The original Bonsai
The original Bonsai was beloved. 600mm and smaller planes are difficult to set up right because they are so very dependent on getting CG spot-on. They tend to tip stall easier and can be more difficult to handle in the air. The original Bonsai seemed to be the exception. It was possible to dial this plane in, and with a 3S 1amp battery half an hour or longer flights were easily achievable. Best of all, the plane was something you could land just about anywhere including a front yard with a little bit of grass because it was so very predictable.
For years people have dreamed about something they could throw in a trunk and take out and fly on a whim. This plane was it! Its durability was off the charts. People discovered that simply using a thin layer of Goop on the leading edge made this plane bounce on impact.
One of my Bonsai's got challenged when someone ran into it with a heavy 4' Delta Wing going at full speed. The motor mount ripped from the back of the plane. I was staying at a rather boring resort in Mexico with a friend when this happened and it seemed half the people at the resort watched this happen because I got questions about the next day. Anyway, contact cleaner in the motor and a little CA adhesive and the plane was back at it. Though it's not "perfect" it's 96% as good as new. Which is great because HobbyKing has now made this plane a collector's item.
Bonsai II- Ruining a legacy
For the record, I don't own the Bonsai II. It's a plane I wouldn't recommend. Let's just say that promo videos showed people nearly crashing on each takeoff. That was concerning. So, let's call it for what it is, the Bonsai II is a small, unstable plane. Even Matt Osborne called it out
What went wrong?
The design of the Bonsai was changed to mount FPV gear to it. To balance out the addition of weight in the front the motor and servos were pushed further back. What you end up with is either a tail heavy plane needed a bunch of weight on the nose or a properly balanced plane that's prone to tip stall and dropping wings.
Matt has figured out that the plane can be improved by moving the servos closer to the nose of the plane.
Why you should skip this plane
I am all for modding planes. Most foam planes can benefit from the addition of carbon fiber rods. But when you have to make up for poor design before you even maiden a plane, that's nothing but a problem. A lot of people want to get into RC planes and would be attracted to this plane because it's so small, light, and affordable. Best of all, they can fly it FPV making the hobby more within reach of many of the drone pilots. I am afraid that if this is your first RC plane, it may be your last. it may seem counterintuitive but you're better off with the larger Teksumo.
Suggestions for FPV pilots
If you're hellbent on getting a 600mm wing that does FPV get the Blackwing For the same amount of money you are into a plane that thrives on FPV. It's slightly larger at 680mm and has a lot more foam. It's a fast and compelling plane.
