I've read older posts about Phoenix and it seems their first batch of planes used poor wood. I guess I got a later Sukhoi because the wood was excellent and the workmanship was up to what I would do on a good day! The parts are laser cut and I'm sure CAD designed and the fit and lightness are very nice. You would spend hous at home cutting out the lightply parts with all their lightening holes.

Sure the covering needs shrinking, but look at ANY moneykote covered plane after a couple of weeks and it will need touch up, too.

I used all the hardware except the clevises; I like the metal pin Dubros for those. I also used a Brown engine mount and bolted on the main gear with nylon bolts. I did make some aliminum brackets to retain the cowl and added some 3/8" triangle stock to the back of the firewall. Other wise, the entire plane was to my liking.

I used an old FOX Eagle 60, the first model eagle, and it balanced OK and flew just great; no 3D stuff, I like OLD TIME SCALE Aerobatics, like Bevo Howard, Hal Krier, and Art Scholl flew. This plane does nice axial rolls, snaps, etc.

I wouldn't cut up Phoenix because of lack of spare parts. i guess I'm an old timer and the idea of getting spare parts is completely new to me. I always had to rebuild or trash the plane. With the really low cost of a Phoenix ARF, I'd just get a whole new one!

I'm trying to post pictures of mine; I added some trim after I flew it awhile.