Scratchie

I'm looking toward my next project, possibly a biplane. What I'd like is a large scale, greater than 60-inch inch wingspan, plane that is easy to fly with the capability of slow flight and easy to land. I do not want any aerobatics of any type. Although I built lots of biplanes as a kid, I have never flown a RC biplane.

Top Flight Elder Biplane?
Some type of Jenny?
Stay away from WWI planes (everything but Sopwith Camel of course)?

I appreciate your suggestions - thanks

Buckmeister

If you are just learning to fly start with a high wing trainer.
If you want to build and crash, start with a bi-plane.
Not trying to be rude, but you will have a much better chance of enjoying that Bi-plane if you learn from a basic high-wing with some dihedral.
While learning to fly the first plane, build the Bi-plane.
I'm sure others can advise, better that I, on which one fly better than other for your requirements.
Buckmeister

MinnFlyer

My Feedback: (4)

Scratchie's no beginner. I'd stay away from WWI bipes - Even the Sopwith. They look great, but in those days, they didn't know much about airplane design, and with the heavy, low powered engines, they tended to be more of a nose-heavy kite than an airplane.

An exception might be the SE-5 or Jenny

The Elder is an option, so would a Tiger Moth. If you can find a Lazy Ace kit, go for it!

Scratchie

who makes the Lazy Ace, how big is it?

flygilmore

Whats wrong with the BUSA Sopwith Pup....I know that the OP said no WWI but it is a fantastic flyer. Very smooth, slow and realistic in the air!

Scratchie

II checked out the Lazy Ace, although an option I'm going to do more research and find a more scale-looking plane. who makes a decent tiger moth kit - large scale? Minnflyer, what about the Pup?

MinnFlyer

My Feedback: (4)

The Pup is good. I didn't think you wanted to go that big (1/3 scale - G62 power)

Scratchie

probably not, this hobby just gets too expensive too quick at that size. focusing now on the jenny - any kit recomendations?

MinnFlyer

My Feedback: (4)

I just checked, Balsa USA makes the Pup in a 1/4 scale (77" span, 120 4-stroke or G26)

Their DeHaviland DH-4 might be too big, but they have several nice 1/4 scale bipes

https://www.balsausa.com/store/categ...id_category=16

Scratchie

price comes into play with the DeHaviland - I like the 1/4 Scale Nieuport 11* though. I have to remember to not get caught up in the great looks of these warbirds and remember that I want a lazy slow flyer.

carrellh

They are WWI models, but Fun Aero http://www.funaero.com has three biplane kits in the 60 inch range. My brother is building the SE5a. Since this plane had an inline engine, the nose is longer than planes like the Sopwith. The Fun Aero kits are "sport scale" so they have made adjustments that are supposed to make them fly better than a true scale model.

MinnFlyer

My Feedback: (4)

I was looking at that Nieuport 11 too!

I have a small electric Nieuport 11 that flies great. It would be nice to have a big one.

Now look what you've done!

Gray Beard

My Feedback: (-1)

Tiger Moth sounds like it would be the plane your looking for. This one is an old kit that was cut in the UK. Outstanding plane with a 66 inch wing. You hear al the time the statement, it fly's like a trainer, well, this one does. It's very relaxing to fly and I used it as one of my IMAA BIPES for a few years. Only required a OS .70FS engine to fly it. It did stunt but needed more power for it if that was something you want to do. In my case I flew it more to scale so it wasn't needed. Sold the plane when I moved here and regret it. Only requires standard gear. Moths are great planes that you don't see very often any longer.

Scratchie

Grey Beard, flys like a trainer and relaxing, 66 ws, sounds about right - how was it in slow flight? Do you remember the who made the kit or can you recomend a new one?

Mako17

I just ordered the 1/4 BUSA EAA Bipe, hopefully the DLE 20 will pull it, if not I got a DLE 30 that will. Good luck in your search.Also Bought a Sig Hog Bipe from a member here un RCU. Man I got alot to when when I get home from Iraq in Nov.

Gray Beard

My Feedback: (-1)

We are on the quick server so I will answer with some other photos of my other IMAA bipe later tonight. The Moth was perfect in every way. I think it was a Presision Balsa kit from the UK. I see it once in a while on ebay. Crap for a server gave me a time out!!

Scratchie

Thanks GB - I'll start checking it out

Mako17

Awsome looking bird GB, I love older bipes as well

rye

My Feedback: (10)

hi
bi-planes are a pain in the butt two wings anyway i am going to build this one this winter and am going to build the center section to stay on the plane for the struts and have the wing tips removeable if i can i saw this fly at are feild with smoke looks great thanks rye

https://www.balsausa.com/store/produ...?id_product=41

CKLLOYD

IF YOU WANT A SCALE THEN GET AHOLD OF JOE AT PROCTOR OR LOOK IT UP ON LINE HE HAS SOME OF THE BEST SCALE KITS OUT HERE.. MADE IN THE GOOD OLD USA

ovationdave

My Feedback: (16)

I built a kit a long time ago, that is now being re-cut as a short kit by http://www.lasercutusa.com/ . Its a Walt Moucha design, called the Marquart Charger. Its a nice, slow flier and looks great. I know the price for the short kit was around $179 for the kit from the link above, but its really a great bipe. You can get the cowl and wheelpants from Fiberglass Specialties too. I would recommend putting a G-45 or 50cc gasser in it, 62" wingspan. I will upload pics of mine later on.

Dave

GaryHarris

I have been paying very close attention to this thread since I am considering my next build after the BUSA Eindecker 90. And I really like the looks of the BUSA Sopwith Pup in either 1/6th or 1/4 scale and the price is right, but what I'm worried about is how they fly as being I am somewhat new to flying compared to others here and I would like to hear from those who fly the BUSA Pups.

How would they compare to say, Sig four stars?

Is there a major difference that should dictate I go to something else before flying a BUSA Pup?

Thanks.

Bob Paris

My Feedback: (13)

Try the Sig Hog Biplane...you just can't go wrong...its a sweet flyer and there must be a dozen build threads here on RCU.
Soft Landings Always,
Bobby of Maui

Scratchie

How does that BUSA Eindecker 90 fly? Looking for an easy going slow flyer with somewhat scale looks. Tiger Moth is the current front runner.

Gray Beard

My Feedback: (-1)

The Moth was great but I flew both it and this Boeing F4B-2 that is a 68 incher designed by John Tanzer, it's a very easy plans build but it had a mistake in the CG area. It came out at 12 pounds but required everything in it to be moved behind the fire wall then three pounds of lead in the cowl. It flew OK for a heavy slug and I still have it. Pain in the butt to haul though. If kept in the 12 pound range it's a great flying machine with a lot of history. If I wasn't out of my Bipe stage I would have built another one. Very easy to fly and land but I still give the Moth the number one for relaxed flying.
Gene