Ok...here's the deal. Recently aquired 3 motors at an unbeatable price. One of them, an OS LA .46, has replaced the LA .40 on my Super Stick. The LA .40 will PROBABLY go on to the Stunt Wagon I'm currently building.

Left over from the purchase, I have, sitting on my bench with absolutely nothing to do, a Thunder Tigre .40 and an OS FX .46

I already know what my next next (as in 2 from now) plane will be...so I'm looking for something to fill the gap.

First, a bit about what/how I currently fly:

Currently own a Telemaster .40 (which I don't particularly care for, and thus almost never fly), a Mini-Funtana (recently purchased, learning basic 3d stuff with it, love it), and a Super Stick .40 (which I adore, and will fling around the sky in just about any orientation you want to name. Can fly respectable (but certainly not comp. quality) IMAC aerobatics with it. Have also owned a Tribute 3D Foamy, which I got reasonably comfy with, but never flew 3D with, not wanting to spend the $$ for upgraded motor, and an ElectroStreak ARF, which i upgraded with a Jeti 15-4 Phasor, and flew the daylights out of.

Now, things I've discovered about myself:

Constant practice of aerobatics seems like work to me, so I'm really not interested in flying pattern competitions. I enjoy putting a plane through various aerobatics, but I'm not concerned if the plane will or won't do them at a competition level.

Speed is good. I like speed.

I prefer a VERY responsive plane...one that goes where I point it quickly, does what I tell it immediately, and does not alter from that input until i tell it to.

This 3D stuff is 'cute' to watch, and the guys who do it well are amazingly talented, but it's not really my bag. I enjoy playing around with it, but it doesn't really seem like 'flying' to me.

I really get a kick out of taking the plane to a safe altitude, and playing 'what happens if I do this?'

Finally, a few requirements

The plane MUST be a kit. My next next plane will be what the vendor describes as a 'master level' kit, so I'm gonna need to build another kit for practice.

The plane MUST be suitable for one of the 2 extra motors mentioned above. I'm not really eager to buy another motor with 2 good ones sitting around.

I'm not adverse to trying anything. Suggest whatever you wish, as long as it flies. However, I AM looking to eventually get into electric ducted fan jets, so if there's a jet-shaped critter that you know of that would fit the bill, by all means, put it at the top of your list.

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So there you have it. I'm looking for some ideas here, guys.

For the .46 FX, a Sig Kougar or Great Planes Patriot (if you can find one) are good choices.

May I suggest that you put either the TT .40, or the .46 FX in the Florio? That plane deserves a healthy dose of POWER, & you won't regret doing it.[8D] Either one will work very nicely. Please don't hamper the Florio with an LA 40[:'(]

You could then put the remaining high perf engine into a GP Ultra Sport+. That is another responsive (& fast) aerobatic model that is pure delight to fly.

As for the left-over LA 40 --- a Gremlin flying wing is a great home for it.

The Sig 4*40 would be a good choice for the TT .40. Not overpowered, but build the plane light and it would be a good package. Bash the kit a bit by cutting off the cheeks and cowling in the engine and you'd have something different from everyone else.

You could also build one of the quickie 500 style planes such as the Lanier Dominator 500.

britbrat,

I had considered doing just that with the TT .40 or the FX .46. However, after some conversations with several guys in my club who've flown the wagons (one of whom sold me the kit in fact), they universally felt that a .32 was suitable, and a low powered .40 would be a real blast...so I'm gonna give the LA .40 a shot first.

As for the suggestions:

Chuck, I'd considered the Kougar, but just don't particularly care for its looks. No real reason, just doesn't reach out and grab me. Now, the Patriot...there's a COOL idea...don't know WHY I didn't think of that, especially since the club pres. has one, and I LOVE watching it fly. That's a terrific suggestion.

bb, the GP Ultra Sport is another good suggestion I hadn't thought of (wasn't even familiar with the aircraft). Looks like a a really nice true 'sport plane'. I'm also not familiar with the Gremlin Flying Wing you mention, and can't seem to find much about it...got a link where I can check one out?


Thanks, guys! Keep em coming.

SIG Something Extra with the 46FX is a killer combo. Rolls are blinding fast, slows to a crawl and will have decent speed with that engine and an 11X7 prop.

Great Planes Super Sportster is another good one, pleanty fast too

I don't have a link, but the Combat forum might -- they are popular as cheap combat models. If you can't find anything, I have plans somewhere around the house -- could take some digging.

Which TT .40 is it, the 40GP or 40Pro? There is a significant difference in the performance and as a result, the plane to which it is suited.

Good point, lightfoot...the clarification is important.

It's a GP

Actually Dick doesn't have a patriot. It's a pattern plane that looks very similar. Have you seen Ken fly his Venus 40? Very very precise aerobatic airplane and he loves the thing so much its usually the only plane he brings to the field. I think the ultrasport would be similar in some regards but I think the Venus has more rudder.

OK that changes things -- I'm not aware of a recent TT GP 40 (could it be a very old one?), but if it is a TT GP 42, it has essentially identical performance to your OS 46 LA --- and a looooonnnggg way away from the 46 FX.

