Hi all,

Looking at my 2nd plane and attracted to Phoenix's Dolphin. I've seen many compare this as a "cheaper" version of the famous SIG Four *. Large numbers favour the Four * and I acknowledge its positives, but wondering if anything really bad about the Dolphin.
Would appreciate any comments please.
P.S. Hope you all had a fantastic Xmas and looking forward to a tremendous 2008.

Regards, Samoan Kiwi.

While I'm not familiar with the Dolphin, I have experienced other models from this Phoenix company and they are not bad

I am also looking for a second plane. I put a post on the Kit Building forum and got nothing but positive reviews about the 4* models. I'm actually going to the lhs to get a 4* 60 this afternoon. I'll start a new thread in the Kit Building forum when I get started on it. I haven't had/nor heard anything about Phoenix products. Good luck!

KitCrasher

I have flown and crashed both. I like the 4* better because of the aluminum landing gear. Didn't like the stick gear on Dolphin, it bends to easily. Other than that they are about equal. both fly the same.

I had the Four Star and loved it. I never owned or flew the Phoenix, so I can't compare. I sold it a short while back because I needed some room.. but I can tell ya, the Four Star flew great. I had an OS .46 FX and later, an OS 50 FX on it and it performed great. Very easy to fly and very forgiving.

CGr.

Hi all,

Thanks for your comments.
I was concerned about the landing gear on the Phoenix too. Was looking at the Great Planes Super Sportster 40 Mk11 and although good comments, there were concerns about its flimsy l/g too. Suggestions offered were to add a stronger l/g, like rleon has stated.
Therefore, wondering if the Phoenix could have a stronger aluminium l/g added. Would this affect the CofG much?.
Here in Samoa, there are no hobby shops so have to import everything. Although not every ones cup of tea, I prefer to stick to ARFs and try and bring everything at one time, meaning hopefully, less hassles to get the crate flying asap.

I've had several Four Stars and they are great airplanes.

If you can find an aluminum landing gear you like, it can be installed on the Phoenix Dolphin with a minimum of trouble.

I use a 1/4" maple doubler on the inside with bass wood triangle stock on the ends of the doubler. If the fuselage bottom is not hardwood where the gear fastens, cheek plate it with some thin maple plywood.

I like to retain the gear with the plastic 1/4-20 wing bolts. I use four of them and they are threaded right into the bare plywood. I put thin CA over the threads and retap. The gear will break the bolts and shear off without damaging the bottom of the model.

The Dolphin is a well built model IMHO. prehinged ailerons,elevators and rudder,decent hardware.

lands kind of like a trainer,harder to take off (tail dragger)

Dad and I are working on our second one(first one got eat by a tree) on this one I cut the covering away on the bottom and instaled servos in both wings so we could use the flaperons,it also helps on the roll rate.

on both, the torque rods would bind against the fuse. wing bolt plate. after I instaled the servos in the wing I cliped the torque rods flush with the wing

maybe I was trying to get to much throw?

all in all it is a verry good second plane.

the landing gear holds up pretty good (as good as the ones on my H9 arrow),I had to remove and rebend em once on the first one, haven't had to rebend the second ones yet. (I have seen aluminum ones have to be rebent too)

The Dolphin is a great flier. It was my second plane and is very stable. Lands beautifully. Still pretty aerobatic and strong with a 46 engine. I did change the landing gear out to Dubro pretty soon after flying it for the first time. A flying buddy still has it as a favorite. They are built well and really no different than a 4* except for price. You would not be disappointed with it.

Although the Four * is regarded by many as the perfect 2nd project, the comments made so far have cemented my faith in the Dolphin. Adding a more solid landing gear is not a major hurdle, which I'm sure, will ultimately give me confidence and experience to progress further in this great hobby. Thanks to all.

Keep flying with attitude and altitude.