What the hell is going on with rc planes in 2021?
01-27-2022, 07:42 PM
#28
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If you are not near Upland CA, try AMain.
AMain Hobbies / Plane
They sell everything on line.
I would post links but this site prohibits me to do so so the work to find them is now on you. Good luck.
01-29-2022, 11:00 AM
#29
..Thanks Jamr... Upland is an hours drive from here, so that's
a good lead. I see Tower Hobbies is still going. I found a site
that sells nicad batteries.. I ordered 4 transmitter and 4 receiver
packs... they were half price of the Futaba packs... I also found
some 4-packs of Futaba 3003 servos cheap online. I live 1/2
hour from El Mirage dry lake... I'll get an annual pass for that.
a good lead. I see Tower Hobbies is still going. I found a site
that sells nicad batteries.. I ordered 4 transmitter and 4 receiver
packs... they were half price of the Futaba packs... I also found
some 4-packs of Futaba 3003 servos cheap online. I live 1/2
hour from El Mirage dry lake... I'll get an annual pass for that.
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diehard (01-29-2023)
08-19-2022, 06:40 PM
#30
Junior Member
I am getting back into the hobby after a 15-year absence. Back then I also spent a lot of time on RCU. Recently doing online research and talking to flyers at the RC field, I was certainly not surprised to find that many major changes have taken place. Rather than get discouraged at what I saw and heard, I have decided to give it a try anyway.
I have always liked kit building or scratch building my planes, and the challenge of keeping expenses down. Fifteen years ago, I flew Sig .60 powered kit planes that cost $60. Now there $250. I'm not saying I won't build a $250 kit down the road, but I'll have fun with foam builds first. Looks like it will be fun and surely is more crash forgiving than the Sig kit balsa kit.
I have discovered a beautiful flying field at Fleming Park, near Kansas City, MÔ that is 25 minutes from my house (Kansas City Radio Control Association). In my search for what's available to build I discovered TestFlite, and after having watched many of their YouTube videos, I purchased and built my first foam plane (mini-series trainer). I had to learn new techniques for building with foam (what's a glue gun
). The total cost for everything, but the transmitter and receiver, was about $100. I have a 4-channel HobbyKing from my RC boat I can initially use.
Yes, it does hurt me to see mainly >50 at the field (still no ladies flying). I have a 15 y/o grandson who would never dream of building something or taking on a hobby. His schoolwork, soccer, and video gaming take up all of his time. Girls aren't much in the picture yet, but that is surely soon to come.
So, I'm giving it a restart at 81 years old. I'm going to do my darndest to have fun building and RC flying. We aren't going to change what is, we just have to try and make it work.
I have always liked kit building or scratch building my planes, and the challenge of keeping expenses down. Fifteen years ago, I flew Sig .60 powered kit planes that cost $60. Now there $250. I'm not saying I won't build a $250 kit down the road, but I'll have fun with foam builds first. Looks like it will be fun and surely is more crash forgiving than the Sig kit balsa kit.
I have discovered a beautiful flying field at Fleming Park, near Kansas City, MÔ that is 25 minutes from my house (Kansas City Radio Control Association). In my search for what's available to build I discovered TestFlite, and after having watched many of their YouTube videos, I purchased and built my first foam plane (mini-series trainer). I had to learn new techniques for building with foam (what's a glue gun
). The total cost for everything, but the transmitter and receiver, was about $100. I have a 4-channel HobbyKing from my RC boat I can initially use.Yes, it does hurt me to see mainly >50 at the field (still no ladies flying). I have a 15 y/o grandson who would never dream of building something or taking on a hobby. His schoolwork, soccer, and video gaming take up all of his time. Girls aren't much in the picture yet, but that is surely soon to come.
So, I'm giving it a restart at 81 years old. I'm going to do my darndest to have fun building and RC flying. We aren't going to change what is, we just have to try and make it work.
08-20-2022, 01:20 AM
#31
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Anyone desperate to buy a model???, after reading few posts above, just visit any RC Trader sites, I have never-ever seen so many models avail for sale as at present times, a clear sign of recession and coming depression on its way, just wait a little, the prices will drop down further 50%, LOL. Time to buy.
