I am thinking about purchasing one of these. Any new comments on this plane? 40/60 size. I see some mixed comments here on the other VMAR models, such as being built weak near middle of fuse. Also I understand the new covering seems to be OK.

This model has been around for a while and in different color schemes. It was 1st released as an Australian Airforce PC9. (The "real thing" is a PC9 licened built in the USA as the Texan 2)

The model flies well with a .46 2 stroke or a .50 or .52-.56 4 stroke. No vices like tip stalling etc. It's quite stable and handles wind well. Glide is good. Aerobatic qualities are excellent.

Strength wise it's quite good and the wing mount blocks on mine have stood the test of time (4 years) very well.

Typically of VMAR, watch for twists in the rear fuselage. They don't affect the performance of the model, but just don't look "right" (inspect the contents before you take the model from your LHS)

Junk the VMAR wheels, they'll probably be square and ditto for the spinner.

As a hint, on the Texan 2 (or PC9) bend the main undercarriage wire slightly to the rear before you install it. Otherwise the model will sit on its tail as if its tail heavy (when it really isn't) even when the c of g is where the factory states that it should be.

The new covering is very good, it doesn't fade like the old stuff did. But be careful if your trying to shrink it. Just use a hair dryer and not a heat gun.

Sometimes I amazed by the internet. I would never have thought I would share info. from someone as far as Austrailia about this hobby. I am curious about the fuselage twist you speak of though. I plan to order the kit online, so no chance to inspect. Did you try to staighten the fuse or fly it warped?

Virtual Model Aircraft Ripoff!!! Check the threads before you buy it.

Do you have personal experience?

i two have got this kit i havnt flown yet im putting a 61fx on it should have loads of power im mounting mine sideways with pitts muffler and put a 12 oz tank in there. i will follow up with flight reports when i get her flying and please do the same.

Bill2796- Do you see the problems that have been mentioned here about the kit?

Lynn..
Dont even entertain buying a V-Mar product until you have, yourself, inspected what you are getting, if you are happy..then fine ..no problems at all.

I bought a RV-4.. i was very dissapointed..I extesivly 'corrected' all i felt was wrong, much time and money was spent ...and wasted here... in the end it was half reasonable ...but it got to the stage where i just didnt want it in the house... let alone take it to the field...i sold it this morning at about 1/3 what it cost

I'd even read v.good reviews on this chappie...this brings other questions into play ....?

Wouldnt want anyone to be as dissapointed, or waste as much time and money as i did on this ...it was awfull.. Dave

I have the Texan ready for first flight. It looks great, but:
(1) Junk all the plastic stuff that comes in bags. I think they use soap instead of plastic.
(2) The wheels are good for propping stuff up, but not for holding up airplanes.
(3) The covering is nice to look at, but a pain to maintain. To eliminate wrinkles, I had to use high heat. If you get too close to a seam, watch out! It will snap loose in an instant.
(4) The tail feathers are slabs of bass-wood like material that was warped. I had to work long and hard to get it straightened out. Hope it stays that way.
(5) If you plan to order one anyway, and order it from a place called Richmond RC, let me know how you fare. I tried several times to contact them after I received my Texan and have yet to get a response of any kind; That was over a year ago.

lord lucan is right,do not even think about buying a vmar without inspecting it first,even then you need to be watchful,i had a vmar beaver,when the weather was dry it was o.k. but when it was damp the wings used to warp,i was glad when it got smashed because it was basically junk!

lord lucan is right,do not even think about buying a vmar without inspecting it first,even then you need to be watchful,i had a vmar beaver,when the weather was dry it was o.k. but when it was damp the wings used to warp,i was glad when it got smashed because it was basically junk!

Yes I have personal experience and believe me it was not a pleasant one.

I have had three (3) VMAR planes [sm=thumbdown.gif]I would not get up and out of the electric chair to have another one[sm=angry.gif]. Trash! Personal experience, yes. If you want a Texan there are several to choose from. JUST DON'T choose the VAMR. I would think this company would have gone under by now, but it looks like there are still unsuspecting people out there that keep buying them.

I have 3 also. The oldest is a Ramrod, now 6 years old and still going strong, then a PC9- 4+ years old and still flying. The newest is a Cessna 182, ST 61 powered. (2 years old) Flies fine.

How have I maintained the longevity? Well, non has crashed and that's a start, Mind you, if and when they do, they won't survive, haven't seen a VMAR survive a bad crash yet.

Nor do I take them out on very hot days. If the temp is in the 60-75 degree F bracket, no problems, anything above that, I choose another model. (Mind you I don't bother even going flying when it gets into the 90's.)

The fuse warping is caused by the funny, oily, Asian pine material that VMAR use. (The Vietnamese Government made it very tough to get balsa from the west in VMAR'S early days, hence their choice of this stuff.) . But their latest offerings (the Jodel) uses plantation grown balsa from New Guinea.

My PC9 has a slightly warped rear fuse, but it really doesn't affect the models performance. As long as the wingtip measurement from the ground is equal for both tips and the wing and horizontal stab are parallel it will fly o.k. You might have to use a bit of trim on the Tx on one side, but I have several other balsa ARF's from well regarded manufacturers that have to have that as well, so it's not a unique problem.

A common problem is also warped ailerons. Apply a heat from a heat gun and twist the aileron the opposite way of the twist. You may need several goes to rectify the problem.

And yes, junk the plastic bits.

The Texan 11 and the PC9 do not have the new covering. The 1st one of their models with that was the RV4.

They're not the best ARF around, but they're cheap and you get what you pay for. If you want a better quality kit, then look at World Models, though they don't have a Texan 11.

(But stear clear of anything that WM have with rotating retracts. Trouble with a capital " T" )