Quick Answer
AtomRC makes EPP foam fixed-wing FPV aircraft in six sizes, from the 650mm sub-250g Flying Fish to the 1270mm twin-engine Beluga. They fill the gap between disposable micro-foamies and serious composite airframes: durable, crash-tolerant, and pre-tuned for INAV or ArduPilot. We stock the full range because nothing else at this price point handles UK weather and rough field landings as well.
The AtomRC Range at a Glance
AtomRC is a fixed-wing specialist that builds almost exclusively from EPP foam with embedded carbon reinforcement. That combination matters for UK pilots: EPP bounces where EPO cracks, and the carbon rods keep wings rigid enough for stable FPV flight in wind. Every model comes in at least three configurations: Kit (airframe only), PNP (motors, ESCs, servos pre-installed), and RTH (adds flight controller and GPS for autonomous return-to-home).
Combined, the six airframes we stock pulled over 1,100 GSC impressions in the last 90 days with no dedicated guide to send people to. Browse the full fixed-wing collection or read on for the breakdown. Time to fix that gap.
| Model | Wingspan | Motors | Cell Count | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flying Fish | 650mm | Twin 1105 4000KV | 3S | Park flying, sub-250g |
| Penguin | 750mm | Twin 2004 2400KV | 4S | Compact cruiser, FPV trainer |
| Dolphin | 845mm | Single 2306 1800KV | 4S | Stable cruising, GoPro mount |
| Dolphin Pro | 845mm | Single 2306 | 4S | Upgraded Dolphin with flaps |
| Swordfish | 1200mm | Twin 2306 1600KV | 4S | Long range, autonomous |
| Beluga | 1270mm | Twin 2807 1300KV | 6S | Endurance, heavy payload |
Flying Fish: The Sub-250g Park Flyer
The Flying Fish is where we send people who want to try fixed-wing FPV without committing to a 1.2kg airframe. At 650mm wingspan with twin 1105 4000KV motors on 3S, it has a recommended takeoff weight of 250g. That keeps it under the UK CAA's 250g weight category, though because it carries a camera you still need an Operator ID.
The 2-in-1 BLS 10A ESC is built in, so wiring is minimal. The FPV+S version adds an AtomRC TX500 VTX and a Foxeer Razer Nano camera. Cruise speed is around 20km/h, which means you can fly it in a park without terrifying anyone. We recommend the PNP version for most beginners: add your own receiver and a 3S 650mAh battery and you are flying.
Penguin: The Twin-Engine FPV Trainer
The Penguin steps up to a 750mm wingspan with dual 2004 2400KV motors and 4S power. At roughly 1.6kg ready to fly, it sits in the A1/A2 category for UK registration. The twin-engine setup gives redundancy and plenty of thrust for carrying a GoPro or DJI O3 unit in the magnetic nose section.
Three 9g servos handle the V-tail and elevator, and the centre of gravity is clearly marked on the wing. The PNP version ships with motors, ESCs, servos, and props installed. For anyone moving up from the Flying Fish, the Penguin is the natural next step: same brand, same build philosophy, twice the power.
Dolphin and Dolphin Pro: The Cruiser Pair
The Dolphin uses a single 2306 1800KV motor on a forward-swept flying wing with V-tail. The 845mm wingspan and EPP construction make it stable at various speeds, and the detachable wings mean it fits in a backpack. The nose accepts either a standard FPV camera or an action camera mount.
The Dolphin Pro shares the same 845mm wingspan but adds built-in flaps, a larger electronics hatch, integrated LED controller, and dedicated VTX cooling bay. The flaps are the headline feature: they let you slow down for landing in tight spaces, which matters on rough UK fields where a fast landing means torn EPP. Both Dolphins run 4S with a 30A ESC. The Dolphin Pro is our pick for anyone who plans to install digital HD gear, because the cooling and hatch design handle the extra heat better.
