I'm going to make the transition to gas planes and am going to start out with the Cap 232 40 model. I was wondering if someone would be so kind to post a shopping list of essentials and suggestions for starting out fresh with gas engine RCs. Thanks in advance!
-Chris

Needed for sure, Fuel, fuel pump or fuel bulb, glow plug battery and clip, basic tools, and a chicken stick. Nice to have, spare props, electric starter and 12 volt battery, flight box, spare glow plugs, glow plug wrench and the list can go on forever. Good Luck, Dave

I can never tell if they mean GLOW FUEL when someone says they are moving to GAS, or do they mean GASoline.

Hah! My good friend CappaJ1 documented his journey in getting started with glow planes. I will try to find it. He had revised it throughout the summer and talked about what worked, what didn't, what was required, and what was optional.

[link=http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_7692929/anchors_8189104/mpage_8/key_/anchor/tm.htm#8189104]Here it is.[/link]

I am putting a radio now in my first kit (PT-40MKII) I bought the plane for $75.00 I made this list about a month ago have spent another $100.00 since then, and that does not include engine or radio. (the total will be between $500.00 and $600)
Applicator tips (6)…………………………….............. ..............$.95
30-minut epoxy………………………………......... ...................$4.99
Ca glue thin (4) oz………………………………............ ...........$11.99
Ca glue medium (4) oz………………………………............ ....$11.99
t-pins……………………………….......... ..................................$2.49
X-acto w/blades………………………………........ ...................$5.99
Activator (2) oz………………………………............ ...............$3.99
Fuel tubing (3’)……………………………........... ....................$2.29
Hinge marking tool……………………………….......... ...........$2.99
Plan protector 25’ roll……………………………….......... .......$8.99
Extra fine razor saw………………………………........... .........$6.99
Small Clamps (4)…………………………….............. ..............$5.78
Balsa colored filler (8) oz………………………………...........$ 4.99
Ultracote white………………………………......... ..................$15.99
Ultracote red………………………………........... ....................$15.99
Sealing iron……………………………….......... ......................$14.95
Iron sock……………………………….......... ...........................$3.49
Razors #11 x5………………………………............ .................$2.40
Slot hinge machine………………………………....... ..............$19.99
3/16� collars………………………………....... ........................$1.45
5/32� collars………………………………....... ........................$1.45
#64 rubber bands………………………………......... ..............$2.89
Fuel tank (8) oz………………………………............ .............$4.00
Wing tape……………………………….......... ........................$1.59
2-½� wheel x4.…………………………….............. ...............$9.98


Total …………………..$243.71

If he is "making the transition" then he most likely has all the basic building tools. I think he wants to know what he will need, in addition to his current inventory, to move up into gasoline power. But, as opjose said, often we just don't know if they mean glow power or gasoline power... many refer to glow as 'gas' powered. He might be wanting to move from electric to glow, but we don't have the particulars.

CGr.

I guess I stuck my foot in my mouth saying GAS. haha, I do mean glow fuel. Sorry for the confusion, but on the flip side, your responses are outstanding! I would have never thought I would have received this response so quickly, thank you all!

I like the hand crank fuel pump so you can count the number of cranks and monitor fuel consumption.

I like the glow drivers with the replaceable battery AND the meter.

A (cordless) electric starter is really nice to have, but I got away for a whole summer without one. I now have one with a pair of 6cell rc car battery packs =)

Alternative to the above two is a 12v battery and power panel, and run you stuff off of that. Maybe you knew that or already have one for chargers?

After run oil is debatable, but if you ask BAX in the OS forum, he says ALWAYS use it, regardless of the fuel label says. I use it.

Clean towels, cleaner to clean off your plane (windshield washer with a heavy squirt of dish soap works very well) in a spray bottle.

Extr glow plugs (2 or 3?)

A volt meter for your RX battery.

After-run oil is used only for the "out of season" flyers.... pickle the engine for the winter .

Prop balancer. A well balanced prop will offer your airframe's glue joints, engine mounts, servos, RX and fuel system a happy life.

It's nice to have a tachometer.