Simon take the advice and dont give up. My first plane lasted 10-15 secs of me having control of it. A big oak tree jumped up and ate it []. I was so p****d off, but in just those few seconds I knew I had to either repair it or buy a new one, I did both. I have only been RC flying since Jun last year but it has consumed me I just can't get enough. I have an Arising Star, a P-51 Mustang (WM Miss America 46), a Blackhorse Travel Air, A Zagi Si and am just finishing bashing an Arising Star into a twin. This has got to be the ultimate past time, I just wish I had done it 20 years ago