Challenger F5J

With redesigned airfoils, planform and fuselage system, the Challenger now performs better than previous designs in all-weather conditions. It has better stability in the turns, superior penetration, with much improved overall handling and agility. Slowing down to hit your perfect landing is easy with the huge flaps surfaces. Whether scratching for altitude in light lift conditions or speeding through sink to the next thermal, the new Challenger gives you a BIG performance advantage. 

This version of the Challenger comes with a 4 piece solid-core wing, and the fuse is in 3 parts. This makes this big sailplane much easier to transport, because you can fit 3 Challenger models in a box 33"x33"x45". The servos for the tail are extremely easy to install in the fuse tail boom. The Interchangeable nose sections provide the ability to change out the nose in seconds for a different motor system to adapt to either light or windy conditions.

Extensive experimenting and testing with different wing area, aspect ratios, and airfoils, has resulted in the Challenger. The airfoil is heavily modified from the previous versions of the Explorer series and state-of-the-art construction methods make for a strong but super-light wing set.  The redesigned low drag air frame and tail sections make this Soaringusa exclusive sailplane almost impossible to beat for sport flying or F5J competitions.

Currently only the standard layup is available and the wing comes in two color ways: Bare carbon skins with either red/blue or green/blue stripping - White wing tops with either red/blue or green/blue stripping. The wing bottoms are black with high visibility strips on both color ways. All fuselages are black with red orange canopies and the stab is white on top and black on the bottom. The vertical fin is red. *If ordering online, please enter your wing color preference in the "Notes" area when checking out. 

The solid core construction is convenient for easier repairs, and makes the aircraft less susceptible to hangar rash . This also allows the reduction of both the width and thickness of the wing design, boosting the performance of the wing considerably. A first for solid core manufacturing is the addition of molded servo pockets to tie the upper and lower skins together adding strength plus simplifying the use of standard IDS Servo frames. Joiner angles for the tips are 7 or 9 degrees and joiner angles for the center section are 1.5 or 2.0 degrees. The square ballast compartment is right behind the center joiner cavity and measures 16mm x 16mm wide and is 35cm's long. 

The cross tail of the Challenger has been redesigned with both drag and handling in mind and fillets have been incorporated where the vertical fin intersects the top of the stab. Fillets have also been added to the lower stab where it mounts to the fuselage allowing the stab to key into the stab mount prior to being locked in. New airfoils were designed for the tails and the moments and volumes calculated carefully.

Recommended servos are the MKS 6120's on the ailerons, MKS 6150’s on the flaps, and MKS HS75 servos used to drive rudder and elevator. Another option for lighter builds is the MKS HS75 servo on the ailerons and MKS 6120’s on the flaps. MKS HV70 servos drive the rudder and elevator.

The kit is supplied with:

• Carbon fuselage
• Fully molded solid-core composite wing panels
• Fully molded composite tails
• Full accessory pack

Give us a call or e-mail us with any ordering or technical questions, we'll be happy to help you make the right equipment choices for this glider.

Recommended Motor Light: NeuMotor 1102/3.5Y/5.8 (P22) 

Recommended Motor Windy: NeuMotor 1105/2.5D/6.7 (P22)

Recommended ESC: CC Phoenix EDGE Lite 50 Brushless Speed Controller

Recommended Battery 3s: Dinogy Battery 850mAh 3S 80C Lipo

Recommended Battery 4s: Dinogy Battery 850mAh 4S 80C Lipo

Recommended Spinner: GM 30/6mm Spinner

Recommended Spinner: GM 30/5mm Spinner

Recommended Prop 3 Cell: GM 13x10 Prop

Recommended Prop 4 Cell: GM 12x10 Prop

Recommended servos:  MKS 6120   MKS 6150   MKS HV70   MKS HS75

Recommended LDS servo frames: MKS 6120 IDS    MKS 6150 IDS

Recommended Radio Transmitter: FrSKY X20 Pro G Dual Band Radio

Recommended Receiver: FrSKY TW-GR 8 Channel

SoaringUSA is the exclusive dealer for the NAN Models Challenger in the USA.

NAN Models in Bulgaria is dedicated to producing some of the finest and best valued models in the world. The new Challenger again raises the bar to a new level with superior fit and finish and a lighter, stiffer and more aerodynamic air frame. Nikolay has been working hard on the production of this new model and once again, he has come up with a sure winner. Members of the U.S. F5J team, along with top EU pilots, will be flying Challengers in the March 2025 FAI F5J Worlds held in Argentina.