Hello to my fellow Contender builders! I have been reading this thread for a while, as I too have been building one. I confess that I probably would not have chosen this kit, but I won it in a raffle so what the heck! Thanks to all the discussions, I made a few mods while building mine, including increasing the rudder surface and changing its shape, and also using bolts for the nose wheel gear. I also glued the chin block on separately after covering, using silicone glue so that it can be removed if necessary (also much easier to cover this way). I added a drain tube to the bottom of the engine compartment to keep spillled fuel and other misc. liquids from seeping into the wood.

Due to the weather, I haven't flown mine yet, but I am looking forward to it. Because this plane is a manageable size, and the engine is so easy to get at, I suspect this will become my everyday flier.

Specs: Engine - Older OS 46 SF ringed with TF 11 x 6 prop to start out
Servos - Futaba 3305's and Tower TS-69's
Weight ready to add fuel - 5 lb 11 oz (lighter than expected!)


My only real issue with this kit is that there is an apparent error on the plans. The flap is 1/8 inch shorter on the side view than it is on the top view, and mine would not seat in the fuse area until I removed that much from the trailing edge.

Sandy T.