My Daughter has put a C/L plane on her list of X-Mas gifts this year. I am an avid R/C guy but have not flown a C/L in a very long time. She enjoys building things so a kit will be ideal for her. Do any of you have any suggestions on a easy flyer/builder of the .049-.09 size? I need input on all the goodies, engine as well. Thanks in advance.

Try a Brodak rekit of the Flite Streak Jr. (George Aldrich design, originally kitted by top flite)

Its a great trainer, and stunter. Can be flown on an 09 but really much better with a .15 IMO, an OS LA 15 would be a nice match on 50 - 60 foot lines.

I have used/abused mine for years and its still going strong. And a nice fairly easy kit to build.

AJC

AJ,

Can you tell me where I can find an online store with this or any other kits. Tower doesn't seem to carry any.

If you want to start off with something dirt simple you might consider a Sig 1/2A Skyray. You can minimize the elevator movement to make it a little less sensative for training. Even though it's a plank wing ship it is capable of loops, figure eights, and inverted flight etc. when set up properly. It's easy to trace around all of the parts and make copies of the kit for 2 or 3 bucks. The only downside is .049 ships usually turn a fairly quick lap speed

Here in Canada, Great Hobbies ( www.greathobbies.com ) stocks them, I imagine you can get the Brodak kits directly from them in the USA? With your stronger US dollar it may be better to buy from Canada!

I also fly 1/2A, and they are fun, but not too much building. At least with the Flite Streak Jr. you have a wing with ribs and sheeting, enough building to keep it going for a while, not a 1 evening project. You also get her started in covering.

Actually, if you check out the kits they have lots for 09-15 size. A Ringmaster would also be sweet, makes a good trainer too.

http://www.brodak.com/ for all the kits they sell....

AJC

[&o]
SIG produces two "09-15" size Goodyear kits with plank wings that should work well as trainers with a modern 10-size engine, such as the LA. I have added the quote marks around the engine suggested size because MODERN 15's are enough heavier & more powerful that they are a less-useful choice on older designs that were fine when powered by the much lighter weight baffle 15's.

The Ringmaster Jr, on the other hand, was always stretching its own claim when it said 09-15 on the box, since it was more suitable for 074-09 engines. Now that Estes is referring to the same plane as a "Ringmaster 19" the situation is much worse for it!

Brodak sells a repro kit of the Streak Trainer design that TF once kitted. It is larger than the two SIG kits mentioned, and worked fine with the older baffle 19's, so it's still going to balance well enough with a modern 15. Over the last year or so, something on the order of half the LHS's across the country have finally gotten around to getting web sites up.

Go to the library and check the yellow pages for the cities in your state. The ads will include the URL's.

Knowing what I now know I think I would try a SPAD C/L trainer. Somewhere there is a site for a 1/2a platter as well as a C/L SPAD of a F114. It would be easy to convert many of the 15 sized combat SPAD's to C/L. Even a PBF could be put to use!. I think I would try a 18" to 20" PBF with a modern .15. Maybe make it more rectangle than square say 20" wide and 16" long. Reduce the elevator so that it does not extend all the way to the tip and is only about 2" long. Mount the Bellcrank to the spline just aft of the CG, and go fly!

My personal way of thinking is that to get her some building experience go with a built up wing kit. Otherwise, heck, go for a Bradak 1/2A trainer or a Sig Deweybird that you can slap together in an hour.

I have used coroplast flying wings to teach youngsters but man, they go round FAST and flying on 50 or 60 foot lines is so much easier and the 1/2A's dont pull strong enough to "feel" the plane.

IMO when you get a decent 15 size model on 50 foot lines you get enough feedback from the plane to make it easier to fly, and also you arent spinning around too fast. I actually fly my Flite Streak Jr on 60 foot .011 lines. Its a blast and quite easy to control, especially if you leave it a bit nose heavy.

The Aldrich design Peacemaker is another excellent plane - I am not sure if a kit is available but I have plans for it (originally published in a British mag and also in MAN). On a 15 glow or diesel it is AWESOME! Easy to fly but oh so manouverable.

AJC

I think the site "Sport_Pilot" is talking about is:
http://www.aeromaniacs.com/index.htm

Thanks for all the input, this site and members never fail when it comes to info or helping out others. AJ, you are right on with your thinking, a kit that is built in a couple of nights will not satisfy her. The flight streak jr should be a good choice for her building skills and interest in the hobby. If all goes well, maybe she can help finish my FW190 for me.

