What would be the best next step?
 

Hello all.
Well I think that I have definately been bitten by the RC bug. Since the end of May I have soloed my Nexstar Select at my local club, and spent about 4 gallons of fuel perfecting my landings and takeoffs. I bought a DX6i radio and a parkzone p-51 micro. Was a good plane til I left it in the car on a hot day and the covering shrank over the foam and ruined it. I have also bought a parkzone Radian, love that for soaring around. The Radian is a great glider. But after spending months hanging around the field and talking with my fellow club members, I have realized that scale flying will be my thing. I really like the look and sound of the warbirds. So that said, I am contimplating my next purchase in RC. So here is what I was thinking, pleaselet me know what you think.

Option #1 - Great Planes Escapade- for about $400 I could get a radio flightpack, engine, and the arf kit. Use the DX6i that i have.

Option #2- Hangar 9 P-51 PTS - for $400 I could get a low wing trainer and learn to fly low wing. This comes with another DX6i, so I would have an extra to sell or whatever.

Option #3- U Can DO 40 size- This was my trainers recommendation. I know it is a pattern plane, but apparently it is a stable low wing he believes that Ican handle, and learn low wing and aerobatics with this.

Option #4- Save the money and get the radio I think I want to be the building block of my air fleet that is comming. The Futaba 8TG. About $450. This would eat up most of my budget for this year. I could also get an inexpensive foamie like the parkzone P-51 BL to fly around with my current DX6i til then.

I really am having a good time in this hobby. I got in with a great group of guys at www.chestercountyrc.comand recommend them if you are in the area.

Frank

RE: What would be the best next step?
 

.60 size STICK :D and the DX6i:D seriously........ STICKS ROCK !

RE: What would be the best next step?
 

It does look like sticks rock, I will agree. But alas they are allhigh wing. I am still kinda in learning mode though and before I become to set in my high-wing ways, I would like to learn a low wing since most of the scale warbirds that I want to buy are indeed low or mid wing aircraft.

RE: What would be the best next step?
 

Hey upsman.  Check out the Stickey in this Forum, "Looking for a Trainer" by RC Ken.  There is a list of both Beginner and also Intermediate Planes .  This may help narrow down your choices.

Good luck

P.S.  I chose the Hanger 9, Pulse XT.  This will allow me to use the .46 from my trainer.  Mine was also a Nexstar.

RE: What would be the best next step?
 

Not sure about a war bird for a second plane. They can be to fast and twitchy for a second stepper.

Low wing second step planes I think are particularly good are the Goldberg Tiger and 4 Star. They will land and fly slow when you are beginning but do pretty decent aerobatics later when you change control throws to high.

They are out as ARFs but I'd recommend a kit. Neither is very hard to build and both come with great illustrated instructions.

Good luck.

Tom

RE: What would be the best next step?
 

I am sure Escapade and U Can Do are great choices. Sticks are good, too. The nice thing about the Escapade is the price is so reasonable. There are so many planes that would do. Another good choice is the Hangar 9 Pulst XT 40. It is a very nice plane, but a bit pricey now. Any of those would be a great bridge toward your next upgrade. I went from an Alpha 40 trainer to a 60 size Stick to a Pulse XT 40 (which is my overall Sunday flyer) to both Revolvers (I have a Twist 40 too that is a blast!).

You can do many different moves with the Escapade or Pulse and they are a true pleasure to fly when you just want to kick back and get a bit reckless. They will even grow with you and always seem to "fit" right in at the field. I have an OS 55 AX on my Pulse and I can even hover my Pulse XT to some degree.

I think you could save on a radio though, 450 just seems a bit steep from what I have seen around. I remember when I bought my DX7, I snagged it brand new for $272 with servos and charger. Keep your eyes open and you will pick up a nice radio as new ones come out and older ones become available. Someone at your club might be thinking about upgrading and you could pick up their radio.

