This was also my second plane (I'm not counting the scale Fokker EIII I scratch-built but haven't solo'ed with yet) and I bought it for very specific reasons. First, it had to at least look something like a real plane. Second, it had to be a tail-dragger because virtually all scale models are taildraggers -- particularly the WWI birds I'm interested it. Third, I wanted an open cockpit for nostolgic reasons. Fourth, I wanted something low-wing because I had been told that handling a biplane should be easier for someone with low-wing experience. And finally it had to be an ARF because I'd prefer to save my building energies for my next serious scale project (see photo of my EIII below).

So this narrowed the field down quite a bit. Add to this that it had to be available in Japan (where I currently work) and the Seagull SWII was a no-brainer.

As to how it flies, I had also been practicing with the G2 version for several weeks before my maiden flight. As others have pointed out, technically the G2 version is based on the larger Great Planes version. My first flight was a scary disaster ending in a crash landing neatly removed the landing gear and tore off the wing. I had apparently seriously messed up the balance. After rebalancing with a definite bias toward the nose, the second flight went ok but was still harder than in RealFlight. Basically the G2 version is much MUCH slower than the real deal. I found myself chewing up my small field even with the 40-size engine. It also wanted to land a speed much above those of my RCM Trainer -- and much faster than in RealFlight.

This is a heavy plane and doesn't float the way the one in G2 does. In a deadstick it wants to come down and come down NOW. It's also a little squirely on take-off (apparently a bit more than some other popular "second-plane" taildraggers. But it's like this in RealFlight too. BTW, I'd suggest you practice on G2 with a crosswind of at least 5mph with gusts up to 10mph. Practice with the crosswind coming from both directions. This is what I've been doing and it's saved my bacon several times. I've also set up both a low power and high power version in G2. I picked a 40 size engine for the low-power one and selected a 91 FS in the high power one. Flying the fast one helps me adjust to the faster speed of the real model.

In many ways it handles like a tame warbird (no unpleasant stall characteristics) and I would consider it a perfect advanced trainer for anyone planning to get into WWII fighters. It's probably also good training for those interested in WWI scale. I started out with the throws all set as per the (somewhat wonky) manual (high and low settings). I started out (after my initial fiasco) on low settings, but almost immediately I noticed that I was forever "bottoming out" on the elevator so I switched that over to high rates. After I'm a little more comfortable with the SWII I'll probably be switching the ailerons to high rates as well.

With the 40 I have to dive a bit to get a nice round loop but it handles beautifully in stall turns and a whole bunch of other moves I don't know the name for. I haven't gotten "wild" with it yet so can't say how aerobatic it is. Certainly enough for my skill level.

Construction-wise this is one tough -- and beautifully built -- bird. The quality of the ARF components puts my shabby RCM Trainer ARF to shame. All in all, I've crashed this plane 8 times. On each of the first 7 the damage was minimal. I even "landed" it in a stand of 40 foot tall bamboo and the only damage was a broken off elevator half which was easily reattached with epoxy. The last crash (just the other day) was a little worse. On a deadstick in a crosswind I stalled out on a turn and dropped in from about 15 feet up. This tore out the firewall, the landing gear, and the wing mount. But still no damage to the wing or most of the fuse. I'm impressed! I wouldn't hesitate recommending this ARF to anyone who has an interest in scale planes.

Also I did "spice it up a bit" by leaving off the cowl, adding some decorative (cheapo) aluminum tape trim to the front of the fuse, the wings, and edges of the plastic windscreens. Other than that it's totally stock.