Hi,
I love Cessnas, I think they are absolutely beautiful airplanes and I would love to have a 182. My problem is I'm in college and I don't have very much money to spend on my beloved hobby.[] I'm interested in three of the models that are currently on the market. The Top Flite kit, the Great Planes ARF, and of course the big Haqnger 9. I have a specific idea of what I want as far as a covering job goes. I like the new style 182 more than the old style and I can customize the Top-Flite to look like that, but then again the H9 comes the way I want it all ready. Size wize though, the Top-Flite is a happy medium, it would be relatively economical with a .75 two-stroke and I could always have someone make it for me...how much is that? I could always recover the Great Planes one. OK...I'm going on a tangent here. If anyone can help me out here I would appreciate it a lot.
Eric

i think bf109-k4's are beautiful aeroplanes. The problem is i dont have one.

The Hanger 9 182 is HUGE. It's real sweet tho. I put one togeather for a friend of mine. Its to big for me. Cost wise the smaller ones would be the way to go.

how much in total are you willing to spend?

I've built and flown the T/F 182 a few years ago( just after it came out) and I now have a Hang 9 182 with 50 plus flights on it.From what I can remember the T/F was a good flier,you just had to watch your speed on final using flap etc.I had an OS 90 four stroke in mine and it could get going pretty fast.The thing is you have to build it.No problem if you like to build,have the place, the time ,etc.
On the other hand if you can find a Hang 9 182 on sale somewhere say e-bay,and find a cheap weedie gasser,or a good used 150 four banger, GET IT.Its a much more forgiving airplane,flys more scale like,looks great,and you dont have to build it.Later you can get the scale oleo nose gear from Sierra Precision..its a great addition because thats the only major flaw in the airplane(unless they have fixed it)...Steve

If you're looking for a 40 size arf of a Cessna you cannot go wrong with the GP 182. It's a great flying plane. I usually build but after I saw the built up fuse quality I couldn't say no. Couple it with a 4 stroker and you're in business.

Mark

I'd guess as a college student your priorities are 1) time and 2) money, and you should bear those priorities in mind when you're making up your mind. Given that, the GP ARF looks like the best value. I doubt you have the time for the TF, which requires 200 hrs. minimum to do it right (i.e. you won't be flying next summer). I'd think getting one built would have to cost at least $500 on top of material costs, so I doubt that's an option. Also, note that there's an even more affordable option in 60-65" class, that is the Hangar 9 Cessna 40. I haven't seen one in person, but it doesn't look like as attractive a model as the GP. Obviously, neither is a modern 182, but I'd say that would have to be tertiary to 1) and 2) above right now for you. Good luck.

I've compared the two, H9 and GP, and the GP is hands down the better of the two. That's my opinion of course, your findings may differ!

Mark

Ya I agree the GP is the nicer one in that class...

xtratorue:
I have the TF Cessna 182.....built with a 0S90 4 stroke and futaba radio and may consider selling it all as a package deal.
It has lots of flights on it and has some damage (cowl needs replaced).
You are also close enough so as not to have to ship it as the 82" wing would be difficult to package for shipment.
I know this isn't the place to sell stuff so PM me if interested.


Tom

When I got involved in model airplanes a little over a year ago the Cessna was the plane I wanted. Through research here I found that the best thing to start with was a trainer and to work my way through to the Cessna. Since then I flown a couple of planes and have a couple on the bench in the works. Basically I now have a list of planes that I would like to own in the future, the Cessna of course being towards the top. You do not say if this will be your first plane or not so if you have been flying and have experience then I would say go for it.
As for which model to get, I think the GP ARF would be the best for your situation. It is an .40 size ARF and this will keep your cost and time down.
The Hanger 9 is a beautiful plane and would be the one I would love to have out of the 3 you mention, However the larger size models increase the cost quite a bit. It has been a while since I priced checked the Hanger 9 but it was around $700 to $800 or maybe a little more that last time I looked. With the addition of engine and electronics it becomes a big budget plane.

The Top flite if I remember correctly is a kit, .40 size I think. Even though it is smaller and everything is cheaper, the kit will actually cost you quite a bit more than the ARF. Will cost you not only more money but also a lot of time. Since you are in school you may not have the time to put into a kit right now and it could take you a year or more to complete one. The cost will escalate when you start buying all the tools and supplies that you need in order to build the plane. On a budget that usually means buying things a little at a time. This can take a while.
Yes you could have someone build it for you, but why go through the hassle and the expense, Just grab the GP ARF and I think you will have a great experience.

Keep in mind that there are several very long threads on the cessna here on the forum. Especially the Top FLite.

Good luck

Dbow

Here's the deal. The Top Flite is a IMAA legal plane typically powered with a 90-120 4 stroke and is a full build kit. It has a wing span of 82" as noted in a post above. The GP ARF is a 40 size plane. Tower lists the GP at $189.99. Hangar 9 makes two planes now, one 40 size listed at $109.95 and the huge one with a wing span of 95" and listed at $569 on Horizon's website. Between the two 40 size ARF's the GP is the better looking of the two by a large margin. The H9 is a Cessna in name only. The GP IS a Cessna!

Mark

I'm looking at the GP 182 for Christmas, got a couple of engines that need a home.
Old ST 40 GS and old K&B 65 Sport. Any reccomendations on which would fit best.
Both run like heck!

You could probably get away with either of them, depending on what you want to be able to do with it. I'd say go with the K&B if it's in good running order. OR, see if you can get a 4 stroke included in your sock!!!

Mark

I have the GP Cessna with and Irvine .53 in it. It is a beautiful flying
good looking plane. Big problem on mine is the landing gear. The nose
gear is way too soft. Just taxing around on asphalt seems to bend it. The
main gear is better but with anything but a soft landing mine seem to spread.
I replaced the nose gear with a fults gear up front and braced up the main
gear. Works good but detracts from the original beauty of the plane.

Check out these threads - prepare to drool......

[link=http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/Top_Flite_Cessna/m_1286101/tm.htm]182 on floats[/link]

[link=http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/Hanger_9_Cessna_182_w%2F_floats%3F/m_1133306/tm.htm]More 182 floats[/link]

I know It's a little off topic but I didn't wan't to start another thread, what would be the most scale like O.S. four stroker for a Great Planes 182? Thanks

Great minds and all. I was wondering the same thing. Look nice and sound
nice too. I was thinking of a Saito .56 I have that is currently unemployed. Might
be a little small though. Anyone using a four stroke in this plane ?.

the GP ones is 65" wingspan correct? I would try the Saito 72 if I were to get one.

it is a beauty and its on my to buy list one of these days

I have a Saito 72, but was hoppig to put it in a Decathalon I have comeing.
It is more airobatic.

I have been flying my Cessna with a Saito 56 with a 11x7 three blade prop and it's perfect for this plane. A 72 would be overkill.

Mark

Ah, thanks Mark that's what I wanted to hear.
What brand prop is it ?.

It's the Master Airscrew 3 blade prop. I bit the bullet and also got a TruTurn spinner for it. I'll post a picture tonight if I can.

Mark

Great, a picture would be nice.
The three blade prop sounds interesting. I have never tried one.

you know what sucks? I just started this lawn/landscaping buz and its been a yr now like to get the hanger 9 cessna giant. but when you just started a buz you really dont have it that good yet untill a few yrs pass. so you are a little bit more lucky than i am at this stage. Trying to get customers and the problem is that it takes them forever to make up thier minds about whether to hire someone or should i mow it. All I fly is this hobbico MKIII which has exactly 25hrs on it. damn need more funds.[&o]