The Verdict

E-flite RC Airplane Turbo Timber Evolution 1.5m Smart BNF Ba: The Trainer That Grows With You

This is the plane that keeps showing up in “what should I buy next?” threads on every RC forum. The Turbo Timber Evolution isn’t the cheapest 1.5m bush plane, and it’s not the fastest. But there’s a reason it holds a 4.3-star average across 215 Amazon ratings — it’s the rare aircraft that genuinely works for both a nervous first-time pilot and a seasoned flyer who wants to sling it around a soccer field.

I’ve flown the original Timber and the Evolution. Here’s what’s actually different and whether your money is well spent.

What’s Actually in the Box

The “BNF Basic” designation is critical. You get the fully assembled airframe — wings, fuselage, tail, floats, and the Spektrum receiver with SAFE and Smart technology already installed. What you don’t get: a battery, charger, or transmitter. If you’re coming from a ready-to-fly package, that’s a $150–$300 surprise depending on what gear you already own.

The floats are included in the box, which is a genuine value-add. They swap on in about five minutes using the same mounting hardware. The 1.5m wingspan (59 inches) gives it presence in the air and real wind penetration — this is not a park flyer that gets tossed around by a breeze.

Real-World Performance

Power: The 3S-compatible motor (or 4S if you want unlimited vertical) pulls the Timber through loops from level flight without diving for speed. On 3S it’s spirited but controllable; on 4S it’s borderline ballistic. The Smart ESC gives you real-time telemetry on your transmitter — voltage, current, and motor RPM — which is more useful than you’d think when you’re trying to stretch a flight to 12 minutes.

The SAFE system is the headline feature. One flip of a switch and the plane self-levels, limits bank angle, and won’t let you dive into the ground. This is genuinely forgiving — one Amazon reviewer noted, “I crashed my previous trainer three times. With the Timber in SAFE mode, I landed on my third attempt without a scratch.” That’s the difference between a hobby that sticks and one that ends in a bag of foam parts.

Flight characteristics: With the flaps deployed, this thing gets absurdly slow. You can fly it at walking pace into a headwind. The slotted flaps create real drag — you’ll need to manage throttle on final approach or it’ll drop a wing. Experienced pilots will want to dial in expo on the elevator because the stock setup is twitchy at speed.

What Buyers Consistently Praise

Beyond the SAFE tech, the build quality gets consistent shout-outs. The EPO foam is dense and holds up to hard knocks — one pilot reported “bounced it off a fence post at half throttle and it barely showed a dent.” The quick-connect wing system means you can break it down for transport in under a minute, no tools required.

The Smart compatibility with Spektrum transmitters is a real draw. If you already own a DX6e or NX8, this binds in seconds and gives you full telemetry without extra modules.

Where It Falls Short

The stock landing gear is the weak point. The wire struts are narrow and flex noticeably on rough grass — several buyers report the gear bending on less-than-perfect landings. The aftermarket aluminum gear fixes this, but it’s a $30–40 add-on you shouldn’t strictly need.

A few owners reported factory pushrod issues — binding at full control deflection. It’s an easy fix (re-route the rods, adjust the clevises), but it’s annoying on a bind-and-fly product. Check your control surfaces before the first flight.

And again: the BNF Basic format. If you’re brand new to RC, you’ll need to budget for a transmitter, battery, and charger. That’s easily $250–400 on top of the airframe.

Who Should Buy This

• The upgrading beginner: You’ve flown a smaller trainer like the Sport Cub S and want something bigger without jumping into a build. The SAFE system bridges that gap.
• The intermediate pilot: You want a bush plane that does everything — grass, water, snow (add skis) — without needing a trailer to transport it.
• The Spektrum ecosystem owner: You already have a compatible transmitter and want a reliable, capable airframe without buying new radio gear.

Skip it if: you’re on a tight budget and need everything included, or you want a scale-accurate replica rather than a sport-scale flyer.

FAQ

Q: Can a complete beginner fly this without an instructor? A: With SAFE mode enabled, yes — but you should still practice on a simulator first. The plane is forgiving, not crash-proof. The learning curve is significantly gentler than a non-SAFE plane of this size.

Q: What battery should I buy? A: A 3S 2200–3200mAh is the sweet spot for sport flying (8–12 minutes). A 4S 2200–3200mAh gives you unlimited vertical but shorter flight times. Get two batteries minimum — one is never enough.

Q: Can I fly this off water? A: Yes, the included floats work well. Make sure the water is calm for your first few attempts — the rudder is small in the water and you’ll need differential throttle or wind to steer effectively at low speeds.

The Verdict

Buy it if: You want a do-everything bush plane that grows with your skill level, and you’re already invested in (or willing to buy into) the Spektrum ecosystem. The SAFE system genuinely saves beginners from destroying their investment, and the performance envelope keeps experienced pilots entertained.

Skip it if: You need a complete ready-to-fly package on a budget, or you want something that flies scale and slow rather than sporty and capable.

Rating: 4.2/5 — A nearly ideal trainer-to-sport transition plane that’s held back only by the BNF Basic format and a weak stock landing gear. The foam, electronics, and flight envelope are excellent; the accessories are where corners got cut.