I know you will love RC Flying it is simply something that is always challenging and a great deal of fun (well when you crash a new plane on maiden that sort of crushes you a bit) [X(] You just have to remember sometimes things go wrong and you need to realize it is part of RC flying. [8D]

RE: What would be the best next step?
 

Sounds to me like you're certainly hooked. Ask me how I know. :D Anyway, I went from my trainer which was an electric Estar on to the H9 Pulse 40 for my second plane. I haven't flown the Escapade but I understand it to be pretty similar to the Pulse. It was a fairly big step, well maybe I made it that by how nervous I was going from the trainer up to the Pulse, but it wasn't a big step after the first couple flights. I had my instructor buddy up with me on the box but it was mainly to get the landing down before I tried it completely on my own. There is a learning curve to going from a tricycle gear to a tail dragger but once you get that first couple under the belt, it's not so bad after all. I still fly the Pulse often and it's a great plane to kick around with. My guess is that the Escapade would be the same.

I know people that have moved up to the warbirds from thier trainer so I can't say you shouldn't. You'll get tons of opinions, both positive on it as well as negative so as far as the plane goes, it's going to come down to what you feel capable of. Talk it out thoroughly with your instructor since he will have the best idea as to what you can do at this point and then go for it.

Haven't flown the U Can Do either. There are a couple guys that had them at my field that nick named it the U Can't Do. They didn't like them too much. Maybe it was just not what they were looking for.

As for the radio, the DX6i can last you a while before you outgrow it. I bought mine a couple months after I started training and I have all my planes loaded on it. I did just buy a 9503 but only because I'm upgrading to a larger aircraft which will require a little more than 6 channels. I could still do it with the 6i using Y harnesses or what not but I'm using the bigger plane as an excuse for my wife to say I can spend the money. How I talked her into the new plane I'm not sure, but I won't argue with her about it now!

That's pretty much my take on things. Not much help perhaps but then again, my wife tells me that all the time. Which ever way you decide to go, my only suggestion would be to have your instructor check things over before you fly the new one and it never hurts to have that buddy box around for a couple flights.

Good luck and enjoy!

RE: What would be the best next step?
 

Just to clarify, at the momentI am not looking to get into building. Not because I dont believe I will ever do it of course, but because I dont have the room in my current living situtation for that.The missus and I are in a townhome with our first little one on the way. Still trying to figure out what I am going to do with the models, much less having a workbench to build on, and a place to keep the tools. =)

RE: What would be the best next step?
 

First of all thanks for your reply. It certinaly was a help, your wife was wrong.(Just dont tell her that, you'll get killed.) I looked at the pulse on hangar 9's website, looks like a good plane but it is $90 more then the escapade. I dont know if that rules it out but it will mean about 3 more weeks wait to earn the difference in price. As far as the DX7 goes, for some reason all the guys at my field only use spektrum stuff for their park flyers. All the glow models and gassers use Futaba and swear it is the best. Now I dont exactly have enough experience to have a good opinion on the matter, but to fit in I think I will stick with futaba. I know that they have been around awhile and guys have been flying their stuff for years, so guess I will just pray they are as good as they used to be LOL.

RE: What would be the best next step?
 

Since you are going into the low wing world,and don't have space for the Tiger kit, check out the GP Cherokee this thing will introduce you to flaps, it is nice an steady when you want.

That being said with an O.S. 46 ax it will be one of your faster planes. With a .55 or larger it quickly gets scary fast if you want. When you are ready you can go to the high throws and it becomes VERY capable of any pattern style aerobatics.Everyone that comes across my Cherokee really likes its looks and is very surprised at just how very capable it is.

The arf is very very nicely constructed, The large removable canopy makes getting to things nice. It is also a very scale looking low wing and not quite as funky to land as the PTS P-51 you mentioned, as I own both I know.

The P-51 is a tail dragger and that in itself takes a bit to get used to on the ground.

