I would like to try my hands at building and covering a good just past trainer plane. Building kits seems intimidating so I would like something with easy instructions etc. I was told by a friend to try the Sig Four-Star .40 I would like something that would be great for the just past trainer pilot which is what I hope to be in a few months.

Do most kits come much like the Guillows Balsa models where all the ribs are precut? Or do you actually have to measure and shape the wood? Thanks

Kyle

The 4-Star .40 is an excellent second plane. So is the Goldberg Tiger 2. They are both easy to build and easy to fly. Almost all kits come with parts like ribs and formers cut to shape. Just sand the edges a little to clean up the roughness and glue them in. Sometimes large balsa pieces are cut to a rough shape and you have to do more sanding. Stick pieces like stringers and spars will need to be cut to appropriate length. Nothing hard about it, just take your time and make sure you build it straight.

Ditto.

Sig and Great Planes aer soem of teh best, and most complete kits out there, and their manuals are jsut a as great. The offer detailed assembly steps, as well as 'expert tips' to help you build 'building' skills!

the 4 star series is exactly that, an easy plane to both build and fly!

And if you want something a little less intimidating than the 4/* try something like the "Easy Sport 40" by great planes.

http://www.greatplanes.com/airplanes/gpma0150.html

I realize that you are looking for a 'just past a trainer' plane, so this may not be your best bet. However, my first kit was the Somethin Extra. I am just finishing the covering and will be ready to add the servo's etc by the end of this week. I have taken my time on this...and I do mean a long time, but it is a straight forward build, and by the time I am finished, I will be able to fly it anyway. I sorta use ARF's to keep in the air, and build for the fun of it.

Consider the Bruce Tharpe Engineering Venture 60. It IS the nicest kit out and it will Bruce's instructions will teach you well.

My 2 cents will backup what you already heard; the 4star40 is a no brainer...rock solid plane and kit. Any of the mid-wing older kits take time but are nice gentle flyers, i.e midstar40, or Kavalier but the build is not as easy as the newer trainers. BalsaUSA makes a nice plane called a stingray40; great kit and flyer... also a midwing. Look them all over on line and pick one that TURNS YOU ON...... one of my favorite sayings, "Love may cause someone to marry ugly but there is no need to FLY ugly"

I agree with either a Midstar or a 4*40. Both great kits and great fliers. The Midstaris slightly easier to handle. Just about as easy as a 4* to build. And in some areas easier. Both have great instructions and plans. Only downer on the Midstar is I don't believe it is lazer cut. I built one years ago. And it was a good build.

Mark Shuman

I give the Sig 4 * 60 a BIG thumbs up! I built mine from a kit over the winter. Flew it for the first time yesterday. Minimal trim adjust was needed on it's very first flight. This plane is joy to fly. I built kit to manufacture spec with a Thunder Tiger FS-91 engine. I did NOT have to mess with CG or anything. I just built it according to the directions and flew it. The only problem I had was due to a new TT engine that runs a bit rough and needs a little break-in time. Here's a pix of my 4 * 60.

I can't agree more

One thing NOW is the perfect time to learn to build!!!! For the simple reason that as you progress to more advanced planes the kits become more complicated that is to say that they assume you already have aquired basic building skills.

To give you an example I built a CG super chipmonk the instructions were extremely detailed with full pictures and steps. Currently I'm buiding a champion P-47D the instructions consist of 8 type written pages (no Pictures) 3 of the 8 pages are parts diagrams. Basically the instruction coupled with the blueprints are basically assembly guidelines and require the builder to already know how to build (what a concept)

Good luck and good building

Go for the 4* 60.
Easy to build and easy to fly. It was my second plane.

Randy

I can only add support to those who have already posted. Since you mentioned a 4 Star .40, I presume that is the engine size you have or want to use. I therefore recommend the Sig's "Four Star 40", Goldberg's "Tiger 2", and Northeast Aerodynamics' "Sport-aire 40." IMHO, any of these will be of benefit in gaining your next set of bulding and flying skills. As another poster suggested, look at all the planes people have mentioned and choose the one you like best..... the one that "jumps off the shelf or out of a picture and right into your arms."