I am searching for a very durable, crash-resistant electric ARF/RTF. What's your recommendations?

Do I probably need to get one made out of EPP foam?

Thanks,
Shawn

For best results you need to place this question in the Electric Foam section. You're correct with the EPP foam selection. One I can think of is the T-52 high wing trainer, but it's a kit and I'm not sure of the mfg. Do a search in the Electric section.

Welcome to the forums Shawn

I would suggest a V wing type plane (zaggi). These are durable and inexpensive. Also consider a SPAD ARF. Try the Spad section and the Electric section as they are more in tune with whats out there in that genre.

good luck

matt

If your new to flying, go with a T-52. They can be had here for $35...

www.jkaerotech.com

You can power 'em either electric or glow. My T-52 has a mag mayhem buggy motor on an Olympus Belt Drive. I swing
a 12x8 folding prop and use 8 cell 1800 Kan nimh packs. Flies smoother than snot on a doorknob!!!
The T-52 has 10 degree dihedral if you build it per instructions. This means it basically can fly itself. Default config is elevator and
rudder for control. The website will say it will fly with a speed 400 but that would be way underpowered. At least do a 480 geared motor.
As far as glow, I think you could dump in a 074 Norvel or something.

Dave...

Thanks Dave, I couldn't remember the T-52 site but now have it on favorites.
A friend built one with a shorter 48" span plus ailerons. He's an expert pilot so he hasn't tested the EPP foam as fas as crashing.
The wings, Zagi or FMA Razor are far from a trainer. They will stall very easily and fall out like a willow leaf. Not bad as second or third planes though.

I started on an Aerobird. Today you would get an Aerobird Challenger. Ready
to fly! Nothing to build, balance or set-up! Nothing to do wrong in
building, balancing and setting up! $120 on e-bay ready to fly! $150 at your
local
hobby store.

Here is a review from Backyard Flyer:
http://www.hobbyzonesports.com/Disco...ID=1289#Page01

No you can't move the electronics stuff to other planes, but who cares? I
have 15 planes and I still enjoy flying my Aerobird so I wouldn't want to
move the equipment anyway. Plus this is the plane I let friends fly to try
out RC flying because it is so easy to fly and so rugged.

Low cost entry on a very rugged three channel plane that flies well. If you
like RC flying, then you can invest in more costly equipment and then go for
the 4 channel plane. If you don't like it, you only dropped $150.

Of course if you like it, you can go back and get the air to air combat module
and the bomb/parachute drop module for the Aerobird Challenger Then get a
friend to get one and have a ball with air to air combat, precison bombing
runs and parachute drops.

I have flown the plane in winds of 10-15 mph on many occasions. It also makes
a pretty good first thermal glider so that you can get a taste of what
sailplanes are all about.

Prepare for the purists to groan at this, but it really is hard to beat it for
a low cost entry plane that can really take a beating!