Warplanes
 

Does anyone know of a good site containing replicas of old WWI-WWII planes? I would love to build an old Spitfire or Hurricane in my spare time. Or any of the oldies for that matter. Any help would be sweet..thanks Nathaniel.

RE: Warplanes
 

What size??? There's a bunch to choose from.

RE: Warplanes
 

Not sure if you are asking about plans for the planes, or full kits, or ARFs so I will wing it. On WW1 planes there isn't a whole bunch out there. There is getting a larger selection of WW2 planes and ARFs all the time. How big a plane are you looking at?? Some planes like the Great Planes P-51, 40 size kit are very nice flying planes. Top Flight makes 60 size warbirds such as P-51, Corsair, Spitfire, P-47 Thunderbolt. There are both 40 and 60 size arfs available. I received a GP Stuka 60 ARf for my birthday and its been a blast to fly. If you are really experienced you can order plans from RC modeller and that will really give you lots to do before next Spring! Hope this helps, Fast!:D

RE: Warplanes
 

Yeah, im looking for .40-.60 size preferably. Im a beginner so i am looking more for the model build rather than the flyer right now. I will eventually fly it, but only after i am good enough for it to not be a waste of a good plane. But dont get me wrong...i want to have something like this as my second flyer, so im giving myself lots of time with my trainer once its ready. I know there are the Corsairs out there, and they are cool, but im thinking something like an old spitfire or a mustang. Something in that area. Thanks guys.---Nathaniel

RE: Warplanes
 

I'd go for a TopFlite kit, you'll get all the building you want...
Check out Pica kits as well.
Skyshark kit's are lazor cut and fast building.

RE: Warplanes
 

In general Warbirds don't make good second type planes. They tend to be heavy for their size and the flying speeds need to be kept up to prevent sudden stalls. For reasonable second plane warbirds look for the words "sportscale". They have larger wing areas or larger control surfaces or a different wing type making the plane easier to fly than actual warbird scale planes. The GP P51 40 kit (not the arf) makes about as good a warbird suitable as a second plane as you can find because it is relativly easy to build and fly. Other than that for a second type warbird I would check out the World Models warbird ARFs or Seagull ARFs but, there isn't much building involved. [8D]

RE: Warplanes
 

Nate - Try this site for WWII kits ... they are great looking. http://www.skysharkrc.com/ ... if not then go for Hangar 9 planes, less hassles but they look brilliant. WM ones are not too scale but the Spitfire (http://www.theworldmodels.com/para/p...airplaneid=35#) is pretty nice in real life. Stay away from a WM P40 Warhawk, totally unscale.

I love warbirds but never owned one, I like planes that can snap roll ... hehehe ...

RE: Warplanes
 

VQ models. They make a variety of .40 - .60 size ARF's that are resonablly scale, reasonablly priced and pretty good fliers.


Andy

RE: Warplanes
 

Thanks guys..--Nathaniel;)

RE: Warplanes
 

Nathaniel,
I did pretty much what you are planning on doing. After I soloed with a Hobbico Superstar trainer RTF, I started building the Top-Flite P-51D Mustang, .60 size. I like to build things, so the thought of building a warbird for my first kit didn't scare me. It took me about 9 months to complete it, working on and off. It was a blast to build. I learned alot about what goes into make a strong, straight, flyable plane.

I had a member at my club, that I consider a great pilot, perform the maiden flight. I've flown it a couple of times by myself (just to say that I had). I'm now finishing up a four star 60 kit as my next daily flyer. Everyone tells me that the fourstar is great second plane.

If you really like building then I recommend any of the Top-Flite kits. The warbirds were alot of work, but the instructions were very easy to understand. If you're not sure wether you'll like building a warbird kit, then I recommend the SIG fourstar kit. It is WAY simpler to assemble than a warbird, and if you enjoyed it - then you start building your warbird.

I hope this rambling helped some...

RE: Warplanes
 

I second Bill DCat's reccomendation. I've been flying my avistar for awhile now and have been working on a Top Flite Spitfire .60 for about 4 months. They really aren't that hard to build, just take your time and it'll all come together. As stated it's also a great way to really learn about the inner workings of an airframe and more than that it's much more personal when you build it and finish it yourself. The Top Flite kit has been great to work with, good wood and good instructions, I don't see how too many people would have a big problem building one of their kits. Just never never never stop sanding LOL a good belt sander was the best thing my money could buy after I got the kit and started putting it together.

RE: Warplanes
 

I guess I will buck the system here. Great Planes sells a coupla fun scale warbirds. A Coursair and a Mustang. They are stand way off scale. Fly like a sport plane and look close-enuff for the non-discriminant. Available as kits, are 40 size and fly well. They can be used as a second plane with a little care. Just 86 retracts. Use plastic film covering. And you have a nice flying sport plane.

Mark Shuman

RE: Warplanes
 

IMHO one of the best warbirds out there esp. for low time pilots once they go to low wing, is the P-39. while its war record is contriversial , its performance as a model is not -great flyer fairly easy to handle. The Spitfire is a gentle a handler as you'll find with all the wing area.