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Old 03-29-2010 | 06:04 PM
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Default Looking for a beginner-friendly kit

Any suggestions out there on a good kit for a beginning builder? I have built a couple of ARFs.

Thanks!
Bjfrankl
Old 03-29-2010 | 06:11 PM
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Default RE: Looking for a beginner-friendly kit

What's your flying skill level like? That may help determine which kit you choose as well.
Old 03-29-2010 | 06:20 PM
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Default RE: Looking for a beginner-friendly kit

Good basic build is the 4 Star, or the Tiger 60, Contender, or if you really want simple, a Fun 51. The 4 Star and the Tiger end up being probably the most built planes of all, they fly well, and the construction is straight forward, and well documented in the manuals. There is also a ton of information and "Build Threads" here on RCU to glean information from. Some people have built many of the kits, as they are also easy to modify once you have built one. I wish Bruce Tharpe would bring out the Venture 60 kit again, it was another very nice build. Good luck!
Old 03-29-2010 | 06:40 PM
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Default RE: Looking for a beginner-friendly kit

Before I started using the 4* for teaching building I was using the Super Sportster, it's a good build and it's just a tad harder to fly then the 4* but a better acrobat. Go see what is going on in the kit building forum. After assembling some ARFs it's a good idea to learn to build.
Old 03-29-2010 | 07:13 PM
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Default RE: Looking for a beginner-friendly kit

4*
Tiger II or 60
Sig Wonder
Goldberg Chipmunk
GP Super Spotster

Pick the one that best fits your flying skills
Old 03-29-2010 | 07:48 PM
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Default RE: Looking for a beginner-friendly kit

No bad advice so far. But I will toss my 2 cents in and suggest an Ugly Stick. It would have to be a scratch build but the dang things are the easiest scratch builds ever IMO. Freee plans are around this site in the scratch build forum. The hardest part may just be deciding what size[8D]
Old 03-29-2010 | 07:54 PM
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Default RE: Looking for a beginner-friendly kit

Another good intermediate plane in kit form is the Great Planes Rapture: http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...?&I=LXFHG4&P=7

It is a nice build and an outstanding flyer. I'm not sure why it isn't more popular.

The Super Sportster is another good one.
Old 03-29-2010 | 07:57 PM
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Default RE: Looking for a beginner-friendly kit

Make sure if you go with a kit to go laser cut I am just finishing a Great Planes PT-20 for something to do and it is die-cut "I WILL NEVER BUILD A DIE CUT KIT AGAIN" they suck, fit is terrible and you have to be so careful with the small parts coming outof sheets, I had to modify the wing saddle just to fit the wing- thats not right wing was built over the plan and the fuselage is just glue together-never again with the die-cuts....
Old 03-29-2010 | 09:07 PM
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Default RE: Looking for a beginner-friendly kit


ORIGINAL: twostroke

Make sure if you go with a kit to go laser cut I am just finishing a Great Planes PT-20 for something to do and it is die-cut ''I WILL NEVER BUILD A DIE CUT KIT AGAIN'' they suck, fit is terrible and you have to be so careful with the small parts coming outof sheets, I had to modify the wing saddle just to fit the wing- thats not right wing was built over the plan and the fuselage is just glue together-never again with the die-cuts....
Big Girl!!!! Yep, a Stick, we always forget the Stick!!
Old 03-29-2010 | 09:40 PM
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Default RE: Looking for a beginner-friendly kit

The Tower Hobbies Uproar or the Great Planes Dazzler are both quick and fairly easy kits to build, but not good first planes for a beginner pilot.
Old 03-30-2010 | 06:00 PM
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Default RE: Looking for a beginner-friendly kit

ChuckW

As for flying experience, I currently fly the Tower 40 and the Avistar. I assembled the Avistar ARF this past winter and maidened it a couple of weeks ago (and it actually flew, ha ha). I thought about trying a couple of more ARFs before I try a kit.

I also have a Hangar 9 J-3 Cub PNP that I hope to fly within the next week or two. The plane has never been flown.

Bjfrankl

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