IntheArmy,

Some thoughts about this subject. I have been doing almost nothing but micros for 10 years, and I love to convert FF stick and tissue model to R/C. I always dreamed as a kid of flying in the yard, and now I do it.

BUT...

I don't do it with Guillows models. They have a tendency to have really heavy wood in them, which is fine for first ime builders, but not the best for flying. Their construction is somewhat over-engineered, and the wood is usually pretty dense. They do build easy, and are easy to get straight. There are better kits available, though, that you should look into. Guillows models are not really 'micro', but more 'parkflier', so I have mentioned some similar sized models below. If you really do want to do micro, a couple of these 'mid-sized' stick and tissue models will get you ready for converting the tiny ones.

DCPModels' Aero_Werkes kits (http://www.aerowerkes.com/) are superb - well engineered, laser-cut, excellent parts fit, and the wood is hand selected contest stock (about 1/3 the weight of Guillows' wood). Designed for rubber and FF, there are some changes you need to engineer in yourself. Motor mounts, hatchs or other means of access to the gear, gear placement, etc. that are up to you. These models are mostly 18" WS WW I biplanes. All fly very well, and Dave recently introduced some larger models designed for electric R/C. Here is a link to a build thread for a new 'dime scale' Albatross : http://www.smallflyingarts.com/cgi-b...num=1181460300

Sig makes some nice FF models suitable for conversion: http://sigmfg.com/ I like the Sig MonoCopupe and Mr. Mulligan.

Dumas makes good flying kits, and their laser cutting is 2nd to none. They have a variety of sizes of suitable FF models, and even some electric R/C designs by Pat Trittle: http://www.dumasestore.com The walnut sized models are closest to micro models, but they can be difficult - not impossible, but difficult - to convert and fly well. I have a number of the 24" racers, and the Gee-Bee 'Z' is built and ready to cover. I used a 4-channel Falcon RX, 4 Falcon 1.6 gram servos (1 for each aileron), <2 gram BL ESC and 8 gram BL motor. The Gilmore 'Red Lion' will probably get standard parkflier radio gear since I will need more weight up front than the micro gear can provide...

RockyTop Models has some excellennt R/C conversion candidates: http://www.rockytopmodels.com/

I have also pretty much given up on Plantraco gear. I find the small actuator wires a pain to deal with, I have nothing but trouble with the magnetic battery connectors. I have built more than ny share of actuator models, but find that I really prefer the new tiny servos that are lighter than a lot of the actuators I used a few years ago. They do have a good, solid, sub-gram servo radio that eleminates the magnet connectors, and they will work with the newest Falcon servos. This radio has a built in ESC. so you can have 3 servos and motor control in a 5 gram package.

Most of the radio gear and accessories are available from Bob Selman: http://www.bsdmicrorc.com/