Dr.Watson

My Feedback: (10)

i am looking for my second plane. i can fly my slow stick fairly well. i still cant land too great but i can do it without breaking anything. i was looking at the MM Magpie just about 5 minutes ago. would this be a good aileron trainer for me?

aeajr

My Feedback: (2)

The MM Magpie would be a great second plane.

I would suggest you get it with the two wing package for $55. Since your landings are still not as smooth as you like, build the slow flyer wing first. This will give you three channel control similar to your Slow Stick. So the plane will feel similar to the Slow Stick but of course will fly differently. Get used to that.

While you are getting comfortable with that wing, finish the second wing. Now you can swich back and forth whenever you like.

They also have an photography version with a larger wing to handle the weight of a camera.

A really great package the offer includes one fuselage, two wings, all the electroncis for $160. To me that is a super package and it make it sooooo easy to get it right. And their customer service is second to none.

I have their Boomer discus launched glider.

Magpie
http://www.mountainmodels.com/magpie.php
discussion threads
http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showt...51#post3502851
http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showt...=SmoothE+build
Video
http://www.mountainmodels.com/Magpie.wmv
http://www.mountainmodels.com/MagpieSP.wmv

Dr.Watson

My Feedback: (10)

Thanks aeajr! but do i have to do any building? if so how hard is it? im not a building kind of person!

aeajr

My Feedback: (2)

I have spoken to people while they put this plane together.

This is not a build in the sense of balsa pieces and such. This is working with Foam and Tape mostly. Pretty easy stuff. Perhaps easier than some ARFs. I would consider this an ARF level build. If you get the complete package then you should have no problem as you don't have to figure out what servos, what ESC, what motor, what battery. They ship it all to you and you assemble it.

Do! It will be fun! Probably comparable to the Slow Stick. Maybe a touch more work, but not much.

BTW, I can build, but I would rather fly so, like you, I am not a building kind of person.

Read through the thread links I gave you. Tons of help and pictures and people who have done it before.

Just do it!

Rat1

It is not really that hard to assemble. One thing they call for in the build is to use 3M super 77 spray adhesive to spray the parts down before covering with wing tape. This is good stuff as long as you find the stuff that does not have acetone in it. I have found some but it is tough. The Acetone will melt the foam. I found another 3M product that works pretty well. It can be found in home remodeling stores and lumber yards. It is 3M polystyrene foam insulation 78 spray adhesive.

You can get the wing tape directly from Mountain Models but I have found another place to get colored tape, Fast-Pack.com has all kinds of colors of tape that is basically the same thickness etc as the wing tape from Mountain Models.

Dr.Watson

My Feedback: (10)

thanks for all the help!! BTW Rat 1 nice plane! does MM have a package with absolutely everything needed to fly? like transmitter, battery motor charger. everything. my transmitter doesn't work and im the kind of kid that likes to fly the same or day after i get the plane. as for the battery and charger and battery i have those already but i figure that i might need some extra stuff for other projects.

aeajr

My Feedback: (2)

OK, then you want an RTF! The Magpie will need more build than that, most likely. I can probably do it in a saturday but perhaps not you if you have only done RTF.

Get an F27 Stryker from ParkZone. You will be flying Elevons, which are aileron/elevator combinations. The plane is RTF and lots of fun.

Rat1

Contact MM directly. I know that at one time they were talkign about offering complete packages including radio system. Right now you can order everything needed right off the site except for the radio transmitter, receiver and battery charger.

It will take a couple evenings of glueing, sanding the fuse down to look like what you want it to (this step is not really needed) and applying the covering tape. It takes me a bit longer since I always have two or three other projects and three kids that keep me busy.

I am currently working on another Magpie, Mini Funtana, IStar,Pink Star, Formosa, Eflite Tribute, brushless Stryker and another design of my own.

