Originally posted by YellowAircraft
In general, larger model airplanes tend to fly better than smaller ones. Also, a new jet modeler (especially one who's budget conscious) would be well advised to know that there are far fewer offerings in the .45-sized fan arena than the .91 sized. It makes a difference if a guy doesn't want to have to buy a new propulsion system later when he decides he wants a larger model.
In my experience, I've noticed at least as many .45-sized jets powered with larger engine/fan combos as those with the stock setups. I guess those people wanted more performance than they were getting out of the .45/Turbax setups. Indeed, they now have the .48/Turbax setups offered, with the rallying call being that they outperform the .45s. This seems a fair indication that most of these .45-sized jets could use more power?
I've found that my little EDF SU-27 flies every bit as well as some of the larger jets I've flown. It certainly has better handling characteristics than my Yellow Aircraft A-4. Of course, it's possible that your definition of flying well might be different than mine.
Leaving out Jet Hangar Hobbies and Yellow Aircraft, isn't it true that there are fewer DF models being made, period?
Everyone upgrades their power system. This phenomenon isn't limited to the .45-sized world. Didn't the .91 outperform the .77? Didn't the .77 outperform the .65?
A .91-sized model will still be heavier than a .45-sized model and will still consume twice as much fuel.
The fact that the .91-sized model may be faster only means that the servos will have to be upgraded to handle the higher flight loads or the new jet pilot risks losing his considerable investment to a failed or overloaded servo. This means buying more expensive servos and a higher-quality battery pack.
A larger jet may also require retracts that are more robust than a smaller jet and in some cases will also need shock-absorbing struts.
There's more to the cost of the model than the kit and power system. To be fair, if you're going to list the advantages, you have to mention the disadvantages. Otherwise it just reads like ad copy.
I would like to ask one question, though.
Is the Yellow Aircraft A-4 a .91-sized jet or is it a .45-sized jet that has a .91 stuffed into it?
Dan