The ultimate second plane poll question!
 

I am planning on getting started on my second plane soon. I know this is not a good way of choosing one, but I thought it might be interesting to see the opinions on each and the poll results.

Does anybody know anything about the TH voyager. Its a good looking plane, and I like the cowling on it. Any other input on any of these would be great. I'm going the arf route too, just not enough time to build in my life at the moment.

RE: The ultimate second plane poll question!
 

I am flying the Phoenix Dolphin as my second plane. I just ordered a Phoenix Decathlon for my third, and am very impressed with the quality of Phoenix Models airplanes.

The Dolphin flies great; it is easy to fly yet capable of performing basic aerobatic maneuvers. I flew in a pattern competition with this plane.

The airframe is very good quality. The control surfaces are pre-installed with plastic pin hinges.

The plane looks much better in person than it does on the web pages.

RE: The ultimate second plane poll question!
 

I am building a 4* 40 right now. I have not flown it yet because it is not complete, but I have heard that they are great flyers, very forgiving, and a good sport trainer.

RE: The ultimate second plane poll question!
 

I built a Four Star 40 from a kit before I even started flying my trainer. It is a very easy build, and a great flying plane. There are lots of other great choices too.

You can also narrow things down a bit if you can decide on kit vs. ARF, and on trike vs. tail dragger. Most trikes can be converted to tail draggers, but not the other way around.

I think the Four Star and Tiger are the more popular choices, but I also hear good things about the Phoenix models.

Good luck.

Edit - And to keep things apples-to-apples, you should probably be considering the Goldberg Tiger 2 rather than the Tiger 60, unless you want a .60 size, then some of the others are available as .60's too.

RE: The ultimate second plane poll question!
 

One thing about the Voyager would keep me away from it as a second plane: inverted engine mounting. I'd wait a while before doing that because it "can" give peoplefits whilegetting it set up correctly. Since second planes often take more abuse than first planes (thanks to instructors), adding the potential for tuning issues does not seem like a good thing. That's only one opinion, I'm sure there will be others.

How about the World Models Sky Raider Mach II, LA Flyer, or LA Racer?

A "stick" would also be worth considering.

RE: The ultimate second plane poll question!
 

Good point, and don't forget the WM T-34. Actually, the Skyradier Mach-1 can serve as both a trainer and a "second" plane because of it's semi-symetrical airfoil and shallow dihedral angle.

Another option is fron nitroplanes.com. I never thought I would say this about them but this thing flys great:

http://www.nitroplanes.com/nilosuaetr40.html

It looks like a Tiger-2 but has a flat bottom rather than a symetricl airfoil. Sure the manual may be pretty bad and I've heard horror stories about customer service but the plane is priced right and seeing it fly is impressive.

The GP Cherokee is a good choice but I think the dual aileron servos and flaps hurt it as far as second planes go. I think a guy should be able to pull the gear right out of the trainer and drop in the next plane. The Cherokee requires the addition of at least one extra servo or maybe three is flaps are used. Plus the flaps could just add confusion. A Pitts muffler is also required. It looks and works great but adds to the cost. It flys excellent though.

RE: The ultimate second plane poll question!
 

I voted for the FourStar 40. It was actually my 3rd plane (NexStar then a Cessna 182) but I found it easier to fly than the Cessna. I enjoyed the build (I bought the kit) and you can read the maiden flight report here: [link=http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=5831107]FourStar 40 Maiden Flight Report[/link] which is on the last page of the build thread.

Good luck!

RE: The ultimate second plane poll question!
 

Of the planes on the list, and given the original poster's preference for an ARF, I voted for the Phoenix Dolphin .46 ARF. It's an inexpensive yet high quality ARF that is a very close copy of the Sig Four Star. Phoenix Model ARFs come with a high degree of pre-assembly and they are easy to get into the air quickly.

I own a Tiger 2 and I think it's an absolutely wonderful model. Anybody contemplating which of the myriad of low wing sport planes available today that they should select would do well to wonder why the Sig Four Star and the Goldberg Tiger are so often copied by other designers and manufacturers. These two planes are classics and pilots of every skill level should count themselves lucky to fly one.

