Very true... I myslef had a fighterbird not too long ago, on the first flight it crashed... let is sit about a year, finally pulled it out again and attempted to repair it. All the thing does now is sink to the ground. I took all the electronics out of it and am going to create some odd ground mobile with it
ORIGINAL: Charlie P.
I bought a little Hobbyzone Fighterbird, much like that critter, just to play around with on my lunch breaks at work. I will say that, for me, that little snot is MUCH harder to fly in any wind at all than any glow plane I have ever owned! Horizontal movement is mostly controlled by body english and lip biting. Altitude is controlled by throttle. Full throttle almost makes it climb, less throttle makes it hit trees and utility poles. I caught a riser one day, and by the time I realized there was no "down" available it was a tiny speck. A co-worker came out to see why I was standing and looking up.
"Whatcha doon?"
"Flying?"
"Where is it?"
"Waaaaaay up there."
"I don't see it. Out of range?"
"No, I just can't get back upwind, and when I give it throttle it climbs."
"So you're screwed?"
"Yep."
Took me a long time to circle it down, and I did get it at least in the general parking area. It flies about as well as the rudder-only models did in the 60's, but with less rudder authority. Any wind over about 2 mph overpowers it.
But it's better than nuttin.