Hi, I'm looking for a winter project. I'm interested in 80" wingspan Lanier or Midwest Cap 232. Does anyone know of any major differences that would be worth considering? Thanks Bass1

If it is going to be a winter project build a kit! The midwest is the kit! In VCA your winters are almost as bad as ours (buit not as bad as our canadian brothers) and it is nice to have something to build on a cold day.

Rob

P.S. The DA 50 is a great choice fot the midwest Cap.

Why is the Midwest kit prefered? Bass1 This is not intended to bash any manufacturers, just opinions on these two kits by people that have been there. Thanks for any info/tips. Bass1

I believe the Lanier is an ARF. the Midwest is a kit that starts as a box of wood. If you want a real winter project go with the box of wood! (and enjoy the building!)

I will go with the box of wood. Lanier makes an 80" span arf and a 81" span kit. At least thats what the new Tower Catalog advertises. Both Lanier and Midwest kits retail for the same price. I was wondering about weight differences and if either had airfoiled stabs etc. Bass1

Sorry Didn't know that lanier came out with a kit!!

I just went to laniers web site and read the building instructions for the kit. The wings are foam as is the tail. (This is not a negative or a positive just a note) The wing sheeting is 3/32 - overkill, but I have hear that lanier builds their kits so they will survive full throttle blenders!

I have built the midwest. All built up. Pretty light, especially if you take a dremel tool to the formers, etc that are overkill. loved the way mine flew.

Both have ABS plastic. I replaced mine with glass.

Good luck

Rob

I do prefer the built-up kits as to foam sheeted. Another plus for the Midwest kit is the airfoiled stabs.I'm not sure about the Lanier stabs. I'm getting closer to a final decision. Bass1 p.s. Although I do like my Aeroworks Edge that uses foam sheeting extensively. I guess it's a matter of preference.

The lainer instructions are online, Midwest has a sample online.

From the lanier instructions ALL of the surfaces are foam. And yes that means the stab is airfoiled.

I happen to like foam because it comes out very true, but it is heaver and that matters a bit more in something of the cap's size.

I have an aeroworks too and love it. Right now I am building a Carden . . . LOTS of FOAM!

Rob

P.S. Sometimes it boils down to . . . you pay your money and you take your chances!

P.P.S. It is a shame that Power Kits (and ARFS) dont' tell you what airfoil that they use. IT would be another great way to compare the performance of two similar aircraft. If anyone is going to tell me Airfoils do not matter on a plane of our size bull. I have flown competition sailplanes too long and read too many wind tunnel test (at our reynold's numbers) to believe that!

After a little more research, it seems the Lanier is slightly larger with a little more wing area and longer fuse length. They advertise a flying weight of 12 to 15 lbs as opposed to the Midwest version at 14 to 17 lbs. How does this happen?[sm=spinnyeyes.gif]

I have the Lanier CAP (Kit Version) with a Brison 3.2. It weighs in less than 16 lbs with 1275 sq in of wing area.
Excellent flight characteristics. I almost have to force it into a sping because it will not drop a wing

There is a thread here in the Giant Aircraft forum on how to lighten the Kit. Basically you will have to add lightening holes all over and replace the foam in the turtledeck with balsa sheeting.

Cheers & Happy landings.

Very interesting choice of models, especially how everyone seems to want an Extra....

If your looking for a kit, the Midwest is certainly the way to go.....I can appreciate your choice of models as I have the Midwest Cap.

Can't take any credit for how its built, I bought it complete, built by Michael Ramsey of "Flying Models", and it was the feature review plane with photo on the cover issue when he built it. One VERY pretty model airplane.
He also had a very interesting article about how to finish the cowl and wheel pants, and worth reading as the finished product on this plane is as good as anything I have ever seen

I did help cover and paint the Midwest Extra with my friend Roger, and the kits are very close in design & construction, and have to say what you get as a finished product is equal to the effort applied during building.

You'll need a friend in building the turtle deck out of 1/32 ply....its the toughest part of building the plane, and Rodger and I had to do it twice.

My kit is built with reinforced flat tail feathers, and it flies very well. I believe the balance of the model is very important, and the tail will act accordingly as to how it controls the plane based on how the model is balanced.

I have a moki 1.8 in it with 24 oz tank.....take a fresh jug of fuel to the field when you leave in the morning, and you'll be 8 pounds lighter when you come home.

enjoy, and If I can help let me know







can't comment on the difference the newer tail feathers offer, but have read here the few can see any real difference.

I've built and flown both. Both fly good, but I prefer the Midwest. More fun to build being all wood. It was awhile back when I had them and can't remember why I thought the Midwest flew better. My lanier had an FPE 3.2 and was about 17 pounds if i rememer right. The Midwest was just under 14 pounds with a Moki 1.8. Both were built per the plans, no modifications. Midwest is a one piece wing, lanier is two piece. That might make a difference for you. What engine do you plan on using? If you have a light engine I would go Midwest. If you have a heavy engine, go with Lanier. Hope that helps you.

Fred