Spy Review

As any model plane or rocket enthusiast would know, they can can sometimes come down a long way from where intended, and sometimes it is the case even with exceptional controllers. Many people flying these often do so in vast open spaces resulting in hours of search or even losing their models alltogether.

The Walston model plane and rocket retrieval system intends to correct this problem by allowing owners to locate their planes in flight and when its hit the ground upon crash.

It works by attaching the transmitter somewhere on the model plane and the receiver tracks the model by emitting a sound when it is locked with the transmitter, with the sound being loudest when the receiver is directly in line with the plane. Even the most basic transmitter has at least a 2 mile ground range.

One problem is that because the difference in distance tracked in air and on ground is quite substantial, it means the retriever is likely to lose signal suddenly upon hitting the ground unless it was already within the ground tracking range, which is of course much less than when in flight. But it would still mean the plane has landed in the line of trajectory it was last pointed to by the receiver before losing signal. Its best to use a system like this with a map of the area.

The quality of tracking will depend on how much intereference there is. It will generate better signal in an open area than where there might be some sort of interference such as power lines.

There are two retriever systems available: one for model planes and another for rockets. The system will work on most model planes and rockets. It is possible to track more than one model as long as each is fitted with a transmitter.

This retriever system would be useful for those who are extremely keen flyers of model planes. At these prices, they need to be. It won’t make much sense for someone who flies on the odd occasion as the cost of the system would far weigh the cost of the plane.