I'm sure this thread has been started here many times, but I can't seem to find anything, so maybe someone can point me in the right direction or just write down few suggestions. I started in hobby last year and so far I've put together 5 ARF's, but that's all the experience I have. I like building and I want to try a kit. Any kind of plane will do, as long as it's a 40 size. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

A trainer is more than a flying trainer. Kits like the Sig LT-40 and the Goldberg Eagle are geared for the first - time builder. You might try building a trainer kit, for that reason.

A Sig Someth'n Extra is very easy to build, as are all the Herr offerings. There are certainly others. Most more advanced kits are short on hints for the first time builder - or completely devoid of them.

Good luck, and welcome aboard,
Dave Olson

If you are looking for a good kit for your first build the hands down winner has to be the Sig Something Extra. It is one of the best engineered easiest to build kits that I have ever built. I have built 3 of them so far and the last one that I did I was able to have it framed out in a weekend. A joke I like to make about this kit is you open the box, throw in a bottle of glue, close the top, shake the box, open the box, and remove the finished plane. Seriously though, you can't go wrong with this kit. The instruction manual is very complete and descriptive with lots of pictures. And all of the parts are laser cut so they almost just fall out of their sheets.

And to top it all off, when you are finished you have a plane that is just a total blast to fly!!!

Hope this helps

Ken

I second the Sig Somethin' Extra. It was my first kit & there's are numerous build threads on RCU to help you out.

Hi
The easiest I’ve built so far is a Goldberg TIGER as far as stick building I scratch my first plan a Sig Kadet Senior
Danny

Hi zik69,

Welcome to the world of kit building. Be forewarned... Once you start you will become addicted. Of course getting the right start is key. Hopefully I can help here.

Overall I would suggest, as a first build, a kit that provides a manual that explains every step in the build process in good detail and with pictures. The kit should include a good selection of wood and hardware. It should also be of a model with a pretty straight forward design. Trainer, sport, and aerobatic models fit this category pretty well. The kit that conatins these elements will make for a wonderful first kit build experience.

Greatplanes has some very good kits that go together well and have very good supporting documentation (plans and manuals). I built their Giles-202 a couple years ago and found it to be a pleasurable experience. The wood and hardware included in the kit were top notch. The Giles was my first Greatplanes kit build and I wouldn't hestitate to build another. I still fly the Giles today. Greatplanes also has their manuals on-line for download. I suggest taking a look at the manual of a plane that interests you. It'll show you what the build process is like.

Goldberg and Sig also have very well put together kits. I've built the Goldberg Chipmunk and Ultimate 10-300 kits. These were sixty size models but the kits went together well. They also have good plans and manuals that take you through the building process in good detail. I've also built the Sig Kougar and Kadet MKII kits. The Kougar is pretty outdated by today's standards but the kit does build well. I don't know if the Kadet MkII is still around. It's been quite a few years since I have built a kit from either of these manufacturers so maybe someone with more recent experience with their kits will chime in. Everyone seems to love the Sig 4-star series of kits but again I have no experience with them. I find myself building more Top Flite kits these days. Top Flite offers good kits but they require quite a bit more work and detail than the other kit manufacturers mentioned. I would not reccomend them as a first build kit.

I am sure there are other manufacturers that make great first time builder kits. Hopefully someone will chime in with their experiences as well. From my experience you really can't go wrong with either Goldberg, Greatplanes, or Sig. These kit manufacturers have hit the criteria for documentation, wood selection, and hardware packages that will make the building experience a joy and have you wanting for more.

Good luck with your selection.

ZXPilot

I'm a big Carl Goldberg fan, but I've heard bad things lately about their manuals (maybe it's just the Chipmunk). I'm not a huge Great Planes fan, but they do have about the best manuals in the business, and they don't assume you know all the kit-builder's lingo. I like Sig a lot, and the SSE is a terrific plane to build and fly, but some of their other planes are a bit of a challenge for the 1st-time builder. I can't think of any other kit manufacturers who cater to first-timers. Some will give you plans and a sheet of building notes.

One of the best things about the Somethin Extra is the flight envelope. If you have your control rates down it makes an excellent second plane, third plane, etc. We have quite a few in my club and a lot of people agree they would make good first trainer planes. They have a stable, predictable landing characteristic. If you turn up your rates, it becomes even more fun to fly. A few people practice pattern with theirs. To me, it is a real do-anything kind of kit.

Also, it is one of those kits that begs to be modified. You may find yourself building a couple of them. I was given one and I modified some of it when repairing the crash damage. I still want to get my own kit and build it.

If you want something a bit larger than a typical .40 or .60 size trainer try the BTE Flyin' King. I haven't built a kit in over 10 years and found it very easy to put together. The wood is of the highest quality and the manual is detailed and very clear. I made a few mistakes, but they certainly cannot be faulted to the designer and manufacturer, Bruce Tharpe.

Give it a try!

