You're never going to convince me a 1/2A is less finicky than a Moki 1.8.
Everyone knows, as you scale down, tolerances get more critical and the possibility of something being drawn into the carburetor killing the engine increase. I've experienced it, I watched my LMH with a Norvel .051 dead stick after sucking up some dandelion fluff. Think a Moki would even miss a beat under this condition? Not likely.
Originally posted by FrankC29
5) I'm doubtful about a good performing "full house" 1/2a aircraft
Why is that? I've seen quite a few .
I said "good performing" and the reason I stated is the same as # 6
6) wing loading too high for 3d
If you are into 3D, then 1/2a is not where you should go. The larger a plane, the easier it is to perform 3d maneuvers. It is much easier to torque roll a TOC plane than a .40 size ship as well. That's a fact.
As I indicated a .40 size is still a small plane.
Seriously, wing loading does play a major part in how a plane flys (3D or otherwise). The smaller you go, the less able you are to decrease wing loading. It's simple physics.
7) Severely limited by weather (what I consider light breezes for my other planes (<20 knots) is rather extreme for these little things)
I have flown 1/2a successfully in the same winds that I fly larger planes. If the plane is trimmed out well and the cg is placed correctly, the 1/2a plane will only be slightly more squirrelly then a .40 plane. And in a dead calm there is of course no difference .
Again, I consider a .40 size to be small and 1/2A
really small.
I flew my Raptor 30 at a public demo (Cub Jamboree) in 20knot gusting to 40 knot winds yesterday. I wouldn't have even considered flying an LMH in a public event with half that wind speed.....
8) Bigger simply flys better
Slightly better. To see a major improvement over 1/2a, you would have to go to giant scale. .40 size models do not fly THAT much better.
Being the CFI at my club, I get to test fly a lot of aircraft;
I have no problem greasing a .40 size mustang onto a grass strip. 1/2 A mustangs can barely get off grass (many can't and must be hand launched) let alone greasing a landing.
BIG difference.
There seems to be a size perspecitive thing going on here. I'm not try to be argumentative or belittle anyone elses choice of enjoyment. I just don't think you have to go to "giant scale" to see much difference. I don't consider my Goldberg Ultimate to be "Giant Scale" but it certainly handles a lot better than the .15 size ultimate I test flew for a friend.
9) I keep losing them under stuff in my workshop/car/fingernail
I'll assume you're being facetious here, and just skip this one .
Now you're on to me. As I tell my wife, if I'm going to be serious, I'll let you know.
Well, if it's not your cup of tea, than it's not your cup of tea... [/B]
Hey, the question was asked. I'm not here to rain on anyone's parade, just providing input from on person's perspective in answer to a direct question.
To each their own, enjoy! I've experienced 1/2A and enjoyed it. As I said, I liked the convenience of transport and storage but it's not much more than a diversion to me. I did say the same thing about helis a few years ago so who knows....