I've been around this thread for a long time. [8D] I'm glad I started reading early else I could've never forced myself to read everything. This thread has a ton of information in it, but like you said it can be hard to find. I still keep up with the thread because it involves one of the few planes I own. I don't have a huge hanger full of planes due to budget concerns, so what I do have I fly the hell out of.

Over the last 6 months it seems that there are tons of new 3D planes coming out because it's the "IN" thing. A year and a half ago there wasn't nearly as many. Most people stuck to profiles or things like Extras and Edges. I think the UCD actually played a big part in making 3D mainstream. At the time it came out I thought it was ugly, but it's grown on me over the last year and I don't even think about it now. A lot of people love the UCD and at the same time a lot of people seem to hate it. But it's served me well and it's helped me learn the 3D tricks I couldn't do with my old SE and trainer. Yeah I'm sure there are better planes out there and if and when I loose my UCD I'll look into something else.

There are some things I don't like about the UCD. I never unerstood why Great Planes put the tank location where it is. It's a given that it will be higher than the carb on an inverted engine. I would've rather had it lower by getting rid of the slanted piece of ply that is built into bulkhead. Maybe put a flare on the cowl in order to allow the air to escape the cowl. I also couldn't understand why GP included skimpy hardware (2-56) in the ARF. Yes it would've cost a few cents more to include 4-40, but it would be far more reasonable. 2-56 is way too small for a plane with control sufaces this size. Lstly I don't think the rudder or tail feathers are optimally designed. I think the tail end of the plane is responsable for the bad knife edge performance of the UCD.

But after the few dislikes, it really is a fun plane to fly. It can fly like a trainer on low rates, but flip the switch and all hell breaks loose. I'll keep flying mine as long as it lasts [sm=thumbup.gif]