Well.....lets just say I'm getting in deep. Earlier I posted about my second plane purchase....FW-190 GP arf. Keep in mind I've never flown a tail dragger, just my Alpha trainer. Everyone was very nice and I'm really looking forward to flying it. However, silly me, looking on rcuniverse (where I got the FW-190 from) and what do I see? A racer (30's style) complete with engine, radio...everything for so little money I couldn't turn it down.
With a little research it turns out to be a Ben Howard "ike".
Am I nuts? This thing looks like a rocket (okay, I'm a sucker for '30's racers)....and yes, a GeeBee is in my future someday!!! Hopefully not too soon...my pocket book is aching!
So, for all those beginners ( I consider my self one step above that) watch out...this may just be the "addiction" everyone's talking about. I now have a hangar with 3 planes, 2 that I haven't flown yet.....got a lot coming up when the weather clears!
By the way....is this normal?
Has anyone flown this beast? What can I expect??
Cheers!
Mazer

Are you nuts? Duh!!

Next question.

You'll be fine, buy 2 more planes and call us in the morning.

What can you expect?

Expect it to be fast.

And DON'T think it will slow down when you want to land!

Oh yes,wait till you go near a hobby shop and get the shakes or when the new catalog is a little late and you start sweating.We do not have enough time ar enough planes.lol You are well on your way.Welcome to our world haha

Well, I expect you to stuff the both of them unless you get a decent "2nd Plane."

Guess my grasp on reality is slipping! Seems to be the general consensus so far!

Cyclic, the FW-190 is not very scale (i just wanted a warbird), and I will have an experienced flyer with me to maiden both of these planes and help me as much as necessary. I certainly don't want to "throw" my money away! But I've about done all I can with the Alpha and need to move up.
I figure, if I like warbirds and vintage racers, why spend the same money or more on a plane I don't like?
cheers!
Mazer

Why?
So that you don't end up wasting money on planes that you do like.

This whole cost vs. training argument is old. You should buy a decent second plane, learn to fly it, fly the wings off of it. Then, after a few months of flying that, sell it, and start working on one of the more scale birds. Then again, it's your money. Neither one of these planes will take off/fly/land like your alpha. Neither one of them are designed to be a step up from your alpha. There is a progression. The more you fall out of line with the progression, the more $$ it will cost you in the long run.

The words reality and R/C Airplanes cannot exist in the same sentence. It's just simply not possible.

It's not uncommon to have at least one or two planes for me waitng for a maiden flight. Right now I have 3 and another on the way. So I would say you are proceeding as anyone else in this addiction would expect you too proceed. Now go get a part-time job at the LHS and just tell them to run a tab for you and you'll work it off.

Oh yea, don't forget, the Toledo show is coming up. Head over to it if you really want to be amongst fellow addicts and walk around, A true addict will bring a several hundred dollars with him and spend it all there. I'm planning on being there and walking out with a plane or two. I may have to sleep in my car but at least I can snuggle up with the planes

So what else is new? All of us have lost our grip on reality -- just ask our wives.

You don't have to fly the "third" plane third -- you can buy even more planes to fit in the performance gaps. That's what I do -- every gap gets filled with something -- & I even have spares in case one gets a bad dose of grass-rash.

Go for it.

Would it make everyone feel better to know I'm going to a swap meet in Lebanon PA in 2 weeks to look for spare parts for these planes? I don't mind crashing....have crashed the Alpha a few times...just slapped it back together. I'm giving the Alpha to my lady so she can learn since she expressed an interest....so you see....I just HAD to get another plane....or two. I was FORCED into making the decision and they practically GAVE the planes away!!!! They came assembled, with engines AND radios! RTF!!!
I guess I could get a SIG 4*.....but.....well....the FW-190 looks sooooooo much better!!!!
Cheers!
Mazer

If you are going to Lebanon for the swap meet, take money...LOTS OF MONEY. I went up there last year to drop off a manual that I had for a plane I was selling through my LHS. I told myself I would not stay in there and came out with a couple of engines, a radio to use as a buddy box, custom made plane stands, JR and Hitec servos, a couple of GP Flatout planes.

