Upgrade or Repair
 

Hi All,
I am a Noob still in early stages of flying.

I have a Hobbico, Nexstar Select RTF .46 which is now damaged, both body and wings.

Looking for suggestions, Is it worth to replace and transplant remaining functional parts to a new body and Frame from the same original model. or Should I try something new.

Me ..Still do no know how to fly and never built a plane before so that needs to be considered. Probably could do it if I had too.
Requesting Suggestions.

Probably looking at $100.00 for new body wings and prop. Transmitter, motor, servos and transmitter are ok.

thanks in advance to all who reply

RE: Upgrade or Repair
 

Sorry to hear about your plane! I've been in the hobby for about 3 years and I would purchase a new plane and get back in the air as soon as possible(maybe more time on the simulator would help too). If you stick with the same model you will have spare parts from the first plane. Learning to build and repair takes time and can be frustrating. I think most of us who have only flown ARFs want to fly first and build second. It also would depend on the damage. How bad is the damage? Can you post some pics? Good luck!

RE: Upgrade or Repair
 

If the damage is bad enough you don't think you can tackle a repair job, I think you should get a new ARF trainer and transfer the engine and electronics from the NexStar to it.

There is not a lot of 'building' with most ARF models. Building kits is fun and rewarding, to me, but I think it's better to use an ARF for learning to fly. My first trainer was destroyed on the maiden flight due to a newbie assembly error. It was an ARF. If it had been a kit, with months invested, losing it after 30 seconds might have driven me away.

All of these have 'decent' to excellent assembly instructions. I listed them by brand name because I think any of them are good replacements for your NexStar. The majority of trainers are very similar, so choosing the "best" is mostly subjective; or biased toward what a person learned with. You'll notice I included the NexStar in this list. If you liked the first one, nothing wrong with getting another. I didn't list anything that is listed as 'backordered' at the primary USA distributor.

I'd choose any one of these based on looks, price, or availability.

Global RCM Trainer 40 $119.99
http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...?&I=LXWH71&P=0

Goldberg Eagle 2 $109.99
http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...?&I=LXDJE4&P=0

Hangar 9 Solo Sport Trainer $79.99
http://www.horizonhobby.com/Products...ProdID=HAN2065

Hangar 9 Solo Star Trainer $79.99
http://www.horizonhobby.com/Products...ProdID=HAN2055

Hobbico Avistar 40 II $109.99
http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...?&I=LXPY56&P=0

Hobbico SuperStar 40 $109.99
http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...?&I=LXK971&P=0

Hobbico NexSTAR 46 $109.99
http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...?&I=LXJDH3&P=0

Sig Kadet LT-40 $131.99
http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...?&I=LXFG19&P=0

Tower Hobbies TOWER Trainer 40 MkII $79.99
http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...?&I=LXCAS2&P=0

World Models Super Frontier 40 $79.99
http://ecsvr.com/abm/shopexd.asp?id=66

World Models Sky Raider Mach 1 $89.99
http://ecsvr.com/abm/shopexd.asp?id=1955

RE: Upgrade or Repair
 

What i'd do is buy a new plane (as listed above) and transplant your gear. While youre not flying your new plane, you can repair your 1st one. Since youre not pressured to fly you wont be stressed or anything. Plus, when its fixed, you got a 2nd plane if your current flyer crashes.

Good Luck!
Michael

RE: Upgrade or Repair
 

Buy a Tower Trainer ARF for $80 and transplant all your gear into it:

http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...&I=LXCAS2&P=ML