We did the Stingray as a club project. I built one to 4 1/4 lbs, lightening the tail and powering with an OS 40 FP. Flew great. Limited verticle, of course, but nice outside loops, cuban eights, etc.

All the others are powered with much stronger engines and also weigh a lot more. Two Irvine .53s, one Evolution .45, a couple of OS .46s, and an Enya 50.

Two have the wings shortened by one bay. One pilot is very experienced and loves it that way, the other is less experienced and also built his quite heavy. He finds his to be a hairy handful. The thick symmetrical airfoil gives all planes sweet flying characteristics, except the heavy one with the short wings. Even that would probably do fine in experienced hands. Built stock it is a superb second plane.


Some eliminated the dihedral--doesn't seem to matter (there is very little anyway).


Landings can be very slow or greased in. Nice rate of decent--not too floaty, but very graceful and easy.

Many of us used dual aileron servos, but a couple members used the stock torque rods and have been OK so far.

Compared to a four-star it has a thicker airfoil which is symmetric, not semi-symmetric, and wing construction is strong as a bridge so you can use any covering material. It is essentially high wing, some might say mid-wing, rather than low wing, but shows little or no roll coupling or pitching with rudder. Delightful plane to fly. A bit of a pain to build, but not bad for anyone with some experience. Jim