There are also no Stik varations on this list at all, which is a shame. The GP Easy Sport .40 and Big Stik .40 ARFs are priced closely to the cost of the Tower Hobbies Voyager and would well be worth considering. Cowls look nice, but they're a pain in the ass. One of the nice things about Stiks is they're ideal for breaking in new engines as you continue to try new planes. Nothing quite like a bare engine mount sticking out from the firewall to ease in cooling and tuning a new engine.

RE: The ultimate second plane poll question!
 

I just don't have any interest in stik's. I am into looks, and stiks have none. I already have a 25 sized plane that is basically a stik that I fly right now with my trainer, but I don't consider it my second plane.

RE: The ultimate second plane poll question!
 

You're certainly not alone. The Hangar 9 Pulse XT .40 ARF or PNP would be worth considering. It's essentially a Sig Four Star hommage like the Dolphin .46 ARF, but updated to maximize its styling.

RE: The ultimate second plane poll question!
 

A lot of good choices there. I'm A big fan of the 4* series but some of these may be as good or better?? I haven't flown them all.
My youngest student is almost ready to cover his first kit build, the 4* 60 with A Saito 100. I don't think he will be A builder but by building this one he will be able to repair his ARFs.
I also like going to the 60 planes but that's just because they are easier to see.
Carr, good point on the Voyager, I liked the plane but the set up could be A problem for someone new to the hobby.

RE: The ultimate second plane poll question!
 

I have the Phoenix Dolphin set up as my second plane. Pictures on the internet just don't do it justice, it looks better when your up close and in person. I have yet to fly it, but, my dad could say nothing but good things about it. Apparently, the Dolphin is just like a Sig 4*, so, I'd say either one would do pretty good .


TakingFlight96

RE: The ultimate second plane poll question!
 

The 4* .60 if you can swing it. It's still easy to build, so you're chances of sucess is better.
You can frame it in an weekend. The .60 is easier to build than the .40 in many ways.
The kits are also lazor cut today, so the parts are cleaner and less sanding.
The hardest part is beveling the control surfaces.:)

I personally think a second model should be a kit. Not only is the 4* easy to build, it's also easy to repair.

RE: The ultimate second plane poll question!
 

They all fly fairly identical, but I really like the color variations offered on the Kyosho Calmato 40. It's the most attractive one in the bunch, at least in my opinion. Also, another consideration might be the Pacific Knockabout, another very attractive plane in 3 color variations.

NorfolkSouthern

RE: The ultimate second plane poll question!
 

If one wants to stick with a trike gear for a second plane, the WM T-34 is a great choice. Good construction, relatively easy assembly, and nice looking ( particularly the red/white with after market Navy decals, IMHO ). Best of all, a GREAT flyer with a 46 up front. Really enjoyed mine until I lost it by getting stupid.

RE: The ultimate second plane poll question!
 

I had forgot the T-34s and I think they are really nice planes. I have flown A few of them and think they are maybe just A bit too responsive plus I like to put my students into something that maybe floats in for A smoother landing so they can get the feel of it. The 34s are A little hot on landings compared to the 4* types.
This may be just me but I also like to put A student pilot into something A bit bigger so they can see the plane better, that's why I like the 60 size planes. They react slower and aren't so touchy.
Still, the 34 is another good choice and World makes A fine ARF, sure can't beat the prices either!!!!;)

RE: The ultimate second plane poll question!
 

You can't go wrong with the Pulse XT 40, its very agile, but is also a great second plane (it was my second plane).

RE: The ultimate second plane poll question!
 

Well the poll results pretty much show that the 4*, Pulse, and Dolphin are the popular choices. All 3 are very simular and probaly fly identical.

The Dophin is the best one for the price.

RE: The ultimate second plane poll question!
 

I had a Pulse XT. Loved that Plane. Great as a second plane and learn aerobatics on it once you are ready. Good Build quality....and looks better than the 4 star.

RE: The ultimate second plane poll question!
 

;) There is more than one plane in the market I would have chosen for a great second plane. For ARF aircraft I like the PTS Mustang and Pulse. I had the Mustang, and when you take all that trainer stuff off of it and put a single blade prop on it... [X(] It's a different bird all together. I ran a 11"x 6" with my Evo .46 and it flew great and very fast.


I guess the best second plane is in the eye of the beholder. I've seen many people beef up there trainers once they got a little board with it. All you can do is shake your head when you see a Sig Kadet hang in the air because someone put a .52 motor and a 11"x 8" prop on it. [sm=lol.gif]



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Radio Aero Modelers Club
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