The PTS P-51 with the training junk on is a dog, without it it is very warbird ish and not really suited to second plane level. Once it is gotten used to it is a fantastic plane as well. The take off roll and hotter landings take work to get right however. I seemed to do best with partial training junk, droops only.

Trying to glide one of these type planes in (without training junk) like a trainer usually ends badly.

They have to be flown to the runway. They are built different then a trainer in other ways as well. My hobbistar I can simply bottom out the throws and she flies tighter but flies.
Try that with something like a P-51 anything and you get very very odd things happening, get to far over suggested range on the elevator for instance, she will bounce through a loop or simply snap over with yaw and things get real interesting. I seemed to do best with partial training junk, droops only.

Sorry for the rant, but thats my two cents.

[*EDIT* < my avatar is a kit built Tiger, only kit I have built. I did the work on the roughly 4x6 bar in the dining room ( wife was so happy) ......... Needed help on covering and the fuse wanted to twist and needed help with that. Little space needed.]

RE: What would be the best next step?
 

upsman, I'll agree that the price of the Pulse has gone up since I bought mine and I didn't mean to sound as if I intended to sway you towards the Pulse over the Escapade, rather just making the comparison since I hadn't flown the Escapade personally. There is a guy at our field that loves his Escapade. If I was in the market for my first low wing tail dragger, I could see myself choosing the Escapade over the Pulse simply to save the $90. From what I've seen, they fly pretty similar. Just a couple fun planes!

The radio, well if I might be a little bold, don't go with one so you'll "fit in". Look at what's out there, pick a couple different radios that have the capabilities that you're looking for (giving yourself room to grow) and then go wrap your hands around the ones you've picked. There is a lot of good to say about each and one will feel right for you. Everyone has thier favorite and there are endless arguments to attest to that. The radio that feels comforable in your hands and does what you want it to do is the radio to look for.

It's RC.............It's all good bro.

RE: What would be the best next step?
 

You tennessee guys sure do make convincing arguements. Once we finish Dave Ramsey's(a neighbor of yours)baby step 3 I am surewe will have the money to exsplore more options in RC

RE: What would be the best next step?
 

The Escapade is a perfect plane for a person in your position. Easy to assemble, its an ARF no kit work involved. Basically it bolts together. Can be ready to fly in a few hours. Has an outstanding flight envelope, assuming you assemble it as designed and don't go adding a bunch of modifications that make it heavy. Plus it has to rank as a best buy. Even my wife bought one for herself.

My wife also has a Hangar 9 P-51 PTS and that's also a good buy. She does prefer the Escapade as it has a greater flight envelope.

I would not recommend the U Can Do. It's fine plane but must be flown slowly or you will have flutter in the control surfaces. I know the Escapade is a better plane for your next step.

Whatever you choose have fun with it.

RE: What would be the best next step?
 

I would also strongly recommend the Escapade as a second plane; the Escapade is a great flying plane for the money. I learned on a Tower 40 and then moved into the Escapade with no problems. I also have a Sig Four Star 40, but I like the Escapade better. Both are good flying, low wing planes, though. If you get an Escapade, I would strongly recommend that you glue the wing halves together with Epoxy 30 instead of just bolting them. Some people have also glued the tail assembly (stabilizer and vertical fin), but I bolted my tail assembly in place and have not had any issues.

Bjfrankl

RE: What would be the best next step?
 

Two planes not mentioned yet are the Kaos and world/Airborne T-34. Both fly great with a 46 but both have a training wheel under the engine. I prefer the Kaos converted to a tail dragger. Both are great everyday planes.
Fred

RE: What would be the best next step?
 

Get the Escapade.

It's a great plane (no pun intended) and will get you used to flying low wing. With a little one on the way, you won't have much time or extra money, so buying a radio now would find it collecting dust while you fly the little stuff.

When the time comes, get a P-47 of your choice. While it's not my favorite looking warbird, it's one of the best flying planes ever and an excellent first warbird.

RE: What would be the best next step?
 

