Warbird40

My Feedback: (24)

I am looking to build my first kit. I am looking for the following:

Easy to build with good plans/instructions
Reasonably priced (under $200)
60 size for my Magnum XL91 four stroke
Complete kit (wont require a bunch of extra items aside from wheels, prop, spinner etc)

I am looking at the following:
Goldberg Tiger 60 (I have the 40 ARF, flies great)
Goldberg Super Chipmunk
Sig Four* 60

Any other suggestions?

Thanks

DGUY

My Feedback: (9)

Warbird40,
I think the 4*60 is a good choice. I have also heard that the Bruce Tharpe Engineering Venture 60 is a great kit that is now back in production or so I have read.
I am building the 4*40 right now. I don't heard good things about the Goldberg Tiger as well, never had any experience with them.
Derrick

Warbird40

My Feedback: (24)

How difficult is the Sig Four* you are building?

combatpigg

My Feedback: (3)

My advice is to read ahead of your build progress and to fully visualize and comprehend what it is that the kit designer is trying to get you to do.
Visualize what the end result of your actions will be before you commit to taking any action.
I think this is known as "spatial conceptualization" in I.Q. testing.

Warbird40

My Feedback: (24)

Thats a great tip......i just want to make sure I dont bite more than I can chew!. I have never built a kit and even thou I would like to start with an ARF, there arent many choices I like out there in the 60 size. Out of the 3 I mentioned all of them are available in ARF but in 40 size []

GaryHarris

Ill second the 4 star 60. I'm building my second one and it's a great kit. It's also funny to note, that with my first one after coming off a trainer, I could fly the 4 Star better than the LT40.

TomCrump

All are good choices. The Goldberg offerings are a little more rare, at the field, so they appeal to me.

Of those two, I would suggest the Chipmunk. It may be a little more difficult to build, but it's flight characteristics are superior to the other two models mentioned.

Lowvoltage

Since you are looking at the Sig 4* 60, you might be interested in a BTE Venture 60. It may spoil you for building any other kit. All of the pieces fit well, the wood is of excellent quality, and Bruce Tharpe answers the phone and will be glad to talk with you if assistance is required. The kits have not been available for a while, but should be available a few weeks after Christmas.

http://www.btemodels.com/venture.html

Warbird40

My Feedback: (24)

I will wait and keep on checking the BTE website until the Venture is available.

Thanks

smart1

The 4*60 is a great kit but the venture looks nicer. You can't go wrong either way, he designed both.

Gray Beard

My Feedback: (-1)

When I first started teaching kit building I was using the GP Super Sportster 60 but then someone put me onto the 4* 60 and I started using that. I have lost count of how many I have built at this time. If I get another student I will try to get them to go back the the Super Sportster. The 4* is a slightly easier build but the Super Sportster is a much better stunt plane and you don't see a bunch of them at the field. From your list I would go with the CG Munk. It's just a bit harder to build and one of the better stunt planes you will ever fly. It's still just a choice thing so you will have to pick out the plane you like the looks of best.

VincentJ

I happen to have both the Tiger and the 'munk in my hanger and it was fun to build both. I agree the Chipmunk is a better flying bird all around you won't be disappointed but the Tiger is a bit tamer to fly in the air, a great first low wing plane which can be built as atail draggeror three wheel plane.... As others have said you can't go wrong either way. You may try to go to theGoldberg web site and download both build instruction booklets and review them to see if you would be comfortable building them, it won't cost you a cent....

Warbird40

My Feedback: (24)

Thank you all for your input! I will check out the build plans in the next few days.

Lowvoltage

Here are a couple of pictures of the Venture 60 during construction, and the motor mount/throttle arraingement Iused. Stock up on sandpaper.

Warbird40

My Feedback: (24)

Lowvoltage, that is a nice looking Venture! How many hours would you say you have put into the build up to that point?

stevegauth30

I would have to agree with every one on the 4*. A great kit to learn on. Just remember, anything that you have to cut, cut a 1/16th bigger and sand to final size. Also make sound choices and take your time. Good luck and dont be afraid to ask.

Lowvoltage

Bruce Tharpe said that he and his dad framed up a Venture 60 and had it glued in one day at a R/C airplane show. Iwas working many hours a day out of town when ibuilt this plane, and I worked on it a couple hours an evening 2 nights a week for about a month. Many of the builders you follow here could build this plane and have it flying in a week. Covering, motor and installation of your radio equipment will take more time than the wood and glue construction.

Warbird40

My Feedback: (24)

For some reason I always thought it took a lot longer than that. I have a friend who works at a shop and does fiberglass all day, so im thinking of glassing my first kit. Plus Im good at painting (painted 3 of my cars), so Im thinking of & custom paint job on it.

Lowvoltage

If you are going to fiberglass a kit, then you need to be looking at an airframe and wings that lend themselves to being covered with fiberglass cloth and resin. The examples you suggested in your initial post are not models that would normally be covered with fiberglass unless you are going to cover the open bay areas of the wings and fuselage with sheeting. That will require removing the thickness of the sheeting from the ribs. That will add time for the build. It will change the flying charicteristics of the plane. The plane will be heavier. It will use more runway to take off. It will land faster. It will need a larger engine to fly. The stall speed will increase. But, it will look nice if you are willing to do the required surface preparation to end up with a smooth finish. I think you need to look for a warbird or a pattern plane that is designed to fly that way. Just about anyone who has posted to help you will know more about that than Ido. Good luck.

stevegauth30

I feel like you should maybe start off small with a film covered plane and see how it goes. If your anything like me , then im sure youll want to move up to the next  and so on. This is just my opinion, so take it as you will, just please dont take offense. Whatever you decide to do, take your time, and good luck.

Warbird40

My Feedback: (24)

Thanks for the info Lowvoltage, in that case il stick to covering....i will eventually like to build a P47, so I will save the glassing/painting for that. I am leaning towards the Venture.....its a sweet looking plane.

Warbird40

My Feedback: (24)

Steve, I will never take offense to advise from people that know a lot more than I do! If anything, its a huge help to be able to use such a usefull tool like the forums on RCU and learn about this great hobby. Thanks, and I will start with covering

vertical grimmace

My Feedback: (1)

There are some great kits here as well. Not knowing what you like to fly, but it is hard to beat a Kaos. I had the .60 Killer Kaos and it was one of the best flying planes I ever had.

http://www.bridiairplanes.com/

Warbird40

My Feedback: (24)

The Killer Kaos looks like a perfect candidate for my piped Rossi R45! What engine did you use on yours?

DGUY

My Feedback: (9)

So far it has been pretty easy. The only mistake I made so far was me not paying attention to trailing edge stock it used 2 different sizes and I used two of the same widths on one half wing...OOPs it was a easy fix. though.
Just read directions more than once and pay close attention to some of the details on the plans...one thing for sure it has been fun.
Derrick