08-20-2022, 04:56 AM
#32
Anyone desperate to buy a model???, after reading few posts above, just visit any RC Trader sites, I have never-ever seen so many models avail for sale as at present times, a clear sign of recession and coming depression on its way, just wait a little, the prices will drop down further 50%, LOL. Time to buy.
08-20-2022, 09:40 PM
#34
No less "RTF" models available now than when I entered the pursuit.
Build is still an option.
What are you looking for? I just bought two outstanding "RR" gliders - a Multiplex Heron and a Dream Flight Alula. Both sweet offerings.
But I do wish I could buy another Goldgerg Hot Stick. Though I admit I'd probably do it up with an electric motor. Times and technologies do change.
Build is still an option.
What are you looking for? I just bought two outstanding "RR" gliders - a Multiplex Heron and a Dream Flight Alula. Both sweet offerings.
But I do wish I could buy another Goldgerg Hot Stick. Though I admit I'd probably do it up with an electric motor. Times and technologies do change.
08-21-2022, 01:13 AM
#35
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Q-I'm giving it a restart at 81 years old. I'm going to do my darndest to have fun building and RC flying. We aren't going to change what is, we just have to try and make it work.
At your old age I suggest build something like this, it is slow like a snail, you can fly it withing 20 feet around you and have more fun with it to finish off Autumn years.
I have built 4 of them last 6-8 weeks, having so much enjoyment flying them daily at late twilight dead calm that I'm starting on 5th. one as we speak.
No need for the flying field and all the BS regulations, you can fly it anywhere even indoors, LOL.
100 hours on ave. to build one of these, dirt cheap.
Ideal for 'slow-low&close'.
At your old age I suggest build something like this, it is slow like a snail, you can fly it withing 20 feet around you and have more fun with it to finish off Autumn years.
I have built 4 of them last 6-8 weeks, having so much enjoyment flying them daily at late twilight dead calm that I'm starting on 5th. one as we speak.
No need for the flying field and all the BS regulations, you can fly it anywhere even indoors, LOL.
100 hours on ave. to build one of these, dirt cheap.
Ideal for 'slow-low&close'.
08-21-2022, 04:55 PM
#36
They do look pretty fun. I tried a UMX Carbon Cub and it flew well in a pretty compact space. I put it on floats - and one good dunking sadly caused the linear servos to never function properly again; which eventually caused it to be retired.
Just picked up a Dream Flight Alula that is an unpowered hand-launched glider and I will be able to toss it around my (former) sheep pasture. I managed to hook some lift a few times with my also much fun UMX Radian.
I have had (and still have) models that will fly on the prop/torque roll. But that gets old fast for me. I still like the open skies. But then I'm a sprightly 62. ;-)
Just picked up a Dream Flight Alula that is an unpowered hand-launched glider and I will be able to toss it around my (former) sheep pasture. I managed to hook some lift a few times with my also much fun UMX Radian.
I have had (and still have) models that will fly on the prop/torque roll. But that gets old fast for me. I still like the open skies. But then I'm a sprightly 62. ;-)
10-08-2022, 05:23 PM
#37
Junior Member
I started with the same model.Now they don't make it I guess our hobby is not the same for sure.Up here in Maine/Caribou we have no place to fly model planes but that has not stop me from building a few 1/4 scale models I have been looking for a good place to fly them at but have not found a place yet and I think I am the only person to build RC models to fly around here.In some ways this might be best in the long run for me I never did like a lot of people around me guess I could be called a long wolf person.Back in my home state I went out of my way to find a place to fly and I had a great place at a park.If there was a lot of people there I would not fly.Most of the time no one was at the park I had a ball flying my planes I even flew Control Line models there too.Speaking of CL models I could fly them right out side my door.It's just not big enough to fly any RC models tho.
10-11-2022, 01:36 PM
#38
My Feedback: (1)
When I started flying in the mid 80's, people would spend all winter building a plane. When spring came, everyone couldn't wait ti see what people built. People with a lot of sweat equity invested were nervous to see if their creation would get up and down in one piece. We all had skin in the game. Airplanes generally flew like airplanes with some exception. I come back after a bit of a hiatus. I head down to the field to see some old faces and new faces. Airplanes are 95% electric ARF's.
