Okay, so after reading countlessly on these message boards, talking to members of a club im joining, and going to a very good R/C hobby shop, here is what i feel im going to end up getting.

I just want everyone's opinions if you dont mind.

Radio: Jr XP662 (6 channel)
Airplane: Sig LT-40 ARF
Engine: Thunder Tiger PRO-46 Ball Bearing R/C Airplane Engine

i think im gonna go with thunder tiger because it is what everyone in the club im joining uses. Is it a good engine? is it one that will last me a few planes?
Also, i felt like i better go with a great radio now, so i save myself some $$$.

I MAY go with a Sig LT-40 KIT, but im kinda of doubting that since:
1) ive never built a plane before
2) my time is limited these days =)

so the ARF looks like the goes for me, so at least ill get a little building experience from it.


So how does this plane sound? I do like the LT-40 because it is bigger then most trainers....which will help lots.
But then again, i live here in Ohio where it is COLD AND SNOWY! So i have till like april before i can even THINK about flying=)
but until then, im going to practice...practice...practice on my realflight g2 =)

And i know one thing, i have MANY MANY years to come in this hobby, as i am only 18 years old=)
I CANT WAIT!!! But then again, its good to wait so i get everything right=)

Your have made some wise choices! I have no experience with that particular radio but I have flown the LT-40 witht a Thunder Tiger .46. That is a great combination. I have several TT.46 and have them screaming and have never had any problems with them...ever! I converted my friends LT-40 to a tail dragger and put flaps on it for him. It flew so slow you could walk up to it on final approach and grab it and set it on the ground!, also with the flaps down and the engine at idle you could put the plane on final and set the transmitter on the ground and it would float on in(no wind of coarse). Speaking of wind, this will be the only draw back to the LT-40, it is such a floater that in a decent breeze it will be a little more work to get it to settle in. You will be able to grow with the radio and engine you have chosen. Take your time and ask for lots of help, no questions are dumb at this stage of the hobby, it could save you a lot of time,money and headaches in the long run and most importantly, have FUN!. Feel free to e-mail me any time if you have questions. Good Luck

Chris

Don't let the cold stop you, i was out flying glows yesterday and electrics today! snowbanks just soften the impact when you crash.

on second thought, going through the learning experience might not be much fun this time of year, maybe go with a sim instead...

What about an LC 40 for under $10USD

under $10 USD?
how cheap you talking?
about what for? body only?

SocMan18,

We are talking dirt cheap, yes, less than $10 for the "airframe". The above pictured airplane is scratch built from Coroplast and Gutter pipe. It's designer, Collin "Kraut" McGinnis, hopes to reliese the plans showing how to build one soon.

The term "airframe" refers to the aircraft's fuselage, wing and tail. This does not include the engine mount, landing gear, or pushrods. The concept is something Collin and myself started about 5 years ago in the world of R/C combat because of the need for dirt cheap, quick built, extreamly tough airplanes for dogfighting. It wasn't long until guys at our local field who had crashed their last airplane in a million pieces, started looking at our combat planes for ideas. They took our plans, and built our combat planes, and then took the landing gear and engine mount and hardware from their crashed plane and made sport planes. The popularity of this has become huge, and it's become a very popular way to get back in the air fast after a devistating crash. As the concept has evolved, the planes have gotten better and better looking, and much better flying, to the point that they equal and sometimes beat their balsa counterparts in performance. There is a LOT of information at http://www.spadtothebone.com and there is a learning curve to working with plastic (especially gluing). This can be a little overwhelming at first, especially someone just getting into the hobby, and the concept is still new enough that it's not readily accepted by many who resist change. Let me just tell you this, I've been in this hobby for 25 years, and spent the first 20 building conventional airplanes..maybe one or two planes a year...I've spent the last 5 years building and experimenting with plastic...close the 300 airplanes they are so cheap, and am having more fun than ever! And having fun is the name of the game no matter how you do it!

SocMan,

I have the same radio and the same plane (I use an OS .46) I think you'll be pleased with your selections.

So, which club and which LHS?

It's going to be above 40 on Sunday, give some club members a call and see if they are going out!

GB

The combo that you have selected will work well. I have a TT .46 pro and think it is a great motor.

TT 46 pro is a great engine.
I have a couple of them.
One in a WM SS 40 and the other is going into my newly built Sig Somethin' Extra.
Good Luck
Welcome to the world of R/C, you are going to have a lot fun!!

Bill

Im joining the WACO Barnstormers.
Its about a 5 minute drive for me, and that have that awesome airfield to fly at.
They are also a pretty small group, so i think it'll be better for me that way.

I built the LT from kit as first plane and flew it with the .46 and .32. One problem, fear of crashing makes it harder to learn. After soloing I built a Armidillo and finally one of the Spads. they fly well, take a pounding and remove fear of crashing Unless you want the experience of building something from a Kit follow Tattoos advice and spend your time flying and enjoying a plastic creation like the Debonair. The engine should serve you well on several models.

I really don't know anything about the SPADS, but I've only had one major repair to my LT-40 and that was to replace a broken engine mount. I flew it from May to June on a buddy box and soloed in June. My last fligt was early November.

IF you use and instructor and stay on the buddy box until you're comfortable (then have him stand by you for a while), crashing is not something to worry too much about.

I think your decision to go with an ARF is a good one, though that will get me pounded into the ground. I had a hard enough time assembling my LT-40 ARF (I was too stubborn to ask for help and had ZERO experience building), I might have given up on a kit.

I am building a 4*60 as my second (gas) plane.