I currrently fly an Avistar (my first plane) and am looking for the next step up.

I've spent countless hours reading all of your great suggestions and reviews and have learned a ton. My problem? I can't decide!!!

I currently have an extra flight pack (with Futaba S3003 servos) ready to go. I am planning to buy the bearing kit to turn them into S3004s.

I don't have an engine, but based on the research I've done here I plan to buy either a TT or Tower Hobbies brand motor.

I think I've narrowed things down to the four ARFs below. I don't have the time to build a kit. :-)

I like the price of the Easy Sport and Dazzler, but really like the looks of the "3d" and Somethin' Extra.

1) U Can Do 3d - seems to be a favorite, but requires high-torque servos. Also, need a larger engine....more $.

2) Easy Sport - Advertised as a great "second" plane. Will I quickly outgrow this one?

3) Sig Somethin' Extra - A favorite. Will the smaller wingspan make it hard to see? My Avistar has a 59.5" WS, the Extra has something like 51". At $199, this is kind of expensive.

4) Dazzler - Nice in price, like the Easy Sport. Some folks seem to love it, others say the ARF is a piece of junk.

What do you think?

Dale

something extra is the way to go the wing has a long chord and this makes it easy to see and a few inches wont make any difference at 300'

Our second plane was (is) a World Models Super Sports 40. We moved across the OS46Fx from the trainer and the plane is a blast. I'd highly recommend this one as an option to consider (more a sport plane than aerobatic, but fun nonetheless).

Peter

The SIG Somethin' Extra and the SIG 4* 40 are my faves- Both would be sweet with a TT Pro-46 and $12- Tower Muffler-

Best of luck, the 2nd plane is always the best!

james

I'm gonna go with Razor.
#1 4*40 One of the easiest kits around to build.

#2 Sig SE, as long as the throws are fairly low and the CG is a little forward, it is a pretty good second plane. Watch the throws, you have been warned!

The Easy Sport is not any tougher than a trainer. The Dazzler isn't any better than the SE. UCD is expensive after the engine and flight pack.

I ditto the Somethin Extra recommendations. Do an RCU Search for SE and read all the positive threads. I'm putting together my second SE - it will have a Saito 72 for power!

Jim

1. If you are fairly experienced with your trainer and you can takeoff, land, and do touch an go's with no problems and are performing basic aerobatics then my vote is for the Sig SE. Keep the throws low and you will love it and as you get better increase the throws and it will get wild.
2. If you are still struggling a little to make good takeoffs and landings or don't feel confident in you flying ability then I would go with the Sig Fourstar or something like it. It has the ability to perform aerobatic maneuvers but will slow down and land nice and easy. The Sig SE is not as easy to land and can get you in trouble if the throws are not set real mild.

Also both of these are tail draggers and not as easy to takeoff as a tricycle gear plane. World models and Thunder Tiger have low wing planes with tricycle gear and most Stick type planes can be set up either way (you can never go wrong with a stick)

Just My Opinion
fossil

If the something extra ARF is a little expensive, you might want to check out the kit. Build time is REALLY short due to the entire thing being laser cut. I've spent a total of about 5 hours on mine and I have the wings, ailerons, stab, elevator, tail, and an enlarged rudder finished and I just started on the fuse. I've been trying to build slowly so as to spread it out over several paychecks (still need to ship out the engine for work, get electronics, covering, etc.) I've spent about 30 minutes building every couple of days for the past few weeks to get to where I am now. Kit is about $70 and includes all hardware except wheels and fuel tank.

The Easysport is a fun plane.....I think you'd like that.....it's pretty rugged too, the only thing bad with the ARF is the sticky-backed covering. The SE is a great plane too, but as somebody else recommened, keep the throws low at first. The World Models Super Sports 40 is another great suggestion that somebody made.......you won't find a better ARF for $100. Also, don't forget the Goldberg Tiger 2.....excellent plane. I love the 4 star also, but I'm assuming you want an ARF.

Mike

Take a look at an Stick style plane like the Hangar 9 Super Stick. These planes are fully aerobatic and slow down like a trainer for landing. They are very reasonably priced - around $119 arf.

I'd have to throw in my vote for a stick plane as well. I have an HP ultra stick and it's amazing. And I haven't even learned how to use the flaps yet.

Four star or the something extra are great choices. The something extra is a bit more aerobatic, and you wont get bored with it as fast. But the For star is very true and forgiving.

A month ago I would have recommended a stick-type airplane without blinking.

Model Tech's Magic Xtra, for $119.00 is hard to beat. You can get away with standard servos and a 40-60 size engine. I have an OS SX .50 on mine and it rockets into unlimited virtical after just 10' of takeoff space.

The only problem I had was my elevator control had too much restriction because of the dual purshrod geometry. This made the use of a standard servo almost impossible. I could have solved this if I had played around with the controls but since I had a Hitec HS-605 available I used it instead.

If you can set you TX for dual-rates you will be emazed at how easy it is to fly this airplane on low rates. Switch to high rates and everything is available. I'm even thinking of pushing my high rates a little higher than the recommendation to try and get more 3D capabilities out of it.

http://www.cma1193.com/Projects/hilley11of01.jpg

Thanks everyone for your replies! I found a partially-built Sig SE kit on eBay, and just placed my bid.

I've never built a kit; anyone have any good links to sites that can teach me how to cover my plane?

I might even go crazy and order the Magic Extra too. The total $ for both will be roughly the same price as the SE ARF. 2 planes for the price of one!

Thanks again!
Dale

I should mention that I've never built an ARF either. My Avistar with RTF with servos and engine preinstalled. :-)

You type well, so I assume you can read. You need to be able to put a drop or two of CA glue where you intend to. You need to be able to properly mix and spread Epoxy. You need to be able to work a sanding block. That's 99% of the framing process right there. The Sig SE kit is a very good first kit. It may be too easy, as it goes together so easily.

Covering in an art all unto itself. Most kits include some tips, but a good demo is best. Do you have a talented pal who can help? I perefer Ultracote as a base, and Monokote for trim. To cover, you need an iron and heat gun. You need several blades to cut the film with, and a sharp pair os scissors. I'd sketch out a few schemes well before you start, as the imagination can do great things. For really cool stuff, you need a bottle of Windex, an old credit card (or the like), and some trim solvent.

If you want a video, Great Planes has a good one for Monokote. Faye Stiley works with Monokote and is a genius. I've seen him cover wheel pants with only two pieces of Monokote and an iron. He is really that good.

read the instructions that come with every roll of monokote thier the best out there . also practice practice practice its a learned art . as for the kit building the SE is easier than some arf's .

Great Planes .40 size Stick/monokote Good Sport Plane.

If 3D is important to you, the Magic Extra is the one to buy. My clubmate has one with an O.S. .40 LS engine and you can really have as much excitement or calm flying as you wish.

If you might be interested in pattern-like flying as I am, a good next plane is the Top Flite Contender or the Kaos .40. These will fly like an airplane, not like a crow with a sore ass.

There is something in this hobby for everyone. Enjoy!
FRED

If you are getting a .46, then the Magic Extra is a good choice (like hilleja says, its hard to beat at $119). Second is the Somethin Extra, then the 4*40.

If you are getting a .50-.72 then I would suggest a Global Freestyle (cannot do 3d with a .46).

Personal opinion here:
I think that all the sticks, the Magic Extra, and the Somethin Extra are equivalent flyers, with the 4* and the Kaos being a step below. The Global Freestyle is a step up (read that it can do a few more tricks than the others, and its $142, not bad...).