All,

I am looking for some advice on which kit to get. I would consider myself an intermediate builder (leaning more towards beginner than expert). I have flown for 15 years and focus mostly on giant scale aerobats and giant scale gas scale planes (most recent was the TF P-47). I have even flown a few EDFs. I have built a trainer before as well as a Four Star 60. Like most out there, I have built nearly 20 - 30 ARFs and of course, I find myself doing repairs quite often.

What kind of a kit would be interesting for me, but not too basic? I am definitely not ready for a pure "builders kit" but perhaps could navigate something in between. I have taken a look at the following as potentials but would value the opinion of the builder community here.

Potentials:

* Smoothie XL (Balsa USA)
* Laker (Balsa USA)
* Citabria Pro (Balsa USA)
* Fokker E.III (Balsa USA)
* One of the Top Flight Warbird kits

I will not build glo but rather either gas or electric conversion. These are the two modes I am most familiar with.

Thanks in advance for your help and advice.

-Jeff

Wow, that really is a wide ranging type of airplanes in your list! Nothing wrong with that.....

The smoothie XL is a new kit but I imagine it flies well and is similar to your 4 star, something else in this line of planes is the Ultra Sport, not sure on availability but they fly great.

If you were thinking warbird I see you have a P47 TF already... that is one of their best from what I have read.

The laker is I believe a seaplane I haven't heard much first hand on that other than I have always read guys said to glass the bottoms of the BUSA seaplanes....

the Fokker E3 should be a straight forward build,and I have never heard anyone dislike the kit...

The Citabria Pro the only thing I recall about this plane was that I heard the Full scale was not as good as the designer had hoped? I am not sure about the kit ... Someone here on RCU built one and maybe they will see this thread and comment.

I am not sure I helped or confused you more? hahahah maybe if you had a more focused area you want to build from, some others will comment...

Thanks for the rundown on the kits. I definitely have varied interests when it comes to planes.

One question, is there a kit I should look into that I haven't listed?

Take care,

Jeff

The main thing you need at this stage of the building game is good instruction included with the kit...It sounds like you have been dealing with some larger planes ..so a couple of these are fairly big.



If you would consider a biplane I hear these build and fly well.

http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LW9049&P=0


If you are looking to try something more scale looking, but with good flying habits maybe the.. Sig 1/4 Spacewalker?

[TABLE="align: center"]
[TR]
[TD][/TD]
[TD]Legal for IMAA and QSAA fly-ins, this is an exact 1/4-scale model with the heart of a sport model.

It's made for flying! The thick semi-symetrical airfoil and long tail moment provide perfect stability and low speed handling. At full-throttle, it will do all the aerobatics you ever dreamed of.[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="colspan: 2"]
[TABLE="align: center"]
[TR]
[TD][TABLE]
[TR]
[TD="bgcolor: #EFEFEF"]Wingspan[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: #EFEFEF"]84 in[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: #EFEFEF"]2134 mm[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="bgcolor: #EFEFEF"]Wing Area[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: #EFEFEF"]1110 sq in[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: #EFEFEF"]71.6 dm²[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="bgcolor: #EFEFEF"]Length[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: #EFEFEF"]60.5 in[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: #EFEFEF"]1537 mm[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="bgcolor: #EFEFEF"]Flying Weight[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: #EFEFEF"]11 - 13 lb[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: #EFEFEF"]5000 - 5900 g[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="bgcolor: #EFEFEF"]Radio Required[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: #EFEFEF, colspan: 2"]4-Channel (not included)[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="bgcolor: #EFEFEF"]Engine Required
(not included)[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: #EFEFEF, colspan: 2"]2-Stroke .90 - 1.20 (15 - 20 cc)
4-Stroke 1.20 - 1.60 (20 - 26 cc)[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]
[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]
[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]



A couple guys in my club have these planes and love them... GP Super Decathalon..

http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXYXJ7&P=0

Foodstick pretty much nailed it.Go with a Sig or BUSA kit,jeffo

Thanks for both of you for the replies. I think I might take the plunge on the Smoothie XL. I called and asked if it is a two piece wing and it is. This would fit nicely and be a nice change from my 50 cc Extra and 60cc Edge.

-Jeff

This may sound crazy but you might also consider a Kadet Sr. It is more of a builders kit than most other trainers, it's large enough for a small gas engine or larger electric and, best of all, can be adapted into many configurations. Since it's pretty much all stick construction aft of the wing, it might be an option, especially if you lower the dihedral and change the wing to a semi-symmetrical airfoil instead of flat bottomed like it's designed. Just a thought

Thanks for that Hydro Junkie.

I know that this is in yet another direction but if I did go smaller (i.e. electric), what do you all think of the PICA 1/8th scale Corsair kit? I have heard of PICA for Giant Scale planes but I see that one is available on RCGroups.

Thanks,

Jeff

Pica kits are more complicated than those you have listed.

I've built both of the suggested Sig models, and agree that they would be good choices. Sig Craftsman Series kits are my favorite, posing the right balance between a challenge and ease of building. Their instructions are top notch, and the plans are easy to read.

As foodstick knows, I don't like to solder. If you decide on a BUSA kit, warm up your soldering gun. LOL

SIG Somethin' Extra and don't look back.

I would recommend the BUSA Citabria Pro, flies great, intermediate build. I have one. The Great Planes Super Decathlon. I have built two and am currently flying one. Also, my favorite work horse is the Sig Spacewalker II. A great aircraft, lots of work, but do able. Just follow the directions. I would steer away from the Smoothie XL right now. I am currently building this aircraft.

Telemaster

Telemaster

Is Q.S.A.A. still a thing?!

Take a look at the line-up from Great Planes, while you still can. Thoroughly engineered with excellent instructions and quality hardware. Check with Tower Hobbies.