Hey, can anyone suggest a biplane that is fast and aerobatic?? I don't want a slow flyer. Any suggestions??? Thanks...

Ultimate

Perhaps a F3A bipe like the Chip Hyde Double Vision, or a Skybolt, in addition to the Ultimate.

Rick

What size plane are you looking for? The World Models Ultimate .40 is very fast with the right engine. Mine has an OS .46-AX, pitts muffler and APC 11x5 prop. It is a very quick airplane (for me anyhow). A 11x6 prop would probably be even a little faster.

The Ultimate 40, is it very squirrely on the ground? I would like the Curtis P6e but it looks tooooo slow in the video, so I'm just looking for something more fun to fly..Thanks for your input..

What is your flying skill ? This matters a lot when it comes to choosing a plane. Tail draggers in general are harder to control on the ground than a tricycle gear. An ultimate has a short tail moment which tends to be a little harder to ground handle. I have had three Ultimates and noticed that the bigger they are the easier they are to fly.IMHO

do u already have the motor in mind that u want to use?

I don't find it so... I have a bunch of them... both the Nitroplanes Ultimate 40s and the World Models Ultimate 40s.

I like both versions for specific reasons.

There is a bit of left yaw tendancy at run up, but if you have any prior experience with tail draggers this should not be an issue.

A little throttle to rudder mixing will help eliminate this too.

In the air they are wonderful.... fast and aerobatic.


Put a .46 engine in it and they rock!

I also have much bigger versions and the Skybolt.

The Skybolt is far more docile than the Ultimate.

Ultimately, I prefer the Ultimates!

Be creative try a Hot Kanary or Sorceress

Not squirellly at all in my opinion. The only thing that took some getting used to is the fact that it needs to be landed hot. Come in too slow and you'll have problems. Speaking of problems, I would recommend beefing up the lower wing bolt plate. It tends to come loose easily if you smack a wing on landing, even if it is a very light hit (I know from experience). Otherwise the plane is surprisingly rugged.

Yeah that it certainly is!

I have one with over 4 crashes on it, including two cartwheels across the field after 20 flights... and now it's up to about 150 flights and still going strong.

The ASM 120 Pitts is powered by a ST 2300 engine, and it is fast. I found the plane at Hobby People for less than two hundred bucks. A fellow modeler runs it electric, but I too prefer the speed.

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Nice!

Here's my Skybolt with an OS 1.20 AX. Just try to keep up!

Very Nice guys and thanks for all the info. I have been flying for over 25 years and have flown everything except a jet and a bipe..I'm working on the jet but will get the bipe going soon...Thanks again..

I have had dozens of Bipes over the years (they are among my favorite types).

In the aerobatic and or speed Bipe category, I have owned and flown the Pitts, Hot Canary, Christian Eagle, Ultimate, Weeks (Solution and Special), and Skybolt, in sizes ranging from 40 size to Giant scale. For all out speed, the Hot Canary was the fastest, but that was all it did, go fast. Out of the rest, the Skybolt gets my vote for speed and aerobatics with the Ultimate a close second. The Ultimate has the edge in aerobatics, and the Skybolt has the edge for speed. Never had an issue with flutter at any speed, with standard servos (very clean for a bipe). With the Ultimate I did, till I went to 8411s on the ailerons, and I still watch my speed straight and level, down wind and down line.

My Favorite Skybolt was the GP version (as someone has pictured above). I had one years ago before they ARFed it. It was covered just like the picture on the box and could do knife edge loops and still pass just about anything in the sky with a YS 120 for power. It was so capable and predictable that I used it for fun fly events like egg drops, limbos, and spot landings, when everyone else was using trainers. Wish I hadn't sold it.

BTW, I can't believe that bipes have eluded your hanger all these years. Definitely about time one graced your fleet. I have tried over the years to have at least one flying.

My GP Super Skybolt is pretty quick with an OS 91 four stroke. Great flying plane, very aerobatic. This bipe has it all.

Guy in our club has a GP Pitts with a G-62 that cooks pretty good when opened up. Also, nothing tumbles like a Pitts.