I was given a megatech airstrike two years ago as a gift and we never got it to fly. Now I'm interested in the hobby and I was wondering it I should pay 120 to get everything fixed or if I should just get a Hobbyzone Fighterbird. I read the Air stike is hard to get going but do you think with better batteries it'll fly? I'm looking for a plane that I can get flying for 150 or less. What should I do?

You may want to consider a glider. Something like a Goldberg Gentle lady. These are hand launch, 78" w/s. I can't imagine being satisfied with something like a fighterbird very long, but that's me. You can get glider kits (you have to build it) for $50 You will also need 2 rolls of covering and glue $30 to $40. You can strap a small Norvel on top of the wing. The Norvel .061 Big mig starter kit includes a fuel tank that bolts right to the motor, last I checked they were I think $40. Then you can get a 2 channel radio with standard size servos, rx, and battery holder for around $75. Keep in mind 2 channels only gives you control of 2 functions IE rudder elevator, like is used for gliders. I would advise trying to get at least a 6 channel radio though as most planes take at least 4 channels. Then if you ever want a bomb drop, retractable landing gear, flaps, there's 3 more channels bringing you up to 7, now you would need a 7 channel radio. See where I'm going with this. Check out Towerhobbies.com for more accurate prices. You can use this stuff in a 1/2a plane. While at towers website do a search for Herr. They make some neat airplanes but not very good for training. However if you plan to stay in the hobby and can cough up some more cash I would suggest getting something with at least a 60" wing span. Sorry, I know I blew your budget out of the water, but I hate to see you get something you might lose interest in, in about 2 or 3 weeks. Always glad to help if I can. Garry

A Gentle Lady is not a hand launch glider. You use either high-start or a power pod to get it into the air. You'd be lucky to get it 50 feet up on a hand launch.

I have some different thoughts about radios. If you're on a budget, a 4-channel is the only way to go. You won't be using the extra channels, and a non-computer 6-channel radio is a waste of money. The most common use of more than 4 channels is for a 2-servo wing. That certainly works best with a computer radio. You won't be adding retracts to a trainer, nor will you be adding flaps. I've got a buddy that put a bomb-drop on his. You don't need an extra channel for that, as you can just connect it to the rudder. If money is tight, don't buy a basic 6-channel. If money isn't a problem, buy a computer 6-channel.

DO NOT spend $120 trying to get that Airstrike in the air, you'll be sorry.......if you want a decent electric, I think that your money would be much better spent going towards something else.......something like a GWS Tigermoth, a Wattage Mini Max or even a Sky Scooter.

Mike

I'd go with a Tigermoth, very highly recommended.

From what I understand, the Fighterbird is really only fun if you have two of them. Probably not very challenging to fly, but probably a lot of fun to dogfight.

I'm going to do the evil thing and give you this URL

http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/forum...?s=&forumid=11

Should you go there, please remember that RC Universe is great and wonderful and two sets of forums ARE better than one. I do not wish to be accused of trying to lure an unsuspecting newbie away from a forum.

GB

lol, Don't worry I'm staying here, one forum is enough I will check that one out though.


glowplug, the reason I want to fix it was because I was a gift to me purchased by someone who couldn't totally afford it but bought it anyways for me. I never got it to fly andI through it in my closet with lots of stuff on top of it. the year after when he visited he saw it and was mad and I haven't got a gift from him since. I've seen it fly when I first got it and I would like to fix it and show the relitive I care. Mayb with a better Battery and/or engine it would fly. If there is a better plane for around or below 160 please show me the way.

Ghostbear HOW DARE YOU!!! Sending him to the dark side waaas baaaad you will pay!!!

No really SilentGTboy Ghostbear was right,

Ezone (OH NO I SAID IT, help I'mmmmm melting) specializes in electric flight.. many more people may be fimilar with the Airstrike they might even be able to tell you how to fix it without buying all those parts from the manufacturers.

MikeL: We meet again. Re Read the post. I do mention putting a power pod on gliders. Now I don't know about you, but a Norvel or Cox is not going to get that puppy off the ground, especially at 6000' where I live. Even if you add the weight of wheels, which the plane, excuse me, glider, sailplane , stop me when you find one you like Mike, does not come with. I have put 15s on heavier gliders but still had to HAND LAUNCH THEM. Garry

I think proper terminology is important. If a beginner only remembers the type of object recommended, and the terminology used was wrong, they'll end up with something completely inappropriate for them. Do a Google search for hand launch glider, and have a look at the models that come up. I think you'll see my point.

