Wondering if anyone can suggest a bi-plane kit that leans towards not so difficult to build - don't mind a challenge however don't want to become certifiable. I have built a .46 Telemaster kit and a SIG SSE kit already.
My first choice for a bi-plane would be WWI era type and up from there. I would like to use a 52 4stroke up to a 100 4stroke. Thanks in advance for any advice.

Not a WWI era but the Sig Hog Bipe is an excellent build and flier with a 91-100 four stroke.

Balsa USA Phaeton. Easy to build and flys sooo sweet with a .46....Another plus, a very reasonable price!

I built two of the Rich Uravitch Fokker D-VIIs at the same time from his plans sold in Model Airplane News several years ago and they were very easy builds and great flying little planes. I have flown mine with an old OS 46 until it wore out then I changed over to the OS 46LA and it flies just as well with that. 49 inch wing span. Not as much work involved building your own kit as most people think and it's A great starter for bigger and better plans built planes. A 52 four stroke would be perfect for this plane too. If you want to try A plans built plane I can talk you through most any of the little problems you may run into.

A friend and I are building Hogs and although I've built a few kits this is my friends first real kit and he is having no trouble at all with it, Very nice build and it has that 30s' look to it, We modified the rudder to look more like a Waco and there is tons of threads to read on different things you can do if you should choose to. This pic is at about 35 hours of building time and I have to admit it is going rather well without any problems for us, Both our kits are at the exact same point of building and should be covered by the end of the day Friday.
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_37...tm.htm#3762626

Dauntae

Thanks for the suggestions. How does the HOG kit and Phaeton Balsa USA kit compare - are they at the same level of difficult?

With the engine size that you indicated, the Sig Hog Bipe would be the way to go. From what I've seen following a few threads on here it's a pretty easy build. Since you have built the Sig SSE, you are already familier with their type of contruction and shouldn't have any problems. Just do a build thread on here and when/if you run into a problem, there will be plenty of us around to help out.

As far as flying it goes, as long as you can make your SSE do whatever you want and are always in full control (not the plane controlling you) you should pick up on flying the Hog pretty quickly. I'm making an assumption here, but if the Telemaster and the SSE are the only two planes that you have flown, you might get one of the more experienced flyers at your filed to do the maiden. BUT if you are like me, just go for it yourself

Once you get comfortable with the Hog, you might consider the Goldberg Ultimate as your next bipe. If you thought the SSE was fun, wait until you fly an Ultimate

The Phaeton is a much simpler plane to build than the Hog Bipe, not that the Hog is difficult , just that the Phaeton has fewer parts. Price wise, The Phaeton is $88.95 direct from BUSA the Hog is $122.49 from Tower. Either one is a great choice for your first bipe project!

If you want something a little more wild and crazy, you'll love the Dreamer by Gee Bee models!...Perfect for a .46 I've built a couple of these and they really fly cool! And a bargin @ $80!

I'm in the process of building a GP ultimate 40. This is my first build and I got the thing for christmas. It goes together very easily. I am very satisfied with this kit. I have an os70fs surpassII in it now and I should have it covered by tomorrow.
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The 40 size Balsa USA bipe is the Phaeton II. A saito 56 or 72 will make it whirl. You can also fit engines like the Magnum or OS 70 four strokes in them. Anything bigger than the Saito 56 and it will have a lot of power. A OS or Magnum 52 four stroke would make it a nice sport plane.

It is a great flying sport plane. It is close to the Andres Aeromaster in the way it flies.

The build on this plane goes real fast because of the more simple way it is designed. It doesn't have as many parts as the Hog. Though the Hog flies well also.

Enjoy,

Jim