ARF Racing Planes!
 

I am thinking of a "New ARF", I really can not decide between 3 different airplanes, So if any of you have comments or anything else on either of these I would appreciate it.

01 - Great Planes Little Toni

02 - Great Planes Shoestring Racer

03 - Thunder Tiger Rare Bear

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I have owned thunder tiger planes in the past and they were okay, Just alot of plastic which I do not like.
The only GP ARF I have ever owned was a CAP 232 several years back and it was a very bad aircraft the covering was SAD, So was everything else on the plane like the painted cowl.

I just want a good looking plane for the money that will attract people to look at it at the field.
Which plane is better?





[&:]

RE: ARF Racing Planes!
 

Of the planes you mention I would vote for the Little Toni for looks... This is one beautiful looking plane... The Shoestring seems to be faster though.. All depends on what you want I guess.

RE: ARF Racing Planes!
 

I think the Rare Bear is stupid expensive. Either of the other 2 are nice and look better imo. [8D]

RE: ARF Racing Planes!
 

I'm just building a Little Toni for a customer and it is one nice ARF the glass work is gorgeous and the fit is perfect.

RE: ARF Racing Planes!
 

I have a Little Toni with a YS 91 looks good and it is FAST keeps me on my toes .

RE: ARF Racing Planes!
 

The Shoestring Racer is one of my all time favorites even though I have never had the privelage to own one or fly one. The only negative I have read on the GP Shoestring ARF is that the Landing Gear Block is a little weak and should be reinforced. I WILL have a Shoestring in the Hangar someday, but mine will more than likely be built from Carl Goldberg Plans offered on RCM. My Flying Buddy has the GP Shoestring ARF with a Saito 91, and it moves right along, and he claims it flies great! I drool over it everytime he brings it out. The little toni would probally be nice also, but I do prefer the styling of the Shoestring better. The Rare Bear seems a little over priced to me, but I have personally never been to impressed with the TT Planes anyway, and have not bothered to do much research on them. This one may actually be great. Its more about personal taste than anything. I have 6 Great Planes aircraft in the Hangar, some are ARFS and some are Kit Builds, and I have always been happy with Great Planes quallity. I am sure that whatever one you go with, it will be a ball to fly!

RE: ARF Racing Planes!
 

lil toni...unless u want to spend way to much money and r ready to rebuild the stab...ive seen one in person fail after the 3rd flight with a ys 91...not my personal choice. and i think the toni looks a bit sexyer than the shoestring.

Cole

RE: ARF Racing Planes!
 

my vote is for the shoestring for it's more classic racer looks. the lil toni is nice but not as nice.

should consider the WM midget mustang as well...

RE: ARF Racing Planes!
 

I want them all :D

RE: ARF Racing Planes!
 

I have both the Toni and Shoestring. Both fly very well and look great Saito 91 in the Toni and OS 60 in the String. Fast enough for me and look great in the air. Toni is a ***** to land because it is difficult to slow down. String can be slowed down much easier. Wouldn't touch a RB because of all the mods required to make it stay together.

Jim Whitney

RE: ARF Racing Planes!
 

I have been thinking I have put the thought of the Rare Bear on the back burner for now. I do not think I want to spend my money on a TT Plane. I have been looking at the Shoe for some time now, It is alittle cheaper than the Toni, But only like a few dollars which is nothing in the long run. I am just stuck here "LOL" I am affraid of the Toni because the fiberglass work might not be top notch, Like the overall finish of the painted Fuse. One of my biggest worries!

Then I have read about the Shoe having problems with the cockpit and where it meets the Fuse.

I came across another GR Plane that I find to be a neat looking craft "The Gee Bee" But it looks odd with the short Fuse and Fat body.

I have always wanted the little Toni, Although the Shoe to me is more appealing. Does anyone have close up Pics of the Shoe????
If so I would appreciate them very much....... [&:]

RE: ARF Racing Planes!
 

And to add to your list, Great Planes is releasing a Cosmic Wind Minnow next month:D

RE: ARF Racing Planes!
 

If you haven't looked at a WM Midget Mustang, you're missing out. Great looking plane, fast with a Saito 100. Flies like it's on rails. Always an attention getter at the field. Easy build with a beautiful cover job.

RE: ARF Racing Planes!
 

Very nice looking Mustang, I like that better than the others....... Where do you buy them, I have been looking but found nothing as of yet!

