Lentus ELAPOR plus Rigid Foam Electric Glider with a 3-meter Wingspan

One thing, however, quickly became clear: a new type of model airplane had been born. With its models, Multiplex made it possible for those interested in model flying to get airborne as quickly and successfully as possible. Having little or no building experience was no longer an obstacle. These models all flew “out of the box” without any problems, and their ruggedness made it easier to get started in the sport of model flying.

The latest product—and likely the culmination of “foam plane” development—is the Lentus. The Lentus is, one might say, a semiscale glider model, based on the well-known Ventus. This “foam model” with a three-meter wingspan not only impresses with its good looks but is also a well-engineered design “made in Germany.” Both the fuselage surface and those of the wings and tail are worth seeing. Countless reinforcements made of fiberglass, carbon fiber, and metal ensure the model’s stability. For example, the rear section of the fuselage is reinforced by a GRP tube with a diameter of 20 mm and a length of 750 mm. The wings are constructed with double CFRP-aluminum composite spars. All control surfaces are reinforced with stainless steel tubes and are therefore torsion-free. The four wing servos are connected to the receiver in the fuselage via a pre-assembled forced connection (fuselage/wing) using M6 high-current connectors. The rudder is removable via grooved hinges. A CFRP retractable landing gear is also available as an option for the Lentus, which offers particular advantages when using the Lentus for glider towing.

Multiplex offers the Lentus in two versions:

• The KIT version: This includes all the necessary Depron parts and accessories. All other components—such as servos, ESCs, motors, etc.—are your choice, whether from other manufacturers or from your own collection. You’ll need to glue all the model parts together yourself.
• The RR version: With this version, you receive a fully assembled model with all power and RC components (excluding the receiver and LiPo battery), ready to fly! Assembly is limited to connecting the receiver, adjusting the control surfaces, and balancing the center of gravity.

All of these tasks are supported by the very comprehensive assembly manual included with the kit.

Once the specified center of gravity has been set by repositioning the LiPo (3S/4S) and the aileron deflections have been programmed according to the instructions, nothing stands in the way of the maiden flight. My maiden flight with the Lentus took place at our field under nearly ideal wind conditions with a hand launch. At “full throttle,” the Lentus climbs rapidly into the sky at an angle of more than 45°. After the motor has been running for about 5–7 seconds, the permitted altitudes are already reached, and the Lentus transitions into a brisk but very shallow glide angle. The specified control surface deflections and the indicated center of gravity are spot on, and the Lentus responds very willingly to the pilot’s commands. The Lentus signals an impending stall with a clearly noticeable loss of speed. Loops and rolls are performed well with a slight excess of speed achieved by pushing the controls or with engine assistance. Mixing the flaps with the ailerons is advantageous and significantly improves maneuverability around the longitudinal axis. The Lentus indicates the effects of the “speed” and “thermal” flight phases through increased speed or visibly improved climb rate. The Lentus has a very good glide angle. This is particularly evident during the landing approach. If you do not use the butterfly position, you must be prepared for a very long landing approach. When towed by a glider, the Lentus shows no eccentricities at moderate tow speeds and behaves “meekly” and willingly.

On the slope, the Lentus is “right at home.” If you engage the flaps in conjunction with the elevator, you can fly turns almost like in F3F. The Lentus thus demonstrates that, as of now, a “foam model ban” on the hillside is no longer valid. Of course, the Lentus can’t keep up with purebred F3F speedsters made of CFRP, but those also cost many times more for the same flight performance.

With the Lentus, Multiplex is now also entering the 3-meter class of electric gliders. The two versions offered—a kit or a ready-to-fly model—appeal to a wide range of model pilots. Personally, I recommend the ready-to-fly version. It’s a great offering from Multiplex, both in terms of build quality and value for the money (everything included, fully equipped). In the air, the Lentus impresses with both excellent flight characteristics and a stunning flight profile.