Already have built a Slow Poke from kit. Have not outfitted it yet. Thinking I would buy a GP Big Stik arf and fly that first before going to a lower wing. Having second thoughts.
I't is definitely time for me to move on to a second. Lots of air time on the trainer and the G2 simulator where I often fly the Slow Poke.
In your opinion would a Slow Poke be a good second plane?

VeMax:

Is that the 40 with ailerons or the 15 rudder only ?
Either way, I think you might get bored with either as a second
plane. I have the 15 as a relaxing Sunday flier to putt around. The
ailerons will expand the fun in the 40 size and both are easy
to land with the big wings, unless you try in gusty winds.

Randy

ooops, I just saw a 15 for sale and thought to myself -- forgot to say it is a 40.
40 it is Randy...

VeMax:

I'm sorry if I sounded negative about your Slow Poke. I thought
you may have had the 15 where it wouldn't have been much
different from your trainer. You'll be able to handle the 40 just
fine with maybe one trim-out flight on the buddy-box. As you
move on to more challenging planes, the Slow Poke will always
be a pleasant break to fly in a relaxed manner.

Randy

Appreciate input Randy. Probably put a OS 46 fx --Some mellow flying sounds good. -- In the cockpit will be the G-Man making it look like anything but mellow flying.

I would not discourage you from the Slow Poke, but if you are building the kit (don't know about the ARF), the Sport 40 is notorious for needing nose weight. Mine balances OK with an OS 70 four stroke, which is not way too much power, and gives the needed heft. I have mine hung out towards the end of the beams on a Dubro isolating mount.

VeMax:
Majortom made a good point
that it is required to mount engine out as far as possible. I put a
26 4 stroke on mine out to the very end of the beam and had to
add a Higley Brass heavy hub to get the cg. As you build other
planes with short noses, it saves a lot of lead if you simply move
engine to the end of mount.
One warning is try not to make hard landings since the landing
gear mount is weak and will rip out easily. (from experience)

Randy

Since it's a Kit, you may want to take advantage of the opportunity to lengthen the nose and/or beef-up the landing gear support structure.

The Slow Poke is good for a lazy afternoon or morning or anytime you want to just relax and fly. It is a good plane to practice if you want to transistion from powered flight to glider. I have put several flights on the slow poke and it did teach me to locate thermals and to use the wind to conserve energy.

vemax: have only 3 flights on slowpoke 40 ARF, but know it is going to become one of my favorites. powered with .50 Saito 4-stroke, it required 3 oz. higley nose spinner PLUS 5 oz. on radio compartment bulkhead to meet recommended CG. floats in on landing. great appearance. contact me if I can assist in any way. [email protected]

Just had to throw my .02 worth here...

A couple years ago I built my SlowPoke (.15 size) as my second plane. While building it, I added ailerons, and powered it with a Magnum GP 25. I made one tiny error which led to a heart-stopping maiden flight. My elevators had a little to much throw, and I could perform a 8 foot loop using just the trim tabs!! WOW! I was lucky to get it down without any damage.

After reducing the throws to the recommended deflection, it was so docile I had to increase them again, but only by one notch on the control horn. Now it's nice and agile, but managable, with a stall speed under 10 Kph (6Mph). I recently flew it in a 10 Kph wind, and it was travelling backwards at idle... Gave it 2 clicks throttle and hovered a few seconds (8 feet off the ground) before giving it more gas and flying away.

It's a fun plane to put around with, but like rreiss said, it's inappropriate for gusty days.

Randy

Weak landing gear?!?! My engine once died 6 feet up, and it stalled. Fell flat like a pancake right on the gear with minimal damage. The hardwood block came loose from the rib on one wheel, and the wire bent a bit. 20 minute repair job (before re-covering).

Heading up to the Expo next weekend (Puyallup Washington) to find some righteous products. Bought the Big Stik ARF ARF and looking for some powerfully fantastically priced engines etc. to have the Big Stinky and Slow Pokemon ready to go spring. Then the RC flying God will speak to my mind and tell me which one to send airborne first. Isn't that the way it always works? Thanks for your advice!