I am looking to purchase a kit and build it over this coming winter. I would like to get a bipe with between 50"-65" wing span and use a 1.08-1.60 s stroke or 120-180 four stroke... Anyone have any ideas on a manufacturer. Beleive it or not my wife has mandated that this WILL be the next plane I build... she likes the look of the ultimate.... Any help would be much appreciated.
Thanks
Jeff

You're a lucky man! Try and find a Goldberg Ultimate Kit (Good Luck will be necessary!) or ARF. 54 inch span 91 to 120 2 stroke or 91 to 150 4 stroke. Around 8 pounds. Dave Patrick has a 60 incher ARF or ARC. It's about 10 pounds and seems to prefer a 4 stroke 120 to 180.

Another vote for Goldberg.

Thanks guys,
I am trying to find one, is the Lanier the same kit??? I want a kit and not an ARF if possible.
Jeff

No, the Lanier is an Ultimate Pitts. (Lanier does own Goldberg however) It is sometimes called the Challenger. The wings, I believe, are basically the same type of design. The fuse and tail are quite different. It is also quite heavy as I recall. I'm sure there are some Goldberg kits somewhere. You just have to use some of that great luck you have, to find one. I'd start in the "Want To Buy" area of a few kit forums, your luck may prevail.

Check out these Ultimates at www.barnestormer.com. These guys are my heros! I'm saving my nickles for one now. They c.n.c cut the kits in western Ky. It's a real circus to watch them fly! Don't forget to watch the videos.(p.s I don't know how th attach it .)

Hey cool!!!!! it attached it for me! DUH!!

I know you said you wanted a kit, but I have to put my 2 cents worth on the Dave Patrick arf. I have one and it is by far the best built arf I have ever seen. I put the YS 120 on it and it will do more than I am capable of. it's an outstanding plane. that's where my vote is on this one.

The variations from a Dave Patrick ARF of the Ultimate or the Goldberg kit will prove to be minor. Dave Patrick was the VP at Goldberg models in the past and is the designer of the Goldberg Ultimate. He uses it in the "Wring it Out" series of videos.

EXCAP232

Couldn't be happier with my DP Ultimate. Great quality ARF, smooooth flying, wicked aerobatics, and very sharp looking. Running a Saito 1.80 in mine. Quickly becoming my favorite flier!

GUT IN MIAMI HAS A KIT FOR SALE OR TRADE LISTED UNDER RC TRADES ON RCU NOW.
GOOD LUCK.

MEANT TO SAY GUY IN MIAMI

Deleted

Regarding the Lanier Ultimate Pitts. The bottom wing is straight. The top wing is swept like an Ultimate. It uses the same basic airfoil as an Ultimate. It has a 60 1/2" top wing and a 58" bottom wing. It has a larger rudder in total area compared to the Ulrimate, and it will land better.

Engine sizes for this plane vary greatly, larger is better. The kit quality is not very good, and the plans are worse. Read the instruction booklet twice, then throw it away to avoid further confusion.

But... Once you replace the poor quality wood, reinforce the landing gear plate, throw out the ABS cowl and replace it with one from Stans Fibertech, and watch your weight in the tail when you are building, this plane is MUCH BETTER than a regular Ultimate. Both in looks, and flight.

It's a pain in the butt to sheet and cover the tail section, though. Some things you build just because of the challenge.

With any luck, the people at Lanier will read this post, too.
Silversurfer

Thanks surfer.. Sounds like the best thing to do is "Scratch Build" the kit with what Lanier sends and improvize on the rest... I am hoping beyond hope that we can find an CG Ultimate with the glass wheel pants and cowl. I wish CG was still in production but I may either have to go smaller with a GP product or move bigger and go with the DB ARF.... If I can't find a Goldberg bipe I will probably go with the smaller GP due to the long winter here in Maine and lots of building time... Gotta keep the juices flowing during winter. If I throw an ARF together in Jan. I would be bustin at the seems all winter waiting for somewhere to fly it... I like the stress release of building... Nothing like sneezin balsa dust mixed with a little CA and the smell of epozy drying to really releave that stress...LOL
Thanks for all the responses
Jeff

I really do understand. You're right about the scratch build aspect.
Silversurfer

I know you said kit, and I have seen other people suggest the Dave Patrick Ultimate, but I really do think you should at least consider the DP Ultimate. I have one with a siato150 and it is hands down the nicest plane I have ever flown.

Yes it is and arf and you will find things you dont like. For instance the firewall is very far forward and needs a little work to get the saito muffler on.

It is really light, around 10-10.5 lbs with the 150, thats about a 20oz/sqft wing loading.

Just my 2 cents.

Joe Brannon

Maineflyer:

Look at some of the ads for larger Ultimate kits, such as the ones from the old Ohio R/C. I don't think Ohio is around any longer, but I'm certain that there is someone producing an Ultimate.

Obviously, larger will cost more, but will also fly MUCH better. You may want to contact Horizon Hobbies to see if you can get their Challenger Pitts as an unassembled kit. Change the tail and you have the Ultimate look with a Pitts front end.

World Models (in Livermore, CA) produces a 1.20 size Ultimate ARF that I am currently flying. The difference between this one and the C/G Ultimate is in the cabane and interplane struts. If they would consider selling one of their planes in a kit form, you could make your own cabanes and interplanes and have an Ultimate that flies at least as well as the C/G Ultimate. Since the 1.20 size kit portion of the market is now devoid of the Ultimate kit, you may be able to spark the interest of a manufacturer who already has the tooling working for them

Comparisons at our flying field has mine flying hands down better than the Carl Goldberg. Mine weighs 9 lbs. with fuel and a Saito 1.50GK.

Silversurfer

Surfer,
Thanks for the info, I would love to go bigger but funds and a vehicle to haul the plane would be needed. I would love to be able to get one in the 60-90 size... I want to put a 120-150 four stoke in it. I am gonna do some more research and see if I can find a CG or something in that size range. My current hanger consists of .40-.60 size planes. The latest is a .60 Extra 300S with HD servos in the tail and a 1.08 in the nose. I may have to part with a couple of planes to get some funds for bigger motor and servos. Send me some pics of your Ultimate.
Thanks
Jeff

The 60 size Goldberg Bipe flys best on a 1.20 size 4 stroke. A 90 2 stroke flys it well also. Flying this plane on a 60 2 stroke really limits the ability of both the pilot and the aircraft.

Do some checking around on this and I think you will find that most people have stepped up the engine size for the Goldberg and other similar size Ultimates.

silversurfer