Looking to purchase my first 1.20 size plane. Currently I am leaning towards a Cap, possibly the Kangke or the Chip Hyde Cap X. I have also looked into the extra 300's and the 540 a bit.

Does anyone have a recommendation as to which model and manufaturer would be a good one to start with.

I 've not flown the Cap X but I would guess that the TOC champion would not endorse a product with his name on it unless it was a good product. The SIG Extra 300 and the Lanier Edge are a couple I've flown and enjoyed.

I have the CAPX ordered and should have it in just a few weeks. I believe this airframe is going to be great for either a LARGE glow engine or a 40 to 50cc gas.....I am going to be using the new BME 55XT on it IF THEY EVER GET DONE.

What are you looking for? Do you want to 3D or mostly IMAC? Do you want a KIT or an ARF?

Cap, Did they give you a delivery date on the X or just the expected market date? I'm waffling on a pre order or just waiting. Joe

The Katana @ Giant Scale Planes/Chief Aircraft/Jet Hobbies/Creek Hobbies is getting some good reviews here on RCUniverse. You can do a search and read all about it. I'm getting one for Christmas!

Actual date for delivery to my door has not been carved in stone. Expectations are that the shipment is to be in the STATES toward the end of DECEMBER. It won't be the plane that I am waiting on.....it will be the GD BME 55XT.........Keith has REALLY dropped the ball and seems to be falling furthur behind ALL THE TIME

I am looking for something that I can get comfortable with for aerobatics yet have the capability to do some 3-D inthe event I can progress with it that far.

Joe I just put in my pre-order for the CAP-X! cant wait for it!

I would suggest the GSP Katana, at $199 its a good price for a good flying plane, as far as 3D if you power it right and get a good prop you can hang it and some other mild stuff

An alternative to those scale aerobats is the Hanger 9 Ultra Stick 120. It will give you everything your asking for in aerobics and fly like a trainer when you want it to. Each of the scale aerobats have their unique flying characteristics you need to become familiar with. I have found the Caps will easily tip-stall and the Sukhois require a little more landing speed and are not your ideal slow flyers. All-in-all the scale aerobats require more flying expertise during landing than the sticks. I thought my flying was at a peak and jumped into the 120-size scales -- disaster reigned. I've had 2 Hanger 9 73" Caps. One deadsticked on me and my instinct reaction resulted in an immediate stall, resulting in a tree landing. The other started out being very touchy on the controls with the factory endpoint settings -- reduced them and ended up having a difficult time launching with full-up elevator. Just before I ran out of runway, I reduced the throttle and she jumped into the air -- immediately into a tip stall that broke the plane's back. I have a 3rd one that will remain in the hanger until I get up the nerve to fly it. I also have a Creek Hobbie 120 Sukhoi. It's first flight was hair-raising. She launch smoothly at 1/2 throttle and the left turn out was uneventfull. As soon as I throttle down I got into problems. The plane acted like I was having radio problems. I finally managed to get her on the ground but broke the composite landing gear in the process. Other learned members in my club commented that I stalled her big time and that was the cause of my problems. I repaired the landing gear and flew her successfully several times (I consciously kept the flying and landing speed up - it still waddled when I though it shouldn't). Alas, my luck turned sour again and on its last flight I noticed one of my wheels gone on landing approach. I couldn't slow her down enough to prevent ripping the landing gear off again -- she be hanger-bound for now. My current 120-size airplane fix is an Aeroworks Xtra 300L Profile with a Moki 180 on the nose.

Beware of the GSP Katana's! I just found out they won't get the new wings with corrected shear webs until next month. Jet hobbies says their current inventory has the new corrected shear webs.

Matt, I'm on the fence with this one. The X or a 3W extra fun. Its a big ticket, but this plane is bangn' Three of my buds got them and they are sweet. 11 lbs fully loaded with that 3W 24 two stroke and can muffler. Quieter than my Saito 100. Big flappers and the power to use them. This plane is neuteral in flight like no other. Rudder turns with just the left stick, same with KE. There is nothing it won't do and do it well. Its light to the point where handling the wing and fuse is difficult. 1/16" sheeting. For around $1100.00 + you get it all except electronics. Engine, custom mount, muff and pre installed control surfaces. (pinned hinges)

[/quote]
I would suggest the GSP Katana, at $199 its a good price for a good flying plane, as far as 3D if you power it right and get a good prop you can hang it and some other mild stuff
[/quote]

I checked the specs on this and don't you think the WL is a little high? Nice price though. Joe