I would like to get a kit for a winter project that will be a good IMAC plane. I want this plane to work on precision and smoothness. I am a pretty good pilot and can do quite a bit of 3D, but I want to be smoother. Anyways, I want a bigger kit that would, at most, take a Saito 180 (I am not ready for gas yet) and that my wife would approve of based on price (I can probably get her to 200 maybe 250). The kits I am considering are GP Extra, Goldberg Extra, Lanier Extra 1/4, Lanier Laser 1/4, Lanier Cap, Lanier Sukhoi, Goldberg Sukhoi. The Laniers are the largest of what I have found, but I have been told they are builders kits. As this will be my 3rd kit, I do not want anything that will be too difficult. Of these kits, which would be my best bet? Also, are there any other kits I should look at? Thanks.....Dean

GP Extra {Patty Wagstaf}

SLINGSHOT-RCU - Thanks, but I was looking at kits, not ARFs. But I have seen this plane and it does look great. Plus it is larger than what I am looking for now. Any thoughts on the kits I listed?

Dean , I have seen the larger size laser from lanier fly and it is a real good flyer and lands well. Also be ready to buy lots of fuel for the saito 180 great engine but thirsty. I have built 3 Lanier kits 80" cap, giant stinger, and the latest 40% edge540, just take your time , read and understand each step and you will have no problems. Also one more item , stepping up to gas is great. The bigger planes fly so smooth and steady , if you want them to. So get the biggest beast you can fit in your transportation and have a blast.
Paul good luck

Have a look at the Midwest Extra, the build easily and fly great. You can power it with a Saito 180, then when you are ready for gas you can mount a gasser on it. I have a video of mine on my website. Nice kit.

Flyfalcons-

Is the Midwest extra stock and built per plans, or did you enlarge the elevator? What powerplant are you flying with?

I was gonna say the Midwest Extra and the CA planes although they are closer to $300.

http://www.aero-works.net/store/detail.aspx?ID=195

Thanks for all the input, but most of these planes are either too large or more money than I am willing to spend right now. Maybe I will just go with an ARF. Maybe a Vector Flight.

My Midwest is built stock, I just double beveled the elevators and rudder. I also replaced the spruce stringers with balsa to cut the weight down a little. My Midwest is powered with a Brison 3.2 spinning a Zinger 22x8 prop.

The Goldberg Sukhoi with a Saito 150 is also a nice combo and an enjoyable build.

I have an older Midwest Extra that is still in the box. I would be willing to part with it. If you are interested, pm or e-mail me and we can discuss. I would make it appealing to you as I am not going to build it since I have moved on to 100cc class planes.

Dean

I've been flying a Sig Cap 231ex arf with a YS 140 DZ for the last year . I bought it real cheap from a fellow club member w/o the engine or radio . It's been a great experieince for me but the lack of precision in alignment of the flying surfaces inspired me to look for something of a higher quality. I bought a Columbo Anderson Extra 300L 24% kit. It's built in the same manner as the higher end large IMAC planes with balsa sheeted foam core wings and tail feathers. The fuslage is built-up wood and the cowl and wheelpants are FG. All the flying surfaces are pre-sheeted. I haven't started building it yet but the quality I was looking for is there for sure. I think , in the end, I'll have as much in it as a good ARF but I'll be able to control the alignment prcess myself with my Robart Incidence gauge and a good level. By the way, this plane would be a good match for a Saito 180. I'll be putting my DZ in mine and I expect it weigh in at between 10-11.5 lbs according to some older RC Universe threads I read on this kit. Few, if any, of the ARF's actually come in this light no matter what the manufacturers claim.

To me, weight and alignment are the key ingredients in getting a good flying IMAC style plane.

Good Luck

Big Mike

Both the Goldberg Extra 300 and the Goldberg Suhkoi 26 would be great kit choices for a satio 180. I had the suhkoi with a satio 150. I sold it becuase it was a little lacking in power and didn't want to buy a 180. (lacking in power meaning Torque Rolls were at 90% power) But it had enough power to do the IMAC Advance sequence.

My Dad had the Goldberg Extra 300 with a YS 120 on it. Great power and VERY smooth for it's size.

But are easy to build . . . and build light.

Good luck
Rob

Columbo Andreson maks a smaller 24% version of the Extra 300L in a kit. It might be worth looking into. I have the 34% and it is a great flyer!

The Goldberg Extra-300 is excellent with the Saito-150 or Saito-180

Brent