petey156

I am wondering what you would say the best glow trainer would be?
these seem to be very popular, let me know what is the best, please consider ease of build, build time, repairable?, durability....

eagle 2
eaglet 50
kadet senior
tower trainer
PT-40




Preston

iraqvet

do a search...this has been covered over and over. I can tell you from past experience owning both the Eagle 2 (it was only sold as a kit back in 1991 when I had it) and Tower trainer, I'd take the Eagle 2. The Tower trainer is ok for the price but mine has a few issues with the crappy covering and other cheap hardware that came with the plane.

JPMacG

My Feedback: (2)

Best is in the eyes (thumbs?) of the beholder. My eyes say don't forget the Sig LT-40.

Mr67Stang

I to was going to mention the LT-40 but I really like SIG products so from your list.... Kadet Sr. The LT-40 would be a good choice though as there is a very detailed build thread here on it and now even a build video you can get from RCKen or MinnFlyer.

HighPlains

My Feedback: (1)

Go with the LT-40. Head and shoulders above the rest.

richb1492

My Feedback: (4)

LT-40 and Kadet Sr. arf's

RCKen

My Feedback: (9)

Of your list I think the LT-40 is the best on the list. You may find that the Tower Trainer kit is hard to find anymore as it's out of production.

If you go for the LT-40 you might want to check out the build thread I did on this kit a couple of years ago. This will walk you through step by step in building your trainer. [link=http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_3439708/tm.htm]Pay It Forward build thread!! LT-40 build.[/link]

Hope this helps

Ken

bigedmustafa

My Feedback: (2)

The Goldberg Eagle 2 kit would also be an outstanding choice. The Sig Kadet Senior kit is supposed to be a lengthier build with more work to it than the Sig Kadet LT-40 or Goldberg Eagle 2 kits.

The larger trainers are usually the way to go, but the Sig Kadet LT-25 bears mention. It's very quick building with a slab sided fuselage and laser cut parts. It's designed as a tail-dragger from the start so it'd be great on a grass field. The LT-25 features a 63" wingspan, which is actually typical of .40-sizer trainers.

My recommendations, in order, for great flying and quick building trainer kits would be:

1) Sig Kadet LT-40
2) Sig Kadet LT-25
3) Goldberg Eagle 2
4) Goldberg Falcon 56

I'd be proud to build and fly any of the above kits!

Good luck, and good shopping.

panzerd18

World Models Sky Raider Mach 1

NorfolkSouthern

I'd go for the Eagle 2. I was able to put one of those kits together with no prior building experience, and I'm one of those who have trouble with some ARFs!

NorfolkSouthern

Scar

My Feedback: (3)

Since you're specifying Kit (as opposed to an ARF) I would say to go with the cheapest, and that's probably the Tower offering. You can make it as sturdy as you want, and it will fly as well as any of the others. Get instruction so it lasts through the instruction period, then wring it out for a year or so afterward, and keep it for checking out new engines, receivers, etc.

Any of them will be fine, and will have adequate building instructions. Any will fly just fine. I suggest you not convert to wing bolts or taildragger, save such modifications for your next plane.
Just my 2¢ worth,
Dave Olson

Jetdesign

My Feedback: (8)

Oops, didn't see the 'kit' part in the title

RCKen

My Feedback: (9)

Uh, The thread title!!

Missileman

And I have to ask the original poster if he really means kit?
Alot of new posters will call an ARF a kit.
The Kadet Senior would be the best trainer but most involved build.
PT-40 of the list is best over all.
Not on the list but best as far as build and flyability Sig Kadet LT-40

HighPlains

My Feedback: (1)

I have flown close to a couple hundred trainers over the years. Of them all, two designs stick in my mind as the worst possible designs. One was the Duraplane which is like flying a brick, and the other is the PT-40. The PT-40 would be a fine design if you remove the radio, glue the control surfaces in place, put a very big tank in the nose, and just start the motor and let it go. The decalage and excessive dihedral just fights the pilot all the time. Maybe if you have no chance to use an instructor it would be fine, but it impedes normal training. Sorry Stu.

petey156

by kit i mean wood+CA+time....
i figure if i crash i will be able to rebuild it from the plans....

Jester241

Hey! I built and learned on the PT-40!

LOL