I'll put in my vote for the Somethin' Extra. Very easy build, but a bit tight in some areas. If you're thinking something a bit larger, take a look at an Astro-Hog. I put one together close to 15 years ago, a very good Kit. Others you might consider, any of the 'stik' models (if you can find a kit), a profile like a MOJO or similar, or if you're feeling real adventurous, simply grab some plans of one of the 'stik' models, get the wood, cut out the parts to make your own kit and have at it! Just take your time, working out the details before you start sticking stuff together! Above all, don't get in a rush, or you'll have problems for sure. If you do run into a problem or mistake, just cut it out, make some new parts, and pick back up where you left off.

Good Luck!

Zik--Sig SE is fine plane, and easy build. BUT, the easiest building kit I've done is the Sig 4 Star 60. I know you wanted a 40 sized plane, but the 4*60 practically builds itself, and its different from the 4*40, but both are great flyers. Except for the spars, there is zero gluing until the wing half is framed up. You can easily frame both halves in an evening. However, if you are trying to learn kit building, a typical D tube wing such as in the SE, Tiger and just about any trainer are good subjects. Tiger 2 was my second plane and I loved it.

Greg

I made the mistake of buying a Sig Somethin Extra as my second plane. I was not ready for it. It took me a while to get a feel for it.
I would suggest the Sig Four Star. The the instruction are straight forward and the parts that make up the fuse interlock so you end up with a very straight and true build. The plane flys awesome. For me it would have been the perfect second plane. Very stable no odd tendancies. Best luck to you with your new addiction.

I am one of those who is really partial to the Sig 4 * series. They are a straight forward build that incorporates several build methods and concepts. There is a 40, 60 and 120 size so you can go big or small. All are easy to set up for 2 or 4 strokers, the 120 is easily adapted to gas, and all can be electrified easily too. There are numerous build threads and modifcations to spice them up. Very stable flyer with solid basic aero capabilites.

Great way to get your building legs under you IMHO. Am sure the others mentioend above will be too. With five ARFs under your belt I assume you could easily handle the Somthin Extra or any of the suggestions.

Eric

zik69,

I read through all the suggestions so far and each one is helpful. I agree that for building your first kit look fo a kit manufacturer that gives the best instruction manual. Of course, you will need to look through the kit to see the level of difficulty involved. Having your firdst kit built plane fly is a great feeling. Having it look good anf fly is even better. I find the great planes/ top flite kits have great step by step directions with pictures and all. The kits include all the necessary hardware and provide a list of parts & part numbers so you can build according to directions. Very, very important is that when you are all done - balance the airplane. All of the above suggested palnes are great and will probably serve well. My overall favorite is the Top Flite "Contender". It is simple to build, the instructions are superb (although there are some minor errors), it is a real nice looking airplane. Above all it is one of the best flying planes around. Landings are a blast, I'm not bragging when I say you can land it with your eyes closed. Don't try it though. There are several threads here on building the Contender so any and all questions you may have will get answered.

Good luck and let us know your choice.

Gerry

I found the Great Planes Rapture very easy to build. The only faults I found in the kit were the lack of laser cutting and a few bad plywood sheets. Otherwise, it was a picece of cake to build straight and strong. The performance was great too.

Another excellent option is the 4-Star 40 from Sig. I've built a few of these. The latest kits are laser cut and frame up almost as fast as you can apply CA. The biggest chore was shaping the leading edge and it's no big deal at all. The Four Star is an excellent flyer too.

Everyone elese has mentioned the Somthin Extra. I have this kit but not started it yet so I can't really comment. I do have the ARF version though and all I can say is that this plane is incredible. It will do just about anything... wild aerobatics, relatively gentle landings and it can even be fairly fast with the right engine (in spite of the thick airfoil). Out of all my planes, the SE is probably my favorite for it's all-around performance.

Just to give you another idea-look at the Tower 40 size Uproar-easy kit to build-its not laser cut but die cutting is good quality. Box type fuse, easy to cover. The plane is a blast to fly, with control throws turned down it is docile, turn them up and it turns into a fun plane to fly, lands like a trainer. At $45 it turns into a bargain at todays prices. Just a thought, any of the above suggestions will work as well, its just what you want and how much $$ you want to invest.

I've looked at the Uproar too. The price tag is very inviting. Of course, I already have several fun-fly planes, I don;t need another one. Wait a minute... what am I saying? I can always find room for one more. I bet I have an Uproar at some point.

Hello; My advice would be the Sig Mid-star 40; good instructions, good wood, an easy build, and it makes a terrific plane. It's my favorite 40 sized plane. The next choice would be the Sig four star 60, another easy build with interlocking parts. But you did say 40 size. I have built most of the Sig line, and except for a few of the earlier ones, there isn't a bad one. I have also built all the Goldberg planes too, they're all good too, and they make a good flying plane. I would say that you can't go wrong with either of these makers.