What made it worse is 2 weeks later I went to the Toledo show and maxed two credit cards buying planes and all the goodies to go with them both of which I just sold to get new planes. Yep, I'm hooked...no doubt about it and I'm loving every minute of it

Maybe I should go to the swap meet blindfolded? I'll tell my lady to not take it off unless there are parts for a gp fw-190 or landing gear for a "ike"....might work!
I'm going to bring cash....leave all my credit cards at home!!!!!!!
Well....maybe I'll just take one.

Now, just to be sure.
I never suggested not buying birds beyond your abilities. I have at least one of those myself. However, I have a bunch of intermediate planes that are getting me ready for it. I'm making suggestions based on the fact that Mazer has said he doesn't even intend on buying intermediate airplanes--just jump right into scale warbirds and racers. I once felt the same way, believe me. Now I own a cub, three sticks, a twinstar, a pattern plane, a bipe, as well as my three warbirds. I fly the H9 P51 arf alot--because it is really a sport bird, and not too scale--no problems, but I promise you I would have tanked it within the first few flights if I would have jumped to it after learning on my alpha. In fact, I did tank my second plane. Thank goodness it was a cheap VMAR that I really didn't care a whole lot for. I mean, I like it OK, but not anything like my warbirds I have today. I lost 99 bucks by crashing my VMAR--a lot better than losing 259 by crashing my P51, or even more by crashing my TF Gold texan that I built myself. I'm still training to fly it and my giant scale PT 19, and I've been doing this for a couple of years now. The other planes that I have all have a purpose--to get me ready for these planes. I just bought a giant stick and put a gasser on it--to help me with the characteristics of gassers--because my giant scale PT 19 has a 42 CC gasser on it.

See, everything adds up. You should buy what you want--what you like. Just know that there are steps you should take to ensure the longevity of the models that you like so much. I had been flying for well over a year and 1/2 when I built and tried to fly the texan. I built it exactly as per plans, and expected fully to fly it. I had flown several different models at the time--and was getting pretty confident with my abilities. Come to find out, the plans specified for an aft CG that made the plane impossible to control. I wasn't ready or experienced enough to control the plane, and the flight lasted about 10 seconds. I was able to rebuild, and have subsequently flown it again (on a cord), but the CG was still too far aft (with an experienced pilot at the controls). Some damage on a very hot landing. Again, repaired, but I've still yet to re-fly the plane. I moved the CG up by 1 inch nearly, so I'm sure it will be better this time.
Bottom line--I wasn't ready, and it almost (should have) cost me my most prized model. Lesson learned. I got all kinds of intermediate planes now that I'm learning stuff on, and I truly enjoy all of the different flying that I can do with each plane.

Once again--it is definitely your money and your models. I'm simply expressing an opinion, and trying to save you from some inevitable heartache.

continue on as if this idiot never spoke a word.

2slow2matter - THAT was a good letter. Well said and good examples.

2Slow....I value EVERY opinion....that's why I post here! Did I mention I'm going to a big swap meet in 2 weeks? Who knows? Maybe that 4* or some other plane may be sitting there waiting for me! I'm buying planes I like right now....i doubt i'm ready for the "ike", but I feel I'm ready for the FW-190(it's the old balsa sheeted foam arf from GP and folks here say it doesn't fly scale...just faster than my alpha)...hopefully I'll get to fly it this weekend and find out! If not, I have a mission at the swap meet! I'll just wait till the Lady is not looking!