Some of the airplanes are nice aerobatic types with stability systems in the radios and fancy options. It wasn't the same but I could not put my finger on it right away. Besides no sweat equity and no pride of the plane, I realized, these planes are not flying like planes. They can do some neat tricks but the wing loading is so light, so over powered, they seemed more like toys or video games than airplanes.
And yes, people spend more time on their phone these days than building anything. Even the hobby shop isn't selling plastic model kits any more. High tech has taken the craft out of things. Kids are not building things with their hands (few exceptions). Look at ceramic shops! When I was a kid there was one in every neighborhood; now hard to find at all. Not that I do ceramics but it is a labor hand on craft hobby. It is rare now.
It does not deter me though. I remember watching an old DR at the field. He would build a plane then come out in the evenings when no one around. He had a skip in his step. He would do low passes as the sun would set and there was no where else he would rather be. They were not the best planes, not the prettiest planes but they were his and he made them. He didn't care who saw him, he just wanted to do low altitude flybys at sunset! Many of my planes used to be too difficult, too complicated but now, I aspire to be that person. He always got mad at me when I introduced him as my pediatrician (which he was 50 years ago).
Low altitude fly bys at sunset with something I created!
Some of the airplanes are nice aerobatic types with stability systems in the radios and fancy options. It wasn't the same but I could not put my finger on it right away. Besides no sweat equity and no pride of the plane, I realized, these planes are not flying like planes. They can do some neat tricks but the wing loading is so light, so over powered, they seemed more like toys or video games than airplanes.
And yes, people spend more time on their phone these days than building anything. Even the hobby shop isn't selling plastic model kits any more. High tech has taken the craft out of things. Kids are not building things with their hands (few exceptions). Look at ceramic shops! When I was a kid there was one in every neighborhood; now hard to find at all. Not that I do ceramics but it is a labor hand on craft hobby. It is rare now.
It does not deter me though. I remember watching an old DR at the field. He would build a plane then come out in the evenings when no one around. He had a skip in his step. He would do low passes as the sun would set and there was no where else he would rather be. They were not the best planes, not the prettiest planes but they were his and he made them. He didn't care who saw him, he just wanted to do low altitude flybys at sunset! Many of my planes used to be too difficult, too complicated but now, I aspire to be that person. He always got mad at me when I introduced him as my pediatrician (which he was 50 years ago).
Low altitude fly bys at sunset with something I created!
10-11-2022, 02:09 PM
#39
Junior Member
When I started flying in the mid 80's, people would spend all winter building a plane. When spring came, everyone couldn't wait ti see what people built. People with a lot of sweat equity invested were nervous to see if their creation would get up and down in one piece. We all had skin in the game. Airplanes generally flew like airplanes with some exception. I come back after a bit of a hiatus. I head down to the field to see some old faces and new faces. Airplanes are 95% electric ARF's.
Some of the airplanes are nice aerobatic types with stability systems in the radios and fancy options. It wasn't the same but I could not put my finger on it right away. Besides no sweat equity and no pride of the plane, I realized, these planes are not flying like planes. They can do some neat tricks but the wing loading is so light, so over powered, they seemed more like toys or video games than airplanes.
And yes, people spend more time on their phone these days than building anything. Even the hobby shop isn't selling plastic model kits any more. High tech has taken the craft out of things. Kids are not building things with their hands (few exceptions). Look at ceramic shops! When I was a kid there was one in every neighborhood; now hard to find at all. Not that I do ceramics but it is a labor hand on craft hobby. It is rare now.
It does not deter me though. I remember watching an old DR at the field. He would build a plane then come out in the evenings when no one around. He had a skip in his step. He would do low passes as the sun would set and there was no where else he would rather be. They were not the best planes, not the prettiest planes but they were his and he made them. He didn't care who saw him, he just wanted to do low altitude flybys at sunset! Many of my planes used to be too difficult, too complicated but now, I aspire to be that person. He always got mad at me when I introduced him as my pediatrician (which he was 50 years ago).