Dr.Watson

My Feedback: (10)

i don't really want a parkzone plane, aeajr, but thanks for the thought! if a plane is RTF i want it to at least have removable electronics. Rat1, i know how it feels to have kids bugging you while trying to work. i have a dynaflite wanderer sailplane kit and my little brother buggs me while im building it. BTW thats a lot of planes! how do the mini funtanas do?

aeajr

My Feedback: (2)

All the Parkzone planes have removeable electronics.

Rat1

I just received the Mini Funtana and have only opened the box so it is a work in progress.

I may have to sell some of my NIB stuff though. I justr purchased another ATV that is begging for larger tires and some other goodies.

Dr.Watson

My Feedback: (10)

i meant that i want to use the electronics in another plane. i dont think that you can with the parkzone planes. except the P-51.

aeajr

My Feedback: (2)

Why not? Servos! Receiver! ESC! Flight battery! So, what's missing?
Don't know who told you that you cold not use them in another plane, but they are wrong.

I am not trying to sell you on parkzone planes. Just don't want you going under some mistaken impressions about what can and can't be done.

On the other hand, perhaps what you mean to say is that you want a 72 mhz set-up? If that is what you want, then why don't you say so. That is different than saying you can't use the parkzone electroncis in another plane.

So if you want RTF with 72 mhz set-up:

Easy Star - RTF - $180 - CL1
Believe this goes easily back in the box to keep in the car
Super tough foam. Comes with 72 MHz radio in the US.
Good parkflyer and a good glider
Radio in RTF package can be used to fly other planes
http://www.hobbypeople.net/gallery/240025.asp
Easy Star - ARF - Add you own radio gear
http://www.hobbypeople.net/gallery/240009.asp
Discussion Thread on Easy Star
http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=258656
Video - touch and gos
http://plawner.org/video/easygo.wmv
Video - Testing the plane's behavior
http://plawner.org/video/easystar.wmv


Sky Scooter RTF - Also available ARF - 3 Channel
http://www.parkflyers.com/html/sky_scooter_pro_2.html
Video
http://www.parkflyers.com/html/sky_s...o_2_vid_1.html
http://www.parkflyers.com/html/sky_s...o_2_vid_2.html

Multiplex Space Scooter - RTF
http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...?&I=LXGZV5&P=7
ARF
http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...?&I=LXGZV4&P=7
Video
http://www.bungymania.com/videos/fil..._sun_stunt.wmv


Multiplex Magister - RTF - $299
http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...&I=LXGZV3&P=ML
This plane is much larger than the others
Close to a .40 glow trainer in size
Review
http://www.smoothair.ca/reviews/Magister/magister.htm
Video - This is not with the standard motor
this plane has an upgraded brushless motor
http://plawner.net/video/magister_funday.wmv

Hanger 9 Aspire - $239 - RTF
R/E/T - 2M This is a traditional built up balsa glider with Polyhedral wing.
Many people add a gearbox to this plane for stronger climbs.
http://www.horizonhobby.com/Shop/ByC...ProdID=HAN1950


How about these?

Dr.Watson

My Feedback: (10)

i like the easy star because of the pusher prop. i also like the Graupner Tipsy because of the thermal abilities. which one would be better?

Rat1

You can use the PZ gear in other models but you are limited to 15 amp of useable power and only three channels throttle, elevator and ailerons or throttle ,elevator and rudder or throttle and elevons/tailerons (delta wings or V tails). You are also limited to a radio frequency that is more commonly used by all the RC toys that are distributed through Walmart, KMart, Radio Shack also subject to radio interference from CB radios or anything elsething else that is useing a 27 mhz FM frequency. So chances are much higher that your model will be shot down while using the 27 mhz fm frequency rather then one of the 72 mhz radio systems.

aeajr

My Feedback: (2)

I hvae Tipsy and I have flown the Easy Star. Both fly well. Overall the Easy Star will take bad landings better. The Elapor foam is more able to take a hit without breaking. The Tipsy is EPS/styrofoam. Fairly rugged but a good hit will break it. A little 5 minute epoxy will put it back togeter.

Easy Star uses CA for repairs and construction, so repairs can be very fast.

Both good choices. I like the Easy Star better.