Swordfish: The 1200mm Long-Range Platform
The Swordfish is a 1200mm twin-engine platform designed for autonomous flight. Twin 2306 1600KV motors on 4S provide the thrust, and the RTH version ships with the AtomRC F405 Navi flight controller and BN220 GPS pre-installed. INAV or ArduPilot firmware comes pre-tuned, which removes the most common fixed-wing setup headache.
Four 9g servos drive the elevons and rudders, and the 7042-2 twin props are efficient for cruising. The Swordfish is the airframe we recommend for pilots who want to fly waypoints or push distance. Quick-release wing connectors mean a rough landing does not mean rewiring: snap the wings back on and fly again.
Beluga: The Endurance Workhorse
The Beluga is the largest AtomRC airframe at 1270mm, and it is built differently from the rest. Twin 2807 1300KV motors on 6S with 50A ESCs give serious thrust. Independent elevators, rudders, and flaps mean real four-channel control rather than elevon mixing. Optional electric retractable landing gear adds ground handling.
The conventional layout (not a flying wing) makes the Beluga the most stable platform in the range for carrying heavy payloads: a GoPro, a larger battery, or even companion computing gear. The open canopy section has enough room for a full FPV stack plus extras. If the Swordfish is for distance, the Beluga is for carrying things a long way.
The F405 Navi: The Brain Behind the RTH Versions
Every AtomRC RTH package uses the same F405 Navi flight controller. It runs an STM32F405 at 168MHz with a BMI270 gyro and SPL06-001 barometer. Five UARTs, eight PWM outputs, and 2-6S input voltage cover every fixed-wing configuration we have seen. Both ArduPilot and INAV target it natively (INAV 5.0 or newer).
The 120A current sensor and dual BEC (5V 5A for servos, 9V 2A for VTX) mean you rarely need a separate BEC. We cover the firmware choice in our INAV vs ArduPilot comparison, but for AtomRC airframes the short answer is: INAV for sport flying and RTH, ArduPilot if you need mission planning.
Our Picks
Budget / park flying: Flying Fish PNP on 3S. Under 250g, minimal setup, fly anywhere with open space.
Sweet spot: Dolphin Pro PNP on 4S. Flaps for tight landings, proper cooling for digital FPV, and enough wing area to handle wind.
Long range / autonomous: Swordfish RTH. Pre-tuned flight controller and GPS, twin motors for redundancy, 1.2m wingspan for efficiency.
Heavy payload / endurance: Beluga PNP on 6S. Four-channel control, retractable gear option, and enough fuselage space for serious payloads.
FAQ
Q: Do AtomRC planes come with a radio or receiver?
No. Even the RTH versions require your own ELRS or other receiver. The PNP and RTH versions include motors, ESCs, servos, and (for RTH) the flight controller and GPS, but you always add your own receiver, battery, and radio.
Q: Can I put a DJI O3 or O4 Air Unit in these?
Yes. The Penguin, Dolphin, Dolphin Pro, Swordfish, and Beluga all have nose sections or bays designed for digital HD systems. The Dolphin Pro has a dedicated VTX cooling bay. The Flying Fish is better suited to analog or lightweight digital due to its size and weight constraints.
Q: What battery do I need?
Flying Fish: 3S 650-750mAh. Penguin and Dolphins: 4S 1500-3000mAh. Swordfish: 4S 3000mAh or larger. Beluga: 6S appropriate to your payload. Check each product page for specific recommendations.
Q: Do I need to register these in the UK?
Yes. All of these aircraft carry cameras, which triggers the UK CAA's 100g Operator ID requirement. The Flying Fish is under 250g, so it qualifies for the A1 category, but you still need an Operator ID. Our UK drone laws guide covers the current requirements.
Q: Are these suitable for a complete beginner?
The Flying Fish and Penguin are the most beginner-friendly. If you have never flown fixed-wing FPV, start with one of those. The Dolphin Pro is manageable if you have RC plane experience. The Swordfish and Beluga assume you understand autonomous flight setup.