Upsman,

here's my advice since we're in a similar situation, except I am heading into the aerobatics sideof things. I want to be the best rc pilot i can be and I think this is the area of flying that helps me get there.

As a 2nd plane I'd get a Stik or any low wing trainer with a constant chord wing.
Do not underestimate a Stik. From a aerodynamic and mechanical perspective its more of a mid wing trainer than a high wing or shoulder wing. The centre of pressure of the flying surfaces and whole aircraft is actually within the fuselage and closer to the thrust line of the aircraft than on a high wing trainer. It will perform as you require depending on where you balance it and control surface throw set up. Its simply a brilliant flying machine and can be as docile as a trainer or as wild as UCD3D. Get a Stik with Flaps. No other low wing trainer will offer this and you'll need to learn flap flying if scalae warbirds turn you on.

I have a Stik and love it. I also have a Escapade which I hope to maiden this weekend. Not surehow it flies yet but its' quite cost effective and a real pretty little machine. I have a OS46AX in mine.

now for radios, get the best radio you can afford. For scale planes you never know how much functionality you want. Also consider the Rx that can be bound to the Tx. Some 8 or 9 Channel radios can only use up to a 9 channel RX . The Futaba 10CG can use up to a 14 channel RX and its a fantastic pice of kit. It is supplied with a 14 channel rx. Its about $650.

You also want to consider whats mixes are available in the Tx programming.  Since your warbird fetich is still some time from from a reality be carefl not to limit yourself by using a radio adequate for your current needs but that you will out grow quickly.

RE: What would be the best next step?
 

I went from a NexStar to Big Stik 60. I don't know where to start in explaining how well a Stik flies. The only problem is you can quickly get over confident. But then when you crash it, the rebuild is easy because it's basically a box fuselage with the engine hanging out front (no cowling) and a big, thick, wing. Even deadstik landings are no sweat. The wing loading is very low, which I think contributes to why this model is such a great flier. I recently learned to do short hovers and rolling circles with it. It's not a 3D machine, but is capable of every aerobatic move in the book.

I personally would keep the DX6i and spend the money on more models, receivers and equipment. 99% of us don't use more than 5 channels and have fewer than 10 flying models at any given point. The 2 P-mixes available will likely be all that you need until you really step up to something bigger and more complex.

RE: What would be the best next step?
 

I think either one...Stick or Escapade...would be a good choice. I'm a Stick fan...those planes fly amazingly well and will keep you entertained (and the crowd :D) for a long time. It's one of those planes which you just always want to take to the field. My first plane was a Stick and that is what I taught myself on.

I must also admit I haven't flown the Escapade, but have only heard good things about it.

Whichever you choose...you will make a good decision. But don't buy a radio just yet and if you do don't go spending a lot on it - meaning $400 where you could have gotten a decent one for $250 for instance. I have a JR DSX7 and I love it.

RE: What would be the best next step?
 

I probably have the least valid opinion on here, as I've only been flying for 2 months now, however I went from the TowerHobbies high-wing .46 trainer to a H9 P-51 PTS w/ DX6i after about 25 flights on the TH trainer. I was never fully comfortable flying the trainer, but due to a mechanical failure (one of the downsides of buying used, especially if from someone who stashed it in a garage after building it, for 3 years, and never flying it) I ended up having to find a new plane. I found a great deal on the PTS, and since it was the plane I was originally looking to buy before I found the TH trainer used, I said why not.

I'm so glad I got the P-51 PTS. It had the flaps installed as well as an 11x7 2 blade prop, no trainer 3 blade that comes with the PTS kit. It flies differently for sure, none of that lazy gliding that I loved about the trainer. That being said, with the PTS and flaps, I'm still able to bring it down very slowly, and 2 days ago was very gusty (fortunately down the runway), so on landing I was actually able to have the plane hover in position over the runway (briefly). I never thought I'd ever see that, but on funky weather days, anything is possible.

