I soloed early this summer with an Avistar and am looking for a second plane. My request is unusual because I really love the looks and charm of vintage aircraft, and if at all possible I would like to build one from a kit as my second plane.

With the Avistar I can perform various maneuvers such as rolls (slow and fast), loops (not "eggs"), immlemans, split-s, stall turns, and can fly inverted while making turns. Takeoffs and landings are also non-events. I have only built one kit (a Goldberg Electra years ago) but have many necessary tools.

With these skills and interests in mind are there any quality kits out there that I could handle? I have done some browsing and am looking at planes like the Top Flite Elder 40 or Great Planes Pete 'n Poke kits. Am I on the right track?

Take a look at Balsa USA kits as well,
Like this Eindecker 40 for example.
http://www.balsausa.com/kits/kit.htp?id=40&shopperid=

Here is a nice review of the Elder
http://www.top-flite.com/reviews/topa0215-rcm.html
it would appear to be a good choice for you.

and the Pete N' Poke
http://www.greatplanes.com/reviews/gpma0493-rcm.html
also looks pretty good

SiG Kommander.............u find them on ebay

Our club President has 2 Elders. I guess 1 would be about a 60 size & the other a 40 size. They are both kit built with fabric covering on the wings, beautifully stained woods for the fuse framing & true spoke wheels. These planes are just beautiful & great fun to watch fly. He has 4-stokes in both of them so they sound really good as they just sort of putter on by. They slow fly so nice, & you can really see how much he loves flying these things. He has some great airplanes, but the Elders are probably my favorites. The smaller red one he bought at a swap-meet for $5 took the kit home & it was all there! If you choose to build an Elder, I don't think you will be dissapointed.

I agree the elder is a good choice but am no fan of the Pete n' Poke (personal choice). Another good kit choice is the Balsa USA Bristol M-1. Check the BUSA link in the link above.

Mine is powered by an older Magnum .80 FS is a nice steady flyer and it serves as one of my night flyers.

John

Nice looking airplane John!![sm=thumbup.gif][sm=thumbup.gif][sm=thumbup.gif]

Thanks for the great input. I didn't think I was getting ahead of myself since I have flown other planes with higher wing loadings, but I wanted to make sure before I take the plunge I really like the looks of the Balsa USA Eindecker 40. I did not look at that company because I've seen some of their other planes and they were beautiful but much too large and expensive for a beginner.

Take your time bud no need to run into trouble when you can walk
It's ok to look into your next plane but don't stop learning to fly there's lots to learn even with a trainer
moving to your next plane too soon can sometimes become a humbling experience

Oh, I plan to continue with my trainer for some time to come. I want to become much more proficient before I start flying nicer airplanes that I have put so much time into, but I just love building and would like to get started this winter.

THAT'S PERFECT!!

You build em, and I'll fly em. Now, get started on that 40% Carden Yak. (DA 150 Please). See you in the Spring.