Low altitude fly bys at sunset with something I created!
Some of the airplanes are nice aerobatic types with stability systems in the radios and fancy options. It wasn't the same but I could not put my finger on it right away. Besides no sweat equity and no pride of the plane, I realized, these planes are not flying like planes. They can do some neat tricks but the wing loading is so light, so over powered, they seemed more like toys or video games than airplanes.
And yes, people spend more time on their phone these days than building anything. Even the hobby shop isn't selling plastic model kits any more. High tech has taken the craft out of things. Kids are not building things with their hands (few exceptions). Look at ceramic shops! When I was a kid there was one in every neighborhood; now hard to find at all. Not that I do ceramics but it is a labor hand on craft hobby. It is rare now.
It does not deter me though. I remember watching an old DR at the field. He would build a plane then come out in the evenings when no one around. He had a skip in his step. He would do low passes as the sun would set and there was no where else he would rather be. They were not the best planes, not the prettiest planes but they were his and he made them. He didn't care who saw him, he just wanted to do low altitude flybys at sunset! Many of my planes used to be too difficult, too complicated but now, I aspire to be that person. He always got mad at me when I introduced him as my pediatrician (which he was 50 years ago).
Low altitude fly bys at sunset with something I created!
10-11-2022, 09:44 PM
#40
Come on you guys! What's the problem?
You've all built models before. If you want to build something which looks as if it's at the cutting edge of technology like Joseph Frost's models, you can do it. If you want to build a Big Guff, probably the first model specifically designed for radio controlled flight in the late 1930s, the plan is available on The Outerzone and Laser Design Services do a short kit for it. Then there are all of those models in between to cater for all tastes.
Electric models taking over? If your club permits the use of i/c models you don't have to follow the trend and most of your old favourites may be fitted with an electric motor if necessary. Glow fuel too expensive? Come on, we're not running a fleet of diesel trucks here and sound second hand engines, especially two strokes, are as cheap as chips!
As for the availability of second hand models, I have a different take on this; we may be entering a recession but I think that the real reason for there being so many second hand models on the market is that we are all dying!
Happy Landings
David
You've all built models before. If you want to build something which looks as if it's at the cutting edge of technology like Joseph Frost's models, you can do it. If you want to build a Big Guff, probably the first model specifically designed for radio controlled flight in the late 1930s, the plan is available on The Outerzone and Laser Design Services do a short kit for it. Then there are all of those models in between to cater for all tastes.
Electric models taking over? If your club permits the use of i/c models you don't have to follow the trend and most of your old favourites may be fitted with an electric motor if necessary. Glow fuel too expensive? Come on, we're not running a fleet of diesel trucks here and sound second hand engines, especially two strokes, are as cheap as chips!
As for the availability of second hand models, I have a different take on this; we may be entering a recession but I think that the real reason for there being so many second hand models on the market is that we are all dying!
Happy Landings
David
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049flyer (01-07-2023)
10-12-2022, 12:42 AM
#41
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Colour co-ordination as on pic above is very important for flying, LOL.
After 3 month of searching all over the globe, the posty came with a surprise today. Couple of counter rotation power units with micro light carbon props all the way from EU.
After bit of micro soldering it's all ready, fitted, for a test flight in morning dead calm. Running sweet after short static check run.
Ready for install.
After 3 month of searching all over the globe, the posty came with a surprise today. Couple of counter rotation power units with micro light carbon props all the way from EU.
After bit of micro soldering it's all ready, fitted, for a test flight in morning dead calm. Running sweet after short static check run.
Ready for install.
10-12-2022, 02:22 AM
#42
"Colour co-ordination as on pic above is very important for flying, LOL".
I have always been a fashion plate!
When i was about twelve I built a free flight Veron Cardinal powered by a Mills 75. I had decided on yellow tissue flying surfaces but wanted the sheet fuselage in purple. At the time you could not buy purple dope so I mixed red and blue dope. It came out brown!
