Hey everyone i have a 1/4 scale extra and want something to practice hovering and other 3D stuff before i try with the plane now. I was originally leaning towards the Model Tech Magic, but they also make an extra. What one would you recommend for me to get?? I am probably going to put a .40 from my first plane in it. I also have heard of a plane called a cougar 2000 and if anyone has info on it that would help (looks a lot like the magic). Thanks for your help.

the cougar is amazing, the best funfly to hover,however it doesnt hover like your extra, neither of the two plane you mentioned will.

the magic extra sounds like the mosrt suitable one for you

I recommend the Magic Extra. I should mention that I have not flown the Magic, so I can't speak for that plane. However, being that I do own a Magic Extra I can tell you that it is a blast to fly. The plane is very light so a strong .40 will lug it around pretty good. It probably won't rocket out of a hover, but I think for what you are trying to do it is good enough. The Magic Extra does pretty good blenders with some spoileron mixing. Harriers are not that great. Hovering is pretty good with an aft CG. The only complaint I have is the control coupling in knife-edge flight. It pulls pretty good towards the canopy so you have to hold a bit of down elevator to keep her tracking straight. Of course, this could mean that my wing may need some shimming. So, with that said I think you will not be disappointed.

Good Luck,
Ken Pavlou

Varad,

Having owned and flown both I would recommend the Magic Extra. The Magic is quite short coupled and could become a handful for a first time 3Der. The Extra is lighter but at the cost of durability. The Magic Extra on the other hand seemed to be quite robust yet still light (considering it was intended for a larger engine). Regardless of which one you choose you probably will be pleased. The only thing I disliked about either was the covering that WOULD NOT stay put or reseal. I had a full panel uncover mid flight.

Good luck!

Magic Extra with an Irvine 53 is way too much fun. It just rockets all over the sky. No waiting around for it to go vertical. I love that plane. Hover, torque roll, blenders with no mixing at all. I just put my CG at 4.25. Very light plane with big control surfaces. Looks cool too.

Joe

From personal experience, and observation of several other Magic's in this area, I would not recommend one to learn hovering or torque rolls. I have yet to get a stable hover with mine (could be setup and I'm definitely a newbie to this type of flying), and a local 3D'er in this area also tried with mine. He said, "If you learn to hover THAT thing, you will be able to hover ANYTHING!". I am always banging the sticks around to keep it in the hover. I tried a friends electric Pigi 3D, and was able to hold it for 20 seconds at a time with very small stick movements.

Just my 2 cents worth.

Later;

D.W.

Thanks for your input guys. Could i get info on the cougar (like a link or something) so i can see how that is?? If i get any, im going to probably get a new engine coz now i just have a OS .40 LA, i may get the .46 FX (i think they changed it to SF or something) to have some extra power. It seems that the original Magic would be lighter but the Extra would be more "built up" and closer to my 1/4 scale extra. So im leaning towards the Magic EXtra now and some more input would be cool. Thanks again.

cougar, exclusice madlebau USA same as the hype place. Comes witht he west 36 motor. costs allot but its a sweet motor/plane combo.

sorry i dont know the link.

ian