I just received mine last night. All that I can say is WOW!
I have been flying a Tiger2 (since last September) and have been looking at getting something a little more "pattern" like. I looked at the GP Tracer for a while, but then the Venus appeared. Since I am already neck-deep in kits to build (and I do *love* building-- just finishing a GP 40-size CAP and have a CG Extra just waiting) I decided to do something that I never thought I would-- buy an ARF.
Here are my thoughts (after just opening the box):
THE GOOD:
- The weight: Man this thing is light! The wing looks like typical construction (D-tube, sheeting, lightening-holes in ribs) but seems very light (and absolutely no flex). The fuse also looks like typical (all wood) construction, although the formers appear to be a bit less than 1/8" lite-ply (maybe 3/32"?). The tail-feathers are beautiful-- the rudder appears to be built-up (you can see light through the Monokote), but has a lovely taper (airfoil) to it! The elevator also has this taper.
- The covering: Ok, I am certainly not a Monokote expert but I am amazed at this covering job. I spent an hour last night just trying to figure out how they did it! It is amazing. And absolutely NO WRINKLES out of the box!
THE BAD:
- My cowl has a tiny "chip" right on the very top (like the fiberglass was poked upward before painting). It's not horrible, but it messed-up an otherwise perfect plane.
- The gear is very light, but does look like it would flex under load.
THE UGLY:
- Ok, the thing that you cannot see from all the pictures of the plane (in the ads, anyway) is that the entire bottom of the wing is... PINK! I was a little taken aback at first, but it really is growing on me... that doesn't make me weird, does it?
Anyway, for my first ARF, I am absolutely blown away. I might actually buy another with quality like this (and no, I am in absolutely no way connected to Great Planes)... Honestly, I cannot imagine a better built or covered plane. Great job, GP!
P.S. If anybody is interested I could keep track of progress and post a review in a few weeks (complete w/ pictures, of course!).