OK I'm hooked. Still love my helis but the airplanes are coming on strong. So far I've built (or am building a Carl Goldberg EagleII) and already making mods after learning on this P-51. Almost ready to start covering it. Went ahead and bought the H9 P-51 PTS to learn on while building my kit. Instructor told me I'll solo on it this weekend..WAAAAHHHOOOOOO..
I LOVE building kits and my goal is for a Jack Stafford Twin Comanche. So with the two planes above and my goal plane what would be a good kit for me next. I really like SCALE so would like to keep in that area. I'm not really into the 3-D stuff, I like scale flight. I compete in AMA's 518 scale heli events so I really wont to stay with the same thing in airplanes.
So what do you guys think? What would be a good 2nd kit to get me going towards my dream plane?

Thanks
Randy

A Carl Goldberg Chipmunk would be a good one.

It's a good build, flies VERY nicely, and it can be aerobatic, or docile

BTW, a 91 4-stroke is ideal for it

My favorite plane of all time is the Gee Bee R2. Maybe one day I will build one but I want to do it from scratch.

Does the CHIPMUNK require any sheeting on it? I know the Twin Comanche has alot so I really want a plane that can let me start dabbling with sheeting one.

Most of the top flite kits have quite a bit of sheeting. Some (warbirds) are fully sheeted. However, IMO, the top flite kits are more of a builders kit. They are a bit tougher than the CG, or other kits out there.

Was really looking at GP RV-4. Has anyone every built one of those?

I haven't built it yet, but I did get the RV-4 for christmas. Building plenty of kits and reading the RV-4 instructions I can tell you that it would be a good kit to build for you. Doesn't look like any suprises in it. Pretty much a standard GP build.

Ken

Thanks Ken.. and it does require a little sheeting right? I look at the online manual and saw some. Be sitting here for the last 30min. drooling over the TF P-40. Reading the manual Im not sure if it's over my head or not. What do you think?

The RV-4 will give you enough sheeting to get your feet wet without putting you in over your head. No problem starting with the RV-4 and then moving up to the TF kits. And besides, the RV-4 will be a good everyday throw around plane.

Ken

RV-4 it is then.. Any idea when you'll be starting yours? Might try and jump on your shirt tail and build along with you.

Randy

Exactly. I watched a buddy do this one as his first kit. Its moderately challenging for a beginner, but builds into a nice little airplane that flies very.. well... scale-like. IMO, its a great second or third kit for someone not afraid of glue and sandpaper.

I imagine Ken means that this is a good quality kit, and one would have to almost do something deliberate to screw it up. GP wood is sometimes iffy, but you cannot beat their engineering for a good-building kit that won't leave you scratching your head every other step.

Welcome to planks, Randy. I imagine that, by now, you have realized they're a LOT less of a headache than helis, and more relaxing to fly. I flew helis hard and heavy for over ten years (after starting out with planks at first). Today, I've still got an old X-Cell 60, but it hasn't been cranked in six months.

Steve YOU CAN SAY THAT AGAIN.... The first time I took that P-51 PTS up (I still got that grin today) It was just so relaxing and .....FUN.... That i knew I was hook a airplanes too. Which is the main reason I bought them..to relax. Now all I think about is building airplanes.. and I've still got to finish up my OH-58A for NATS. and IRCHA this year.
I got airplane parts and heli parts all over the house, I think the wifes about to kill me for it. She keeps asking when she can have the kitchen table back..Soon baby I promise.

Randy

Sorry, it might be a little bit before I get to start mine. I have a Dynaflight Super Decathlon on the board right now and will probably be awhie before I finish it.

Ken

I have great kit, my son bought it for a Xmas 2004 gift I have yet finish! I just need to cover, and add motor etc.
I have made some mistakes, it was my first ever kit, but it will fly. the cowl is a bit messy to cut, other than that it was not too hard.

roltech

Starting to have a kit collection of Bridi airplanes over January. Tower Koas kit from Ebay, and an Utter Chaos kit from Bridi Airplanes, plans for the dirty birdy 40 from a member on RC Universe with templates. On business in Texas this week. Nice weekend for flying. Might go to the Dick Scobee Model Field. I was a member of the WRCC years ago. Joining Big Sky Flyers this year, mostly because I live in LaSalle. You should see the flying clubs in Texas, impressive.

As far as buying kits I made a decision about a year and a half ago, whenever I see a kit that I think I might build I will buy it. I'm stockpiling them so that I have them in case. For the most part this seems to be more true for Great Planes kits because they have discontinued more kits (read as Ultra Sport 60, Ultra Sport 1000, and Super Skybolt [>:] ) that I've wanted than any manufacturer. But other kits are being discontinued too. I don't have the current count but right now I have somewhere around 20 or 25 kits. That includes 4 Ultra Sport 60's and 2 Ultra Sport 1000's!!! Now all I need to find is a couple Thunderbug 40 kits.

Ken