The B-2 Spirit was a victim of the end of the Cold War, or at least as much of a victim as a non-feeling slab of deadly metal can possibly be. Nevertheless, it’s one of the most iconic airplanes ever built. Who else, if not CARF-Models, would have the guts to build one as a model, make it work with the available technology of today, tame it so that it flies like a pussy cat, and make it available to the distinctive model airplane enthusiast as an all-composite, painted, highly prefabricated ARF kit... We've been asked so many times why in the world we made it.
And because pushing boundaries is what we do. Turning the impossible into reality – that’s the CARF way.
Its impressive 435 cm wingspan is intriguing, but its finless stealth shape makes it appear small when sitting on the runway. Still easy to transport and store, it is big enough to impress the crowd with an unprecedented appearance in the sky.
The simplicity of the aircraft is mind-boggling, too. The center fuselage/wing has the tricycle landing gear, 2x 100 N-sized engines, and RC components installed. They are accessible through 3 large hatches and 3 large gear doors, all readily installed and hinged. The fuel system is installed through 2 large bomb bay doors on the bottom of the fuselage. The two wings slide onto 4 aluminum tube stubs and carry all flaps and the elevator, aileron, and rudder controls.
It’s hard to deny just how stunning the B-2 Spirit looks. A gorgeous, slick, all-black stealth bomber, its rudderless body and technological edge combine the coolness and menace of Batman and Darth Vader into one deadly package for the American military. Design for the B-2 began in 1981, when America was still deep in the Cold War. Production began in 1987 and continued through to 1997. Then, geopolitical events, such as the complete collapse of the Soviet Union, reduced the need for an unparalleled long-range, stealthy nuclear bomber. Costing roughly $1 billion each in 1995, the program was drastically cut, and only 21 bombers were ultimately built. The B-2 Spirit was a victim of the end of the Cold War, or at least as much of a victim as a non-feeling slab of deadly metal can possibly be. Nevertheless, it’s one of the most iconic airplanes ever built.
Who else, if not CARF-Models, would have the guts to build one as a model, make it work with the available technology of today, tame it so that it flies like a pussy cat, and make it available to the distinctive model airplane enthusiast as an all-composite, painted, highly prefabricated ARF kit?
Now, how is the CARF-Models B-2 actually controlled? Basically, a simple delta configuration with 2 flaps on each wing controls the elevator and ailerons, and optionally, the tail cone of the fuselage is mixed into the elevator function as well. This is set up with a high-end 3-axis gyro, such as a Bavarian Demon Cortex PRO or a similar model. The rudder gyro function is used for nose-wheel steering, which is important for this airplane, which has no fin.
The aerodynamic yaw stability is achieved by two drag rudders positioned at the outer wingtips, which split open 25-30 degrees during all flight and, like the full-scale, create drag at the furthest point behind the CG, stabilizing yaw perfectly. Those split flaps are used for yaw control by alternately opening and closing the split angles. They can also be opened and closed simultaneously within their limits and work as speed brakes during landing.
All of the above have been perfected in-flight, and the programming instructions, along with all techniques and values, come with the kit.
For propulsion of the CARF-Models B-2, we recommend 2x 80-100 N engines, which, in flight, are used at most half power. They are installed like in a real aircraft, very low and forward in the fuselage. A pair of specially designed, dual-walled thrust tubes connects to the slotted exits above the wings. The composite material behind the exits is covered with stainless sheeting, allowing cooling air to pass beneath and protecting the composite structure from heat damage. This is all designed to work and has been tested and perfected across numerous prototype flights.
This CARF-Models B2 is the only large-scale model in the world flying. It flies easily, predictably, from grass or asphalt, from small or big airfields. There is nothing to hold you back if you really want to rewrite model aviation history at your flying field. Fly the coolest model airplane jet there is, which most likely all will say won’t fly!
A very simple, functional yet scaled landing gear is available, along with a Kevlar fuel tank set.
Big thanks go out to Harry Wolff and Bernd Jaeger, who started developing and building this iconic aircraft before CARF-Models got involved and brought it to perfection in flight and on the building table.
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171" (4350 mm) |
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65" (1650 mm) |
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52 lb (24 kg) |
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2x 80-100 N |
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8 high power digital servos (+ 3 for gear doors) |
Gyros: 1x 3-axis delta config.
1x 2-axis V-tail config
