Good F3A Pattern plane in UK ?
 

Hi,

The question is as per the title : I'm looking to progress from my Flair Swallow to a full sized F3A pattern plane which I will power by a YS 160. I am quite taken by the OTOP, but I heard that the fuse shape stops this from having the very best flying characteristics. Can anyone tell me a good pattern plane which is readly (and not too expensively) available in the UK ? I'd prefer a composite structure like the OTOP but am open to ideas.

Thanks,

Boo

RE: Good F3A Pattern plane in UK ?
 

I was recently in the same situation as you, I had already had a couple of 2 metre planes but they bit the dust unfortunately.

I asked around and I couldnt find anything else that was all composite and as cheap as the OTOP. I was practicaly reading out my card details to the suplier when I changed my mind and have now ordered a Comp ARF Integral from ZN Line! twice the price of the OTOP...ouch!

From watching it fly and reading about it here at RCU I dont see why it wouldnt be an excellent upgrade to a swallow, I see it fly on a 140DZ and it had loads of power and flew very well, a 160 would be awesome.
I changed my mind purely onlooks alone, its shape is a bit dated now.
Others to consider are the CompARF Impact, not making them any more but ask around here... http://www.gbrcaa.org/smf/ and you might find one.
Apart from that, consider a second hand airframe...or just go mad and get an Integral or TS Composite Oxalys:D

RE: Good F3A Pattern plane in UK ?
 

I would recommend te Xtreme Composite Astral XX although it is a bit pricey. A cheaper alternative would be the Xtreme Composite Shinden which is about half the price of the Astral. They are both made by the same maker as the Otop which I don't recommend.

Jayjay

RE: Good F3A Pattern plane in UK ?
 

Hi Jayjay,

I was in exactly the same situation last year, after flying 110 size models for some time.
I chose the Majestic copy by Lorenze called "High Society" Quality is superb, some say better than the ZN original!
Price is very competitive for a composite build to. Mine has yet to maiden, but all reports I have read are very good.
I think a good choice for a first 2m pattern. Its also a design classic which will always be popular.
Mine came through Probuild, not sure if they still stock it but I am sure they will advise you.
Here is a link to photo album on there web site.
http://www.probuild-uk.co.uk/gallery.php?id=29

Regards,

John Wright.

RE: Good F3A Pattern plane in UK ?
 

Might be worth calling Als Hobbies or Pro Build and find out about this... http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_5975906/tm.htm

Fliton have some superb planes at very reasonable prices.

RE: Good F3A Pattern plane in UK ?
 

Try Dave Smith Models, they are in the UK, models are cheap and good enough for entry to the 2m ships. www.davesmithmodels.co.uk

RE: Good F3A Pattern plane in UK ?
 

Hi John,

I owned 2 ZN Line Caprises and, while they are good flying planes, they are quite a handfull to fly in a strong crosswind. But that's just my opinion. Also, I prefer a plane with a more forward canopy than the Caprise/Majestic line.

Jayjay

RE: Good F3A Pattern plane in UK ?
 

This may be a little late, but i've got an Otop. It fly's nice, its just it has bad habits. One of the problems that I have with it and others have, is it is hard to slow down, when your landing. I mean HARD!!!!!! to slow down...

I would say go with a , Pinnacle or a Beryll, but those are both , $3000, and $2000 dollar airplanes. So if you have the money , then you can get pretty good composite airplanes.

Matt

RE: Good F3A Pattern plane in UK ?
 

Sorry , was an accident.

Matt

RE: Good F3A Pattern plane in UK ?
 

ZN Line Oxalys is still valid for Euro 899,90. Cheers!

RE: Good F3A Pattern plane in UK ?
 

When I read your question the first thing that popped into my head was Dave Smith Models. I flew one of their designs back when YS .61 rear exhaust 2-strokes were all the rage. It was a very capable plane, all balsa with foam sheeted wings. A very capable aircraft in its day, and from what I've seen of their current designs they should be capable of competing in today's sequences. It looks like the quality of their kits hasn't changed, and the Excelsior 2000 (Excel 2000) looks like a decent step up into the 2 meter size yet only requiring a 1.40 4-stroke for power, keeping the costs down. The link given above didn't work for me, I found them here: [link=http://www.davesmithmodels.com/]Dave Smith Models[/link]. Their prices seem pretty reasonable as well.

RE: Good F3A Pattern plane in UK ?
 

residing in Thailand at the moment and flying F3A every single day with a new model on the market made by C.B. HOBBY.COM or maybe C.B. HOBBIES.COM
The ALOHA is the most accurate, stable, precisioned and super flying model yet. The price was the first factor that tempted me and bought it for practice but soon will compete with the same!
All balsa built ora covered and ready to fly, this is a dream come true with the 160
bought direct from the factory so saving dealer's costs!

Happy flying all

Dave