3DPILOT_NUTZ

I have been building and flying props over 20 yrs and besides the 2 edf jets i have had a f-86 and A-7 nothing fancy. but im getting the Scale jet turbine power itch! over the years i have seen the growth and advancment in the jet sector and like most the price scared the @#$% out of me to the point i actually got a quote on rc plane insurance and yes that was an intersting conversation and the price was ridiculou my agent said in theroy each time you flew you would have to pay the full price of the plane each flight! [X(]. but i just want to get pointed in the right direction i know everyone has there brand loyalty and favs but im wanting a decent size F-18 or A-7 so any pointers , advice or recommendations please feel free to share!

STKNRUD

Make a 180-degree turn before it is too late!

Dieselman1220

My Feedback: (25)

Don't matter how much Prior experience you have, most people are going to advise against an f18 for a first jet. Don't know much about the a7 but seems like it would be a stable platform. An f15 would be an excellent choice to start with if your set on scale. An f16 probably wouldn't be a bad start either

FenderBean

Most will try and push a trainer jet but if you do the research you will find some good scale jets are easy to fly. Like anything landing is the hardest part. F-16 flies like a pattern plane(my opinion), and that depends on the scale you get.
The A-7 wouldnt be bad either, Lowell aka Jet time has one and from what he said it flies similar to a f-16
Everyone I have talked to has said the same thing about the F-18, the super hornet seems to be harder than the old version.
f-16, f-15, A-7 would all be good ones, it all depends on your personal ability. I went with a 1/6 scale f-16 for my first turbine, and have enjoyed it. Good luck with your venture
Jet time can tell you about the A-7/F-15/F-16
Falconwing seems to be a specialist on F-16s(had them all I think)

luv2flyrc

My Feedback: (6)

Four years ago I was in the same spot as you. 15yrs giant scale aerobats, 3d, etc. My first foray into jets was the PST Panther and as Fender says; the hardest thing to adapt to is the landing. Expect to knock the gear off your nice scale jet. I did, about half dozen times before you "figure" it out. That's the disadvantage to starting with a nice scale jet- you will very likely damage it.

Starting with a Boomer or the like gives you a chance to get familiar with not only the turbine but, the stuff that we're not used to with an aerobat. like the damn retracts. You'll get familiar with the landing approach and bringing it down without knocking the gear off it. And if you do, it will be an easier fix and you won't care so much that you dinged your "ugly" boomer as opposed to your scale masterpiece. Yes, you will get bored of the plane very fast, probably within 3 months but, it will have given you those skills that you need. Just my thoughts on it.

Mike

FenderBean

Not everyone knocks the gear out but then again the f-16 gear is different than the standard. Looking back if i would have been flying something with a traditional gear i probably would have. I dont imagine my f-14 or -15 could take the abuse.

3DPILOT_NUTZ

All good info guys! Thanks so far for the input! Besides aerobatics planes I know all to well with big heavy warbirds and gear being knocked off lol! But I think I might start with the A-7 with the navy scale retracts I will post it here in a few to see what y'all think.

3DPILOT_NUTZ

here is the kit im looking at

http://centuryjet.com/product_info.p...roducts_id/992

ddennison

My Feedback: (15)

Welcome to the jet side!

I was flying for 15-20 years with props and 3d flying and several CArdens (40%) before switching to jets.

I went to a Kingcat for my first jet - it was great easy to fly and taught me many things. 2nd jet was an F18F. I could have flown it as a first jet but am glad I had the experience on the Kingcat. Some jets glide to a landing and some require true power/pitch handling, like the F18F,to land them correctly and not at 90 mph or too slow. That F18F flew for 5 years and was then sold all in one piece.

Good luck,
Dave

joeflyer

My Feedback: (48)

That seems like a lot of money for a kit, andCentury Jets are not without their issues. For your first jet I would recommend getting an ARF.

Make sure that you do a lot of research before deciding which one to buy. Search for build threads and flight reports, and talk to someone that has built and flown the one you are thinking of buying. Buy one that is easy to land.

Joe

3DPILOT_NUTZ

yeah def to much money wishful thinking! i was looking at the fly eagle arfs and they dont seem to be priced to bad plus there arfs .. and it looks like fender bean has some experiance with them..

FenderBean

I have worked with them for over a year now and own 3 of their jets. I have met Lowell and James in person and have found them to be honest and upfront with anything I have asked. I have sent suggestions on improving designs and they do listen, I have seen the improvements in new designs which is what I look for in things I buy. It shows they care about their product, plus I have some new friends that are fun to hang with.

rhklenke

My Feedback: (24)

The larger A-7 probably flys better, but I had a JHH A-7, and it was *definitely* not a good entry-level jet! It was not very stable in the roll axis (because of the anhedral) and was prone to tip stalling if you got it too slow.

As someone already mentioned, the Century Jets are *builders kits* requiring as much assembly time as any jet out there - if not much more.

One of the best, if not the best entry-level ARF scale jets is a 1/9.5 scale F-15. Most of the ones out there fly really well, are relatively easy to take off and land, and are fun to fly with a 120N-class engine. I had the FEJ one and it flew well, but the gear on it were narrower than others and the ground handling suffered as a result.

I would recommend the Global Jet Club F-15 (http://www.globaljetclub.com/index.p...roduct_id=2080) and something like a 140RX or Cheetah (or used P-120, Super Eagle, etc.) You'll have a great looking jet that will attract a lot of attention at the field, fly great, and sounds awesome in the air (nothing like the sound of a bifurcated pipe in a jet...).

The CompARF Eurosport is also a great flying scale(ish) jet. Ours is over 7 years old and going very strong. You'll be into it for over a $1000 more with all of the gear, etc. that the GJC F-15 comes with though...

Bob

FenderBean

http://flyeaglejet.com/en/A7.html

look at this is the A-7 you want, its a lot bigger and will be more stable, the weight is not much more. plus Ali and lowell can give you feedback on how well it flies

Dieselman1220

My Feedback: (25)

I second the F15...My yellow F15 was my first jet fantastic flyer still one of my favorites. I never knocked any gear or gear doors off (although it was damaged during a flame out after take off) it will teach you how to properly land a jet using throttle to control your descent rate and elevator to control your airspeed.

RCflyerCT

My Feedback: (13)

What worked for me was to start with the Habu 32, as this got me used to the speed and jet landing characteristics (with the exception of the throttle delay of course that comes with turbines). From there I went with the Skymaster Hawk specifically because of its trailing link heavy duty gear. It lands real nice and the gear has held up to multiple hard landings. Attached is a picture of me and my first turbine baby...10 flights and counting so far.

3DPILOT_NUTZ

Beautiful bird RCFlyerCT!

dubd

How long is the runway you're flying from? That will help you narrow down your choices. I started flying turbines on a 500' runway with obstructions on both sides, so a giant scale jet was out of the question for my first jet. However, I flew a Tam Jet 1/8 F-16 and CARF Flash on that runway without issue.

3DPILOT_NUTZ

its about 650 ft or a tad shorter no obsrtuctions clear on both ends. but i will check to make sure .. wish i still lived in ALabama where we had a 800'x100 foot runway and a smaller one for cross winds

FenderBean

where was this in Alabama? I live in AL, well for another 4 months anyway