Hello Folks: Looking for a couple kits (No arf's or artc's--full kits only) to while away the winter months. Have done a couple of trainers, a couple of low wing sport planes, and a couple bipes. Looking now to do a couple of mid wing sort of scale sportsters such as one of the Extra series, one of the Giles bunch, maybe an RV-4. Really like the appearance of the RV-4 but don't hear much about them in these forums. Are there problems with this model or why does it not seem to be very popular? Also, folks, can you all discuss the up sides/down sides of the ones mentioned above or any others that occur to you. Bear in mind that both space and $$$$ are a concern here. I think those parameters will limit me to .40 to .60 size planes, maybe with .70 to .90 size four strokers in the nose. Thanks, folks
Max

The Sig Somethin' Extra would probably be a good project for you. The kit isn't too expensive and the plug in wings make storage that much easier. It flies very well on anything from a .40 2-stroke up to a .72 4-stroke. Some people have installed even larger engines in these, but they really are not needed. The kit is about as easy to build as anything out there simply because all of the laser cut parts fit so nicely.

The RV series of aircraft are good fliers. I'm not sure why we don't see/hear more about the GP kit because it is a good looking model. A now long gone company called Craftair did an RV-3 or 4 some time back. It was wasn't as good of a kit as the GP model but it flew nicely and was pretty quick in the air. I would suspect the GP kit to be comparable in the air. I say, if you like the looks of the model, go for it. Show up at the field with something a little different than everyone else.

Let us know what you decide on.

Personally, I can't decide which of the dozen or so kits in my closet I'm going to build next (I'm seriously leaning towards my MK Silent 90) or if I'm going to start in on a large Sea Fury who's plans I should receive in the mail any day now.

John

JP:

The Sig SE is a nice kit, but it shouldn't take any time to complete. If you want a winter project, it's not very good. The SIG J-3 Cub, in the 71" 1/6 scale will take you a fair while. Much better as a time-taking project.

And it's time for you to do a twin. Normally I would recommend the Twin-Air 45 from Northeast Aerodynamics, www.ne-aero.com , but since you are wanting something to occupy your time I will, just this once, say get Dave Platt's Duellist 2/40 from Quantum Models. It is a harder build than the Twin-Air,

The Duellist and the 1/6 Cub should take you through, you might get the Somethin' Extra for building during the odd rainy weekend. Shouldn't take more than two or three rainy days to finish the SE.

And enjoy, whichever you get.

Bill.

I really liked building the GP Extra 300. Either the 40 or 60 size is a great build.

Thanks guys. I like the idea of a twin but the Extra series looks really good in the pictures I see of them. Also, everyone who flies them say they are good fliers. The RV-4 still intrigues me. Wish more of you folks had some experience with them. Even tho they look nice, if they are lead sleds in the air, wouldn't want to build one. Anyway, still have time to make that decision since it's 72 degrees and sunny outside and I live about 15 minutes from a world class trout river, I believe I'll go fishing and think about airplane selection. Thanks again folks.
Max

Jolly Popper,
The RV-4 is a great little kit. I have mine to the point of covering (of course, it's been to that point for a couple of months now. I'm just lazy). I enjoyed building it and I'm looking forward to flying it. I don't know the weight on mine just yet, but it seems to be fairly well designed for weight, so I don't think it will be a "lead sled". And like it was said before, build something different than you always see at the field. That's one of the reasons I went for the RV-4.

A guy in our club has one and I've seen it fly several times. He still has a few squirely takeoffs now and then but for the most part seems to me to be fine plane. He flys it pretty fast (dont know what engine he has on it). The ONLY thing I didnt like about it was the size. Would like to see a .60 minimum or better yet, a 1.20 sized RV. Just my preference. It also looked like he had to land it pretty hot. Now that I think about it more, the wing seemed a little on the thin side. For those of you building one right now, is that the case or just bad memory. All in all, I would say go for it. Nice looking little plane.
Edwin

My GP RV-4 flys great! Off a grass field it doesn't get squirely. Have an OS .52 and it flys very scale-like. Nice kit to boot! I love the flaps - just don't take off with them fully down [:-] or you may get a surprise you weren't counting on!!!

Jerry

The first kit I built was a GP 60 size Extra. It was easy to build, flew good with 902c OS. Unfortunately it met its demise when it embraced a tree while dead sticking
Jeff

Hey Max--find any ultra cote yet ? I just checked Horizon Hobby--108 different colors ..Easiest way is use the search feature top lt. hand side of the home page--Type in ultra cote..Your building again ? thats great -- Talk to you later ---Joann