The T-Hawk is a fine starter plane. It is very rugged and flies well. We
have two in our club. We have 6 Aerobird Challengers 2 Aerobird Xtremes.
Both planes fly very well, so either makes a good first plane.
I will try to detail similarities and differences to help you evaluate and
have a price summary below based on my understanding of costs.
Similarities:
Both are pod and boom plane design
Both are three channel R/E/T controls.
Both are in the 16 -18 oz range.
Both use a speed 380 motor
Both have proportional throttle
Both use a polypropylene body with a carbon boom
Both use foam wing and tail.
Both use FM radios on 27 mhz in the RTF packages
Differences (T hawk items first)
T-Hawk items listed first vs. Aerobird Challenger listed second
standard tail vs. V tail
standard servo/receiver/ESC vs integrated control board
pushrods vs pull pull design
2000' range vs 2500' range ( both are adequate)
Requires 7 cell battery vs 6 or 7 cells
40" wing with wood spar vs 42" all foam wing
60 minute AC/DC peak charger vs. 40 minute DC Peak charger
5-10 min flight with std battery vs. 7-15 min flight with std battery
2 batteries, 2 wings, 2 tails vs 1 of each
parts by mail only vs parts readily available in LHS
$5 extra to choose channel - choice of 6 channels at purchase
Aerobird Options (not avail for t-hawk)
Air to air combat module
Bomb/parachute drop
sport mode/pro mode
Night fly module
T-Hawk Option not available for Aerobird
receiver ready - use your own radio/receiver
Typical prices for comparable starter packages
(these would be my starter pkg recommendation)
T-Hawk, $169+6 = 175 plus shipping
Mail order only
http://www.readytoflyfun.com/thawnimwssfm.html
Base Plane package with FM radio, channel choice, two 7 cell nimh batteries,
two wings,
two tails, AC/DC peak charger (60 min charge time),
add 8 AA batteries
Aerobird - 150 + 15 + 10 + 25 = $200 + tax or shipping
Availabe at local hobby store or by mail order
http://horizon.hobbyshopnow.com/prod...p?prod=HBZ3500
Base plane package - add wing, tail and second battery
includes nimh and field 12V peak charger (40 minute charge)
and 8 transmitter
batteries
What you see is that the price difference between them is not great. Both are
great planes! You make the choice.
e-bay option
The Aerobird Challenger is available daily, new in box, on e-bay for about
$125. If you consider this a valid source, then the Aerobird comes in at
$170. Lots of Aerobird stuff on e-bay as well.