four * performance
 

hi all
I'v been flying my trainer for a while along with Aeroflypro the simulator and I can fly my Avistar through all the manuvers. I still love flying it but the oppurtunity has become available to buy a second plane. I like the looks of the 4*. I plan to (if I get if) put a stripe on the leading edge with stripes on the bottom. I have heard nothing but good about this plane. My only question is how is it aerobatic wise? (without clipping the wing or any kitbashing done to it) I like the looks of this plane but the last thing I want is for it to be boring after the first 10 flights. I know it can't do 3D, but thats not what I'm after. I would just like it to be able to do the basic aerobatics good. Also how does it handle wind? If you think there is a better plane to suit my needs please tell me. Also i'v been eyeing the twist. Seems like a nice plane for $99
oh yes and finally I will most likely be using a 46 ax with a standard futaba skyport 4 channel radio. Thanks for looking
-faster-

RE: four * performance
 

I have the 60 and I love it!! This thing will flip out. I can hang on the prop for 30-40 sec and flat spin like crazy.. You will like it!!

LATER

RE: four * performance
 

Thanks powerlines
What would be a good engine for some vertical. 2 stroke not 4.
thanks

RE: four * performance
 

I have a 4* .40 with the .46AX I have been playing with the props and get very decent performance out of the plane. However you will need more engine to hang it on the prop.

It does a lot of stuff and is a GREAT fun flyer, if you want something that you can run WOT get the 4* if you know how to use the left stick then get the twist.

Mike

RE: four * performance
 

:D
Get the 4*, you will not regret it! It makes for a great second airplane in that it will make the transition from high wing to low wing a breeze. You will have a blast with it. Just remember to beef up the fuselage right behind the wing, a little weak there. Other than that, it's only "vice" (if you can call it that,) is that it loves to float during landings. It just doesn't want to stop flying!!
A really snappy and all around fun flying design!
Jake

RE: four * performance
 

I have the 4*60 and love it. I have a Magnum 61 on mine and it will hang on the prop with this power.
I have never meet anyone who does not like these planes. They will do most everything you ask of it. Knife edge is not real good with standard rudder but it will do it.
Try it you will like it.[8D]

RE: four * performance
 

A super second plane! It`s an easy plane to land, but I`ve found it to be not the easiest to land SMOOTHLY. That`s not bad because it teaches you to finesse your landings, as in learning to land with the throttle. I love my 4*40.

RE: four * performance
 

I've had the 40 the 60 & now presently have the 120. All were kit planes and I have to say I enjoyed building all 3 (they build exactly the same!) If you havent thought about it yet I would recomend building the kit. If you apply the time it wont take but about 2 weeks. I had my first one in the bones in 7 days. It has taken me longer to assemble ARF's!! From your post your relativly new to flying & not only is this design a great second plane but is also perfect for a first time builder. I know building isnt the thing these days (I've had more ARF's my self) but building at least one will give you a great understanding of structural integerty and how to repair or beef up future ARF's if they need it plus theres no more satisfaction than seeing something you created yourself fly.

The cost will be slightly more - lets face it you cant build kits for what you can buy ARF's but there's no value on the knowledge & satisfaction you will gain. My present 4* is using a 33cc converted gas chain saw engine standerd servos & I have less than $400 in the hole thing & I fly 6 to 10 flights a day for about 50 cents (gas went up - it was less than that). It wont hang on the prop for long but it will do all the aerobatic manuvers in the book.

What ever you decide the 4* will be a plane that you will want to keep around long after you move into more HiPo planes. I have 3 Katanas from 40 size all the way to 29% & a 27% Extra 300 and I still take my 4* to the field for some lesiure flying & touch & go's.

Good luck with you project and kit or ARF you wont be dissappointed with the 4*!

RE: four * performance
 

WOW. Any of ya'll have some pics?

RE: four * performance
 

The Four-Star is my favorite plane, hands down. I loved it so much, I copied the design and made a coroplast version called the Cor-Star (search the SPAD forum for info). It's such a versatile design, I have bashed it into a bipe, and am now working on a twin version. First pic is my Four-Star, followed by my Cor-Star, Cor-Star 2, and Cor-Star Ultimate bipe. You can't go wrong with this plane!

RE: four * performance
 

The 4*40 is a good one, & your AX should be able to hover it if you use an APC 12-4, or 12.25-3.75 prop.

Just an aside: -- are you using the AX in the Avistar? If not, you should think about that combo as well. Install a good .46 like your AX, remove the Avistar's dihedral, & convert it to a tail dragger -- you will really like that set up & it will make a nice complimentary package to go with the 4*40.

