I just ordered a ALFA F4U-1 Corsair Scale ARF Electric looks like it had good reviews . What are your thoughts

Bond

It's a fine small warbird. It will fly fantastic if you have the skill. See Greg Covey's review of Alpha models in the Review forum.

Not a good first plane but for an experienced flyer it should be fun!

Not a good beginner plane at all!!!

How are you doing with your Corsair, or did you decide to get a more appropriate first plane? If you need suggestions, here are a few resources and some planes for you to consider. .

RC Planes Are not like RC Cars
http://www.rcezine.com/cms/article.php?cat=&id=17

Stall
http://www.rcezine.com/cms/article.php?cat=&id=31

Launch into the wind
http://www.rcezine.com/cms/article.php?cat=&id=43

Parts of the plane and how they work
http://www.rcezine.com/cms/article.php?cat=&id=54

The RC Pilots Cockpit
http://www.rcezine.com/cms/article.php?cat=&id=59

Flying the Plane
http://www.rcezine.com/cms/article.php?cat=&id=64

New Electric Flyer FAQs
http://www.ezonemag.com/pages/faq/a105.shtml


READY TO FLY STARTER PLANES - Parkflyers
No building - they practically fly right out of the box
These also glide well so you can thermal soar
with them under the right conditions.

Aerobird Challenger - RTF Electric - $150
I started on an Aerobird RTF. I love it and recommend it highly I have over
300 between my original Aerobird and the newer AB Challenger. I also thermal
and slope soar this plane. Flies well and stands up to hard landings. The
add on fun accesories for night flying, air to air combat and drop module add
to the fun!
http://horizon.hobbyshopnow.com/prod...p?prod=HBZ3500
Review
http://www.hobbyzonesports.com/Disco...ID=1289#Page01
Discussion Thread
http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=147621
Video
http://www.parkflyers.com/html/aerobird_video.html


Slow-V from Parkzone - $140
Best flown in still to under 5 mph breeze. The is the best choice for people
who only have a small space to fly. Can also be flown indoors in a gym or
similar space.
http://h1071118.hobbyshopnow.com/pro...p?prod=PKZ1300
Discussion Thread
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_20...tm.htm#2089493
Video
http://users.cwnet.com/dhsc19/Slo_V_Aerobatics.wmv
Night fly module on a Slo-V
http://rc-galaxy.com/messageboard/mb...ViewMsg&num=-8


T-Hawk - RTF - Excellent Value - $170
Comes with extra wing, tail and battery
Flies well and stands up to hard landings
Can be flown on 27 mhz or 72 mhz
http://www.toytx.com/thawk3chrtf.html
T-Hawk - Without Radio - add your radio and receiver
http://www.readytoflyfun.com/wittran.html
T-Hawk Discussion Thread
http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showt...ighlight=THawk
Videos
http://www.readytoflyfun.com/thawkvideos.html


Easy Star - RTF - $180
Super tough foam. Comes with 72 mhz radio in the US.
Good parkflyer and a good glider
Radio in RTF package can be used to fly other planes
http://www.hobbypeople.net/gallery/240025.asp
Easy Star - ARF - Add you own radio gear
http://www.hobbypeople.net/gallery/240009.asp
Discussion Thread on Easy Star
http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=258656
Video - touch and gos
http://plawner.org/video/easygo.wmv
Video - Testing the planes's behavior
http://plawner.org/video/easystar.wmv


ALMOST READY TO FLY and EASY TO BUILD KITS - STARTER PLANES

Some of the planes in the previous group are available ARF as indicated.
Below are ARF and kit planes. You will need to buy a radio if you don't have
one, so you might want to read these articles on radios. Radios. The
articles are written for sailplane beginners, but all the info applies to
electrics too.

Entry Level Radios - If you have to go cheap
http://www.rcezine.com/cms/article.php?cat=&id=44

Computer Radios - The recommended path for almost everyone
http://www.rcezine.com/cms/article.php?cat=&id=65


ARF typically means you are not gluing balsa pieces together, then covering
with Monocote or some other shrink film. Below are ARFs and some are very
easy to build kits. In each case you must add your own radio, receiver,
servos, speed control, batteries and battery charger. They all come with a
motor.

Slow stick - $40
Best flown in still to under 5 mph breeze. This is an excellent choice for
people who have a smaller space to fly.
Can also be flown indoors in a gym or similar space.
The RTF Slo-V above is essentially a copy of this plane.
http://horizon.hobbyshopnow.com/prod...p?prod=GWS1040
Discussion Thread
http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showt...hreadid=122951

Tiger Moth - $50
Best flown in still to under 5 mph breeze.
This is an excellent choice for people who have a smaller space to fly. Can
also be flown indoors in a gym or similar space. Cool looking little plane.
http://horizon.hobbyshopnow.com/prod...p?prod=GWS1020
Review
http://www.backyardflyer.com/BY/articles/tiger_moth.asp

Tipsey - $55
http://www.hobby-lobby.com/tipsy.htm
Review
http://www.hobby-lobby.com/pdf/gr6232.pdf
http://rcgroups.com/links/index.php?...at=198&id=3871

Magpie - Easy to build Foam kit - $50
Has trainer wing AND an available sport wing
Master the first, then advance to the second.
http://www.mountainmodels.com/magpie.php
http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showt...51#post3502851
Video
http://www.mountainmodels.com/Magpie.wmv


Balsa Wood Kits - If you like to build with wood, these are highly
recommended.

Dandy
http://www.mountainmodels.com/dandy.php

Dust Stick
http://www.mountainmodels.com/duskstik.php

Well aeajr coverd all them great planes for the newbie but one the 35 dollar whal mart plane
lol lol lol lol[:-][:-]

I didn't like the Wallmart plane. It was ugly.

I never saw much in the way of comments that addressed Bond's original question. I also couldn't find where he indicated that he was a beginner.

For many years I have been flying high performance giant scale aircraft. I am interested in this little plane and would like to know how you equipped it: motor, esc, battery, prop, etc. This will be my first electric. I want to make it look like my other Corsair.

Any help will be appreciated.

Ken

To Big Bird,

Start with brushless and Lipos, and go with what the Manufacturer suggests. Unfortunately with electric, it is a careful balence of weight to power and there is also an issue of fitting the motor into the aircraft. So because this is your first, email the guys and do what they say. I have not read the review but he might also have a brushless, lipo setup.

Larry