Funtana or Magic Extra for first 3D??
 

Which do you all feel is the better plane and why?
How do they perform related to each other?
I have had the Magic extra reccomended to me but really love the looks of the funtana?
It will be my first plane for trying out 3D manuvers.....
Thanks!

RE: Funtana or Magic Extra for first 3D??
 

I am not sure i would choose either as a 3d trainer.

I hear the Funtana is difficult to fly, but a very capable performer that is more for the advanced 3d pilot.

I have the Magic Extra and while i enjoy it and it is priced well, it is difficult to flat spin and hover. It really will not knife edge at all. It is very stable and forgiving though, decent performer.

You might want to look into a profile, such as the OMP 540 and the Sledge 540 as a 3d tainer. I have never owned a profile but i hear they are very easy to 3d, and are cheap. You will crash if you fly 3d eventually.

Maybe some others can give you some personal experiences regarding the Funtana and profiles.


Good luck in your pursuit of 3d flying!!!

RE: Funtana or Magic Extra for first 3D??
 

i had the magic extra with a 46 size 2 stroke fx and that wood make the best 3d trainer i think i have the funtana now but i liked the extra better for hovering with the apc 12. 25. 3. 75 prop the plane will lok in good

RE: Funtana or Magic Extra for first 3D??
 

Would the magic extra be ok with the os46fx and standard servos? Will it still pull vertical out of a hover?
Also does a radio with mixing help any with flying 3d? (having spoilers/flaps etc?)

RE: Funtana or Magic Extra for first 3D??
 

The OS would be fine. I have a TT 46 with a MCP. I think with the stock muffler it would still be ok.

Mixing definetly helps with 3d. Especially the Reflex mix. Ailerons moving in same direction as the elevater.

RE: Funtana or Magic Extra for first 3D??
 

IMHO a 3D trainer should have an ultra-responsive rudder and be able to fly knife edge without loosing altitude (if not gaining altitutde or even looping). Plus they should be able to take some punishment from those inevitable encounters with the ground. For that reason, I think that the latest crop of profile models available from Morris (Knife, Topcap, Su-Do-Khoi, Sledge, etc), Goldberg (X-treme 330) and OMP (Edge) make the best 3D trainers. Most of the models (even the ARFs) will perform any trick in the book with a BB .46 engine.

Not putting down either the Magic Extra or Funtana. Both look to be great models, but if you're just starting out on the 3D path, you need all the help you can get...

RE: Funtana or Magic Extra for first 3D??
 

I agree with f2racer. I have a Funtana and I love it, but the learning curve is steep. This is not an easy plane to fly. It does great 3-D, things I havn't seen before. To help me learn to hover low, I also built a Spad 3-D. I only have one flight on the Spad. Also I only have $20 in it . It will hopefuly help me learn to hover without losing a high dollar plane. Later David

RE: Funtana or Magic Extra for first 3D??
 

Answers (my opinions):
The two planes are in entirely different categories. The Magic Extra is very close to a Sig Somethin Extra and would be a very good choice for an entry level 3D plane. The Funtana even though an excellent plane would not be a good choice as a first 3D plane.

The Funtana will out perform the Magic Extra. Funtana with a 4 way tapered wing vs the Magic with a straight wing and thicker airfoil. Performance goes to the Funtana.

The Funtana is built for all out performance and is very lightly constructed. A few bounces while learning and damage will result. The Magic Extra is built a little stronger for the learning curve. I'm flying one of the Magics currently and put a couple of new (soloed in the last month) on the buddy box. They flew with no problems. You may also consider the Sig Somethin Extra as experience had shown it to be a rugged plane. A few more dollars than the Magic Extra.

Good luck,
EXCAP232

RE: Funtana or Magic Extra for first 3D??
 

While I have never flown the Magic Extra (although I have the Magic), I did fly my friend's Funtana with a Saito 72. I did not find it hard to fly at all. I would rate myself as an intermediate flyer. To be honest, I don't remember what I tried and what I didn't, but it was breeze to takeoff, fly and land.

