I am considering 3 planes for a TT .91 FS engine and can't make up my mind the planes are.

VMAR RV-4, should be hot, maybe too hot?
Modeltech P-47, should be near pattern plane performance, comes with retracts!
VMAR Tomahawk II, I got my private ticket on the Tomahawk I and would love to have this model, but was looking for something less docile before running across this.

Not sure the engine will fit under the cowl of the VMAR planes. The RV-4 is out now is there room for it to fit? I could use some .60 engines I guess, but a 4 Stroke would sound more real.

i have an rv4 and their is no way to stuff a 91 in it. 46osfx fills it up.

Vmar ??? Setting yourself up for disaster I see...

Next time you see a Vmar arf look closely at the hinges.. What a mess! The worst hinges I ever seen. Be carefull if you get one. I would check all those hinges over , actually I would redo all of them.

VMAR = plastic bag full of woodworm dust, formers and ribs shattered by having spars hammered into holes that are too small, front bulkheads split, etc etc.

And if that is not bad enough, wait till you fly it. I have never witnessed a VMAR plane last 10 flights. They tip stall and spin in uncontrollably from any height. The main UK mag did a review of a VMAR a couple of years ago, on the first flight it spun in and they had to get a second model to complete the review.

I had the misfortune to briefly own the VMAR CAP231EX, it rolled if I touched the elevator and it lasted 5 flight before it entered an uncontrollable spin from way up. Its the only model I have ever been glad to see smashed to bits.

Stop buying VMAR and let the free market do its function - either VMAR gets its act together pretty damn fast or it goes bust.

Harry

U'mm thought they changed the manufacture to a new source. In fact pretty sure the latest kits are designed by Airsail. All of the reviews I have read since the beginning of the year have been good. Almost the opposite of the reviews last year.

HarryC

I also own the Cap231ex 40size and find it to fly pretty good.I don't know whatever possesed to me to buy it in the first place ?. Sure it snaps easy but if you are experienced enough with flying this type of airplane then it's not a problem.. BUT.....
It is true about what you said about "formers and ribs shattered by having spars hammered into holes that are too small, front bulkheads split, etc etc" I too have noticed that in alot of these arfs at my LHS. I would like to see one of their newer arfs to see "how much better it is" then I will believe it for myself.

Be carefull what you guys buy. This hobby that is full of crooks that are just waiting to take you to the cleaners....

KennyB,
How do you like the RV-4 is it built well? Kinda rulled that one out because of its small size. Leaning towards the P-47. But that Tomahawk looks nice.

very impresed with RV4. plane is flight ready at 7 lbs , with os46fx . first flight will be fri 8/16/02. quality and completeness of kit was more than expected for price. ken berg

7 pounds sounds a little heavy for a .46

I agree with rcflier_gi... 7lbs for a .40 size airplane is basically a flying brick...

But it's not a .40 sized plane. Its designed for a .60. The wing span is a bit larger than a 40 sized plane, I assume the fuse is thicker. Also there appears to be more scale detail, hence more weight. Still it could be lighter.

I've got the RV-4 built and ready to fly minus the engine. I ordered an Irvine 53 for it and I hope that will be enough power. I'm pretty skeptical. Not too crazy about the way they did things. The plane is heavy. Looks like they used basswood and the entire fuse is sheeted. I'm going to fly it once and if I don't like it, shes going up for sale and I'll put the Irvine in another WM T-34.

I guess the Tomahawk is out too. I checked and the site is lying about the weight at 6 lbs for the RV-4. I guess I will try to find a source for the Airsale Tummyache. Anyone know of a source? Ever by one direct from overseas?

www.hobbyhobby.com or www.blackflyaero.com

PS.. Hobby Hobby advertise they sell them but they are not on the web site from what I can see.

I think you would be very happy with a World Models T-34 with a .46 or larger engine.

flew rv4 today, 10 twenty minute flights . 46fx 11-6 apc prop , c.g. 3-1/2 inchs. very stable airplane, will do standard aerobatics. inverted flight just a touch of down elevator, beautiful knife edge , with full flaps impressive harrier landing . normal landing flaps not required. totally pleased overall . this is not a 60 size airplane. 46 fx perfect engine for this plane. considering price , apperance,and over all quality i would give this plane a 10

KENNYB, I've heard they snap if you give full elevator. Did yours? How was the vertical climb with the .46? Could you weigh it and post the weight for us to compare? If my Irvine arrives today, I'm test flying mine tonight.

Sawyer692, KennyB had previously stated it weighed 7 lbs, what does yours weigh?

Had one, it is sitting in the to be repaired pile. Nice flying plane!

Oh. Guess I shoulda read a little closer. Mine will probably weight about the same. I used HS-422s servos and one a HS-81 for the throttle.

Don't forget about jamara arfs. I just got their 65" ws spitfire, it is a beautiful and well built model. I'll compare it with quality to the Kyosho. This'n does not have a fully sheeted wing, and the plans call for the retracts to come up to the inside, definitely non-scale, but didn't the ky do that too? Very nice model, and I got mine off eBay for $130. Can't beat that.
Mike

sawyer, low rate settings are good. high rate elev will snap. caution, this plane has same habits of full size rv4, if it goes into a spin, must be flown out. full down elev. with throttle until spin is stopped and then up elev, to pull out of dive. vertical is good. good luck and let me know how first flight goes. kennyb

Well heck, it will be a while now. Darn Irvine is on backorder.

Ok, I got it together. I ordered a K&B .61 twister with 12 inch tuned muffler and mounted it yesterday. Weighs 6.6lbs dry. I'll fly it tonight or tomarrow. Looks sweet with that big ol pipe hanging on it. Pics to follow

I've got the Vmar Tomahawk sitting on my assembly bench as we speak. Finish is not bad at all, plenty of scale detail. Build quality is not up to par with WM however, i'm rather impressed with what i can see. For the $$$ i don't think any one could go wrong.

BTW. Re: Airsail Kits.
Airsail kits are just that, kits not ARF's. There is a review in the Australian "Airborne magazine" (Latest one) on building and flying.