seagull spacewalker mk II - nice scale looks
great planes super sportster - probably the most sensible choice but the least scale looking
flair super chipmunk - the most scale looking, the most expensive and probably the hardest to fly

All of the above are ARF's.

Now I know no one on this forum can help me to decide. I just thought I would share my dilema with you.

P.

GP super sportster, put as many decals as possible and make it look like a serius aerobatic plane; so you get what you are looking for and manage to survive first solo flights.

How proficient are you with your first model? High or shoulder wing trainer I'm quessing,right? Can you takeoff and land it with ease. I'm asking this because none of the three you have selected are great second models. They all have slightly different flying characteristics and would make better third or fourth models. Look for something that's aerobatic and still a high or shoulder wing model. Say an Ugly Stick or similar. They are forgiving yet very fun to fly. I'd hate to see you get one of your choices then break it if your weren't quite ready for it.
But still the choice is yours!!!

I agree with Doug, what you've listed are 3/4th planes. Don't try and make a bigger step. Go with something like Tiger 60, Venture 60 or any of the 4 star planes. You'll have your hands full. There is also a new Great Planes Rapture 40 which is supposedly a 2nd plane although I know nothing of it.

I'll tell yah what i bought a seagull extra 300 hundred, I can fly it well now but if it were not for the fact that i fly with ifixairplanes as a instructor i dont believe this plane would still be around i guess Ive done what most people do i went for all the looks and not the purpose of learning the skill first and buying that plane that would give me the skills to improve. if i were to do it all over i would and still may invest into a high wing stunt trainer like the midwest aero bat or hanger 9 ultra stick. falcon trading post 1) http://www.falcon-trading.com/product.cfm?prodID=6 2) hanger nine http://www.chiefaircraft.com/cgi-bin...ltraStick.html

that's weird - I have read every post on the seagull and most of the posts on the super sportster and both planes are recommended as second planes, the super sportster in particular []

Yes, but both of those planes are recommended for people who are fully accomplished with their trainers. If I'm not mistaken, didn't you loose your trainer on your second solo flight? That's not very accomplished.

However, you're in the perfect position for a "Typical" step-up trainer.

I would HIGHLY recommend the Midwest Aerobat. This thing won't be any harder to fly than your trainer (In fact, it will be easier) and it will do a wide range of aerobatics that your trainer can't do.

Once you are proficient with this plane, the next step is wherever you want to go.

Here's a review, complete with videos:

http://www.rcuniverse.com/magazine/a...article_id=164

Guys - I have taken your advise on board (although my instructor actually thinks I will be ok with any of these planes). I am seriously considering building a SPAD to get me to the position where I am more ready for one of the above planes.
Thanks,
P.

p.s. I think solo in the US and solo in the UK mean two very different things.. but still - you are right, I am far from being an 'accomplished' pilot yet

photoniq,
The fact that you've soloed in the UK played a big part in my statement (in another thread) that you'd likely do okay with the Super Sportster. That and the fact that you said your instructor would be with you for the first few flights.

That same opinion would also apply to the Spacewalker. It is a reasonably stable and gentle aircraft to fly. But as I mentioned, watch the rudder on the Spacewalker, they tend to be VERY effective.

I could not, in good conscience, recommend the Chipmunk though.

Best of luck with whatever you choose.

By the way Doug and Wayne, my second plane was a Sportster, and I found it a very nice plane. Never had ANY problems transitioning to it from my trainer.
Dennis-

World Models should be paying me to advertise... I got a Super Sports 40 for a second plane and couldn't be happier. Flies great, lands great, is every bit as docile as my Avistar was on low rates but some of the more accomplished guys (read OLD FARTS) can really wring them things out.... I couldn't be happier with mine!

Andy

does World models have a website???


Thanks

www.theworldmodels.com

thanks
no amount of google searches could turn up their site

If you are now considering building instead of buying might I suggest the Chris Foss Wot 4 as an ideal second plane, by the time you can outfly a Wotty youll be ready to fly almost anything.

As a second plane, I chose GP Easy Sport .40, semi-symmetrical shoulder wing. Comes as an ARF and a kit. I chose to build the kit.
Flies great. My trainer was the Avistar, semi-symmetrical. Got me to a better start as you have to fly this plane and not the other way round like a flat bottom airfoil. With these two planes you need throttle management for landing. Flying is a step by step process.
Good luck

Ok guys - thanks for all of the advice in the past. I finally chose a super sportster 40 and flew it today. What a great plane (pardon the pun). My trainer (rest in pieces) used to need constant nursing going round corners. The super sportster just sits at whatever bank you dial in - GREAT!

I have an OS46fx on the front and a ton of lead on the back.

I love this plane.

Thanks again - especially DBCherry.

Adios,

photoniq

Good Choice photoniq, this was my 2nd plane and im now into my 20's in planes lol, but i still love to fly the Super Sportster (actually flew it today and everyone says how well it flys ) and its stood up well for the amout of flights ive had with it althou the landing gear does need bending slightly forward

Good Luck

i use to fly a super sportster with the .46fx. if you want a hot plane, get a tuned pipe on it like i had. i swear it did 90 MPH flat out WOT and exceeded over 110 in a dive! I am suprised with all the full throttle terminal velocity power dives i did it never fluttered. It was my 2nd plane and also a very awsome one. i dont know why the guys above said it was a 3/4, because its not. it lands a little hot, but not too bad. good luck! BTW: senza destroyed the extra last week. i think he failed to mention that. without an engine it turns into a lead sled!
see me and my planes and also senza and his planes at www.scoob-e.com

sean

When you get good with the Sportster 40 think about the sometimes overlooked Great Planes Big Stik 40 ARF. Put a hot 46, 53 or even a 61 with a pipe on it and you will have a blast. It’s one of those aircraft you will always keep in your air force no mater how long you are in the R/C hobby.

photoniq:

You stated you had to add a ton of lead to the tail; consider what I did with my 4*40 (see attached pics) as a way to balance without additional weight. I installed an access panel in the bottom of the fuse behind the wing and placed my battery amidst wads of foam in the rear of the aircraft. This might necessitate adding additional support struts inside the fuse, but mine worked out great! Battery not heavy enough? Move it further back, or go with a 2000 mah nicad for additonal weight AND flying time! Enjoy!

TNrabbit - I though of doing that but i'm not a very good builder and just wanted to fly the plane. I guess I might do the mod one day in the future but for now i'm happy with the plane the way it is. Thanks for the tip,
Photoniq