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Old 01-19-2008 | 09:18 AM
  #13  
bingo field's Avatar
bingo field
 
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 1,732
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From: Mt. Morris, NY
Default RE: Kit Building

http://www.vqwarbirds.com/aircraft.html

I had to look, these guys have a P-61.

You will have a great time as long as you have some patience. I still haven't flown my first fighter, like I mentioned, I am still building it. I have started with a couple of trainers, learned to fly. Modified one of trainers (bashed), and gotten into several low wing sport planes. On my way to a P-47, P-40, and P-51, I had thought I would start with an AT-6 Texan. After all, it was a trainer. After I talked to a couple of people, I finally got an Alpha trainer. What they told me was if I took the time to build the Texan, once I crashed it, I would be severely dissapointed, and it would take a long time to repair it. A trainer is built more simply, and doesn't take nearly as long to repair. If I totally destroyed a wing, I could buy the wing kit and fix it within just a couple of days. When I took off the first time with the Alpha, and made it about 30 yds when I realized I needed assistance with the hands on portion of the training. In my head, I knew what all the controls were, and what they did, I have worked on aircraft for many years. What I didn't have was the physical link between the sticks and the controls. I found a club, it was more than an hour away to get there. I made arrangements for a couple of lessons, where I learned more than I thought I would. Before we got airborne the first time, we went over everything, the airframe, linkages, balance, batteries and charge, no problems. He got me to start the engine, and showed me a couple of helpful things about engines. Safety stuff - how to keep fingers out of props, etc. Anyway, after a couple of lessons, I finally got to solo, and I realized that I wouldn't just jump in at where I wanted to be. What I first felt was a distracting step from where I wanted to be, I now realize what I need to learn and accomplish to get there. Still need patience, but I know I have fun with every step I take.