Hobie

I would like to ask what every one thinks of the 4* 40 ? I have read good things on the net but I have gotten bad revues from 3 of my club members . I have been told to get the 4* .60 because the .40 is twitchy and dolphins etc. I got a little $$ for Christmas and winning my fantasy football but the .60 takes allot more engine than what I got which is the OS .46 AX . The $300 is burning a hole in my pocket . I got to spend it on planes even though I won't fly much till spring or I will just spend it on every day stuff . This was my first season I went from electric to glow in a hurry . My glow planes this season were a Duraplane .40 trainer with the OS .46 ax and a balsa trainer with the same engine . I still have the Duraplane trainer which I love and I am ordering the Aerobat wing for it to make it more acrobatic . Back on subject I would think the .46 would be good for the 4* 40 . I have read that you want a .91 or bigger for the 4* .60 . I would love to get the .60 but I don't think $300 bucks will cover it . At this point in my flying maybe I should get 2 2nd type planes like an Easysport or Avistar along with the 4* .40 . Does the .60 really fly that much better than the .40 for a 2nd flying season guy ? I don't know why I mentioned all that cause all I want to know is the good and bad of the 4* .40 ARF . Would it be a good choice for me where I am in the hobby with a OS .46 AX ? Should I get the 4* .60 and try to save up enough for the engine later on ? I am open to suggestions on other 2nd planes too I prefer tail dragger's as they are easier for me to take off .Thanks in advance

TimC

Hobie, I have both the kit .40 and an ARF .60. In my opinion, they fly the same. The .46 would be plenty of engine for the .40. The .60, being larger, is easier to see at longer distances. I simply keep the .40 closer. As has been discussed here many times, the Four Star is a very good choice for a second plane. They fly steady with no surprises.

RCVFR

My Feedback: (7)

Hobie,

Both the 40 and 60 sizes are good flying planes. Whoever told you the 40 is "twitchy and dolphins (I think the word is porpoises)" maybe doesn't know how to set up an airplane. I have never seen one that behaved that way.

The 60 flies just fine on a 2 stroke 60 engine. Really! Mine flew really well on an old Webra 60 with an APC 13X6 prop. My buddy flies his with a 91 4 stroke on a 14X6 APC. Mine had a bit more speed, his has a bit more thrust. Both are kit built.

Either 40 or 60 is a good choice. I prefer the 60 because it is larger, but I can recommend both.


edit: 40 or 60

CP140

I have a 40 size (46AX) and a 60 size(61FX). The 60 size being a little larger seems more graceful (?) in the air and doesn't seem to get bounced around in the wind quite as much.

If you over power them... they will make landing a challenge as even at idle they will just want to keep on flying. I found going from an 11x6 to a 12x4 on my 40 size made landing a little easier as it slowed down better.

They're both good airplanes. The last time I was flying there were 3 four stars out... one 40 and two 60's.... and there were only a dozen or so of us out.....

Newc

I have only had the 60 size, and it flew great with the OS61FX. It would probably also do very well with the OS65LA or the Tower 61 or 75 (my brother has all three of the latter engines and is very pleased with them)

As for the porposing and twitchiness, I would think that the other folks screwed up the placement of the CG and have it too far back.

saramos

I have the 4* 40. I have clipped 1 bay from the end of each wing. If you are going to build one, I would suggest adding an extra pair of hinges in the ailerons one bay in from the tips. This way, if you decide to clip the wings in the future, you will have hinges installed to support the new tips. I am using the OS .50SX to power mine.
As for which size, I suppose it depends on what your future plans are. If you plan on flying more .60 sized planes, you might want to go with the 60. I originally chose the 40 because I wanted to recycle the OS .46LA engine from my trainer. The 4* 40 with the .46LA had lackluster performance. The AX would be ok.
If the plane porposes, I would suspect the throws were too large or (more likely) the plane was tail-heavy. I do use EXP on mine though.

Scott

w8ye

My Feedback: (16)

Either the 40 or 60 size Four stars fly well.

I want you to know that my Four Star 60 seems huge inside the house. Its fine out at the field. The 60 will fly with a broad range of engines. I have a OS 91 Surpass I on mine and It has plenty of power. A guy at the field had a Saito 72 on his and it flew just fine also.

The Duraplane Aerobat has a shorter fuselage than the trainer. A trainer with a Aerobat wing should fly OK but it will not be an Aerobat. Your plane would have plenty of wing loading and should be good for windy days?