Maybe I need to start coming up with excuses to buy a plane and NOT just parts....hmmm

2slow, If you weren't from Baja Oklahoma I'd think we were related.[8D] I did pretty much the same thing, but I'm not flying the really nice ones till I know I'm ready. The first plane I bought & assembled was a .46 size Cap 232 put an SK-80 on it.[X(] When I asked the guy at Kangke if he thought it might do about 70 to 80 mph he just laughed at me & said yea, at about half throttle. I knew then I was in way over my head. I sent him back the 80 & he sent me a TS-56 with the pitts muffler to go with it for the same price. It still sits in my closet brand new waiting for me to grow into it. Then I wanted a plane for this little hot-rod OS .25 that my Dad tricked out for racing. So I bought a Tequila Sunrise, probably another 100 mph plane with this particular .25 on it. Too small, way to fast! It too sits new in my closet. Then I took a few steps back & got some Trainers that I can actually now fly.[sm=idea.gif]. I have a Dragon Lady w/Saito 100 that I plan to use for a second plane that will hopefully get me to the Cap all in good time. We won't discuss the 6 lawn darts I now have to my credits.

Baja,,
that's funny. Heck, we're full fledge Mexico down here. Used to be the Rio Grande separated the US and Mexico. Anymore, I think it's the red river!

I think everyone who has started this hobby has had their sights set well beyond their capabilities. that is what makes it such an awesome hobby! Anyway, good luck mazer. Maybe you will find something at the swap meet that catches your eye. Swap meets are awesome, and some good deals can be had! Have fun...

Six???? I thought that it was five!! What did you kill? --- Not the Nexstar?

Nah, I can fly the NexStar. I killed the Mini Edge 540, but in my own defense I was flying the wings of it & doing pretty well at the 3D stuff then I just lost it & did a pile-driver from about a 100 ft. It was hilariouls to watch![X(][:@][&:][sm=lol.gif]

Seems like your heading down the "speed road" here. I suggest you get a 60 size stick, It may be high wing but it can be hot with .90 on it. The reason for this is that third plane you want which may be a warbird or Shoestring or some hot racer. You can use the same engine if you want and keep the plane just in case.

I cannot tell you how many people I have seen quit the hobby that are doing this the way you are. Part of learning is the process of how to react when something goes wrong. Any idiot can fly these things but when something goes wrong, those who paid there dues will take their plane home in one piece instead of a garbage bag

Wanna talk about nuts huh? At least you are completing your airplanes before starting another.
I have over half a dozen planes sitting in the cellar 1/2 finished. Before I can finish them another kit attracts my attention and I buy and build it, while the others stay in the cellar. NOW THAT IS NUTS [sm=bananahead.gif].

I do have two planes that will be completed to the end and flown (or in my case prob crashed). The LT-40 if I ever get the covering material needed for finishing the wing, and my current project - Mini Telemaster electric.

Anyone know what I can do with the endless supply of planes I have? Anyone want to give them a home? At times I consider donating them to RCU but the cost of shipping is unknown to me and trying to package them as to not break them in shipping [sm=confused.gif] [sm=confused.gif]

You too eh? I have a 1/7 scale Top Flite Spit, a 1/7 scale Top Flite Corsair, a 1/7 scale Top Flite Aircobra, a Unionville 6' Beaver, a 1/6 scale Avro Tutor, & a pattern plane all on the go together --- plus the make & mends from last season, & I just thought about making a twin out of an old pattern plane. [sm=drowning.gif]

That is nutz [sm=bananahead.gif] -- at least my Dragon thinks so -- & so does the bank []

I don't think that a third plane is a big problem

You need to follow through and finish up a couple and take them flying. Seems like the best solution

Guilty as charged. I just ordered an Airfoil-Z foamy to ressurect the electronics from the recently deceased Edge 540, & I still haven't finished the Dragon Lady or the Tequila Sunrise.

Well, I'm feeling a bit better now! At least I don't have tigers problem...so far I've bought all my planes RTF including radios.....ya know....I'm starting to get quite a collection of radios...hmm...4 at the moment. 1 JR 4 channel, 2 Futaba 6 ch, and now an airtronic for the "ike" and I don't even know how many channels that has!
Guess I'll go look today after work!
Only 2 more weeks to swap meet!!!!!!

I had to put brakes on my car today....my first thought.."Darn! Could have bought that Geebee on Rcuniverse for that money instead!" I guess I'm backsliding back to "nuts" again!![&:]
Cheers!