A hand launch glider (HLG) is something that relies only on the arm strength of the person tossing it to reach altitude. There are two general types of hand launch gliders, javelin (refered to as HLG) and discus (DLG). HLGs have been around a long time, and differ greatly in design and materials from something like a Gentle Lady or Spirit. They're generally smaller, and much more expensive. DLGs are relatively new, and are really fun to see being launched.

Almost all gliders leave the hand at launch, but most gliders are not hand launch.

MikeL the way I see it if it has to be thrown to be launched it is being hand Launched. I see what you are getting at. Technically these may not be called a hand launch glider. Do you think my point was made to the original post. I think so. Garry

Sorry, Garry. I edited my post as you were replying. I decided what I meant as tongue-in-cheek may not come off that way. I clarrified my thoughts on terminology there.

Apology accepted Mike, please accept one from me. Garry

SilentGTboy, for $160, the Hitec Sky Scooter Pro is a much better plane....you can get the entire package for that price. I don't really think there is anything that will help the Airstrike....Tell your friend that you're sorry, you tried, but it just wouldn't work right.....you really appreciated the gift, and it got you started in R/C, but it just wasn't the right plane.

Mike

Whats the differance between the scooter 1 RTR and the scooter pro 2 RTR besides $40 ($25 with coupon) on tower?

This plane is interesting and is listed as easy to fly

EP Cessna Full Set ARF Ultimate Combo

Only prob is the prop is on or off
How much would it cost to fix that?

I think the Scooter Pro 2 has a more powerful motor, and it's 3 channels for sure, the regular Scooter may only be 2 channels...not quite sure.....but I do know that the motor is different.....

I checked out that plane from the link......never seen one of those fly....so I can't comment on it.....it looks like you'll have to buy the battery and charger separate for that one, so keep that in mind. Also, adding a speed control on the motor to get variable throttle would be easy, the problem is, the radio that comes with it is only a two channel........so you'd need a new radio system to do that.

Mike

Well with this ARF, Kyosho EP Cessna 180 Trainer ARF 51.2", It does not come with a Radio
The accesories needed are:
2-channel radio w/2 standard servos
auto cut-off or electronic speed control
6-cell, 1400mAh NiCd
charger & 6- or 30-minute epoxy

Could You help me with the Radio, autocut off, speed controller, and the best battery and charger for it. I can't go over 200 though. Thank you! I would love to get into this hobby so much.

?

if You're trying to keep your costs down, the Hitec Focus 3 radio would work.....you can get it with 2 standard servos........it's a 3 channel radio, and the reason you'll need a 3 channel is because if you want variable throttle, you'll have to have a 3rd channel......the plane should recommend what type of speed control it needs.....for example 10A, 20A, ect....you won't need the auto cut-off if you get a speed controller....just make sure the speed controller has BEC. (most airplane speed controllers do)
As far as the battery and charger, I'll let somebody else field that one........I'm not that familiar with the ones that are out there for electric planes. I think the entire package is probably going to run you more than $200 though....

Mike

I think I'll get a autocutoff instead of a speed controller just yet, The Auto cutoff is 15-20 buck and the speed controller is $80. I have my list all set out and it's $192.96 with the battery that is possibly going to change. Are Speed controllers normally around $80?

Here is my Tower List


LXN485A5 Hitec Focus 3SS AM 2 HS300 A5
64.99

LXUU13 Kyosho EP Cessna 180 Trainer ARF 51.2"
79.99

LXBK86 Nitro Power 7.2V High Capacity Battery & Charger
25.99

LXW963 Kyosho Auto Cut-Off Unit 7.2V
21.99

LXPT47 Tower Hobbies 30-Minute Epoxy 4 oz.
4.99

010BH SAVE $15 ON $149.90 order

Total: $182.95



Only $30 over my proposed budget
Are there any changes that can be made?

Sounds like you did it for under $200! You won't have variable throttle control with the auto-cut off......but that's probably not a big deal......it can always be added later. Also, the charger takes 4 hours to charge the battery, so you might want to consider another battery, or, in the future, a quick charger for it.

Mike

There are a few other things to consider, such as club membership and AMA dues. You might need some glue other than the epoxy, depending on how the model goes together.

One option that you might want to consider is building a small electric model from plans. This could be done for a bit less than the cost of the ARF, but requires some building skill. It's tough to get into this hobby for under $200, but provided you get the proper instruction and aren't crashing planes very often the recurring costs aren't that high.

Glowplug, I have a radioshack quickcharger that takes 45 minutes, could I use that and get a better battery without a charger? <EDIT> My Charger </EDIT>

MikeL, club membership and AMA dues? I have a park in my neihborhood. Plus a endless construction site that there are going to build a school on and triple are 300 house subdivision