A friend of mine and myself are trying to get into models heavily. We meet up for about three months and year and do nothing, but play out schemes. He lives in the country so we have plenty of room, and now that we can afford it we're going to make RC models this years projects.. We're planning on doing jets, fan ducted I believe it is called.. Local hobby shop has told me it could run as high as 800-900 with retractable landing gear, and we don't want to over 1K. We also are looking for models of WW2 aircraft, all of these are to be grass mind you.. We have a trainer with limited experience and we've been modeling aircraft, not radio controlled, but models for years.. So we want something laser cut, around 70", and a wing span no longer than 70".. We're not interested in ARF, we want something that'll take maybe a week or two of hard work and effort to get into the air.. Preferably a WW2 Fighter that would take no longer than a week and a jet that may take several weeks.. My hobby shop tells me that it's hard to find something like this unless I can narrow it down, and the only local guy with jet experience, doesn't work full or part time. He's very hard to get a hold of.. So can anyone point us in the right direction?

Sorry, I forgot to mention what we're interested in.

WW2
P-51
F4U-1D
F6F
P-40E
P-38 (maybe)

Modern Jets
F-16
F-15
F4E
F-18
F14


Also to clarify, we're looking for a complete airframe kit and all the necessary components.. We don't want to have to cut and shape wood, or fiberglass, we're not that advanced. [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img] We just want a kit where we can piece together a very detailed model using an instruction manual, something time consuming.. Also need advice on buying a tool kit.. Any advice on painting? Brush or some type of sprayer? How to remove air bubbles, ect?

it's not on your list, but the construction method (scratchbuilt) may give you some ideas...
check out httpSpadtothebone
and look for the SpadStang on the Spad originals page.

Well we're really not advanced enough to build it from scratch, even with plans.. Also we're only interested in WW2 and Modern Jet Scale models and replica's.

A week or two to get a kit in the air,and you dont want an arf?I dont think your going be able to fullfill your requirments.

A week or two? Well as long as both the WW2 and Jet kit were unbuilt kits that should stretch out pretty good..

Don't want to shoot you down, but you may want to re-think this a bit..

Play with the trainer untill you are profitient with it. Scale warbirds are typically classed as the 'third or fourth plane' on the 'flying expereince' ladder. And even then, they can be a hand-full.

There are a bunch of kits about that size on the market. You're looking for something '1/5 scale' which typically is about a 65 - 75" wingspan, and will require a 60 - 90 sized engine. If you build for 8 hours a day, 2 weeks might be enough.. Expect to sand and carve. There's always a step that requires one or the other, not to mention 'final sanding before covering'. Most kits need a few 'final' supplies: fuel tank, fuel tubing, spinner, covering, wheels, etc. Some require more than others. And this can add up fast! Top Flight kits 'gold edition' will probably be what you're after. Of course, read as many reviews as possible!

As for tool kits, you'll need the basics; rulers, sand paper, sanding blocks, pins, clamps, a good flat table, X-Acto knives, razor saw, etc.. We have a 'setting up a shop' list on our site: -www.aerotech-rc.com- and click the 'tips & tricks' tab. While it is not a complete tool list, it does detail what you would need, and why.

I would steer away from Jets, even ducted fans. Ducted fans always seem to be under powered. I don't have any exerience with electric DF planes, but I bet they would all come under the warnig I describe above - they'll fly fast, and you need to be on top of it at every point!

Of course, there are a few kits by Great Planes that 'look like' jets, as they have an F-14, F-15, and the recently re-released 'patriot'. These are all prop planes, and fly fast! I've build two F-14s, and although relatively easy, do have tricky parts.

so, hope that sheds some light, and of course, this is just my opinion..

Yeah, that's what I've been told a lot. We're looking for gas, and we were going to buy a WW2 aircraft or something to do first, and fly.. We only do this once a year, so we try to make everything a crash course, hopefully not litterally.. Like I said, we have a trainer with limited experience and the local hobby shop can get the extras, but I need some body model numbers to shorten down the list a bit.. Make this junk easier to find in their books.

