The Ugly Stick: RC Plane Legend That Changed the Hobby Forever
“Ugly on the bench, beautiful in the air.”
Image credit: Model Builder Magazine
Introduction: Born to Fly, Not to Impress
In the world of radio-controlled (RC) aviation, many models have come and gone — but only a few become true icons.
The Ugly Stick is one of those rare birds.
Designed in the 1960s, this rugged, no-nonsense sport flyer was never about show-stopping looks. It was designed for pure flying joy, and that’s why it has earned its place as one of the most successful — and beloved — RC sport models of all time.
🛠️ Origins: The Story Behind the Stick
The Ugly Stick was the brainchild of Phil Kraft, a pioneer in the hobby who set out in 1966 to create a test bed aircraft — something simple, stable, and forgiving for evaluating RC radio gear and flight handling.
The result? A radically plain design:
- Slab-sided fuselage
- Flat tail surfaces
- Symmetrical high-mounted wing
- Tricycle landing gear
Phil cheekily called it the “Ugly Stick,” but the name didn’t stop it from becoming a smash hit.
Key Moments in Its Rise:
- 1966 – First published in RC Modeler magazine as construction plans.
- 1970s–80s – Kit versions released by Great Planes, Midwest, and others.
- 1990s–2000s – Reborn in the ARF (Almost Ready-to-Fly) era through global brands.
Design That Just Makes Sense
What made the Ugly Stick revolutionary was that it broke all the rules. While others tried to mimic real aircraft, the Stick focused on:
✅ Simplicity
✅ Durability
✅ Performance
Core Features:
- Symmetrical Airfoil: Full aerobatic potential — rolls, loops, stall turns, inverted flight? Check.
- Boxy Fuselage: Easy to build, easier to fix.
- Large Control Surfaces: Crisp response, even at low speeds.
- Open-Plan Design: A playground for tinkerers and modders.
This plane wasn’t just fun to fly — it was fun to make your own.
Why It Works — Even Decades Later
What’s the magic behind the Ugly Stick’s success? Here’s what keeps it at the top of builders’ and flyers’ lists:
🛠️ Easy to Build – Great for scratch-builders and laser-cut kits alike
🎯 Stable Yet Agile – Perfect for learning, ideal for throwing around the sky
🔧 Super Repairable – Damage in the field? Just patch it up and fly again
🔄 Infinitely Customizable – Gas or electric, micro or giant, trainer or 3D monster
The Stick Family Tree
The Stick wasn’t just a one-hit wonder — it gave birth to an entire generation of fun flyers.
The Classic Ugly Stick
- ~60″ wingspan
- Suited for .45–.60 glow engines
- Pure balsa & ply construction
Big Stick / Giant Stick / Ultra Stick
- 70–80″+ wingspans
- Flaps, reinforcements, and gas power options
- Great for towing, 3D mods, and hardcore aerobatics
Mini & Micro Sticks
- 30–40″ wingspans
- Perfect for indoor or park flyers
- Often made from foam or lightweight balsa
Electric Ugly Sticks
- Designed for brushless motors and LiPo power
- Modern construction techniques
- Many support AS3X, SAFE, and FPV setups
Flying the Ugly Stick
Whether you’re just moving on from your trainer or you’re a seasoned aerobatic pilot, the Ugly Stick just delivers:
- ✅ Handles wind well
- ✅ Takes off on grass, dirt, or pavement
- ✅ Performs any basic or intermediate aerobatic maneuver
- ✅ Recovers easily and can float slowly for landings
- ✅ Tough enough to survive beginner crashes and field mishaps
Many pilots agree: it’s the perfect “second plane”, and some even call it the only plane they’d ever need.
📦 Want to Build One? Start Here
Whether you’re into kits, ARFs, or full scratch-builds, the Ugly Stick is everywhere.
📥 Free Plans & PDFs
- OuterZone – Classic plan archive
🔗 https://outerzone.co.uk/plan_details.asp?ID=152 - Aerofred – Multiple plans, multiple sizes
🔗 https://aerofred.com/search.php?search_terms=ugly+stick
🛒 Kits & ARFs
- Tower Hobbies Big Stick ARF
🔗 https://www.towerhobbies.com - Balsa USA Ugly Stick Kits
🔗 https://www.balsausa.com
Modern Variants & Evolution
The Stick’s DNA runs through a whole spectrum of modern models:
| Variant | Features |
|---|---|
| Original Ugly Stick | .45–.60 glow, balsa/ply, simple 3–4 channel |
| Big/Giant Stick | Up to 50cc gas, flaps, stronger structure |
| Mini/Micro Sticks | Small electric park/indoor flyers |
| ARF/PNP Sticks | Prebuilt or almost-ready, perfect for quick launches |
| Electric Sticks | Lightweight, brushless setups, SAFE/gyro compatibility |
Why the Stick Still Rules
Even in today’s high-tech RC world, the Ugly Stick holds its own:
🔥 Aerobatic Trainer – Get confident with advanced maneuvers
🔨 Crash-Proof Mindset – Easy to repair and fly again
⚙️ Modder’s Paradise – Floats? Twin engines? Night lights? Go wild
🌍 Accessible & Ubiquitous – Plans and parts are everywhere
“If I could only have one model, it would be a Stick.” – Every RC pilot ever
Final Thoughts: More Than Just a Plane
The Ugly Stick is more than balsa and glue. It’s a philosophy. It says:
“Just fly. Worry less. Have fun.”
It taught generations of pilots how to roll, loop, and land. It let them crash and try again. It showed them that ugly doesn’t mean bad — and that good design is about freedom, not perfection.
So if you’ve never flown a Stick — or you’re looking for that old-school thrill again — it’s time to build or buy one.
Trust us, there’s a reason it’s still flying high after more than 50 years.