I started flying very conservatively under supervision from other club members. I've still never buddy-boxed with either plane. The tail-dragging was weird getting used to, and I'm shying away from other warbirds (other than the T-34) for a while as I don't really like it and would much prefer the stability of the tricycle gear (since we have so much crosswind where I fly). I took my time learning how to calm down once in the air with the plane, doing the basic circular and then figure 8 patterns. The Evo .46 has actually been surprisingly stable, better/more consistent than my old tower .46, so that has attributed a lot to my flying confidence (only 1 unknown deadstick in 35 or so flights; I had probably 1 in 5 flights deadstick on the TH trainer even after the experienced club members tuned the .46 and re-broke it in).

After about 15 flights of basic maneuvering, I assisted a club member who is a pattern champ, and he gave me a bit of a pep-talk, saying to start experimenting more with more exciting maneuvers. I did. I went nuts, and felt really bad about it afterward, as I felt that I abused the heck out of the plane. Fortunately it has that big aluminum crossbar in the wings, and it held up just fine in a lot of shameless noobie abuse.

Anyway, sorry for the novel, but I just wanted to show how much I think that the p-51 PTS MKII is a great second plane (or third/fourth in your case), and a great intro into into a taildragger. Also, it is now available as just an ARF, so you can load your own servos, engine, and it even has room for built-in retracts if you so desire (the PTS and MKI do not have that option, though people have made the option).

Best of luck!

RE: What would be the best next step?
 

go with the U Can Do 40 easy flier with the surfaces toned down and a maneuver monster its def. not a pattern plane at all more like a 3D sport plane, light weight and a big floaty wing, it will fly off a 46-60 2stroke or a 70-91 4stroke

RE: What would be the best next step?
 

I'd steer clear of 3d planes if you want to fly scale. It WILL teach you bad habits and get you used to easy landings. Not a direction you want to go if Scale warbirds is were you want to end up.

Warbirds tend to tip stall easily, land fast and don't glide very well. You wangt a plane that will take your flying skills in that directionand 3d planes will not help. Sure they're a lot of fun but they don't  assist with any skill required for flying scale warbirds.

RE: What would be the best next step?
 

Good info and there is certainly a different skill level big time. A "floaty" style plane will teach you a completely different style of flying and I know this first hand from playing with the Twist and the Pulse. It has cost me some repairs when moving to a thin wing sport plane since I was thinking I could fly it like a 3d style.

I would not really imply it is bad habits as much as just a completely different style of flying. Planes that land fast and tip stall easily must have a more precise control and be flown to the ground properly whereas the 3d style planes can even just float and drop.

I can take my Twist and just about drop it on the runway, but my small Revolver must be flown in with precision or I will be fixing it. The same goes with taking off. I have been working on trying to develop skills in both areas so I can switch up as needed because I do like to fly both styles. I must admit at times it catches me off-guard if I do not get in the zone of what I am flying. I just need much more practice [8D]

RE: What would be the best next step?
 

Hey guys... just an update here.

First I would like to say thanks to all that replied. Many good suggestions were made. Thanks for taking the time.

Ok. So I ordered the escapade. I also ordered the OS 55 AX. They arrived this week. Waiting for a bit b4 construction begins, work has had some layoffs, so those of us left are working harder(overtime).

After much beggin and foot rubbin the wife finally consented to also letting me order the radio, 8FG from futaba. Since I ordered this week they also gave me an extra receiver.

So when the radio gets here construction will begin.

Any suggestions of which prop to use with the 55 AX on the escapade? The engine manual suggests 12x7, 12x8, 13x6, or 13x7.

RE: What would be the best next step?
 

Heck ok that the plane is going to find The Hubble with that engine. Excellent radio choice btw.

The Escapade can handle the 13inch prop so try a 13x4 or 13x5 first. This will slow it down somewhat. Even on a 4 flight old OS max 46AX, my Escapade hauls ass with an 11x6! Its a small plane with little drag. It will be fast with that engine.

Fortunately it flies like an agile trainer.