I just got a Lanier Rebel biplane ARF at our local shop. It looked interesting on the shelf, but when I got it home and perused the instructions, I was non-plussed by the construction. I am tempted to return it and get something else.

Anybody know anything about this plane?

Thanks

So what does the contents of the kit look like? Is it the abs fuse that bothers you or the wings? I was thinking of getting one because of the price.
Anyone out there ever and one of series?

My friend has one and he is almost finished putting it together.
I have a question for you. What kind of glue did they put in the kit to glue the horizontal stab, vertical stab and rudder on.

The airplane should fly well. It is pretty small and compact. My friend is putting an OS 50 sx on it.

John

I built and flew one in the mid-70's... so the design has been around a while

Impressive flyer on an Enya 60III. Very aerobatic, even with ailerons on bottom wing only.

I built and flew one of these. IMO it's the biggest POS out there. The worst directions, poor fitting parts, BAD design of tail group, and what the .. is going on with the fuse?

After built, it actually flew OK (after plenty of trim correction). Pretty heavy. I ended up stripping out a servo in the wing and cork screwed into a bail of hay. Strangely, I wasn't that sad. As a matter of fact, I kept full throttle into the hay bail.

I swore never to buy a Lanier again, but I did. I built the 120 size Edge. A great plane, good directions and SUPER flier!!

Good luck with the Bipe.

Could you tell me where the C of G is supposed to be for this airplane.

thanks
John

Happened to be in the right place at the right time. This fellow was moving to florida and practially gave me the Rebel still in the box (he only had the wings glued together), including a brand new OS 60. The kit seems to be missing a couple parts and in rough shape from sitting in storage for four years. Any advise, tips would be appreciated. I would also like a answer about the glue, missing from the kit. Thanks!

Bobby:

It's a "melt the plastic" solvent type glue. You don't need it, CA works better. When that kit was designed, CA hadn't been invented.

W4kv:

Unless you like a real challenge, TAKE IT BACK! The all plastic Lanier kits are obsolete in design, construction materials, flight performance and longevity. I have built and flown three over the years and none was a satisfying experience.

Jim

Jim

Thanks for the promt reply. I'm disappointed! I guess I still got a deal with the motor and other R/C stuff. The motor is going a 1/4 piper cub thats been on the back burner for some time. I will still take up the "challange" in what little spare time I have these days. Since you have flown 3 "Rebels" I may have later questions to ask.

Bobby

Man, I can't believe that Lanier hasn't "upgraded" this bipe. Guess they don't want to throw the mold away...

They fly ok, but they are on the heavy side, and they should have ailerons on both wings.

Good luck with it!

Gary

Bobby:

That was 3 all plastic Laniers, only one was a Rebel. I'm not that much of a glutton for punishment!

I'd be happy to give any advice and assistance I can.

Jim

The lanier ARF airplanes are an aquired taste....you either love them, or
you hate them. I think they were about the first ARf's around. I've had
practically all of them. I flew a Rebel for 25 years. My first rc plane was
a Lanier Cessna trainer. They were cheap....flew great, and were almost
indestructable. One time, on take-off....I flew the Cessna full throttle into
a huge steel storage tank at an oil refinery. After retrieving the plane over
a fence, and removing the broken prop and spinner....using a new prop
without a spinner....had the plane back up in 10 minutes....no damage to
the plane. [X(] (honest)

Another time....after flying a Lanier Caprice for a few years, I decommissioned
it. The plastic parts crack after awhile....like most plastic parts. I tried to
break the wing in half over my knee....and couldn't break it. [X(] (honest)

Here's my Rebel and Caprice in about '77. I sold the Rebel to a Guy last year. (honest)

Dave.

Love Lanier's, still have a Comet ll and Transit. I have personally cartwheeled ( on purpose ) broke the fuselage in half many times,but Never the wing!! Only takes about 10 min. to fix it each time, just a little ca glue and back in the air

The Solvent glue( in the little bottle) used is just acetone, the plastic is ABS so you could use pipe glue if had to.

The acetone is used mostly to hold the parts on during assemble , then all seams are then gone over with CA glue ( it has been in the instructions since the mid 80's at least.)

I had two . They are great flyers .