[&:]

RE: ARF Racing Planes!
 

The Midget Mustang is made by World Models and it was on the shelf at my local hobby shop. It is available in 4 different color schemes which your hobby shop can order.

RE: ARF Racing Planes!
 

Lil' Toni is the best looking. However, I have some plans being sent to me that were drawn up by the Famous racer, Jerry Nelson, back in the 60's. I'm currently building a "Rivets" and will add a couple more later, a Loving Special and a Cosmic Wind. They require only a .40 size engine and go like a bat out of hell. Wing spans range from 45" to 50" with a flat bottom fully sheeted very thin wing and not only go fast but can do all of the aerobatics.
I am being challeged to a race by someone with an electric motor. That ought to be interesting. 20 bucks worth of balsa, an $80.00 engine and mini servos.
Jerry Nelson can supply the plans if interested.
We plan to resurrect this 1960's class that when I quit racing in 1970 or so, they were hitting 170 MPH. Beautiful models, easy to build and if that don't raise your adrenalin, you must be dead. And, I might add, small enough to toss in the back of your car and go flying.

Try one, you'll love it.
Mountain Bob

RE: ARF Racing Planes!
 

ONe nice thing is if you do not like the covering, change it.

RE: ARF Racing Planes!
 

I have an toni with a YS 91FZ but have flown it with a Saito .91. With a 14x8 APC and idle set low it will come in smooth as silk. I've noticed the 13 in APCs are very fast coming in.

RE: ARF Racing Planes!
 

shoestring!!!:D

RE: ARF Racing Planes!
 

I have the GP shoestring Racer OS 91fx 2 stroke... At a fun fly this weekend a police officer had his radar gun out... clocked my shoestring 119mph 121mph & 123mph. : ) Had mine for 2 yrs and love it, always grabs attention... My pilot helps too... "FLASH" League of Justice super hero!!!

RE: ARF Racing Planes!
 

I have a WM Midget mustang and I love it... it's fast.

I also built a Thunder Tiger RARE BEAR and it was not only difficult ARF to build but it fell apart in the air as have many others. Please read the other Thunder Tiger RARE BEAR threads before you buy or fly this plane. I consider this plane to be a dangerous design and many people have found poor workmanship in the manufactures ARF construction and design of the plane. What makes it worse is that most every plane that has crashed for the same reason... the horiz stab falls off... is being ignored by thunder tiger and ACE, the US distributer. It is my understanding that they refuse to warranty any of the RARE BEAR planes. Personally I will not ever again buy so much as a SCREW from Thunder Tiger or ACE as I am totally disgusted with their product and the companies policies.

RE: ARF Racing Planes!
 

I'll try this again. It was deleted the first time.
I had a Patty Wagstaff Extra from Hobby Lobby. On the very first flight I did a snap and the horizontal stab came off. They immediately replaced it and I am forever grateful and this time, they included some reinforcements for the stab. Kudos to Hobby Lobby.
Obviously, our magazines are not much more than advertising and a glossy catalogue now days. If they don't come up with a good write-up on a model, they will lose that Mfg's advertising. AMA's Magazine, Model Aviation, is free of this sort of thing and you can count on what they say as being true. But that's why they don't get as much advertising.

3dbob

RE: ARF Racing Planes!
 

[quote]ORIGINAL: BULL-RCU

What Prop are u swinging at what RPM on the ground?? I also have a Shoestring with a OS 91FX. Im running a tuned pipe and swinging a APC 12X8 prop at 13,200 RPM on the ground. Im trying to get an idea of how fast mine is goin :)

RE: ARF Racing Planes!
 

[quote]ORIGINAL: Colt4g63

I am swinging a 15 inch APC prop. Can't remember the pitch and don't want to pull the spinner. I measured with a tape to see the length. I think it's an 8 pitch. I haven't checked the RPMS in a while. I have been running this prop for a while and motor is running so great, I only tune by ear now. I'll be going back to the field WED or Thursday and I'll tach it and see what it's turning... Running 20% Cooper for fuel. Your prop seems small for a 91fx. I think my first prop was a 13x10 and moved to this one.

RE: ARF Racing Planes!
 

[quote]ORIGINAL: Colt4g63

I just checked the manuel and you're running way too small a prop. That prop you are running should be run on the 61fx. You are going to over rev that motor. Jump to a 15x8 prop. Don't worry about the rpms the prop will give you the speed.

Let me know what the results are.... Check the book!