Any of the above recommendations would be fine for a first 3D trainer. The profiles are great and durable (I've flown a Top Cap). I feel that practice is more important than trying to find that "perfect" plane. Every time I see Chip Hyde or Jason Shulman hovering etc a Magic, Foamie, or whatever they get their hands on, I realize pilot skill is the biggest factor in performing any manuever.

RE: Funtana or Magic Extra for first 3D??
 

I should have been more specific when I said the Funtana is not easy to fly. Any plane I have had in the past did thing a certain way. For example, to do a loop you just fly along and yank back on the stick when ready. Presto, you did a loop. With the Funtana
other things have to be taken into consideration. Like speed and inside or outside loop and how much fuel is in the tank ect..ect... All these things have to be figured into how tight of a loop you want to make. Flying along straight and level and yanking the stick will cause a snap. Once it points down if you keep tugging back on the stick it will snap all the way to the ground. This is the best example I can give you. Landings are another. With the CG back enough to do good 3-D landings take some skill. I have gotten in the habit of putting two clicks of down trim on final. If not it lands nearly verticle and descent is done with the throttle. The first 15 times I flew this plane I didn't like it. The Pizzaz I was flying is a lot easier to handle. Please dont think I'm talking you out of this plane.
It is a blast to fly and like I said before will do things I havn't seen done before.It just has to be flown all the time. If you get one. Start on low rates with a 5 & 1/2" CG and start slow. Good Luck and if you have any questions about this plane please e-mail me.
Later David

RE: Funtana or Magic Extra for first 3D??
 

I am yet to fly the funtana but I have flown the Magic Extra. Some of the guys above are right by saying it wouldnt be in the same category the funtana. The extra I flew was very forgiving and super fun to fly but it didnt do all out 3D well. I would suggest a UCD .46 armed with anything from a saito .72 - saito 1.00. I have flown one of these a few times and it seemed like a plane that you could tone way down and fly sport with or you could turn those rates way up and do any of the 3D stuff.

As far as the pizzaz goes all I have to say for its 3D capabilities is YUCK. It is a great sport flier and will do some 3D. It reminds me of my stock uproar.

RE: Funtana or <span class=
 

havent flown the magic extra, but do have funtana and the Magic 3D.

My suggestion- do not fly the funtana as a 1st 3D plane. its not the easiest bird to fly.

The Magic 3D is, on the other hand, easy (and fun) to fly. You'll have to replace the landing gear that you break on the first imperfect landing (it's obligitory), but other than that, its a nice plane. Not only that, but after you nose it in the ground after an "oh crap, I shouldn't have done that particular 3D manuever", you'll only have to shell out $99 bucks to get a second one.
enjoy..

RE: Funtana or Magic Extra for first 3D??
 

Check out the Funtana Review in RCU Magazine

http://www.rcuniverse.com/magazine/a...article_id=235

The Magic Extra will be online soon!

Erick

RE: Funtana or Magic Extra for first 3D??
 

I'm also interested in a Funtana. I've got expererience with a stick. Never crashed or had any hard landings. A lot of people including my LHS owner and Erick Royer have told me that the Funtana can be slowed down almost as slow as a trainer with plenty of expo and reduced throws.

I'm really wanting this plane and waiting for it to come back into stock but I don't want to end up crashing it either. Do I really need to spend some time something like a profile plane or 4* before jumping into the Funtana? I'm working on a SPA3D that I'll be flying before the Funtana.

chris

RE: Funtana or Magic Extra for first 3D??
 

Daveopam, will the Funtana still snap if you set it up with reduced throws? I'm wanting a plane to gradually ease into 3d flying.

chris

RE: Funtana or Magic Extra for first 3D??
 

The UCAN DO 3D IS THE BEST 3D TRAINER AROUND...I do not own one but have flown it and have best friend has one...we both fly Funtans and they can be a hand full..tapered wing...the UCD has strait wing giving less tendences to tip stall at low speeds..if you are an intermediate pilot..have flown like a sig somethin Extra..you can handle the Funtana..if you are coming from a trainer or a 4 star or somthing go for the UCD...it will perform anyting in the book..and you can take it home in one piece

RE: Funtana or Magic Extra for first 3D??
 

