taylorcraft, which I would like to build, I cannot find out what the RC package–electric motor, radio, etc–would cost. Can you give me a ball game $$ figure? And where do you buy these components? As a package? Individual items? I fly rubber power, and would like to move up, but need information. ……Alan
Hi Alan, thanks for the query and no problem at all to give you my thoughts. Cost wise it’s hard to be precise as to some degree it depends on the quality of the components you want to put in. I’d suggest have a search around on maybe Amazon and see if you can get a ball park for some prices from there. Following that you might also like to head into your local model shop and have a chat to them as they might be able to show you in person a few different options too and really talk through with you what you want to achieve. Sorry I can’t be a bit more precise for you but hope that helps!
Thanks for stopping by MyRCtopia!
David
Nice article and useful. I like your review of the old school Dumas Taylorcraft. I’ve been bulding RC planes for some 30 years or so, and it’s worth noting that probably the finest kit ever is the SR Batteries’ Cutie (and their Acro Pro). Unfortunately they are waiting to crank up production of these kits again so if you want one you’d have to email them.
Hi Tom,
Great to hear from you and really glad you enjoyed the article! Thanks a bunch for the heads up on the Cutie and Acro Pro. With your experience sounds like its definitely good advice worth checking out.
Thanks!
David – My RCtopia