impressions of SPAD planes???
 

For those of you who fly a SPAD, or have seen a SPAD fly, what is your impression of them as a plane? I mean, not that they are cheap and take a beating, that has been repeated many times. How do they really fly? I definitely see the usefulness in combat competition, but for a guy who has a couple planes, and late-beginner experience, is it worth messing with? FWIW, I have found I really enjoy building from a kit, and I am not looking for a shortcut. I am just intrigued by the ability to throw together a SPAD plane, but it seems the mainstream of the hobby doesn't take them seriously. Thoughts??

impressions of SPAD planes???
 

In flying combat, you can go through at least 4 planes a day, I've seen guys go through a plane every round they fly in... That the beauty of a SPAD. I have a couple, and if you crash one, you can either just pop on a different wing, or switch the onboard engine and gear in a matter of minutes!

As for flying, They dont fly as good as predators or flying wings, but they fly pretty well, and are quite maneuverable. Just be sure you have a strong engine, as they can be heavy. The lighter the better. I try to keep mine right at 3.4lbs, 3lbs being the minimum B class weight.. I have enjoyed mine so far. :)

Re: impressions of SPAD planes???
 

Sorry, I don't do impressions.

impressions of SPAD planes???
 

But seriously folks....

Anything that you can stick an engine and radio in and have fun with is just that... FUN.

As long as you don't take yourself too seriously and start posting threads like:

"SPADS ARE KING!!!" LOLOLOL

impressions of SPAD planes???
 

Minnflyer, you just don't like it if it isn't carved out of a tree. LOL

impressions of SPAD planes???
 

i built a SPAD Debonair trainer for my dad and flew the crap out of it before he came and got it (i had to make sure it was flightworthy ;) ) he took it back to his home field in Jax, Fl and endured a little ribbing and jeers, but as soon as he let one of the instructors take it up they've all been changing their minds. it weighs 5 lbs and is powered by a ST40. i would put it up against ANY balsa trainer any day of the week. it almost lands itself and will float forever if you take it up high. i've got another one that i built for myself, except i scaled it up 120%. these are the only planes i trust enough to take up and purposely cut the engine and glide around, eventually to a deadstick landing, and 7 out of 10 times they roll right to my feet.
sure, they can be heavy, but if you take some precautions they can be light. from what i've read about others' Deb's, the weight isn't really much of an issue. even at 7lbs they are good flyers.
as for other SPADS...i've got a Saturday Night Special that maidened this weekend, and she's a beaut! it tips the scales at 5lbs, but i just finished making a modified fuse (took me all of 2 hours) that should reduce the weight to 3.5-4lbs.
while i don't expect SPADS to hit it big with the mainstream, i do expect you'll be seeing a lot more of them in the future. they are easy to build, durable, stable, and best of all, cheap!

impressions of SPAD planes???
 

I built a SPAD Debut. It flew well.... for a brick. It was WAY underpowered with a .25 so I put a .40 in it. Really there is nothing wrong with the Debut other than mine came out heavy. "Planes ain't supposed to be heavy". I decided to retire my Debut and put the gear in a light balsa 3D ship, like the uproar.

impressions of SPAD planes???
 

The best advice I could give is to try one. If you think it sucks, you're not out a lot of money. If on the other hand you like it, you can turn around and become a scratchbuilder and designer to your heart's content! It took me 20 years of balsa to come around, and now Spads are all I fly. I don't have a lot of time for building and rebuilding, so they get me to the field more...some guys love building, but I don't...I aint having fun if my planes aint in the air:)

http://www.spadtothebone.com

impressions of SPAD planes???
 

I agree with Tattoo . . .

I finished a Dominator (first SPAD I've built and flown) just before I went on vacation last week. Shot up to the field for its maiden voyage. It flew almost perfect. It has a bit of flutter but I'll take care of that and a minor joint seperation on the TE of one wing. 15 minutes and that was fixed.

After several of the hard-core balsa guys hymed and hawed over it, I let a couple of them fly it. It sure suprised them.

Personally, I like the idea that I can spend a few hours and have a plane ready to fly instead of several weeks or months on a balsa kit. Don't get me wrong, I love building as much as I do flying and with the SPAD, you are free to try most any thing your imagination can come up with. What I really like best about SPAD's is that I don't have to worry about my dumb thumbs destryoing weeks or months of hard work putting the plane together.

Try it . . . you'll like it :D

Just my .02 worth,

Re: impressions of SPAD planes???
 

As far as I can tell, they fly very similarly to the wood planes that have the same general format. For example, Das PlaStick (the only SPAD I've flown) flies a lot like the various "Stick" planes of the same dimensions (4' wing span).

Absolutely. I think late beginner is the perfect time to start spadding. It's just when you realize that with a balsa plane, you're spending more time fixing than flying. Suppose you want to learn to fly inverted figure eights. That's going to take you about 4 planes. With SPAD's that would be about $50 in materials and 20 hours of labor. Figure out what it would cost with wood planes.

I was exactly the same. I thought I had no interest in scratch building, and enjoyed kits. Now, the thing I like best about SPADs is how easy you can modify the designs. For example, someone suggested that I can make my SPAD more stable by increasing the size of the vertical stab. With a balsa plane, I wouldn't even attempt that. With the SPAD, you cut out a new stab and screw it on, and instantly you're a plane designer! Don't like it? Try a different size!

This is totally changing. You'll see SPADs in mainstream magazines including the AMA's mag. I think you'll find a spadder or two at all of the bigger clubs. But it doesn't matter anyway. Tattoo has built an incredibly friendly and helpful, Internet-based community of spadders who will help you in every step of the way. If you haven't already, go to www.rccombat.com, and the "Topic Forum" called "Simple Plastic Airplane Designs".

impressions of SPAD planes???
 

