Which arf models have people tried off ebay and how were they. I don't mean large brand names like GP, SIG, HANGER NINE. I mean the ones that look like clones of others. For instance I found a .40 size ULTIMATE that is marketed as a replica of the World models one. It look just like it. I am looking for models in the .40 to .90 size. Any feedback would be apppreciated.

I have the A-K models .60 size extra.Plane is decent but the hardware was uselees.The clevis's would slide on/off the rods without turning them.The firewall is set up for a 45 deg. mount,any thing else requires a pitts muffler.As far as flying,its pretty good.I have a Magnum .91 2 stroke on it(more than enough),it tracks pretty good,holds a good knife edge,and rolls quick with the throws cranked up.Landing gear suck.I just got the Blackhorse version and as far as looks/quality it is the best Ive seen anywhere.The Edge 540 by SkyShark is another excellent arf and their customer service is second to none.They will ocassionally sell on Ebay.

There has to be more planes that people have tried off of ebay. Good or Bad.

I have built several and have several more to build. I am in the process of converting a 40 size Sukoi (in the Brettling scheme) to electric, have built the Subaru (a very nice kit), a 90 size Edge 540 (also a nice kit), a small electric extra 300 (no issues, good paint and clear canopy), a giant scale Pitts (superb construction, laser cut parts with a very good design, good covering, poor paint, flys great), another electric extra only slightly larger (very nice kit with some paint issues but good fiberglass and plastic), a very nice power sail plane (actually has good hardware), some 40 size caps (Brettling design, beautifull little planes, but I have to repaint the cowls and do some covering work to make then near perfect in apperance), a 40 size Mustang (good kit), a 71" Gee Bee that is just stunning, once you get past the gear issues, and some Four Star type planes with good construction and covering. In general, I find, in these models, good design, laser cut parts with good construction usually, amazingly good covering jobs (better than most of us could do), and sometimes, paint that matches and good canopies, also i must say that they are usually light weight as well, however, instructions are usually poor to nonexsitant, hardware is usually fit for the trash can, fiberglass that often leaves a lot to be desired, canopies with bubbles and wrinkles that are even cloudy sometimes, often week landing gear, paint that needs redone, and sometime parts that are installed incorrectly. Bottom line, you need, building experiance, covering experiance, painting experiance, knowledge of control systems and structural requierments, and a cashe of spar parts or a hobbby shop close by, to succeed with many of these models. Having said all that, many can become beautifull models in the hands of the right builder. I have included some shots of some of these planes.

I have just recived a "laser 90" off ebay. Seems to be a good build. Laser cut fuse, sheeted foam wings, two piece plastic?? fiberglass?? landing gear. Hardware questionable. The covering would be unacceptable on a $300 GP kit, buts it better than anything I could do, not sure of the material, China Kote of some kind. Soon to be flying.
I have looked at every mfg site for China build ARFs I could find and can't find who makes this one.

I used 2 sellers , one was airplane hobby for a CMP Hellcat knockoff, this plane at the lowest price was $169 plus shipping , I got it for $69 plus $45 , great deal great plane quick shipping .

Then I bought from NewYork Grace , a seafury that said "retract ready " that was not the case , nice plane but major wing mods needed so you have to be careful and read the negative reviews , its not just the % of bad but what the bad say .

Ram3500,
The Pitts looks like the Midwest Super Sinker I used to own.[X(] The low wing plane look like the GP kit that was released a few years ago.

Uh, what does eBay have to do with it? They don't make model airplanes...<G>

No brand names on any of the planes pictured. The Pitts is about 72" on the top wing. All built into good airplanes with some work and extra parts. I also had a Super Stinker years back. Definately not even a knock-off of that plane.

Got that right genuine no name stuff. On the Laser kit there was no clue on the shipping box, kit box, or on the instructions. The picture on E-bay is right off the cover of the kit box.

I had to list the e-bay seller because there is no brands , wow ebay does not make planes , man thanks for letting me know , you learn somthing new everyday lol [&o]

Ram3500,
What engine did you use on the Pitts?There is one identical to it sitting unassembled at my LHS Ive been wondering about.

I like the Challenger II. Pusher Light Aircraft model(Altralite). I looks like a copy of Experimental Aircraft models Chanllanger. It sell for about 100.00 plus SH on ebay.
Anyone seen it.

I bid on one, but didn't win it. Looks interesting for something different. I know what most of these off brands take, so I don't go much beyound half what I think it would cost anywhere else.

So much for trying to make a joke. My wife tells me not to bother, but you know how that goes...<G>

I checked, most of the Challanger sell for less than $100.00 plus shipping about $25.00.

Agreed that you should have some modeling experience before buying one of the "off-brand" ARF's. RC report just did a review of a Super Chipmunk that was pretty bad. After reading the review, I wouldn't buy that particular ARF. If the price is right, you can justify the risk. If you want top quality, pay for it up front. I've been tempted to try some of these knock-off brands, but really, when it comes down to it, the cost of the ARF is just the beginning. I would rather pay a few extra bucks and get a good quality product that I can get replacement parts for if needed.

I had the Extra 330L that was reviewed here on RCU. It was a 63" plane by HET. I really liked the plane and it is a great bargain. My rudder/throttle stick stuck in the upper left had corner and I lost it.

I also had a .15 size extra 300. It was a really nice flier.

Accel Katana GS 40 still not built.

Good points and many will do just that. I do the brand name stuff as well and just picked up a GP Christian Eagle and a H9 Funtana, however, I don't mind the extra work for the price, and keep in mind, you can buy two or three of many of these planes for the price of one brand name and have many spare parts to work with. I have done it. I got the Gee Bee for a third of what GPs is and picked up two of them. They are even slightly larger (3").

I was going to put a Moki 210 in it, simply because it was so light (just over 8lbs bare), and i wanted to see if I could get in under 14lbs. Pretty light for a 1/3 size bipe. I had all the radio gear in it but hadn't installed the engine yet, when I sold it. The pilot that bought it installed a Fugi 64 I think. He reported that it was the best flying bipe he had ever had. He was happy, and that made me happy.

I have a couple newer radios if your interested.

Is one a 9cap and cheap?

Nope. But one is a 7cap.

I just bought this Cap of ebay, its a knock off of the Matt.C Cap, so far i have found the quality quite good its better than i thought it was going to be. The instructions are not the greatest but no problem if you have built a few planes i guess. The bad part was it took almost 9 weeks to get to me. Cost was under $100 shipped so that was good. I only bought it to see what it was built like and after seeing it i think i might bid on a few more.

Hi,

I think the most important thing is how well it flies.
I had a CMP Cessna 40 arf and the quality was excellent and it looked great, but
I didn't like the way it flies. It flew very fast like it had a high wing loading.