First Time Tail Dragger
 

I was wondering what would be a good tail dragging arf to learn with. Thanks Guys!

RE: First Time Tail Dragger
 

I'm assuming you already have a trainer you have learned with and are looking to move up. One thing you could do is convert your existing trainer. All you have to do is modify the landing gear and you have a trainer that is now a taildragger and you save yourself a bunch of money. My first taildragger was a Lanier Stinger 40. It's not an ARF though, but it was very easy to build.

RE: First Time Tail Dragger
 

I agree with modifying the trainer. It is easy and cheap.

RE: First Time Tail Dragger
 

It would be helpful to know your experience level and what other planes you have already. You've already had a couple people suggest converting your trainer, if you have one, to a tail dragger. This is a simple choice, if you just want a tail dragger. However, since you've got your eye on a Corsair, I suggest that you look at a low wing tail dragger. These will be more challenging and help you develop the skills required for that Corsair. There are many good ARF taildraggers out there. Which one you choose is still going to be dependent on where your skills are, so a little more information would be helpful.

RE: First Time Tail Dragger
 

Here is a modified Avistar. Cost nothing to switch over accept for a couple bucks in a tail wheel. Didn't stop with the tail dragger mod though, removed the dihedral in the wing, removed all non essentials including the cowl cheeks. Brought this 5 pounder down to 4 lbs. The front nose gear was the biggest weight offender. Now, with the same, lame, 46 LA swinging a 11/4 Zinger prop it will hover as well as perform many other maneuvers. Take off in about 15 feet and will slow to a crawl on landing. Joe

RE: First Time Tail Dragger
 

i think a great low wing second plane taildragger is the Dragon Lady. But then, there are a lost of good planes, the World models Rambler 45 is another

RE: First Time Tail Dragger
 

I'd put in my vote for a Goldberg Tiger with the tail dragger mod. It's a great second airplane, and many, like myself, will never quit flying it.

RE: First Time Tail Dragger
 

Once you are competent at taking off and landing your tail dragger, add a couple of pounds to it and fly it for a couple of months before switching over to your dream F4U Corsair.

RE: First Time Tail Dragger
 

Thanks Warbird Pilot for the info. I have only been flying for a year and a half. Not alot of fancy manuevering, but Im alright. I would just like to be able to fly the F4U Corsair someday.

Thanks again Bud!

RE: First Time Tail Dragger
 

What kind of tailwheel assembly did you use? Did you have to modify it?
Thanks!

RE: First Time Tail Dragger
 

vp9vet:

I love to take at least 2 planes to the field every time I go ( I fly only once a week) and at the begining I always took my trainer along with the next level plane.
It went with me with my second plane a JOSS stick 90 2-s, and then it went with me along my 3rd plane a p47 90 4-s and so on for the first 5 planes.

Also I choose to left it intact so on rainy days or new field or short field or dirt field I will use my trigeared thrusty trainer, this always before flying the second or bigger plane inside my SUV.

My recomendation is to keep your trainer as it is and buy a nice tail dragger; as a second plane, a mid-wing will help you better with the transition to low wing. look for a ugly stick in the 40-46 size, almost every manufacture has one to offer.

RE: First Time Tail Dragger
 

My second plane was a UCANDO .46 after I started with a Hobbico Superstar. It truly was an easier plane to fly, it doesn't stall, it's a tail dragger, it can fly laps just like a trainer and it can do EXTREME 3D. It was reccomended to me by club members as a plane that would hone my basic skills and be a platform to try 3D manuvers. You can't hardly bring it in too slow and when it stalls it just drops the nose slightly. It also makes a nice plane to try out pattern manuevers.

RE: First Time Tail Dragger
 

Pale ridder:

I have flown the UCD 46 too, I agree it is lovely plane and will not bite You on your first take-offs, by going to the extreme left, or going into it`s nose since it has a long fuselage, my only critic to it is how fragil it is versus the square boxy fuse of an ugly stick.

Nevertheless it works as recommended to vp9vet

regards.

RE: First Time Tail Dragger
 

So when a person converts to a taildragger, does the tailwheel need to steer with the rudder servo, or does it simply freewheel?

RE: First Time Tail Dragger
 

Mine is a free wheel set up as I haven't had the time to mod it for a rudder connection. The main drawback, other than its a little squirrelly on the ground, is that it must be under power to steer. Not good if its heading toward the pits or other fliers. Take the time and set it up to work off the rudder. Good luck, Joe

RE: First Time Tail Dragger
 

Hey Joe... You interested in doing that conversion on my superstar?:D

RE: First Time Tail Dragger
 

Sig has a Four Star 40 and Four Star 60 ARF. Both taildraggers. Sort of in between the trainer and full airobatic styles.

RE: First Time Tail Dragger
 

ICE_MAN, couldn't think of anything I would like to do more, unfortunately........................Iv'e got to work in the yard, pick up the dog doo, hope that its hard. Good luck, Joe

RE: First Time Tail Dragger
 

VP9 ---- Check out the Jupiter at falcon-trading.com. I fly the garbage out of them and I've owned a couple. They are a forgiving plane and heavy enough for you to get a little experience with that kind of plane. I suggest a good 46 and it will do about anything except 3D and with a little practice it will even do some of that. Don't knock the plastic as it makes a very nice plane that can take some real hard knocks of it's own and still be flyable. Try running a standard plane through a tree, then flying it within a few minutes, been there. They are Super fliers and I think you could learn a lot toward your F4U. ENJOY !!!! RED

X vp10/ p2v's --- vp22/ p3c ENJOY !!! RED