My rich uncle just sent me $600. I guess it's because I'm his favorite nephew. With that money burning a hole in my pocket, I'm headed to the online RC store. I want to get an ARF and a kit and I'm having a hard time deciding what to get so I'm looking for suggestions.
There are a few parameters:
I like large size planes.
I like scale type aerobatic performance. 3D is not for me.
I'm going to stick with 2 stroke engines. Max size in the 1.20 range.
I have to stay with a 6 channel radio set-up because my rich uncle ain't that rich.
The kit will only be my second build so it has to be one of the easier ones. The first was a 4*40 which actually came out pretty well for a first try or at least my instructor was nice enough to say so at the time. The guy I traded that plane to is still flying it anyway.
Flying skill level: Novice side of intermediate. After being away from the hobby for 4 years I was a little rusty but it's coming back pretty quickly.
What's in my hangar: Kadet Senior, Tiger Trainer 60, GP Big Stik 60.

So help me keep the economy rolling and lets hear your suggestions.
Thanks
Rufcut

Why not try an ultimate bipe? Get the ARF, though, as building a bipe kit on your second attempt might drive you to the crazy house. If you don't want a bipe, try the super-sportster ARF from tower. It's a great flying plane, and is 1.2 sized.
For a kit, why not something like a top flite warbird. If that doesn't float your boat, then what about a lanier stinger, or a great planes extra 300?

If you would like to take a big step and move into pattern flying, there is one great plane that I enjoy flying, and takes well to intermediate pilots. It flys straight... meaning it goes where you point it... and is a tad fast on approach (cuz it's so slippery) but handles just great and will definitely put you up there in the company of the better flyers at the club. Even though it's a tad fast, it handles great and lands like it was on rails. Flys that way too.

If you are up to the challenge, try the Great Planes Venus II. Mine is powered by the OS 1.20 AX and the radio is the Spektrum DX7. Great combination.

Some may say that this is a lot of plane to fly, but I must remind all that these types of planes are much easier to fly than a lot of the high-performance, or 3D models. The control surfaces are sedate (if set up right) and it responds very nicely, smooth and reactive, yet easier to fly than some trainers I've flown. Very predictable in other words.

CGr.

Whatever we do with the 'economic stimulus' I think we should try to support the LHS as much as possible, not send the money out of the country. Just my $.02.

I might try to support my LHS if they didn't charge me 5 bucks for a few inches of fuel tubing, 3.50 for a prop, and 9 bucks for an O.S. 8 glowplug. And, I wish they had less than 15% nitro. It's 20 bucks. Back home I was getting a gallon of 10% for 12 bucks. Oh well.

The Skylark 70 is a pretty big airplane, and they have (Tower) lowered the price by $80. Couple this with a Tower 75 motor, or perhaps a Super Tigre 60, and you have a fun, easy to fly aerobatic plane that is easy to build, easy to take off, easy to land, easy to fly, yet will do lots of the standard stunts.

Yeah, the Skylark 70 is a great choice. Mine has an OS 75 AX and it really flys great.

But, it is not a second plane. It is somewhat fast on approach and really needs to be flown. If you are willing to live with that, well, it's a great build and a good flying plane. It is somewhat tempermental with throws, meaning that you really need to follow the instructions for throw amounts and use exponential in both the elevator and the ailerons. If you should decide to get one, spend some time on the hardware. Apply Locktite to all screw and nut conections (nose gear hardware in particular) and make sure you follow the instructions for installing the engine mount. It's different from other types with a firewall mounting system. This one has a break-away ply mount that requires some attention to detail.

The tank requires a little forethought when installing. It's large and does not fit as you would think it would. Look that over carefully before building the model. It will fit ok, but you will have to spend a few mintues on it to make sure you know what's going on.

It is a real nice plane to look at when flying as well as a very nice looking plane on display.

CGr.

Yet another big one is the Tiger 120. This one flys just great, as do its smaller sisters, the Tiger II and the Tiger 60. The build is straight forward and it flys very smooth. Landings are a snap. It acts like a trainer with that huge wing. Mine has an OS 1.20 AX. You will have to carefully adjust the CG. Mine took over a pound of lead to make the CG. But, when it was done, it flew like a charm. Very nice flying plane.

CGr.

CGR I am getting ready to build the tiger 60. Hope it flys well. I also have a Big Bingo in the waiting room. Still working on my SeaMaster 120. I have started covering so it won't be long. Power is a magnum 180 4s. By the way good to see ya

Thanks for the replies. I'm making a list of the ARF's and the kits and I'll research all the suggestions.
I'd love to go to a local hobby shop if there was one around here. The nearest is in Albuquerque, New Mexico, about 185 miles away. When I first started in the hobby, there was a small shop about 45 miles away. Every month we'd get a list from all the club members and make a trip down there but he folded about 2 years after I started. I really envy those that have access to a local RC shop.
I've seriously looked at the Goldberg Wild Stik 1.20 with a O.S.1.20 ax, but I asked about that airframe on an earlier thread and also did a search and there wasn't a lot of enthusiasm. Also, I already have the GP Big Stick.
I do have one question about the Wild Stik or any of the other Stik type planes with flaps. Can I set-up the crow feature with my Futaba T6XA? I guess I'd better drag out the Futaba book.
One thing I should probably mention is that I fly off a dirt runway, if you think that might make a difference.
Keep those ideas coming.

Thanks
Rufcut