I have been looking at all three of these planes as my 2nd fully aerobatic/3D plane. I am looking for a stable plane, yet can perform any 3D move I want it to. I have been looking at the Showtime most closely, and thought a YS 1.10 would be best. Eventually, I would like to get into larger 3D planes, and would like this one to be a nice stepping stone on that path. I would also like to be able to use this plane in local competitions (fun flys, fly ins, etc...). I am also kinda on a tight budget (from $0-$750), so nothing to extravagant. Your thoughts and comments are most appreciated.


P.S. Just to clarify, these are the Showtime 90, Mayhem 90, and Inspire 60.

Funtana X 100 is an option you might consider as well.

I have flown all 3 of them.

110 on the Showtime would be a sick combo.

The ST and the Inspire are similar flying aircraft, neither have a flight advantage over one another. The ST has the SFG's and requires a bit of a change in your thumbs with them on.

The Inspire with a Satio 82 would be the ultimate combo on that plane. 110 may damage it. The one I flew had the 63 on it and it could have used a bit more power.

The Inspire is also the newest designed bird of the 3 and the Mayhem is a design we have had for 10 years.

Santa is bringing me an Inspire. I gotta get the E set up for it.

If budget allows and you want to go 140 size, the Ultra R&R is the ticket.

funtana 100x

I'd be all for the R&R, but price is an issue. 750 is my top out price. I am leaning more towards the ST, it would cost about the same as the Inspire, and it looks cooler! (Probably a bad way to pick an airplane, but oh well). Thanks for all the help, and I would appreciate if the comments would keep on rolling in.


Jack

I have flown all 3 and if I had to choose I would pick in this order.
1. Inspire, its a little more stable than the Showtime and it can flat do some 3D stuff. YNOT flew mine with a 12x6 prop. I now have a 14x4 on it and its got muy pullout power. I think the Saito .82 is probably the ultimate IC engine for it.
2. Showtime, is bigger and every bit as maneuverable as the Inspire, but it can be snappy if you arent careful. Its a VERY close second. With a YS 1.10 it is an awesome plane.
3. Mayhem, basically its a U CAN DO with a better rudder design. Extremely stable and a good 3D starter plane.

I'm with Mike on this one, but you are comparing 3 different category planes. The inspire is a 700 sq.in plane designed around a YS63, while the Showtime 90 is a larger plane designed around the Saito 125/YS110, and the Mayhem is basically a 3D trainer, specifically hovering and harriers, but doesn't fly precision nearly as well as the ST or Inspire.
I have the Inspire and maidened it today and my first impression was that it is my new favorite plane! I also have a timeshare on a Showtime90 with a Saito 125 on it. I haven't flown it, but my buddy says it is rock-solid.
IMO, leave the Mayhem out of the loop and decide between the two...

Thanks guys. Here's a question though, which one will last me longer as I progress?

Progress in what? 3D, IMAC, Pattern.. all of the above or just progressing in general?

The Inspire or ST would work fine as a beginner entering competitive sequence aerobatics. IMAC and pattern will allow you to fly anything at the entry level within reason and both planes track and maneuver well enough to put a good pilot on the winners podium with enough practice. However, neither will allow you to fly above the beginners level in IMAC because they do not meet scale requirements. You would have to have a plane that is an accurate replica of an actual scale model like and Edge540, Extra, Yak, Sukhoi, Giles, Votec, etc. Also, neither will take an earthling very far in pattern either. Both meet the requirements for size and weight, but they do not track as well as a well built pattern plane. However, they are about as close as it gets that will fly both precision and 3D.

If you are talking 3D, they will take you all the way. You can learn to do it all with these planes. But neither will ever replace the way a giant scale plane in the 35-40% class flies. That being said it wont replicate the way that a nice profile flies either... But in general, if you can do it with these planes with just a little practice you can do it with the big stuff or any other purpose built plane with the right setup.

