So our field is still under water, and will be for another month. In addition, my summer job will have me traveling a bunch. I am interested in building a kit plane for my second plane (I have the Nexstar but have not had a flight with it yet) to get my fix while I'm not in the air.

I am wondering what kinds of tools and materials you need for a kit, and how the difficulty level of building changes from plane to plane. Also, maybe an idea of what you need to start building, and what you might not need until you've built some of the plane up.

I'd like to get a solid .40 (glow) low-wing sport plane, that has capability for dual aileron servos or flaps, and maybe retracts. Of course, I don't want to get something that I shouldn't be flying for a second plane, either. Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated

I'd go with a Sig 4-Star 40 kit. Straightforward build, meets your low wing requirement, and is fairly easy to fly, capable of advanced performance (aerobatics) and makes a good second plane. It doesn't have retracts, but I'd save that for a 3rd or 4th plane. It doesn't have flaps either, but if you really wanted them, it wouldn't be difficult to convert a part of the strip ailerons to a flap, it would require an additional servo and the linkage, though.

As far as tools go, that is a question if you ask 30 different people will give you 40 different answers.

VERY basics:
1-flat building surface
2-straightedges (good foot ruler and a metal yardstick), and a small square or draftsman's triangles
3-exacto knife and #11 blades OR single-edge razor blades
4- good pair of scissors
5-razor saw
6-medium size pair of pliers and /or vise-grips
7-small and medium tip screwdrivers, straight and phillips
8-pair of forceps
9-T-pins, wax paper
10- small clamps to hold parts after gluing
10-1/2-and I'm sure there's a thousand more things

I think there's a "sticky" on one of these threads with the most popular things to have

The small clamps #10 in khodges post. I use the plastic spring loaded ones you get at the dollar store. Great to have on hand.
Also masking tape.
Sharpie marker.
Heat gun
Sealing iron
(you need the iron and gun to cover your model)
Razor plane will really come in handy, I use mine all the time.
Dremel (must have for a serious modeler)

Hi,

Good luck with the kit build, I built my second kit of a " Great Planes Super Sportster 40 MkII Kit .40-.46,55" . In fact after I beat that one to death I built another one a few years later. Now that I think about it I built the "60"size, same plane in the building part. but I think the wing loading was better on the 60 size. The second one I put Enya .80 on it with a tuned pipe, boy did it fly. I could roll it 8 inchs and pull the elevater all the way back and watch it climb...........up
Both Sportsters would be a good second plane, first kit.

I had help from a member of the club in the building, it helped a lot and many of the members would loan building tools if needed.

Sounds like you should build a float plane

The Four Star is a great kit and a great flyer. It can be a really easy build, or you can modify it as much as you dare. Search the build threads and good luck.

If you have time, read this forum. http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_3439708/tm.htm
It has A LOT of great info. I did, and then built the Tiger 60 (converted to a tail dragger) as my first kit (fourth plane) for my 12 year old son for his second plane. He soloed with the Nexstar last year. The Tiger 60 is a faily easy kit to build, but bigger than what you want.
They do make a 40 size. http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...?&I=LXDJC9&P=0 but I believe that you would have to convert it for dual aileron servos.
You probably alreay know this, but you can convert the Nexstar to dual aileron servos. I did it, just for the practice.
I'm currently building a Top Flight Sea Fury as my second kit. Whenever possible, I'm still using most of the techniques in the LT-40 build. Good luck with your kit build. You will probably have lots of questions, and these guys on RCU will help you out.

Forgot something. In that LT-40 build there are a lot of posts that don't have to do with building the plane. You will see what I mean, but it is still GREAT info worth reading throught the "junk".

Needed to build

1) Painters drop cloth (better than wax paper) the thicker the better to protect the plans
2) CA glues medium and thin, wood glue such as Titebond, 5-minute and 30-minute epoxy, mixing sticks and cups
3) Masking tape and rubber bands to hold model together while drying
4) 100 pk single-edge razor blades, hobby knife and extra blades
5) T-pins and various clamps
6) Yardstick, triangles, needlenose and other various pliers and screwdrivers, razor saw, scissors
7) Hand drill and various size drill bits
8) Various grade sandpapers, different size sanding bars/blocks. I do not use a planer to shape wood, what i find easier is a nice size wood file with handle.
9) small hammer for pounding blindnuts into wood and other various jobs, metal file for filing sharp points off horn screws and other jobs
10) Light wood filler, canopy glue if kit has a canopy, small paint brushes for fuel-proofing engine/tank/radio compartments
11) Handy to have - paper towels and alcohol for cleaning excess epoxy that squeezes out
12) Wing saddle tape is good to have, fuel-proof covering, covering irons and protective socks, heat gun
13) I use an adjustable-head carpenters laser to measure the alignment of the stabilizer while gluing it to the fuselage

There is so much more that should be on hand, but that is a start