Just interested to hear from people with some knowledge, which would be the best spad to build as I am a beginner and need something stong and durable.
Good flying
Ledz

Since you're a beginner, by all means build the SPAD Debonair. If you haven't already found it, go to SpadToTheBone .

The plans/instructions are pretty well done, but if you need more help, drop into the SPAD forum (link is on the first page) and join the crowd! Great bunch there.

flianbrian

Thanxz Brian
Appreciate the help, keep the help coming, i'll inform you when I decide on something, so far its looking like an ugly stick
Keep them coming people
Good flying
Ledz

My Debonair fuselage failed in mid flight today. Sorta came down to the ground in a big lump. Upon inspection, it failed right in the corner of the radio access opening. My Debonair's next fuse is going to have a more rounded opening so there are no stress points.
I should probably lay off the high G turns also.

Shame, suppose the turns must have been pretty tight to do that?
Ledz

Hey Ledz, are you a beginner flyer or beginner to SPADs. If the first, a stick might be kinda hot to learn on. Get some time on the "Deb" first, and build "Das Plas Stik" while you're learning.

Definatly go with the Debby! In fact the first and second Debonair ever built are on charge right now, anxiously awaiting a day at the field tomorrow. They are both over a year old now and have many many many hours on them!

I was in your shoes a couple of months ago. I didn't want to put the time and effort into completing a balsa plane only to turn it into splinters. If you don't have a radio, look at towers 6fm or 4fm, they are almost identical to a futaba skysport 6 and 4.

buy a new engine, don't try and get by with a used one unless you know it really works good. Try to make the plane light as possible. My first attempt (using the wrong type of pipe) was too heavy for the engine.

use a flight sim if you can (free one called fms online). I used one for a couple of weeks, then went a month without even touching it, after one buddy cord flight of 4 minutes, I soloed the next time out.

Good luck, I have already planted the plane in a palm tree, it fell 30ft to the ground when I was getting it down, it was flying again after I replaced the rubber bands and gassed it up.

Hooked on plastic.