Enjoy,

Jim

Hobie

. Thank you for all your replies it is what I was hoping to hear . I actually was concerned about the size of the .60 4* in my small house and smaller hobby room so 4* .40 will get ordered tomorrow . I ordered the Aerobat kit today Jim I knew the fuselage is shorter than the trainer . I only have 1 more question . I will have enough $$$ left over for 1 more ARF with out radio gear for later next season around $150 . Like I said I want to spend it now any suggestions for a 3rd arf maybe something cool or fun for our August fly in for around $150 ? I prefer a tail drager since I had so much trouble crashing on take off with my first balsa trainer with tricycle gear . It was a used trainer and maybe it wasn't me but it makes it hard to want a plane with tricycle gear again .

TimC

Hobie, I think a Twist would fit the bill for a fun 3rd plane. You would still have $50 left for a couple pizzas and some beer.

BusyBear

Take a look at the Hangar 9 Ultra-stick... good plane to do some more advanced learning on...

Hobie

I tried to order the 4* .40 today and it is back ordered till who knows when . I have read allot today about the hanger 9 twist and that is my other choice . I hope it isn't back ordered too . I have plenty of time to get both before it is flying weather here but I want to get them now while I have the $$$$ . My local hobby shop has the 4* 60 in an arf but not the 40 . [] Thanks for all your help . I will still take suggestions for a third plane to buy now and fly later in the season but so far the Twist sure looks like allot of fun and some have flown it on low rates as a 2nd so I should be fine by the time I decide to fly it .

RCVFR

My Feedback: (7)

The Hangar 9 Twist will make a fun 3rd plane. The 4* and Twist are worlds apart - totally different kinds of planes. You will probably enjoy having them both. If you are a youngster, you will probably pick up on the Twist pretty quickly, but don't get complacent about "low rates" My Twist does about 2 rolls per second. On low rates. It is a fun plane to fly.

MinnFlyer

My Feedback: (4)

Hobie, If the 4*40 is out of stock, see if they have a Tiger II

Hobie

I might sound like a youngster when I talk about rc but I will put it this way I joined arp almost 6 years ago . Is the Tiger II a tail dragger ? I had a balsa trainer with tricycle gear that I had trouble crashing on take off so now I prefer tail dragger's . My Duraplane is set up as a tail dragger I have crashed but never on take off . It really won't be good flying weather here for over 2 months so I guess I will wait for the 4* .40 to come back in stock . My LHS has a 4* .60 arf yellow I would love to have but with the funds I have to work with I couldn't afford the engine I would like to put on that plane . I havn't decided on the Twist yet because I don't want to get a plane I won't be ready for . I have 2 OS .46 AX and 1 OS .40 LA . One .46 is is on my duraplane and the other 2 engines are on nothing right now . I don't like the .40 LA too well unless I could find something small enough or light enough because it dosn't have much power . Thanks again for all your replies . I am still open for suggestions .

flyierjon

Hobie i sent you a PM

carrellh

I think Quantum has the 4*40 ARF in stock for 149.99 with free shipping
http://www2.mailordercentral.com/quantummodels/
You might call them to confirm before ordering but I think they only show in stock items on the site.


All of the below are tail draggers

The Modeltech Magic is on sale for $80 and is supposed to weigh 3.5 pounds
http://www.hobbypeople.net/gallery/123740.asp
It might be light enough for the 40LA.

The Modeltech Extra, $90, calls for a .25 to .36 but it’s possible it would work with the 40LA. The 40 weighs about the same as a ball bearing 36 but I do not know the physical dimensions to know if it will fit the airframe
http://www.hobbypeople.net/gallery/123672.asp


The Tower Hobbies Uproar 40 is $90 and lists weight of 3.5 to 4 pounds
http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...?&I=LXGPG8&P=0

Great Planes Dazzler 40 $100, weight 4.25 to 4.75 pounds.
http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...?&I=LXXF89&P=0
Looks quite a bit like the Uproar with slightly different fuselage

w8ye

My Feedback: (16)

I have several Ultra Sticks in all the sizes. I think they are a great general purpose plane at a good price.

Enjoy,

Jim

Hobie

Thanks for all the input Carrelh . Have you ever ordered anything from Quantum ? I hadn't heard of them till now .

carrellh

I have ordered several things from them. My first order was about 3 years ago. They ship quickly and have free shipping at $125 without joining any clubs or anything. I like buying from the hobby shop but always compare several mail order sources too.

yellerchamp

My Feedback: (42)

Dont overlook the world models t-34 for a second or third plane, at $129.00 shipped. Looks good and fly's great. Also cheap taildragger the wm skyraider II lowwing taildragger arf for $70.00 you can build in two evenings. These can be purchased from Quantummodels.

w8ye

My Feedback: (16)

I've bought from Quantummodels and was always treated fairly

Enjoy,

Jim