Dr wogz is right. You really don't want to try to fly anything like that. Limited experience on a trainer is nowhere near enough. First you need to learn to fly the trainer really well. Then you need to learn to fly a low wing trainer. Then you can start thinking about something like a warbird. I got my first plane for christmas 3 years ago, have flown most weekends since I got that one put together, and I'm still a ways from being able to fly a warbird or jet.
Also, an ARF will probably take you a week or two to put together. A really nice warbird takes years to build. Even a trainer takes a few months if you don't have much RC building experience (building FF or CL models will help - plastic
ones won't).
And as for jets - the good ones fly over 100 miles per hour. A trainer probably only has half that speed. That's a huge change.

Also, even if you insist on getting a warbird, forget anything like the P-38 that has 2 engines. If one dies it takes a very experienced pilot to get it back in one piece.

Ok, I've been made aware of the dangers of starting so advanced.. [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img] So I've contacted the local hobby shop and we're not considering a high winged trainer, and perhaps a laser cut WW2 replica, simply as something to work on while flying the high winged trainer. [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img] Still cheaper than the jet, so any particular trainer you'd like to recommend?

Actually,I know you said no arfs,but the hangar 9 P-51 would actually make a good second airplane.I've flown mine alot now and cant get over how easy it is to fly and land,I've never flown another warbird that flew like this one did.As far as building goes,I got a top flite T-34B mentor for christmas,and have worked on it every day for at least 4-5 hours a day,and only just finished the framing up of the airplane.I've now got the radio system to install,the motor,fuel system,retracts, and then cover and paint.I expect another 2 weeks to be ready to be airborne with the plane.

What about a Piper Cub done in military. I don't know the call #'s but they did use them in the army.
This is something you could fly after you master that trainer. later daveo

Q]Well we're really not advanced enough to build it from scratch, even with plans.. Also we're only interested in WW2 <hr></blockquote>

Did you even check out the SpadStang? The cool part is that you can creamate it, and only be out about $12 in materials. Yes it's a scratch built WW II Mustang, but easier to build than any mustang kit that I know of!

SpadStang

Thanks, for all the responses.. We've wisely decided against jets.. So we're thinking of doing that new Alpha trainer, and maybe a WW2 Warbird.. Piper cub is to cessna like, and we want something to work on, if not to fly this soon with..

With the spadstang. Looks great, but we don't have a work shop.. We're looking for a laser cut kit, that'll let is get by with a few hand saws, some exacto knives, a drill and a few common tools.. We're not experienced with carving wood.

As i mentioned, look through the Top Flite or great Planes catalogs. they are some of the best kits out there. Sig too!

Sig make one of the best '2nd planes' called the 4 Star. the have three sizes, so one is bound to fit your budget / car. As for warbirds, you might want to think of some of the 'trainer' types before thinking of the fighters. The Cub is a great example, as with the PT-19.

Curious, you've picked all American warplanes.. what about a Spitfire, the ever popular FW 190 or even the ME (BF) 109?

I've done a Great Planes Super Sportser in MiG 3 'winter' colors. It looks 'close'! [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img]

Piper cub is too much like a cessna!How dare you.As a full size cub owner I take offense at that statement.[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/img]

haha!!

yeah, don't insult Cubs like that.. They're.. special, and only do what cubs do. No other plane can match them!

And they're cute!! Not to mention, revolutionaized the private pilot/flying industry!! well, maybe a Beaver...

Nothing beats a l-o-n-g one-wheel touch n' go!! [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img][img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img][img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img]

it takes skill to fly a Cub.. Properly!

HECK YA!

You might think about covering a Sig 4-star in a military scheme. It looks kinda like a WW2 era fighter when its in flight. They are easy to build and fly and the best part is they are inexpensive.