I had previously asked for recomendations for a first kit and got great responses. Several members recomended the Top Flite .60 P-47. I love warbirds and believe that bigger is better. I've looked at the manuals for both the TF .60 P-47 and the TF giant P-47. They seem to build about the same. If anybody has experience with both I'd like to know if the giant is appreciably harder to build than the .60 size. I'm not worried about flying differences because I need much more experience before I try flying such a plane.

Thanks,
Al

hummmm first kit and a warbird was recommended ??
I just looked at the manual for the TF giant P-47 and it really is not a plane you should tackle for a first time build.
I did not see the original thread where you got the 60 size P47 recomendation but it seems like the overwhelming majority of recommendations would have been for something simpler to get your feet wet with.
I guess if you have your heart set on it go for it, but I would recommend something along the lines of a Four Star, or a Rapture, or a Super Sportster.
Good luck.

I don't remember the thread, but if this is your first build, you shouldn't start with a plane as complicated as ANY warbird. Start with a trainer such as the Goldberg Eagle or Great Planes Trainer 40, Sig Four *, GP Super Sportster or the like. In fact, I'd recommend a couple of those before jumping in with both feet on the P-47.

Dr.1

Hi ruthiesea
Do you intend to fly at an AMA sanctiond club? Have you contacted that club and will you be learning with an instructor? If your main concentration is not to hurt the plane you have fallen in love with you may have a hard time learning. Use a 40 size trainer with an instructor and beat the trainer plane into teaching you to fly. Fall in love with your third or later plane.

Hello Ruthiesea. I am not sure who you talked too about kit building but a warbird definietly isn't the best route to go. Building a warbird 1st is like flying a warbird 1st. Not going to be that easy. Sig has great kits. I am currently building my first kit and am building the Sig Kadet Mark II http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_6781006/tm.htm . I guarantee you will enjoy learning to build a trainer type plane 1st. It will give you the idea of what goes where and they are more detailed. As you get into the more experieneced builds like the warbirds the less help will be given to you because they think you already know what you are doing. Good luck with your build and I hope this helps you out some.

having built a couple of Top Flight planes,with some wood working skills, and the ability to follow instructions carefully, there really not that hard,now saying that if you have never built a model plane before then you might want to start with a basic RC model like a Sig LT-40 or a Sig somthing extra,there basic slab sided planes with a built up structure and will give you some of the basic skills you can use later.

if your already flying a trainer such as a ARF and don't want another one then you might want to get your feet wet with a gillows rubber powered model there surprisingly simmilar to the larger Top Flight models, in the fact that they use stringers to form the fusalage and wing structure and you get a dose of building while not having to invest in a larger model you might get burn't out building on.

I don't want to discourage you from building your dream model but a TF Warbird is a big investment in time and money.
with my spitfire I have over a year in the building and at least 1,000$ my P-47 at least another year and 1,200$ with all the extras engine,retracts,paint,and finish, now I am a slow builder so I take breaks so it could be done in less time.

there's also some skills needed like sheeting amonst others that if you are not expierenced working with wood it can be quite a chalenge,I have been working in construction for over 20yrs so I was pretty comfortable diving into a involved build like a warbird.

As said by others, a Top Flight warbird, although a great kit with good instructions, will be a hand full and the instructions will not explain some of the basic build steps that they assume you should know from previous builds.
You should not jump from your trainer to a full blown scale warbird so why not build your intermediate trainer that you will have to fly first anyway. Something like a 4 Star or Sportster or something like that.

Boy, you guys seem the think that I can't build something like a warbird. Well I've got news for you - YOUR Right!! I think that I'll start with a Sig Four Star. Ahh, but which size? Remember, bigger is better (or so my wife tells me). The Sig Piper J-3 looks like a good second build. No doubt I'll get the P-47 also and drool over it until I think I can build it. My goal is to build a Ziroli P-61. I'll get back with you when I can do that. No doubt, we will all be a lot older!

Somebody said something about an AMA club. Unfortunately, the closest is over 30 miles away and my car gets 15 mpg and I don't think I can carry a plane on my motorcycle. At some point I will have to join the local club but in the meantime I'm having fun with my Aerobird Challenger.

Thanks for all of the advice. It's all good and I learned from it.
Remember, a day you don't learn something is a day that you've wasted.
Al

building is limited to your skill level and confidence in building.build what you feel like you can and remember that if you have any problems you are only a click away.these fellas are giving you some sound advice.we have been there done that once or twice.

It is, get the 1/5 scale one, it is their best with laser cut parts that fit together perfectly.

Bigger is better only works to a point. Being able to transport your model is very important. Pick the 4-Star that will easily fit your vechicle and have fun.

Building a Four Star as your first build is a great idea! I just finished my second (highly modified). As for size, that's a bit tougher of a decission. I went with the .40 so I could reuse the engine from my ARF trainer. This might be a good way to go. Even if you progress into warbirds and eventually larger birds, I'm sure you'll have no problem for finding a home for a good 40-50 size engine.
I have to say. The Four Star is a great plane and a good first build, but even then, it's best as a second flying plane.
Here's a photo of my fisrt, and my current Four Star.


Scott