Multiplex Modellsport

Multiplex Modellsport GmbH & Co. KG is a German hobby-model manufacturer based in Bretten-Gölshausen. The brand is associated primarily with radio-controlled aircraft and helicopters, but its product range also includes aircraft and surface-model radio systems, servos, electronic speed controls, and other accessories used by radio-control enthusiasts. Its products are aimed at recreational modelers who assemble, operate, modify, and repair their own aircraft and vehicles. A defining feature of Multiplex aircraft is the use of Elapor, a proprietary expanded polypropylene foam. Compared with more brittle expanded-polystyrene construction, Elapor is designed to tolerate impacts and repeated handling while remaining light enough for powered flight and gliding applications. The material also supports relatively straightforward assembly and field repair. Multiplex models can generally be repaired with ordinary hobby-grade cyanoacrylate adhesives suitable for the material; common two-part epoxy does not bond to Elapor effectively, and adhesives formulated specifically to be safe for EPS foam are not necessarily appropriate. The aircraft portfolio has covered several segments of the radio-controlled market. Small and intermediate models have included powered gliders such as the Cularis, pusher-propeller jets such as the FunJET, electric sport aircraft such as the Blizzard, and larger trainer-oriented aircraft such as the Mentor. The Mentor was designed as an electric trainer resembling a Cessna 180 and was sufficiently large and powerful for use as a glider tug when configured with the relevant components. The model has since been discontinued. Multiplex expanded beyond fixed-wing aircraft in 2010 with the Funcopter, an electric helicopter using an Elapor fuselage and a direct-drive rotor system. The direct-drive arrangement avoided the drive gears and one-way bearings found in many conventional model-helicopter designs. In the same year, the company introduced the FunJET Ultra, a higher-performance development of the original FunJET. The Ultra used denser Elapor, revised aerodynamics, removal of the original model's simulated wing tanks, and an updated motor mount. These changes were intended to better support the high-speed modifications for which the original FunJET had become known among hobbyists. The brand has also marketed the RoyalPRO family of radio-control equipment for aircraft and surface models. These systems have been offered for European and North American frequency requirements, including 2.4 GHz spread-spectrum operation. Complementary electronics have included servos and electronic speed controllers. Multiplex therefore occupies a product position spanning airframes, propulsion-related electronics, and control equipment rather than focusing exclusively on one type of model. Available reference material does not establish the company's founding year, founder, ownership structure, current executive leadership, financial performance, or a current official website. Its documented identity is nevertheless distinct from unrelated organizations using the word “Multiplex”: the subject here is the German radio-controlled model brand and manufacturer.

Multiplex Modellsport is documented as a German manufacturer of hobby-grade radio-controlled aircraft, helicopters, and related equipment. The company operates from Bretten-Gölshausen and has developed a product identity around molded foam aircraft made from Elapor, a proprietary expanded polypropylene material. This construction approach is central to the brand's proposition: models are comparatively resistant to crash damage, straightforward to assemble, and suitable for repair with compatible hobby adhesives. The aircraft range described in available reference material spans several common radio-control categories. Multiplex has produced powered gliders, fast pusher-propeller jets, electric sport aircraft, and larger trainer models. The Cularis represents the powered-glider segment, while the FunJET represents a compact pusher-propeller jet platform that became popular as a basis for owner modifications. The Blizzard is identified as an electric sportliner, and the Mentor was a larger electric trainer modeled in appearance after a Cessna 180. The Mentor was also designed to support glider-towing use when equipped with the relevant parts, although the model is now discontinued. The original FunJET attracted attention among hobbyists because of its potential for performance modification. Highly modified examples were reported to reach speeds above 130 miles per hour, or approximately 210 kilometers per hour. Multiplex subsequently introduced the FunJET Ultra in 2010 as a factory-developed response to the demands associated with faster setups. The Ultra incorporated denser Elapor, aerodynamic revisions including the removal of simulated wing tanks, and a revised motor mount. These changes distinguished it from a simple cosmetic refresh and reflected the brand's engagement with a performance-oriented part of the model-aircraft community. Multiplex entered the model-helicopter category in 2010 with the Funcopter. Like the company's aircraft, the helicopter used an Elapor fuselage. Its direct-drive rotor system was intended to simplify the mechanical arrangement by eliminating drive gears and one-way bearings used in many other model helicopters. The product broadened Multiplex's airframe portfolio while retaining the company's emphasis on approachable construction and impact-tolerant molded foam. Alongside airframes, Multiplex has marketed radio-control equipment under the RoyalPRO name. The line has covered aircraft and surface-model transmitters or radio systems compatible with European and North American frequency requirements, including 2.4 GHz spread-spectrum operation. Servos and electronic speed controllers have complemented the radio systems, giving the company a presence in the electronics and control portion of the hobby market. The available sources do not provide a reliable founding date, founder, ownership history, financial information, current executive roster, or detailed account of later corporate developments. They do establish Multiplex Modellsport as a specialized German manufacturer whose recognizable contribution to the hobby sector is the combination of Elapor airframes, repair-friendly construction, radio-control systems, and products spanning beginner, sport, glider, jet, and helicopter use cases.

• 2010

  Expansion into helicopters and performance aircraft

  [1]Multiplex Modellsporten.wikipedia.org

  Multiplex introduced the Funcopter, its first documented helicopter model, and launched the FunJET Ultra as a higher-performance development of the original FunJET.

A German specialist brand for durable, repairable, molded-foam radio-controlled aircraft and associated control electronics, serving both recreational beginners and experienced hobbyists interested in modification and performance flying.

• Powered glider

  Cularis

  The Cularis is a Multiplex powered-glider model. It represents the company's use of molded Elapor construction for a relatively accessible electric aircraft that combines motor-assisted takeoff and climb with gliding-oriented flight characteristics.

• Pusher-propeller model jet

  FunJET

  The FunJET is a compact pusher-propeller aircraft designed for fast radio-controlled flight. The platform became a frequent basis for enthusiast modifications, with extensively modified examples reported at speeds exceeding 130 miles per hour.

• Performance model jet · 2010

  FunJET Ultra

  Introduced in 2010, the FunJET Ultra refined the original FunJET for higher-performance use. It used denser Elapor, revised aerodynamics that removed the simulated wing tanks, and an updated motor mount intended to address demands created by faster power and modification setups.

• Electric sport aircraft

  Blizzard

  The Blizzard is an electric sportliner in Multiplex's aircraft range. It illustrates the brand's coverage of powered sport flying beyond trainer and glider formats, using the company's molded-foam construction approach.

• Electric trainer aircraft

  Mentor

  The Mentor is a larger electric trainer resembling a Cessna 180. Its size and power were comparable to a model normally using a .40 cubic-inch, approximately 6.5 cc, glow engine. Parts supplied with the kit allowed it to be configured as a glider tug. The model is discontinued.

• Radio-controlled helicopter · 2010

  Funcopter

  Introduced in 2010, the Funcopter was Multiplex's first documented helicopter model. It used an Elapor fuselage and a direct-drive rotor system, avoiding the drive gears and one-way bearings found in many conventional model-helicopter designs.

• Radio-control equipment

  RoyalPRO

  RoyalPRO is a Multiplex line of radio-control systems for aircraft and surface models. The range has been offered for European and North American frequency requirements, including 2.4 GHz spread-spectrum operation, and sits alongside the company's servos and electronic speed controllers.

1. 1Multiplex Modellsporten.wikipedia.org