RCU Forums - View Single Post - first fast plane?
View Single Post
Old 01-04-2005, 09:55 AM
  #4  
bob27s
My Feedback: (19)
 
bob27s's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: Cleveland, OH
Posts: 5,576
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default RE: first fast plane?

Your question kinda depends on "How fast" you are looking to go, and what your current experience/skill level is.

In general, the Diamond Dust mentioned above is an excellent choice. Quick, light, inexpensive. Put just about any engine you want on the nose, and it will move along quite well.

For simplicity, you may want to consider one of the Q-500 designs as your first "fast plane". There are a few kits out on the market, some good plan sets for scratch building.... and a few good ARF's that will keep you happy. matneymodels.com, lcsperformance.com and Lanier can provide kits. (sometimes you can pick up a Doddger, Scat Cat or similar Q-500 kit in the marketplace too) Great Planes Viper and the Lanier Predator are both pretty good for ARFs. The Sonic 500 from hobby people is a pretty good ARF for getting started too.

A properly set up Lanier predator..... with a properly broken-in Thunder Tiger .40 and a basic APC 9x6 up front can approach 120 mph. (this is what is raced in the 424 Q-500 racing class). In this configuration, sport servos are ok.

Any of the Q-500 designs make good entry-level speed aircraft. They are VERY stable.... aerobatic when you desire..... and properly trimmed and balanced that simply float in for landing. Any engine from a good .32 up to a sport .46 or .50 engine will give you pleanty of speed and performance. The engines have a throttle too....... its easy enough to throttle back for a while if needed. If you want the maximum performance, bolt on something on the order of a Jett .50 SS setup, and you have a plane that will easily exceed 150 mph. When you get to that level, servo selection should be done a bit more carefully. We can help with that

Bob