Hey, thanks for all the replies. What the hell, I just called around to find the coroplast, I'm gonna go grab the stuff at lunch. Is $20 for a 4x8 sheet of 4mm about right?

Thanks again!!

Re: impressions of SPAD planes???
 

This shouldn't be a problem. Helis aren't mainstream but, I enjoy mine and haven't had any problem getting help when I needed it.

Please don't misinterpret any 'tongue-in-cheek' comments you may read. Many here (myself included) are guilty heckling ARF and SPAD lovers. It's simply fun to tease people with different interests but, no harm is meant.

OTOH, please be careful you're not biting off more than you can chew. I've seen a few people take on scratch building projects (whatever the material) above their skills, only to end in disappointment.

My chief concern with SPAD is not with the material but, with building techniques/skills of certain individuals. A couple wood screws from the kitchen drawer screwed into some left over drainpipe may not result in a safe aircraft.... nuff said.

impressions of SPAD planes???
 

Keeping the above statement in mind - I have a deal for you!:)

I will take two wood screws that I found in my kitchen drawer, and some of my leftover drainpipe, and I am going to use them to attach my tail to my plane. Then - you and I are going to meet at the field - me with my SPAD, and you with whatever plane you choose - and we get to take turns kicking each others tails. Then - we both will takeoff, and we'll see who's plane is safer!!!:):):D:D:D

impressions of SPAD planes???
 

I appreciate your thoughts Jim, that is mainly why I asked. I have flown an Avistar and 4*, and it does sound like no one is suggesting SPAD's are better fliers than other planes, only that when built right they can approach other planes in flight characteristics. I am a little concerned about getting it off the ground and not being able to control it as well as the designs I have flown, and as I said I would call myself late-beginner in skills. I'll just use caution and try to get it right by the directions. I'm at a point I gotta just try it. Thanks again for the thoughts.

impressions of SPAD planes???
 

You did say whatever plane I choose... right? Did I mention I fly full scale too? :D

Why not a more appropriate contest, say combat?

You fly your SPAD, I'll fly that overweight all fibreglass G68 powered monstrosity of a Buker I've got sitting in my garage.... Can't wait to see what that 26" composite prop can do to gutter pipe. Sure did a number on that hardwood dowel covered with garden hose (chicken stick) a while back. :D

impressions of SPAD planes???
 

Kewl!!! I'm game...............but ya gotta catch me to shred me!!!:):D

impressions of SPAD planes???
 

Here's another contest...

Jim and I will take our planes to a museum to put on display, and you can bring along your drainpipe. Let's see who they let display their models, and who get's laughed out the door.

As I said, Spads, BARF's, and the like are really fun. But let's not get carried away.

impressions of SPAD planes???
 

Who's getting carried away? :confused:

impressions of SPAD planes???
 

Before or after the first contest?:D :cool:

When I was a kid I built models to sit there and look at. The museum dudes can laugh all they want, because I'll be out flying:D
http://www.spadtothebone.com

impressions of SPAD planes???
 

Real men build planes that fly and are nice to look at: :D

:cool:

and... the planes I built as a kid ... flew! :cool:

impressions of SPAD planes???
 

Sounds like you'll be running with your tail twixt your legs. :D

I must inject, the smilies are meant to intimate that this is in fun.

impressions of SPAD planes???
 

Jim, if you build it to fly, out of materials that are supposed to fly, and it looks like it should fly, especially if it's a proven design...where's the real man in that?:D Now lets say you take some drain pipe, a throwaway gas station sign, some screws, zip-ties, and old bike spokes (things never intended to ever fly!) and make a plane for less than $1.00...and using a standard radio with no mixing...and making a flying machine with that...that could almost be used as a trainer, but then also does stuff that would make a Dazzler dizzy...now that's what Spad is all about!:D:D

BTW...remember our little discussion on hovering? Geeze...now look what I'm doing:D:D

http://144.92.249.236/images/2425.jpg

Yes...I'm having fun:)

impressions of SPAD planes???
 

Spads don't have to be ugly. Thats a matter of choice. I've seen plenty of good looking Spads.
Keep in mind that balsa and monocote don't have a single magical characteristic that makes them fly better than a Spad. Its all in how straight its built. I've seen plenty of balsa planes that were built crooked, and flew like it as well.
As far as being heavy, not all of them are. If you armor plate them to fly combat, yes, they tend to be a bit heavier than a balsa (or foam) plane the same size, but they are still quite good flyers.

Oh, and Jim, i'd be happy to tackle your beast, with my Coroplast beast of course. I'd have to get a cf 22x10 to replace the wood one on the nose, but i don't think it'd have alot of trouble eating through your fiberglass jobbie.

impressions of SPAD planes???
 

It's about right if you're buying from the local sign shop. (They usually don't really want to sell their raw materials, so they pick round numbers that are pretty high.) Mail order is less than half of that, but you've got to pay for cutting and maybe also for shipping. One advantage of mail order is that you can get 2mm, something I highly advise. If you've got a .46 engine, I strongly suggest a DPS (Das Plas Stick) as your first SPAD, mostly because the instructions are very clear, plus it's one of the latest designs.

impressions of SPAD planes???
 

If you can fly a 4*, you can fly a Das Plas Stick. I went from my trainer to the Das Plas Stick. It took me a few flights to get used to the fact that the plane was 100 times as responsive as a trainer. During those first flights, I panicked a couple of times, and you wouldn't believe how tight these planes turn when you move the sticks all the way!

By the way, did I say what a blast it is to fly a SPAD? Not having a lot of time or money invested in the plane gives most flyers an incredible sense of freedom, daring, and inhibition (but do fly safely please!)