I claim to have built the only brown and yellow Cardinal in the whole world! It few very well despite the unusual colour scheme and that model is the reason why I am here today, still enjoying the hobby!
I have always been a fashion plate!
When i was about twelve I built a free flight Veron Cardinal powered by a Mills 75. I had decided on yellow tissue flying surfaces but wanted the sheet fuselage in purple. At the time you could not buy purple dope so I mixed red and blue dope. It came out brown!
I claim to have built the only brown and yellow Cardinal in the whole world! It few very well despite the unusual colour scheme and that model is the reason why I am here today, still enjoying the hobby!
10-12-2022, 09:09 PM
#43
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In my younger days I also used to be a fashion guru, I made my own trousers with 40cm bells, you couldn't buy anything that wide, and my favored shoe hills were 12cm!, made me 195cm tall. LOL.
BTW, I painted pictures all my life for living so mixing colours is in my pocket, I think if you mixed Magenta with Blue you would get bit closer to Cardinal Purple.
My first ever art show opening, wearing my Singer stiched bells 40cm at the bottom. LOL. Year was "77".
BTW, I painted pictures all my life for living so mixing colours is in my pocket, I think if you mixed Magenta with Blue you would get bit closer to Cardinal Purple.
My first ever art show opening, wearing my Singer stiched bells 40cm at the bottom. LOL. Year was "77".
10-12-2022, 10:03 PM
#44
Foamie electrics have their place if all you want is a fast way of getting a model into the air but what could be more satisfying than building a model from scratch, choosing your own colour scheme, restoring an old engine to power it and watching it fly on that maiden flight?
This video is the final one of about twenty videos produced by Mark Robinson describing his build of a Great Planes Trainer 60 powered by an old British Merco 60.
Perhaps some of you gentlemen would like to see it.
This video is the final one of about twenty videos produced by Mark Robinson describing his build of a Great Planes Trainer 60 powered by an old British Merco 60.
Perhaps some of you gentlemen would like to see it.
10-17-2022, 11:14 PM
#46
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Not sure about the colour scheme yet, but my latest design to match "Dualsky"CR power unit is in its incubation as we speak to keep it up.
Something like this after initiall sketch.
The first cut.
Something like this after initiall sketch.
The first cut.
10-22-2022, 06:34 AM
#47
Rc
I started with the same model.Now they don't make it I guess our hobby is not the same for sure.Up here in Maine/Caribou we have no place to fly model planes but that has not stop me from building a few 1/4 scale models I have been looking for a good place to fly them at but have not found a place yet and I think I am the only person to build RC models to fly around here.In some ways this might be best in the long run for me I never did like a lot of people around me guess I could be called a long wolf person.Back in my home state I went out of my way to find a place to fly and I had a great place at a park.If there was a lot of people there I would not fly.Most of the time no one was at the park I had a ball flying my planes I even flew Control Line models there too.Speaking of CL models I could fly them right out side my door.It's just not big enough to fly any RC models tho.
10-22-2022, 11:27 PM
#48
Took my Flair Harvard (SNJ-4) and Seagull ARTF Boomerang trainer to the flying field yesterday. These are powered by an OS 61FS and a Thunder Tiger 46 PRO respectively. There was a good turn out but only one other model, the club's ARTF trainer, was powered by an i/c engine. Sign of the times I suppose.
To be fair, some of the electric powered models were kit built or built off a plan.
To be fair, some of the electric powered models were kit built or built off a plan.
10-29-2022, 04:18 PM
#49
I love glow planes
Two very nice planes there. I love glow powered aeroplanes and especially those powered with Saito engines. Glow powered planes are magic. They have soul and are alive bursting with energy and sound. One of lifes great pleasures. For as long as my eyesight holds out , I will continue to enjoy this great hobby.
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plumberdeluxe (05-05-2023)
10-29-2022, 05:07 PM
#50
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I preffer electrics, nice and clean fun with no nasty noise disturbance. Trying to sell my last giant IC/twin, no bites at all, everybody is afraid of it by the response so far, giving it away at less than the cost of one of the '70FS, running like a Swiss watch. LOL.
Can't give it away!
Can't give it away!
