ORIGINAL: Rcpilet
I can hover my LT-40. But, it's not a 3D plane.
Thats not to say that hovering is not 3D. I think that hovering IS 3D.
It's just that ANY plane will hover if you put enough HP on the firewall. Thats a 3D maneuver--but it doesn't make that particular plane a good 3D plane.
The LT-40 doesn't just hover either. It will inverted flat-spin and do some REALLY sloppy HA knife-edge at slow speed. More like walking it sideways with the rudder--but it looks like a 75* knife-edge. But it's not a 3D plane.
Just about ANY plane can do a few of the 3D moves--but that doesn't mean they do it well and it doesn't mean they are a decent 3D plane.
Does that make sense?
I guess I kinda feel like STG:
I like my planes to look scale. I don't really fly "models" anymore. Only scale planes. Well--there's a couple in the fleet that aren't scale--but thats just the trainer and a U-Can't-Do 3D DOG (what a POS). Seeing a scale plane perform well at 3D is something that makes my heart go pitter-patter.
I guess I'm vain (sp?) too. If it ain't scale--then I don't even care if it does really good 3D. It's not scale.[&o]
But--thats just how I feel about it. Doesn't mean I'm right and your all wrong. I just happen to be passionate about scale planes. Thats all.

I suppose even a scale plane will do some 3D. But they really look out of place doing it. Give me the trusty UCD, Mayhem, Showtime, etc for real 3D. I can fly these in a vertical "stalled" condition for about as long as I want. And the UCD will do a rising inverted flat spin, something I've yet to see a scale plane do.
If you want to dabble at 3D go scale, I guess. If you want to really get after it go with a "made for 3D" plane. The UCD is a great example.
Thanks
Barry