I need help planning for my second airplane. I am in the midst of soloing with my areostar 40 and I love flying it. I plan on flying it the rest of the year just to get more stick time before jumping to the next step, however I am looking for good ideas for the next plane. I want something I can start to step into some aerobatics but is still a good choice for a novice that can grow into more advanced stuff. Oh yeah and I want it to look pretty sweet too. I've seen the Great Planes Easy Sport 40 and the Four Star 40. Are there any others that come to mind? Which of these models would be a better choice? Kit or ARF doesn't matter to me, I don't mind building. I would love for this airplane to be the bridge between my trainer and a warbird if at all possible. Thanks for the help!

Both the 4 Star and the Easy Sport are excellent flyers and either would be a good choice for a second plane. I would recommend the kit version of the Easy Sport because IMO it is more durable and can tolerate less than perfect landings and other maneuvers than either models in the ARF versions. The Easy Sport is much more durable than the 4* kit version. I have had both planes and enjoyed them, but my Easy Sport took many a licking and kept on ticking.

DaveB

They are both good 2d planes, and I lean a bit more toward the 4* (40 or 60), but as a transition to warbirds, the Easy Sport may give a slightly higher wing loading and be a better conditioning for a warbird, which will most likely have a much higher wing loading than you are accustomed to. Either one will give you enjoyable flying.

Take a look at a few of these recommendations.

Sig 4-star 60 - [link=http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXCHY3&P=0]Sig 4-star 60[/link]
Goldberg Tiger 60 - [link=http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXH756&P=0]the Tiger 60 [/link]
BTE Venture 60 - [link=http://www.btemodels.com/venture.html]Venture 60 [/link]
Great Planes Easy Sport 40 - [link=http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXDTM8&P=ML]Great Planes Easy Sport [/link]
Great Planes Super Sportster - [link=http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXAVR1&P=ML]Great Planes Super Sportster [/link]

More information is available here: [link]http://www.geistware.com/rcmodeling/second_plane.htm[/link]

Hope this helps

Ken

Well I went for the Great Planes Dazzler 40 but for a decent transition to warbirds you will want a smaller wing that requires faster landing speeds. For some great models that are inexpensive (since it is just a stepping stone) you should at least look at The World Models Sky Raider Mach II S or the LA Racer. Links listed below.

http://www.airborne-models.com/html/...p?ProductID=16
http://www.airborne-models.com/html/...p?ProductID=91

Be advised I do not work for or get anything from this company. I have had some experience with their products and have been pleased.