I would think twice about the 4*40. It is truely a great plane for what it was designed for. Very gentle on low rates but can do all the aerobatics in the book. This plane is easy to build and would make a good first plane to build. Arfs have trouble with firewall glue joints, landing gear mounts and tail feather mounts. When you build it yourself it will be a better plane than an arf. With 2 rolls of covering and a 4*40 kit the total price will be around $120.00 plus your time. Can't get a nice ARF for that.

With that said, any arfs on the market than can compare to the 4*40? Nothing with as light of wing loading as the 4*, but I would recommend the SIG something extra ARF or hanger 9 40 sized stick. If you are an experinced pilot, look at the Morris Hobbies Balsa Nova 40 ARF.

Good luck in your hunt
Mitch

The original Kaos ARF had some fit and finish problems. The version out now for a slightly higher price is a good kit. We have had a couple of both versions in my club and the reports on the new one for $124.99 is that it is a really good ARF.

In my opinion, Great Planes makes a great ARF. The fact that they pulled the kit for corrections when the initial run had problems speaks well for them.

Two excellent choices similar to the Four Star would be either the World Models Super Sports 40 or the WM T-34. Both are put together very well, are good looking and covering quality is excellent. They have constant chord, semi-symmetrical wings with light wing loadings. They are very docile on low rates but when setup with exponential or high rates they can perform any maneuver. If you move the CG back a bit they will spin and snap roll almost as good as full blown aerobats and with an OS .46FX, Thunder Tiger .46Pro or similar engine, both really move out and have very good vertical peformance. World Models markets both of these planes as aerobatic trainers. The SS40 is $100 and the T-34 is around $130 and cannot be beat from a value standpoint.

Regarding the Kaos 40, a few of them fly at our field and they seem to perform very well. I have not seen one unassembled so I can't comment on quality.

Jeff Benko
Palm Beach Skyhawks

jbenko, I forgot about those 2 planes! I currently have a Super Sports 40 and had a T-34 (lost to a midair)....both are great flying planes....the Super Sports 40 seems a little more docile than the T-34 did, but it may have been the way the CG was set on mine. World Models gets my vote for the best price-to-quality ratio....their planes are some of the best out there, and priced right!

Mike

Hideho all,

I'm thinkin the best all around flyer for the buck would be a Ugly/Ultra Stick. I have all three of the Ultra's and pound for pound they are my absoult favorite planes to fly.
Ditto the World Models planes, exellent quality and cheap to boot.

The best part about these planes is when you get a dead stick, (ala MDS= May Die Soon) the Sticks will float awhile.

BTW, I have owned 6 or so MDS's and have kept the 68's.....so I know from which I speak..[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img]

Best to you all,

Mike