Rage RC Micro Warbirds: Buyer's Guide for New Pilots

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A first RC plane that looks like a Mustang instead of a flat foam trainer is an easy sell, and Rage RC built a line around it: small, RTF, EPP foam warbirds with a stabilization system and an included radio. This page is a researched buyer's guide built from Rage's own instruction manual and the specifications Rage publishes, as reproduced in retailer listings. Rage's web store could not be reached while writing, so listing-derived figures are marked as such. It is not based on our own flying, so you will not find crash tallies or "I loved it" verdicts here.

One caution first, in the maker's own words: the Rage manual lists an age recommendation of 14 years and up and states, "This is not a toy." These are small, light and fast enough to need space and care. If you are choosing a first plane, read our guide to the best planes for beginners and the trainer roundup as well.

The line at a glance

The flight times are listing claims, and no wind limit appears in the manual or the listings. What the Corsair listing says to do is make first flights in Full-Assist mode on a calm morning with minimal wind.

What comes in the box

The listings and manual agree on the basics:

• The airframe, a 4-channel 2.4GHz transmitter with a PASS switch and Stunt button, a 1S 3.7V 400 mAh LiPo battery and a USB charger.
• On the Corsair listing, two spare propellers and a screwdriver are included too.
• You supply four AA batteries for the transmitter, because the manual says they are not included.

Charging is slow and the manual is specific. Charging takes up to 3 hours, and it says never to charge for longer than 4 hours. A red LED lights while charging and turns off when done. Rage's battery warnings include stopping use of any battery that balloons or swells, not storing batteries in direct sunlight or a hot vehicle, never leaving a battery charging unattended and not charging in extreme heat or cold. Our beginner flying guide covers pre-flight habits in more detail.

PASS stabilization, as the manual describes it

PASS is Rage's stabilization system, and the manual describes three levels set by a switch:

The manual adds that if you lose orientation, you should switch to one of the assist modes to regain control. Calibration is only needed if the model is not performing properly in PASS: prop the tail up so the wings are level, throttle at minimum, power up and hold the sticks until you hear a beep. Keep the plane still while PASS initializes.

Other features in the manual

• Stunt button. Press it, then move the aileron stick for an auto-roll or pull the elevator stick for an auto-loop, and the plane returns to level afterwards.
• Arming. The throttle is locked every time the transmitter turns on. Raise the throttle stick to maximum until a beep, lower it to minimum until a second beep, and the motor is armed. The checklist says to have the throttle stick at the bottom before connecting the battery, and to turn the transmitter off last. If a plane will not arm, our bind and arming guide walks through general causes.
• Prop saver. The manual says the prop saver keeps the propeller and shaft from damage and prevents over-current to the electronics. When the plane hits something, the prop pops loose; reinstall it by centering the adapter on the motor shaft and pressing until it clicks. Our propeller guide covers prop basics.
• Alerts. The transmitter beeps four times repeatedly when the plane flies out of range or meets interference, both transmitter and receiver beep continuously on a low flight battery, and the transmitter LED flashes with a single beep on low transmitter batteries.
• Find My Aircraft. Hold the button for 3 seconds and listen for a series of four beeps from the airplane.
• Servo lock. After 30 seconds of not being used, the transmitter locks the servos to avoid overcurrent damage after a crash. Pull any stick to release.

The models

The manual covers the Micro P-51D and the Micro F4U Corsair; the others are described only in listings.

P-51D Mustang

Rage RC P-51D Micro RTF on Amazon (search)

The manual's parts list calls it the P-51D Obsession (RGRA1300V2). Retailer listings also carry a Miss America version labelled RGRA1300V3 with a different quoted weight (43 g) and flight time (up to 10 minutes). Those numbers do not match the 54 g and 15 minutes quoted on other listings, so check which SKU and which claims apply to the one you are buying. The Amazon listing the older version of this page used showed as unavailable.

F4U Corsair

Rage RC F4U Corsair Micro RTF on Amazon (search)

Listed as the Jolly Rogers (RGRA1301V2), with the 400mm specs, EPP foam and the package contents above. Its parts list includes a three-blade scale propeller and spinner two-pack.