I must say, you guys are not giving the Mayhem enough credit. It is a wonderful plane. It will do more "pure" 3D than the Showtime. It will flat spin better than any plane out there, not just the Showtime and Inspire. Any plane. It's pretty easy to hover, about the same as the Showtime, It will water fall better than the others, rolling circles are nice but not as good as Showtime, and harriers aren't as good. KE flight is clearly not as good. But for fun, it's right up there. It's a full pound lighter than the Showtime (can't say about the Inspire) and it's a super flying plane. I don't believe it's a 10 year old design. I'm saying more like 4-5.

One thing the Mayhem does easily is a rising flat spin. The Showtime won't in any fashion. Also the Showtime is a bit snappy when trying to get low. I never trusted mine. The Mayhem is trustworthy. Can't speak for the Inspire.

Thanks
Barry

I definitely agree that the Showtime can be snappy at the worst possible times but as you progress, this particular type of instability actually helps with 3D, but if you are not sure what you are doing it can quickly result in a re kit. []

The Mayhem is a good plane and it is a great beginner 3D plane. It does some cool stuff. But if RC Jack is wanting something that he can "progress" (not sure exactly what that means yet) with I think that the others have a better range of capabilities. All this being said, I guess this is a relative comparison and is meant purely as an observation. If you want Profile like 3D performance, the Mayhem is a great plane. If you want a more Giant Scale feel then the Showtime or the Inspire are a little more like it.
[8D]

I in no way mean to sound condescending, but when I say "progress" I mean "Pro - gress." For example, "The work on the pond was progressing."

I should have been more clear. I want to eventually get into 30%-40% 3D aircraft. So I would like this next one to give me a "big plane feel" without the "big plane price." I also don't plan on taking this one to IMAC, just local competitions where I can earn a name for myself.

Question though, which replicates the feel of larger planes better? The ST, or Inspire? And would I be able to make the jump from this plane, to say a 33%? If not, what would be the logical step if I wanted to get into larger planes without having to get several inbetween?

P.S. I am learning really fast, some say it's because I am young, others (like my dad) attribute it to excessive video games. In my mind, I think I can handle whatever you throw at me (excluding the "pucker" factor, which I would get over.....eventually)

lol,, that was funny. Well you could have meant pro--gressing into being a good funfly type pilot or as you say progressing into a competitive sequence and 3D pilot.

I would say that the Inspire or the Showtime would be a good choice.

I went from a trainer, to a U CAN do to a 2M pattern plane in about 9 months. Then I branched at about 18 months and went to a 30% Edge 540T with a 3W75. Then I sold that and went to a 37% Ultimate bipe with a BME 110 and a custom 35% Extra 260.

This would be my progression if I were going to want to end up in a big scale plane.
1. Get yourself an Inspire or a Showtime (there are other planes but these are a great start)
2. Get a good flight sim and fly the ever living crap out of it. Make your mistakes on the sim and transfer that to the small 3D plane(s). You will probably crash a few learning.
3. Once you master the smaller stuff like the Inspire, Showtime go to a Quique or Extreme Flight Yak in the 1.40-1.60 size or something on that order. Something high quality and LIGHT.
4. Then make the jump. Go right to a 35 or 40% plane once you know its what you want to do. A 50CC plane is great but its just not the same as the larger stuff if you are really serious and have the money. There is nothing really to be gained except a less expensive risk by going 50CC. Once you get the "feel" of flying 3D with a good quality 70"+ scale aerobatic plane you wont need advice, you will know what you want.

Another great option that is just starting to come out are these 90" winged 50CC Yaks. There are a couple of companies that have them and they are a good option if you feel that you need to start on a 50CC gasser becuase they are BIG and they have a very light wingload. Extreme Flight, UltraRC and even Aeroworks has some great options. The AW are just a little heavier, but not much.

So after the Showtime or Inspire something like a QQ Yak 73"?

For now though, just need to decide between the ST and the Inspire.

