I'm planning to get my third model. Currently I'm trying to get comfortable with my phoenix extra300s 46 (and will continue pushing the envelop). Eventually (I guess in 1-1.5 years timeframe) I'd like to move to 50cc gasser. So would like to select the third model in a way that there is sufficient gap between the 50cc and the model I select, at the same time it should prepare me to move up to 50cc. SO the question is, is 90 size model good enough or I should go with 120 size (i.e., do you think 120 size is a good mid-step to move to 50cc or it's better to invest (and save some) in some 90 size model)
However, I'm basically constrained by availibility of models here; and here is my short list (I know you'll have many suggestions, but as I said - availibility problem!)

1.

- Wing:70"(1780mm)
Length: 67" (1700mm)
Wing Area: 977sq in (63sq dm)
Flying Weight: 8.4-9.5lbs (3900-4300g)
Engine: .90-.120(2C) .120(4C) 20-30CC gas (Required)
Radio: 4CH/5S (Required)

This is typical peak models 26cc frame of yak/edge (and 68" SU/extra330).
Q - will os91fx be good in such a frame (I'm not looking for excellent 3D, but good aerobatic and learner level 3D). Idea with this selection is though the airframe is 90-120 size and I'll be putting 91fx, the lower wing loading (and bigger 70" giving good air presence) will fly better than a 60-90 size model (see next choice below). Your idea please....

Again, which will be a better selection: peak models -Yak/SU or Edge (all 26cc frames). I'm excluding extra, since I'm flying extra (and my fourth model will be quite likely extra), so will try something different to expand my flying skills....

2.
Phoenix models Yak 60-90 size
Wingspan.............. 64"
Length........... 57"
Weight........ 3600gms
Engine(not included)........... .61-.91 (2stroke)

This will fly good with 91fx, but If 70/68" flies as good with 91fx, I'd rather put some more money and go with 70/68". (120 engine and 70/68" will lead to budget problems hehe...)
Again, your suggestion/idea please... :-)

Lastly, will it be too much of a jump moving from 46 to 91 or 120 size models? (considering average/good flying skills).

Sorry for the long post... (and so many constraints...)

Thanks you!

Please remember that this is my personal opinion; others may vary.

I went from a .46 to a 1.20; it is a big jump, but if you are careful and patient (and careful), it is the same thing only bigger (actually now the .40s seem like toys to me).

If you are serious about aerobatics and wanting to try 3D, stick with the engine in the upper recommended range, not the lower. Having an aerobat plane without enough power is just not fun.

My Yak is pretty similar to the one you listed above; I have a 1.20 two stroke in it and it's a nice setup. I would not want any less power, but it would probably fly OK on a .90. One thing that I really got used to is having power and using throttle management. Flying around at 3/4 to full throttle all the time is noisy and leaves you with such little reserve...it's just kind of disappointing. It's really nice to fly at 1/3 to 1/2 throttle and have the rest in reserve for when you really want it.

I would say of the two setups above (assuming both with a .91 two stroke), the Yak would have better overall flight characteristics but lack in vertical performance, while the Seagull plane would probably fly a little heavier and a little less stable, but have good power for verticals.

I say get the 1.20, and get a good engine for it. 1.20s fly really nice and yet are still portable. There will be a substantial difference in the way the two fly.

*note that when people talk about verticals, it doesn't mean flying a straight line up into the sky; it means pulling out of a hover, it means flying a big loop without the plane running out of power at the crest, and if you get into IMAC or pattern maneuvers, it means having enough juice to do some rolling maneuvers in your up-lines (like in a stall turn or something).

This plane might interest you http://abellrc.com/crashisclay/index.php?topic=137.0

Uh-oh!

I see big Gassers in your future!

Once you start, the 1.20's will seem tiny.

I went from 40 size to 120 size (with a few 60-90 size in there too) and to be totally honest I found the larger it is the easier it was to fly, first you can see it so much better and although it may not be, but it seems like it's in slow motion in comparison to my 40 size birds, I still have a good fleet of 40 size for the ease of transport but have A 73" Hanger 9 Cap 232, a 68" Goldburg Extra 300 and a 69" Seagull Super Star (still have to put this one together to replace the 69" Seagull Laser I lost) The 40 size keeps my reflexes crisp and the bigger ones are just fun to fly.

Dauntae

Thank you guys for your opinions!!!
Looks like 120 is way to go. I'd probably take some more time (and advices :-) ) before selecting one. If I go with 120 model (i.e., 70" size), what would you suggest for engine - 120 size glow (OS) of 26cc gas (SPE26/MLD-28 may be available). Again, since I plan to go to 50cc size (I'm serious about it so far...) in a 1 yr or so, I see a spe26 or dle30 not a very good investment. I know I'm just too much thinking about redundent investment but money matters (poor resale of used model :-) in case I need to get rid of few of them).

I searched the forums a lot and what I noticed that that everyone seems to be putting higher than recommended (or the higher end in recommended) size engines - 46 is replaced by 55/60, a 60 by 90, a 90 by 120/160!!! And here I am planning for 91 in 90-120 size model.

Peak models at my LHS would be back in stock around month end. I'd again bother you with some selection queries
(yak/edge/SU :-) ) along with exact specifications of the models.

Thank you.

I think you should go with a 1.20 two stroke engine. It will fly the plane better and get you used to bigger engines. As Opjose mentioned above, the big gassers can make a 1.20 feel small, so it will make a .90 feel even smaller.

There are a lot of really, really nice planes now being designed around the (OS) 1.20 two stroke. It is a very nice and useful engine to have around.