Is there such a thing as 25 - 30% IMAC Legal competion planes in kit form? I like to build and saving dollars is a big factor. I see ARF's all over the place but they start at around $400 and go into the thousands just for the airframe. All advice is appreciated.

Jim

others will post as to specific models... but...

Kits ARE NOT cheaper... usually when all is said and done they are the same to more.....

Exeter is correct; the kit, built properly, will cost more than an equivalent ARF. However, the satisfaction and individuality of building a kit is still worth something these days. If you enjoy building, I highly recommend the Midwest 27% Extra. With an 80" span it handles 50cc gas engines well and flies great for its size. It isn't the best 3D plane in the world but it will do 3D moves. It handles precesion aerobatics with ease and slows for landing very well. The wing is built-up and one piece and the tail is not removable. It is held on with four nylon bolts, which are strong enough for just about anything you can throw at the plane (expect rocks). The 300XS version has an airfoiled horizontal tail and does not come with a canopy, so you will have to get your own. They are available from several vendors.

I did fail to mention that... while a kit ends up costing more... there is a great satisfaction of building it yourself (well for some there is!)
and a kit will probably be better built (unless I do it![:@)

So there is that intangible, but if money is the deciding factor, an ARF is a better bet

Hello,

I personally like kits. I wont buy another ARF. They have improved alot, but long term a built kit is my choice.

Thanks

David

Take a look at the midwest extra and cap. Both have the same wing. Both fly great with a DA 50.

The Kits are dead . . . Long live the KITS!

Rob

You could look at Carden, Aeroworks, Lanier, etc.

Columbo Anderson...easy to build and great flyers. If you can build it is always better then an ARF, I spend more time rebuilding an ARF then building frome kits sometimes.

I second the vote for the Columbo Anderson. Easy build and a great flyer.

Mark

As noted above the price will probably not be that different. It is possible to get a good deal at swap meets or in the marketplace here on RC Universe however. Many don't like to build. This is normally caused by not having good building skills. Once you gain skills it becomes more of a pleasure than a chore. I fly when the weather is good and build when it's bad so I enjoy the hobby all the time. I also fly ARF's but prefer my own build jobs.

All the kits mentioned are good. Add to this list Aero-Tech models and check out their forum here on RC Universe. I have an order for one of the 35% Yak-54's
I have built almost every manufactuere's kits. The construction methods will differ quite a bit. Carden is probably the most different of the kits. It uses little light ply as in most other kits. Midwest is the most traditional with all balsa and ply. Most use a combination of light ply and sheeted foam. Some come with the foam pre sheeted such as Columbo Anderson (also known as CA Models and available from Aeroworks). Sheeting isn't hard however does require some addtional skills. Had the Midwest Extra with a Quadra 52 a while back. I have a 27% CA Extra and it is quite nice. The 40% Carden is scheduled this winter. I'm flying a H-9 Extra-260 ARF and have to say I'ts one of the nicest ARF's ever encountered.

Build & Fly,

EXCAP232

My flying buddy built the MW extra. It was his fourth kit I think, and it just flies awesome. It rides on rails like it was a 2M pattern ship. I think he said the hardest part about building it was cutting ailerons off the framed up wing.

The MW Extra is one of the most difficult airplanes that there is to fly. Budgetdude, your buddy must have superior building and piloting skills.

Ratt:

Can you expand on why you think it is so difficult to fly? Have you ever flown one?

I have never heard someone dislike a midwest kit. I had one that I liked really well that I bought used. For someone that is building one I would recomend adding some extra wood for gluing in robart hinges instead of ca hinges and also mod the elevators and rudder hinge line so it could be a little better at 3d. Even though it was over 2 lbs heavier than my h9 extra 260 it flew about the same and landed way slower, easier.

I'm also curious as to this response. Both the Extra and Cap from Midwest are excellent fliers in my opinion. I have build the Extra and also flown the CAP. Both planes were designed by Mike McConnville before he left Midwest to join Horizon. The one piece wing is a bit of a moving chore however with just a little work it could be modified into a wind tube arrangement. Probably come out even lighter. Photo of the one I did.

Not really, I mean I didn't think he could build himself out of a paper bag myself. We just wont talk about the flying!

AEROTECH HAS GREAT KITS!!!!!!

I am just finishing up a Columbo Anderson 27%. Very good kit. not so good instructions but if you are ready for a plane of this type you will have the needed knowledge to build it. I am right at $1800.00 all up and about 85 hours.

Mark

The MW Extra is a very good flying model. Unfortunately, a lot of guys built bricks with the kit, often putting a very heavy gas engine up front. It's not unusual to see this airplane over 16 lbs, even over 17. As I said in a different thread on the MW Extra, it needs to be 14lbs or less to perform really well.

I have seen this plane perform at 15-16 pounds with a 50 size mag engine and it does just fine, I f you are a beginning IMACer you could stick a Fuji 50 or G45 in there and call it a day. It would get you through your first season while you save for a lightwieght 50 setup.

Well, I won't argue. There's "does just fine" and then there's "flies like it's supposed to". Take your pick.

All I am saying is it gets you into an easy running 80" for your first season with room to grow. I have know doubt the MW with a lightweight set up and motor is phenominal.

The CA 27% runs around 299.99 kit form, can be found cheaper at times...It does not need a DA, 3W, or other high end motor to fly right...Some people think if it can't "accelerate" on the vertical to the moon it is under powered. Mine flies and will climb out of a T.R. on a quadra xl. One of the new EVO 48's or zdz 50's would be fine. You can find many good motors for sale at quite a savings.
The plane does fly good and holds a line very good once it is balanced and trimmed.

Hey thanks for all the great replies guys!

Money is a big concern for me and sure enough ARF's are by far cheaper when you figure in all the hardware, building materials not included in the kit, and misc that it takes to finish up a kit.

After reading your replies and poking around on the internet it looks like the most I could conceivably afford, (and that's after saving all my pennies for quite a while and selling off all the little stuff), is probably a 50cc class bird.

I'm finishing up a Stinger 120 that I've built to be IMAA legal with a converted a 31cc Ryobi weedwacker engine to power it. The engine is pretty powerful for a conversion swinging an 18-8 8000rpm. I caught the kit on sale for $100 on Tower's website and did the engine conversion myself which kept the powerplant cost to around $140. I recently added up what it's cost me to buy all the things not included in the kit that are needed to complete the plane and it would have been cheaper by at least $100 to buy the ARF Stinger 120!! It was a valuable learning experience building it from scratch though, so I don't regret it.

Anyway what this all boils down to is that I already have a large scale 80" sport plane to play around with. I've already become a decent 3D pilot flying the smaller stuff so I don't really want another sport plane. When I shell out all that hard earned for a 50cc 80+ inch scale ship I want it to be able to do anything. 3D, pattern, precision aerobatics etc...

So what do you guys think? In that class of plane what is the least expensive plane/engine setup (not cheapest) that will do anything the pilot can do?

Thanks again for all the input.

Jim

You can get a 50cc class arf for as little as $279. Look at Wildhare, Planes Plus, aerotech, Aeroworks, or even World models - They have some cheap offerings Your biggest expense will be the engine. Even if you buy used, you'll spend $500 there. To save money on servos, you can get by pretty well with non-digitals, like the 945MG's - don't use Karbonite geared servos! Other than that, you'll need the batteries and Rx and some miscellaneous stuff. To buy it all, I'd say you'd spend around $1700+