Thanks for all of you help,

Jack

Yeah, either that or the Extreme Flight 74" would be my next plane of choice just purely basis my personal flying experience. The EF was the closest thing to the big boys that I have flown to date. It handles incredibly well for an 11 pound plane. Its just a good next step in the progression that can be made at a reasonable cost. You can build one for about $1200-$1500 give or take and a 50CC is going to cost about $2000-2500 to do up right. If you have the money you could go from your Inspire or Showtime right to a 50CC with no problem, its just a little more expensive and unless you buy one with a 87" plus wing, I dont think they will fly any better than the QQ or the EF.

One thing, seriously. If you are really serious and have the monely, spend the money now on a good sim like AFPD or G3 and a decent graphics card to run it.. You will not regret it and you will advance 100 times faster than without.

I think I may get the simulator in February (hey, what are birthday's for?) which is about the time I will have my ST (I think) ready. I have chosen the ST because I get a little more plane for my money, and as I said before it just looks cooler. If I went from the ST to the QQ Yak 73", would I be able to enter with that into the IMAC beginners level? On the website it says it is about a 23% so...

Thanks,

Jack

You can enter the IMAC Basic (beginners) with any airplane you want! The Showtime will work fine, you can compoete next spring with it[8D]. After you decide to move up tp Sportsman you will have to have a plane that meets the scale requirements and the QQ Yak will fit the bill.

One more question, are there any other large competitions that incorporate 3D or aerobatics for begginers to advanced other than IMAC?

Pattern is the other major aerobatic componant of RC flying, but they do not use Scale Aerobatic planes. They must be <11 lbs and they must fit into a 2 meter square. Most of the planes are purpose built, elegant and very precise flying planes. They typically use 1.40-1.60 size engines or electric.

You can check them out in the pattern forum here at RCU.

Another plane you might consider is the Velox. It's a winner. Flys very very nice. Best KE of any smaller plane I've flown.

www.maxairrc.com

Thanks
Barry

I have only flown the Mayhem and the Showtime, both with Saito 1.25's. My impressions are the following:

Mayhem: For sale, less engine (putting it in another Showtime for a back-up).

Showtime: Keeper (Remove engine from Mayhem for back-up Showtime).

There is no comparison. They are very different planes, but if you want to have a plane that will do any 3D or pattern for practice, get the ST.

The Mayhem is still a GREAT AIRPLANE, just not for advancing your skills.

I would recommend the showtime -- I really enjoy mine. I would definitely get some decent servos for whatever plane you buy. If you over-do it on servos with the Showtime, or some other similar plane, you can move them into a 30-35% plane and reduce the cost of that plane by moving your gear over. I have hitec 5645's in my showtime which now are pretty inexpensive -- maybe 5-10 dollars more than the hitec 645's. I also put a lithium ion set up with a regulator in the Showtime. My idea is that this equipment will be sufficient for a 50cc classed plane when I make the move.

Here is my setup for the ST, make any revisions or additions you feel necessary:


What prop would you suggest for break in/regular flying?

Thanks,

Jack

Use the stock pull-pull, it's fine, (unless you already spent the money). You did not mention servo arms...use long aluminum or titanium servo arms, it really helps. Consider regulated lithiums to save weight, (I like Fromeco).

I don't know those servos, but you DO need to 'over-do' the servos on this plane. I have 8611a on rudder and those JR sport 125MG's on everything else...(I don't like those JR sport servos, BTW).

I would like to see a comparison between YS 110 and Saito 1.25. I think you get the same power and less weight with the Saito, but you get the power RIGHT NOW with the YS...I have the Saito and it pulls straight-up out of a hover with no hesitation. I have heard the YS 110 is as good or better.

This plane is a great every-day plane for practice with 3D and pattern.

Looks good, you will like that BP pull pull. I have had them on my 100CC GS planes without incident.

I would not be real crazy about .20 speed servos on the ailerons and elevator but I understand why you are doing it. Its $80 difference to go all 5645's. Thats a lot of $$. You might be able to find a faster Hitec/Futaba that would work for <$50 but I would have to look. Maybe an Hitec HS635?? They are about $30 and a little faster.