Whats a good builders kit with good engineering and not too much sanding blocks of wood for shape? Any kind of kit with any size engine (I'm buying new stuff for it and not gonna use the old super broken in stuff). My flying skills a little above average so preferably a plane that flies sorta on the slow side and my building skills are very good. I kinda leaning toward the BUSA Fokker D-VIII or other WW1 planes.
Zach

joe,

I built the BUSA Nieuport 28 and have the Fokker D-VIII kit, but have not yet built it. The Nieuport kit was well engineered, the wood quality and parts fit were very good (especially for a die-cut kit) and the instructions were understandable and fairly easy to follow. All in all it was an enjoyable build. The Fokker D-VIII looks to be about the same quality. If you're looking for a good build with some challenges, but nothing insurmountable, I'd highly recommend a BUSA kit. One hint - bone up on your soldering techniques.

papermache

You might also consider one of the Flair kits. I'm building the Flair Legionaire which is a sport-scale version of the Nieuport 17 and I've been very impressed with the kit -- enough so that I immediately went out and bought the Puppeteer which is their version of the Sopwith Pup.

If you're going to go for a WWI model, you really gotta have TWO wings!

BTW, I always thought of a "builder's kit" as being one that was a little challenging (but pleasant) to put together. I'm not really sure I'd think of BUSA kits (or Flair) kits as classic "builder's kits."

Try a Proctor kit.

If you want a nice kit with a lot of building, and thinking. Try a Eddie A. Aircraft "Superhawk" e-mail [email protected] Great kit fun to build, and they fly wonderful.

My question is- what is a builders kit ?? since day one-- a KIT has been a set of plans and the necessary balsa, some with printed shapes on it and other required sticks of various sizes and covering material. you had to furnish the glue and manpower to put it together. dick

It's just a term used to discribe a kit that is not completly layed out for you. Locations of servos and fuel tank and other things are up to you to do.

To me, the phrase "builder's kit" is akin to expressions like "a man's man" or "a photographer's photographer" -- that is to say it refers to an insider's perspective. A builder's kit, then, would be one that people who really enjoy building would consider to be a good kit. And when I say good I don't mean "good" as in fast to build or easy. Would anyone consider a 4*40 to be a "builder's kit." I don't think so. Instead a builder's idea of good kit probably refers to things like elegance of design, sophistication, technical challenge (think Proctor), and final quality.

sorry about the terminology. it used to be called a short kit. I guess its because its been so many/many years that I have bought a kit of any kind. I do my own plans and engineering. dick

Don't know if it would be any good for you (probably a little too simple) but I'm currently documenting the build of a FunAero S.E.5a in [link=http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_3181148/tm.htm]this thread.[/link] I've certainly enjoyed it so far.

Cheers,
Neil.

Don't be sorry about the terminology. We do know what where talking about. In a way if you build it, its a builder kit. I think some kits just require more experience, and thinking. Some kits require that you know how to frame some up from past experience. Some kits you can build as fast as you can apply CA glue.

Just enjoy what you build and build what you like.

The Pica Spit I'm building is a "builder's kit". If you can find one: Pica kit, go fo it!
The BUSA Northstar is also a "builder's kit". but is easier. I am looking forward to a BUSA WW1 kit someday (Soon!! for eh same reason you're asking!!)

the Sig 4* & Somethin Extra are beginenr's kits.
Ditto with most Great Plane kits. My Super Sportster & Slow Poke would be 'advanced beginners', as there is more technique required than a basic box fuse & constant cord wings.

I would class a "builder's kit" as a kit that is really just a box of wood, and basic instructions (pictures optional). It is assumed the buidler has built a few kits, and understands how it all should go together. Also, the buidler is to supply certain (many?!) items of his choice, down to motor mounts & screws. And a "builder's kit" requires some extra tools the 'beginner' might not have.

I mentioned Sig & GP as "beginner's kits" because the instructions are excellent, and offer more than just the basics of how it goes together. Also, there is very minimal 'extra' required to finish the kit, it's all included.

In a few years, I'll be looking at a scratch / short kit!

Build a Balsa Usa kit. Lots of WWl designs to choose from, and more challenging than the typical box fuselage d-tube wing design. They are also available in a couple of sizes to fit your budget and size constraints. Proctor kits are wonderfull...to build in Nov. thru April and fly in May.

So you want a challenge? IkonNW. If you can finish one and get it flying, you are more than a builder; you are a craftsman!

Dave

Have you looked at Sig's Smith miniplane?

It's a cute little biplane that definitely requires building. It really isn't that hard to put together, though. I really enjoy mine.

Man, its amazing how we can get turned on with variations of the term. what are you looking for?? something easy-- something hard or something complex. they are all kits. why not buy a good set of detail plans and cut out your own selected/graded wood and really be able to puff out your chest and say I DID IT. or learn how to draw your own plans from the detail small drawings that are available. nothing personal , just some of the responses. dick with another opinion.

For extremely well-engineered plans, kits, and components, check out this site:

http://www.vanvan.us

It's NOT WWI but there are some really unique aircraft available here. Tell him warbirdcolors sent you....

Just to throw a little more confusion into the mix...

A "Short" kit is usually a kit that has, let's say, a fiberglass Fuse, and Foam Wings - but YOU have to provide the wing sheeting, Landing gear, Hardware, etc.

A "Builder's" kit is for someone who is a craftsman. Someone who takes great pleasure in carving and sanding a piece of wood into an exact shape, and who needs little instruction to do so (I.E., Step 1: Build the wing - Step 2: Build the Fuse - etc)

"A "Builder's" kit is for someone who is a craftsman. Someone who takes great pleasure in carving and sanding a piece of wood into an exact shape, and who needs little instruction to do so (I.E., Step 1: Build the wing - Step 2: Build the Fuse - etc)"

Pica and Royal (both 'history') were a true builder's kit IMHO.....but ya gotta LOVE'EM!!!! Heck, who can fly at night in a rainstorm? So we BUILD at times like that....and love it! Right?????

Jerry