AJC,
Although the profile Peacemaker builds up like a Flite Streak the full fuselage version is probably more than a beginner should tackle as a first project. Although it uses a wing with same size ribs, it also has flaps and a somewhat complicated fuselage (look at the engine compartment).
Remember that after it is built it must be trimmed for flight.
Beautiful ship though!
Just another opinion.

In general:
If you decide to go 1/2A, check the Brodak site for a good line of planes. Pay attention to the front of the fuselage. Some are built for radial mount (such as a reed valve Cox) and some are built for beam mount (Tee Dee, Norvels, etc.).

George

I was referring to the profile Peacemaker, no flaps. Thats the only version I have seen... perhaps you are thinking of the Nobler?

AJC

ajcoholic,

Nope, two completely different planes. The only things they share are the name and the fact that both were originally powered by Oliver Tigers.
The Model Airplane News version is a full fuselage ship with flaps and an upright engine.
Don't know why GMA chose the same name for both. The profile version was published in 1958 and the full fuselage version in 1960.

George

Well I am an idiot then! I have the full size plans from the Aeromedeller (thats the one we flew) but also have the old issue of MAN, but never really noticed or had a good look at the article, just assumed it was the same plane.... Doh!

OK then, lets go with the British PEacemaker. That one is simple as the FSJ but a larger wingspan and rugged as all heck. We have flown them on anything from an old glow 15, PAW 15's up to 35's. I think a 15 is excellent.

Thanks for the info, now I will dig up the MAN magazine and take a closer look at the "US" peacemaker.

AJC

ajcoholic,

One would easily assume it to be the same plane since it has the same name. You might find the April 1960 MAN article interesting. I have a Peacemaker about half built. I put it on back shelf for some other projects. You know the story, out of sight, out of mind.

I have full-size plans for both. I intend to some day make the profile version also. Everything have ever heard or read about it says it's an excellent plane. I THINK GMA created the profile version specifically for .15 diesels. I have had several diesels in a Flite Streak Jr. from an Elfin 2.49BR (reed valve version) to a FROG .21. Most were too heavy to allow the FS Jr. to maneuver well. The full size FS was a bit big for a 50's .15...thus the Peacemaker.

George

Tower Hobbies have listed but not in stock the Junior Flite Streak. ARTF combo with OS engine available. A good starter but you really need help if you cannot fly one already.

Cheers

Ralph

Definately, the Brodak Flite Streak Junior. My 9yo has one that flies great with an old Enya 15. The FS with an OS LA 15S, a 1.5 oz tank, and 52' lines. Enough but not too much building, tough as a brick, flies great.

The ARF Flite Streak is the largest version and likely too quick on the controls for a first CL trainer. Second or third plane, sure.

If you get a plane that is too sensitive you can compensate by moving the lines closer together at the handle so the wires move a shorter distance compared to handle movement.

A Brodak Flite Streak Junior with a Thunder Tiger 10 or OS .10 would give similar performance to the old Enya .15 while the LA .15S would be more power and weight. All would be a good combo. Braided lines .012 x 52' should work well.

George

I have to throw my vote o the Streak Jr. with a .10 or .15 on it. I have an old original one with a Fox .15 slant plug on it. Flies smooth, good tension and manuverable enough to keep her interested.

I also have a Ringmaster Jr, originally I had a Cox Medallion .09 on it and it flew o.k. Thought i needed more power so I switched to a Fox. 15 schneurle. Way!! to fast on 52' lines. I can't imangine putting a .19 on it, I've flown a regular Ringmaster with a .19 on it and it flew o.k.Not fast , and not a lot of vertical - but it stayed out on the lines and did decent loops and wingovers.

The Sig Goodyear Buster and Shoestring are tough,stable, and easy to build. They look good too, with a scale paint scheme.

Just an update. I ordered the JR. Streak with a OS .15 today for one of my Daughters X-Mas gifts. She'll be building soon, makes Dad proud knowing a future pilot is on the way. Thanks for all the help!

Cool, thats a present I would have been good for a whole year for when I was a kid!

AJC

I dont mean to cut in here for a sale but I think my Magician 15's or the soon coming Shark 15 might serve your purpose

I also make sell them.
I have some of the Magician 15's available
and the Shark 15 should be available in about two weeks.

please see my web for more specifics

http://www.builtrightflyright.net/Ne...Prototypes.htm

Thank you and God Bless

Walter
aka/ builditright