Martin Newell's Micro Warbirds


Palm sized palm fighters by Martin Newell. Video by Nick Murling and Mark Lanterman. Featured in the October 2014 issue of Model Aviation.

Apart from the battery, all the aircraft featured were scratch-built. The airframe is constructed from .020 Durabatics foam, with graphics printed by an inkjet printer. The wingspans are about four inches and the flying weight is 1/10 ounce, including the single-cell 20 mAh LiPo that fits inside the fuselage. They are based on an airframe design by Robert Guillot, with fully proportional control of elevator, rudder, ailerons, and throttle. The P-51 adds flaps, retracts, operable navigation lights, and cannons. The design and construction of the P-51 is described here. Read the entire article and build tips in the October 2014 issue of Model Aviation.

Micro warbird interview with Martin Newell

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13 comments

Submitted by Wade Thrall (not verified) on October 21, 2014 - 3:12pm

Fascinating work and great interview except--not a second of flight video! What a shame.
Submitted by Heath (not verified) on October 21, 2014 - 3:39pm

Is the code available for the software that Martin is using on his transmitter available? I think I caught the name hiphop for the transmitter software, but I haven't found any informaton on it.
Submitted by Wayne Ashby (not verified) on October 21, 2014 - 6:31pm

Is there a video showing the 8-channel 1:96 scale P-51D in flight? I would love to see that...
Submitted by Jim Jensen (not verified) on October 22, 2014 - 7:55am

I couldn't wait to see a flight demonstration and was disappointed when none was shown. I hope some flight video will be included in the future. Amazing detail for something so small.
Submitted by Stan Jonutis (not verified) on October 22, 2014 - 10:01pm

Outstanding nano construction! Two comments: 1) I was also hoping to see it fly, and 2) What's with the heavy metal background music? Should have used a Glen Miller tune!
Submitted by Stan Jonutis (not verified) on October 22, 2014 - 10:04pm

Superb nano construction! But; I was also hoping to see it fly. Also- what's with the heavy metal background music?? Should be a Glen Miller tune!
Submitted by İhsan batır (not verified) on February 19, 2015 - 3:34pm

love it, so much detail and technology in such a small thing. Disappointed that there is no flight video but i hope it will come soon. Please can you sell this product with RTF mode world wide because there are so many people who would love to buy this including my self. Peace ;-)
Submitted by Kraetzer. Angela (not verified) on December 17, 2016 - 5:44am

Hallo, Can i buy this. Mustang!? It s. Budifull!!
Submitted by Kraetzer (not verified) on December 17, 2016 - 5:47am

Hallo, How. Much cost it???
Submitted by Steffen (not verified) on January 1, 2017 - 12:41pm

Hallo! würde gerne so eine mustang p-51d 1:96 8 kanal kaufen. was kostet die komplett und wo bekomme ich das modell. mfg steffen
Submitted by Web Administrator on March 27, 2017 - 12:17pm

Hallo Steffen, Die P-51D war ein Eigenbau. Leider wissen wir nicht was es gekostet hat.
Submitted by Justin Eaton (not verified) on November 23, 2017 - 6:06am

I understand that Martin does this for fun, and isn't interested in mass producing these. So, with that in mind I dare not ask to have one made for me. However, what I fail to comprehend, is the lack of interest in the market for these little rc aircrafts! Why doesn't someone just put a patent on these, or hmmmm create a market for them? They would sell really well! The majority of us are not retired, work 40 hr a week, and don't have the free time for such intricate and detailed work. It's a tease if you ask me, and a very passive way of being a TURKEY!
Submitted by Richard Cox (not verified) on April 30, 2023 - 1:15pm

I am a flying buddy of Martin. He has produced several smaller planes, the smallest is 50 mm wingspan. It generally takes him a year to produce one, working more or less full time. It would not be possible to produce anything like this in volume. Figure 2000 hours even at minimum wage. Would you pay that for one of these? His website has videos of some of his flights.

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