H9 twist with a .46 2 stroke

RE: Funtana or Magic Extra for first 3D??
 

Gamegeek, sorry I don't know how long your question has been on this thread. The snap is not there on normal rates. It only shows up on high or 3-D rates.Even then there is a middle ground were you don't go. For example. My high rate ELEV is 55degrees of throw. If I go along straight and level to do a wall and pull half the stick it will snap. If I go along and yank back full deflection. It just stands straight up. I fly on high rate 90% of the time. I have learned to use 10% of the throw or 90% of the throw on the ELEV.


David

RE: Funtana or Magic Extra for first 3D??
 

If you want a great 3D plane to practice on go with a MOJO (swanyshouse.com) or Omp or Morris Hobbies profile. Any of the profiles on there should serve your purpose. Swany's Mojo or Burrito will be a great trainer and they are hella cheap and tuff.

I've had a funtana. They suck IMHO. They are twitchy and in the wrong hands they are hard to control. If you haven't flown 3D, then grab a profile and don't look back. Cuz that's all you'll be flying. Why waste an extra 50-100 bux on a funtana or UCD when you can have something that will outlast and outperform them. Plus they are so easy to fix when ya dork it.

RE: Funtana or Magic Extra for first 3D??
 

IOWA I agree in theory. I just don't care for the profile planes. The Funtana learning curve is tough. I didn't like it at first. It would snap all the time. Once I got the CG and rates all dialed in. It's a different plane. And (no offense) I have yet to see a profile that would out fly it. Out knife edge sure but not out fly it.

David

RE: Funtana or Magic Extra for first 3D??
 

Yeah. But the guy is wanting to know what would be a good FIRST time 3D airplane. I do however beg to differ that the funtana would out fly any profile plane. That is Ludicrous. I've had a funtana and have had the CG at different settings. It's a fun plane to fly, but a profile not only flies better, they are a great 3D trainer and tons easier to fix, repair, etc.

If you think the funtana can outfly any profile, why don't you check out OMP"s Fusion video.! You will be suprised. It will 3D and do pattern well.

RE: Funtana or Magic Extra for first 3D??
 

The only thing other than the snapping I don't like about the Funtana 40 is that it does not like to fly on its side.

RE: Funtana or Magic Extra for first 3D??
 

harrier 46, will do everything the UCD will do and more. and its even easier to learn on. but of your 2 choices on learning i would say neither.i have flown both. the funtana is a little trickier to fly 3d but if you have good understanding it it is great. but IMO not for learning.. also ditto on flying on its side is terrible

RE: Funtana or Magic Extra for first 3D??
 

I didn't say it would out fly any profile. I said I have yet to see one that would out fly it. I should have said out 3-D it but I stand by that statement. Maybe I need to get out more. Seriously though. Profiles fly great no doubt. But I have never seen one do a good Wall or Elevator or even a Waterfall. They do there own version of one,but it dosn't look like the ones a Funtana or UCD or Harrier3D does. Just my.02


David

RE: Funtana or Magic Extra for first 3D??
 

You have been given some great advise, if money is no issue, go with the Funtanna. It will survive about 4 flights before you put in in from a snap. Our club has a Chip Hyde type, great pilot. He bought a 40 funtanna and tried to sell it to anyone after the first few flights. He still has it after buying 3 wings and one fuse and loves the thing. Flys with a 90 Sato and 14 X 4 APC. He also flys a "Something extra" doing all the 3-D stuff powered by a OS 46. I am a above average pilot with more desire than sinse, and 14 hanging on the ceiling. My easiest 3-D-r found is a U Can Do-60 with YS 110. Almost torque rolls itself, harriers well etc. The 40 UCD is not nearly as good. Electrics are great, the "Tribute" one of the easiest I have come across. When you become a outstanding pilot, go ahead and buy a funtanna. It is a great airframe for great pilots. Look in the mirror, if you are not one of your clubs best, stay away from them until your skills are equal to the design. And yes, the Magic extra with 3-D just fine with a OS 46. If I can, almost anyone can. Good luck!