Shakes,

SOMEONE told me it was a Patriot...I dn't remember who, but that's the only way i would have recognized the name. I'll take your word for it, since I've never actually asked him.

britbrat,

Thanks for having me check that...you are correct...it is a GP .42, despite having been sold to me as a .40

I thought it was a patriot myself. The first time I saw it out at the field I walked up and said, "Hey, is that a patriot?" He explained it was not a patriot but a pattern ship - can't remember the name though. It is done in the same Thunderbird color scheme. Next time he has it out there notice the trailing edge of the wing is not swept like the patriot. Also the rudder is much larger and the tail moment is longer. I agree it does fly very nice from the looks of it.

4*?

Two suggestions for you: You said you wanted building practice and that your next next plan would be a "master level kit ". So what about the GP P-51 Mustang I am nearly finished framing mine up and it has gone together very well. Its only a little more work than a typical low wing sport plane and will would be a good fit for your OS .46.
Another good choice would be the Lanier Shrike 40, now the plans and instructions are pretty lousy but the kit is nearly all laser cut and is so simple it would be hard to mess it up. My Shrike is plenty fast with a Super Tigre .40 so your TT .40 would probably give it similar performance.

I have had both the GP-40 and GP-42. If I remember correctly, the GP-42 is about 1 ounce lighter and .1 BHP higher than the GP-40. I know that the first time I started a GP-42, I was impressed with its performance.

Shakes,

It might have been Mike who called it a Patriot...either way, yeah, it's good looking ship, and Dick flies it better than anything else I've seen him fly. It's a joy to watch.

Chad,

No

Daryl,

I'd given some thought along those lines, as I WOULD like a warbird in the hangar at some point...though, admittedly, I'll probably go with a Texan when that time comes (I just love the plane and, let's face it, there's a BUNCH of Mustangs out there ).

As for the Shrike, they just never really appealed to me for some reason. Excellent suggestion given my criteria though.

Lightfoot,

Thanks for the insight on the motor...I'm looking forward to getting it on something more than ever before.

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One thing I'm thinking of...I could likely sell the 2 'extra' motors for $150 or so, and go with the 60 size Patriot kit, http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...1p?&I=GPMA0450

g,
The super sportster will give ya a lot of speed if ya want speed. Someone at our club had one with a 46AX and it was very fast.

Chad,

Agreed...they're quick little planes (or can be). The more I think about it however, it and the Ultra Sport mentioned earlier (and other sport planes) just aren't really grabbing my fancy. Not a bad suggestion, though.

gboulton,
Ok, time for to step in here and give a little bit of advice. Not someone at the field who has a friend who's brother knows somebody that talked to another guy who saw one flying once.... But first hand knowledge. IMHO the Ultra Sport is the best flying sport plane ever built. Once you build one and fly it this plane will become the plane that ALWAYS goes to the field with you. They fly that well!! There is no way you can go wrong with a Ultra Sport. My favorite is the Ultra Sport 60, but unfortunately it is out of production. I love it so much that I have been watching the marketplace and swap meets for kits for sale, and so far I have 4 of them in the closet for future builds. But I have flown the new 40 and it's just as nice of a flyer, only in a 40 size.

Hope this helps

Ken

Ken,

Thanks for the first hand view. That's significant info coming from you. (Especially what with you being long lost family and all )

As I say, however...the sport planes just aren't really leaping out and grabbing me.

This isn't to say I don't like them, or wouldn't enjoy flying one...heck, as I said, I'll TRY anything, and probably enjoy it, so long as it flies.

I guess that's why I started this thread though...looking for someone to come up with something that, when I saw it, made me go 'woah...I have GOT to have one of those'. As it is, Sport Planes just don't do that. *shrug*

I will heed your advice, however, and see if I can't weasel up an opportunity to fly one before I discount it.

Ah ha, a closet Ultra Sport collector! Admitting you have a problem is the first step to recovery!

gboulton,
totally understand where you are coming from. Not everybody like flying the same things. And tastes change too. After I learned I wanted blow your air back as fast as you can go flying, but my tastes have changed a bit. I still like that flying, but I also like slowing down too. I fly my Slow Poke (Cardinals plane) almost as often as I do my others. I can fly it for 20-25 minutes on a tank of fuel just puttin around the field at 1/3 throttle. It's a blast for me.

Ken

*heh*

My problem, Ken, is that I go through that same 'change of tastes' about...oh...4-5 times every trip to the field. yesterday, for some odd reason, I decided I wanted to do nothing but hammerheads with the Stik. (Was probably like watching a very odd tennis match *heh*)

I tossed in every twist I could think of...inverted entry to the upline, rolling entry, half rolls, full rolls, 2 rolls, snap rolls, 4 point rolls both up and down...heck, with the .46 on her, she'll even hang long enough to get a torque roll in at the top, and THEN kick the rudder over.

Now...if I can just find some sort of IMAHHA (International model Aircraft Hammerhead Association) Contest, I'll be all set.

Hey Shakes,

Wanna bet Dick's is a Sig King Kobra? http://www.sigmfg.com/cgi-bin/dpsmar...FV4.html?E+Sig