Hello,

I'm returning to R/C flying after a 20 year absence, so I'm basically starting from scratch. I'm looking for a good RTF glow trainer and am considering the Hobbytown USA RTF basic trainer. The plane comes with the OS .40 LA and futaba 4 channel radio installed. I have found very little in the way of info or reviews on this model. Anyone out there in R/C land with experience or info on this airplane/engine/radio combination? Any comments would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!!

Welcome back! What's the price on that thing? Can't say much about the plane your asking about but you may be better off with the Hangar 9 Alpha Trainer, (289.99 at Hobby Town) with a JR 4 channel, and the Evolution .45 TPS.....a better (IMHO), and definately more powerful engine. Ready to fly in 20 mins. (minus the overnight battery charge) it's a really good trainer, and has a lot of wing area for slower flying, plus the TPS is VERY user friendly.
Keep us posted on what you find.

My first trainer was the Hobbytown RTF. It flew well, as most trainers will. I totalled my plane (shredded through the trees), but still use the guts of it in the replacement I got. The Hobbytown trainer is a rebranded Superstar. Just different decals on it. So I replaced mine with the ARF Superstar.

The only problems I had with the Hobbytown trainer are these:

1. Nose gear steering was way too sensitive. To the point that my instructor would not let me try and takeoff until I moved the control rod in on the servo and out on the nose gear.
2. The LA40 was difficult for me to start at first. But I was trying to do it at work before I had my first lesson. I ended up buying an electric starter. But after it was broken in, it starts on 1 or 2 flips.
3. The plane comes with a wood prop. I broke that just taxiing around my yard (wing was not attached. I was just practicing.) Replaced it with a Master Airscrew black plastic prop. Now that is about all I use.

Thanks for the Info. I believe the Hobbytown RTF comes in at about $250. I have been out of the R/C hobby for a long time and can use all of the info I can get!!

Martin

I believe the Hobbytown RTF retails in the $250 range w/radio and engine included. Thanks for the info. I've been out of the hobby for a long time and can use all of the help I can get!!

If you want a review on the plane, look for a review of the Hobbico Superstar 40. Like I said, the Hobbytown trainer is just a rebranded Superstar.

It is quick to assemble (box says something like 30 mins, which if I remember correctly is about right), and flys great.

Assembly involved is attach the tail feathers (horizontal stab lays on fuselage, then vertical stab has bolts that go through the horiz stab and fuselage with lock nuts underneath. Wings screw together with plastic straps and a metal rod for alignment. Main landing gear go into slots on the fuselage and are held on with plastic straps. Snap the clevises onto the control horns, rubberband the wing on and it is ready to go. With one exception, you have to charge the batteries overnight!

The nose gear steering is way too sensitive. Either move the control rod out on the servo or in on the nose gear. I believe I moved mine out on the servo.

Make sure you get extra props. I broke the wood prop it came with taxiing around my front yard.

I would also take the time to put the wing on, center it on the fuselage, put on a rubberband on each side, check that it is square to the fuselage by running a string from wingtip to tail on each side. When everything is square, mark the wing with a permanent marker so that when you put the wing on next time you know it is in the right place.

Buy your rubberbands at Office Depot or Staples. A big bag is something like $3 and will last a long time. I throw the rubberbands away at the end of the day, rather than trying to get the oil out of them.

This trainer was my first plane, so I will always have fond memories of it! I even have pictures of it from each time I had to make repairs