I am totally new to R/C but have built half-dozen or so free-flight models (the last two even fly). I've decided I want to start with an electric plane for now. I've done a whole lot of research and reading and I like the SIG Rascal and Herr Air Boss both in BIY kits. I want to build the plane myself even if it takes a while. I'm patient and want the satisfaction of flying something I built. Anyway I'm having a hard time choosing between the 280 direct-drive park flyer sized Air Boss or the Larger Rascal with a Speed 400 gear drive(or larger?). I want a plane that will progress with me as I learn to fly, ie move on to aileron flight and do some acrobatics. I plan to buy a 4 channel Hitec Flash FM radiio with 4 channel reciever and hs-81 servos for the rascal and hs-55 for the airboss (its my understandig they are smaller) with a speed control from great planes.

Are these good choices? Can a Beginner fly them? Any suggestions in setup or other planes?
Am I ontrack with the radio receivers? Great planes has a flight pack with C-10 ESC, CS-5 naoServo, and a 4 channel reciever that all together weighs 1.3 oz.

given moderate building skills (i built the Dumas Curtis P6E biplane and it flys pretty well), will I be able to get these kits together?

I'd really appreciate any input,

thanks![img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-confused.gif[/img]<UL>[/list]<UL>[/list]

I am not familiar with the Air Boss from Herr (now Sig too) but I know that Herr has put out some very nice 1/2A aircraft. I am familiar with the Rascal. It is a beautiful airplane, you choose the color, and it does come with motor and ESC. It comes both as a kit and ARF. I don't know if the kit includes motor and ESC. I know that the ARF is very well done and flys very well. It is a very simple airplane to build and you can cut a bit of weight if you build it yourself. Just trim out a few lightning holes a bit. As the ARF comes it is not very heavy in the first place. making it lighter as a kit may not be necessary.
As to the radio, I have a Hitec Flash 4 FM and it is served me well. If you can swing it try to get the 6 channel Flash. I believe you can buy the Xmitter alone from Hobby Horse in Wisconsin and then you can buy a flight pack witha 555 RX and HS55 or HS81 servos. If you chose the Rascal I would recommend he HS81's. The flight packs run around $65 plus another $10 for the Xtal to match your Xmitter. The 6 channel will give you room to grow as time goes on. As to themotors I don't know what is appropriate for the Air Boss but the Rascal requires a geared 400.

thanks for the help, however I was out window shopping at my LHS and found a Great Planes PT-electric kit on close-out ($40 with the direct drive T-600 motor). Looks like a really nice kit so far. I think I'm gonna upgrade to a gear-box + 600 series motor though.
Thanks for the Rascal info I love the looks of the plane, I'm thinking now it might be my second plane, but who knows.

If you can fit a geared motor in the PT20 you will be much happier. The direct drive may exhibit a bit more RPM but the flight duration will be shorter. You can swing a larger prop with gears and if you reduce the pitch by 1" you will get a better rate of climb. Good luck. I know you'll enjoy the new PT20. The one thing I, and many others on this site, always emphasize is, FIND AN INSTRUCTOR. RE: the PT20 is that it very much resembles a Goldberg Mirage. Also another consideration for a second airplane. If you have a good Xmitter you can build the thing and just get another flight pack for it. With the newer electronics with and smaller components it will be a very nice model. I've built three. They would have survived a long time except for the nut that held the Xmitter control sticks.