I had an older cap21 40size given to me today by friend. It's built from a kit but which kit i'm not sure. I have not flown a 21 before so i'm curious about their flight characteristics compared to the 231 or 232 ?

Since you don't know what kit this was built from answers might be somewhat vague. There are many new "CAP" kits on the market of current designs which fly like "pattern" planes. If you look at the designs you will find in many cases they are actually "disguised" pattern planes. The CAP 21 had a fairly long tapered wing which caused it to "snap" at some most unfortunate times. Actually what most of them do is to tip stall and drop a wing on landing. Throttle management is the key to good landings with any plane. It is most important with this type of plane and with most "warbirds" which have small flying surfaces (fin/rudder > stab/elevator) arrangements. The placement of the stab in front of the fin makes the elevator more sensitive to input (pitch sensitivity). If you give too much elevator on landing the plane will just stand on it's tail. Elevator must be relaxed and power applied to avoid this (assuming it didn't also tip stall and go in already). Try landing approaches high enough to recover from a stall and learn the characteristics of the design. In the air the CAP is my favorite aerobatic plane. Nothing else tumbles like a CAP. Yes I am a fan of the design and own several from a Midwest 'Lil CAP to a 40% Carden. Enjoy, Bill

I owned two Byron Cap 21's several years ago. I learned to fly them after nearly losing them to snaps, several times. I eventually (and I didn't coin this) referred to them as "Snap 21's".

They were a hand-full.

JW

Could be an old Great Planes Cap 21....Had a couple...still have one NIB......they were dubbed Snap 21's and rightfully so...Still loved them though !!!! Keep the speed up and NEVER try to stretch out a deadstick, thats how I lost the last one
Good luck
Brian

RVD:

Its possible that it cap21 is from Great planes,I have one with RCV 60 with pro zinger 18/10. its very nice and with this type of prop is much easy the landing.

Oscar Silfa

Good write up Bill! I have the GP Cap 231EX ARF (aka Splat 231). I bought it used (pre-splated) and rebuilt it. It flies good, but you have to watch how much elevator movement you have (too much and it'll snap). Try a loop at moderate speed with full up elevator. If you have too much deflection, it will look like a snap roll! I basically have low-rates set just enough not to snap and high rates at 45 degree deflection! At high rates it tumbles great! Fun airplane, but you have to keep an eye on it!

-Chris

Here is a pic af my Great Planes Cap21, 72" wing with an OS 120 4 stroke.
The plane is a hand full and does take your full attn. I bump the throttle as I am landing and that keeps it from stalling she slows down real quick. All that has been said about the Cap err Snap 21 IS TRUE!

Robin

That's a great planes snap 21 for sure if the cowl is balsa and the cheeks are plastic. I have one that's still alive and well powered by a OS50 fsr. It's a good flying plane and fun. It will snap or suddenly drop a wing on landing if you let it get slow. If it doesn't look like it's coming in fast it's going too slow. Watch the elevator travel. To much at any speed will get you a quick snap and to much at high speed will get you 2 snaps

R.Runyan:

Congratulations this is a beautiful plane!!!!
Enjoy.

Oscar