Spitfire, T-28 and others

The Supermarine Spitfire is listed with the same 400mm specs and a 1S 400 mAh battery. The Rage RC T-28 Trojan Micro RTF with PASS (RGRA1302) has a live Amazon listing. Other Rage models appear in listings, but this guide could not verify their details, so it does not describe them. Here is a search for Rage Spitfire listings if that shape appeals.

500mm brushless tier

Rage RC P-51D Mustang 500mm brushless on Amazon (search)

The 500mm P-51D and F4U Corsair (RGRA1600, RGRA1601 and RGRA1602 in listings) use a separate ESC and servos. The P-51D listing gives a 2300Kv brushless motor, a 2S 7.4V 400 mAh battery and PASS, with a 3S 11.1V 400 mAh battery sold as an upgrade for more thrust. The listings quote up to 15 minutes of flight. Details of weight and length were not confirmed.

A first-session checklist, from the manual

Rage's manual gives an order of operations that doubles as a pre-flight routine:

1. Install four AA batteries in the transmitter and charge the flight battery, remembering the 3 hour charge time and the 4 hour limit.
2. Plug the landing gear into the wings until it clicks.
3. Put the throttle stick at the bottom before connecting the flight battery, then connect it and place it in the battery box, with the wires tucked in and the door closed.
4. Keep the plane still while PASS initializes.
5. Set the PASS switch to Full Assist for the first flights. Rage's own tip is to make the maiden flights on a calm morning with minimal wind.
6. Unlock the throttle with the maximum-then-minimum stick sequence described above, and wait for both beeps.
7. After flying, disconnect the battery and turn the transmitter off last.

The manual also notes that the control surfaces may need centering: turn PASS off first, check the rudder, elevator and ailerons, and adjust the arc-shaped section of each pushrod with needle-nose pliers if needed, though it says that is unlikely to be necessary on a new model. If the airplane behaves oddly in PASS mode, use the calibration procedure rather than guessing at trim.

What the listings disagree on

Because Rage's own store was unavailable, much of this guide rests on retailer listings that reproduce Rage's text, and they do not always agree. The ones to watch:

• Weight. Most 400mm listings give 54 g with the battery. The Miss America P-51D listing quotes 43 g.
• Flight time. Up to 15 minutes on most listings and up to 10 on the Miss America listing.
• Model names. The manual calls the P-51D the Obsession (RGRA1300V2), while a listing for the V3 version uses the Miss America name.
• Stunt button. It is described in the manual and in listings for the V2 models; a search of the V3 specs did not show it.
• 500mm details. Motor sizes, weights and gear details differ or are missing between listings, which is why the 500mm table cells say "not confirmed."

None of that is a reason to avoid the line, but it is a reason to read the box and the manual that arrive with your plane, and to check the SKU before you trust a spec.

Parts and spares

Rage's manual lists parts for the P-51D and Corsair, and these are the ones worth knowing before a crash:

The manual shows how to replace the motor and the control board with a screwdriver. A propeller set for the P-51D is listed on Amazon. A spare 400 mAh battery matters because each flight uses one, and a second charger helps, given the up to 3 hour charge time. Our LiPo battery guide explains why damaged batteries should be retired.

Registration

At 54 g with a battery, the 400mm models sit far under the FAA's 0.55 lb (250 g) registration line for recreational aircraft. Other recreational rules still apply.

Rage RC versus an E-flite UMX warbird

The usual cross-shop is the E-flite UMX P-51D Mustang, now called "Detroit Miss."

The difference is mostly what is in the box. Rage sells a complete package for someone with no radio. The UMX is a BNF that expects a Spektrum radio, battery and charger. Our RTF, BNF and ARF guide explains that trade-off and the transmitter and receiver guide covers radios.

Who it suits

• Someone who wants a complete warbird package, small enough to fly in a large yard, and who is prepared to take it seriously: 14+, not a toy, and calm conditions.
• Someone who wants a warbird shape on a stabilized micro, but who understands that parts come mainly from the maker.
• Not someone who wants a long-term upgrade platform, where a hobby-grade BNF is a better fit. For that, see our warbird roundup and our guide to WW2 scale planes.

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