RE: four * performance
 

I had a four Star 60 kit with Magnum 91. I enlarge the R,E, and A for a very spirited bird. I had over 300 flights on mine.

Kelly

RE: four * performance
 

I am going to get a four * 60. if I work on it for 9 hrs. each day, making only a few changes, about how many days can i have it done, RTF, in? the only changes i will make are beefing up the stabs, beefing up the area behingd the fire-wall (i'm thinking of doing all this with light ply)
and maybe a few other areas. this will be my first kit.

RE: four * performance
 

fun fly 3d

At 9 hours a day you'll run out of things to do fairly quickly. The 60 kit is actually a newer design kit than the 40 or 120, with laser cutting and wing structure being the major differences. There is very litle reinforcing needed. The firewall is fine as designed. You might add flying wires to the tail if you plan to way overpower it, but overall the fin and stab are great as designed. The only place that I have seen that you might want to look at is the fuselage sides, right behind the wing. The fuse sometimes breaks there if you whop it in too hard. The best thing to do for this plane as a first kit might be to stick pretty close to the plan, check things well before glueing them. Don't run the weight up with lots of bracing and globs of glue.

I flew my 4 Star 60 for two years before trading it off, and it's still out there flying. I tried four different engines on mine while I had it. I used OS 70FS, OS 91FS, OS 61FX, and a YS-91AC. It flew fine with all of them, although the YS was on the side of overkill. I still have a 4 Star 40, and have a 120 kit in the box waiting.

Take your time and enjoy it. It's a nice plane.

Larry

RE: four * performance
 

The four * is a great plane to fly.

Here is my 40 and my 60.

RE: four * performance
 

Here is a picture of my 4*60 with an OS91 surpass for the engine. I took a Super Mario bobblehead doll and modified it for the pilot. The plane came out a little heavy, but I expected it with the weight that mario came out even after modifications. I go along with others on this plane. I love flying it and it remains one of my favorite planes. It is steady in the wind and in landing, I set it up with flaperons for a little more lift and just keep a couple of clicks in the throttle.

RE: four * performance
 

WOW!! that is very rapid response!! and very great advice! I like you guy's trim schemes. LarryC, i have seen several planes with a saito 1.00. this looks like the combo I will use. I understand that this is way overkill!! however i want to hover and torque-roll infinitely (and I have seen it done) and the guy told me that if I wanted to pull out with any athority I should go with the Saito 1.00. i understand also that I will not be able to go full throttle on a level run, but i love power in a time of need! I thought of one more upgrade. a bigger rudder. what do you think of this trin scheme? Black on the top, and yellow on the control surfaces and the entire bottom of the wing wrapping around the leading edge? I think this should help greatly with visiblity and also be very good looking.

Thanks very much for all the response so quickly. you guys are great!!!

RE: four * performance
 

I have the 4*60 with a Thunder Tiger 91 FS on it. I absolutely love this plane. It was a kit and went together great.

RE: four * performance
 

How long do you think this will take to build? (in hours?) I was wondering if it is possible to build the wing halves, then go to building the fuse in one day, then when the wing is dry glue the halves together? or is it best to just do little things at a time so as to let the glue fully set for 24 hrs.? Is it possible when working 8 or 9 hrs. a day on it to put it together in thee days? (not covered) then a day covering and installing raido componets. or is this just all impossible?

Thanks

RE: four * performance
 

fun_fly_3d,
Why rush this thing? Take your time, go slowly, learn things... I like to make things PERFECT while building this way less can go wrong at the field.

RE: four * performance
 

i didn't mean it to sound like i was in a rush. i just am looking foward to building this thing and i want to do a lot of building!! again i didn't intentd it to sound like i was rushing it. i just don't have to much else to do and will focus all my energy on build ing

thanks,

Brian

RE: four * performance
 

Brian,

I guess we're kinda dancing around the build time question because every does things differently, and at a different pace. I sometimes can spend quite a while on a simple project, simply because I like to think it through before I start doing things that are hard to correct if you get them wrong.

You can skip around a lot on the building though. After the wings are framed, you have to sheet the center section. This by itself, although not at all hard, is time consuming. You may get to a point where you need a break from glueing the sheeting and move to something simpler, like planning the radio installation, etc. My experience has always been that if you rush, it takes about twice as long. Lesson learned from the school of hard knocks...

Larry

RE: four * performance
 

would you recomend sheeting the entire wing?

RE: four * performance
 

No, don't sheet the entire wing, just do the center. It's a very strong design straight out of the box.

Larry

RE: four * performance
 

ok Thanks!! how are the directions. easy to follow?


thanks,

Brian