hey guys, besides looks, how different do these planes genrally fly ?
im interested in going with a 1/4 scale or larger model, and im not sure what do go for.
im building a 40 size GP cap 232 from kit right now, i would like a cap, but id like to hear about genral preformance differences first.

well what kits are you looking at? what size engines? how deep is your pocket?

Maybe you should fly all the above on G2, then decide. Costs less if money is tight, plus you get somewhat of a feel on the attitude of the planes you are interested in. Its a starting point...

I prefer caps, own four 25%, one 27% and one 33%.
also have two 25% edges and one 25% 300.

Also, search RCU, there is a ton of threads that relate to your delema....

Dont think I would rely on G2 for the flying characteristics!!

Me neither, they all seem to have their own personality and aren't replicated well in G2. I'm an Extra fan but other people like the other planes too.

Dont rely on G2 i had to play with the edge for over a month to get it to fly like my real 1

Edgeomatic, which real plane do you have and would you be willing to upload your G2 setup to the G2 swap page?

I have one designed on my 35% Carden 540, its close but it is alil tippie and i cant make it stop from doin that with out effecting other stuff, Id send any of my set ups to you. I have all add ons.

I've never flown any of the above mentioned planes so don't put too much into my words, but I've often asked myself the same question. From what I gather, it seems like most people prefer the Edge for best and wildest 3D flying. I've also heard many people describe the Extra as the best overall plane in the bunch when it comes to all around flying and 3D. Caps are supposed to be quite nice also. I've heard that caps are a little more tend to tip than the others, but I can confirm that since I haven't flown one. The Suk is the plane that has always got my attention for some reason. I've always thought that if I buy one of the above mentioned planes I might go the suk route. Although it seems to be the least talked about of the 4. I'd be interested in hearing about it's flight characteristics.

Extra- Tend to be very stable, chosen most for pattern aerobatics, 3D with the right tail design.
Cap- Stable, a bit more sensitive, very good for tumbling maneuvers & 3D.
Edge- Very sensitive(think move thumb and plane reacts), Good tumbling, good 3D.
Giles- not good for much.
Sukhoi- not a clue, but a friend does great precision pattern with his.

I think it kind of depends on what your looking for...

Edges are the most stable of them all and the best first big plane available. But lacking some characteristics for good precision flight including "desired" stall tendencies. Usually lots of coupling too.

Caps are well known for precision aerobatics, 3D and are good all around models. But they do have a tendency to drop a wing tip or stall more so than others. Short coupled as in short fuse length, great tumbling maneuvers. Light is really right for these models.

Extras are very stable precision aerobatic models and work very good for 3D, but not as good as others.

Giles are a little smaller as for scale fidelity and or compared to other models of like scale percentages, therefore most come out a little heavy as they are typically equipped with the same equipment. Short coupled as the Cap. A properly set-up and light Giles is an exceptionally good model for all around stuff. VERY good for 3D and precession aerobatics.

Sukhoi's another beast in disguise if built right. Pretty good all around model, high alpha stuff doesn't seem to be one of its strong points.

I own 40% examples of all these models, less the Sukhoi. A very talented young friend has provided some exceptional flight demos with his 40% 3D modified Sukhoi. I also have 33% examples of the Edge, Cap and Sukhoi.

The secret with any of these models is wing loading, keep them light as possible for the best performance.

I agree with all said in the last post. As I too have owned all in a 40% version including the Sukohi. Less the giles. If any 3D airplane is set up correctly and it is too much for you to handle, you are probably flying beyond your current ability. Just my 2cents. The best 3D flyer in California "wore out" a fourstar 120 before ever moving to a (3D) airplane. And he could do it ALL with that large underwinged trainer. BENDER

I'm sure a 40% Edge is WAY different from my H9 27%! Mine is set up right and it flies great. It is also difficult to do smooth patterns with it because of sensitivity even with expo cranked way up, and Harriers are...like a wing wave.

It impossible to say which style of plane is better as every manufacturer fudges the scale dimensions a bit here or there in order to get the flight characteristics they are looking for.

If you want a good general overview of what is best look at the TOC results.

1st: Ultimate
2nd: Extra
3rd: Yak

The rest of the fiels was pretty much all Extras. There is a reason for that as the Extras do it all well...Precision flight and 3D.

However, the Ultimate may be the best. I bet you will see a lot of them at the 2003 TOC and other big IMAC Events. The huge side area of the fuse and struts as well as the channeling and gating of the airflow over the fuse by the wings make this the best kinfe edge plane avaialbe. Side area on the CG is what you need and the ultimate has it in spades. It also has a lower wing loading due to all the surface area for better transitions from normal filght to post stall and back. It has a long tail moment for good pitch damping on low rates and on high rates the long leverage arm make it tumble very well.

Check out the Pattern threads...All of the Top F3A pilots are going to fly bipes in pattern this year!

Chip Hyde posts here from time to tims so do a search and se what he has to say.

I'd have to say from what I've seen and flown that Extra is the most stable. I flew a 33% Carden and it flew like it was on rails yet landed like a trainer. Nothing flies like an Extra. Also my other favorite is the Sukoi. It is by far the best tumbling aircraft out there by far, bar none. It's all a matter of what you like and what you want to do. Happy Flying!!

Whats the preformance like of a ultamite bipe compared to the other single wing planes mentioned?

The Ultimate bipe is very stable as well. It also lands like a trainer. It's a solid choice to get into 3D with. Just remember that, no matter what you choose, every plane flies differently. Even some of the same type depending on who makes it, size, balance and setup. Just because you can fly your buddies Cap 232 doesn't mean you can now fly any Cap 232 just as easily and the same way. Choose a plane, get used to its characteristics (stalls etc...) at about 5 mistakes high, land it several times, then let her rip and try the fun stuff. Good luck.

sounds good to me, my dads building a GP ultamite 40 size right now, im allmost done with the wing on my cap.

I still say the edge, i have flown a few and all are so stable and very crisp. And the Extra 330s would be my second choice, even more crisp, still very stable. Then I would say the Cap 232, I have the 33% ready for maiden today, i will let you know how it goes compared to my Carden Edge.


edgeomatic

I'm wondering where a Yak 55 would stack up in this competition. Im' still amazed that there is only 1 Yak55 Arf available that I've heard of and it is too huge for me to ever consider. I'd love to se a major vendor come out with a 90-120 sized Yak 55.