My son is looking at getting into areo modeling and I've been looking at buying him a kit so we can build it together.

I've only been able to find a balsacraft kit, and I can find noware that sell's it. Can anyone recommend a good kit for us to build together?

Thank you

Balsacraft no longer exists unfortunately. What about a Chris Foss Uno Wot?:

http://www.stevewebb.co.uk/index.php...&area=Aircraft

It's made in the UK and is supposed to be a good trainer, especially if you use a buddy box. There are a few other trainer kits out there:

Laser Colibri:

http://www.sussex-model-centre.co.uk...xd.asp?id=1230

Sig Cadet Seniorita and Senior:

http://www.sussex-model-centre.co.uk/shopexd.asp?id=111
http://www.sussex-model-centre.co.uk/shopexd.asp?id=112

Building together is a great idea and a fantastic learning experience. Don't be deceived into thinking it's the cheaper option though. Far Eastern ARTFs have got so cheap that a ready built model actually costs less. When I decided to get a glow plane after flying electrics for a while, I bought a Ripmax Trainer 30 for £46. Every one of the kits I just suggested costs more than that.

If you want more UK related advice, you could join this forum:

http://www.rcmf.co.uk

It's small and very friendly and it's to talk to people a bit closer to home.

Oh, and another supplier you might look at is Mainly Models in Hitchin:

http://www.mainlymodels.com

They have some of the lowest prices in the UK for certain things, though you can't go far wrong with the bigger names like Al's, SMC etc.

Matthew

Mathew is correct about the price of ARFs vs kits...

BUT I have seen a lot of people get into the hobby with ARFs (Almost Ready to Fly) and then quickly drop out because they lacked the skill to repair the Air Craft or fully understand the workings of it... [] [:'(]

Another "Theory" might be that those who purchase their first AC as an ARF lack the commitment to the hobby... either way I would recommend a good kit to get you and your son into the 'Full' modelling mind set.

Building the AC together will also be a great Father and Son experiance - even if it is not as 'Economically Viable' as an ARF... it fills the evenings and will build a bond between you as well as the appreciation of creating something together. A tad poetic perhaps... bu t nontheless the point is there.

Have a look about for the "Eagle 2", "Serioretta" or "Kadet", they are all excellent trainers and lots of fun to build.

Good Luck!!

Hi happyal
I am with Matthew Allen on the Uno Wot - a great flyer though can be a challenge on take-off and landing due to the tail-dragger configuration.
However, I can recommend the ATS Kite - see link below.

http://www.aerialtrainingservices.co.uk/ser_kite.htm

As it says, it is the trainer of choice for the ATS flying school which is situated just down the road from me on J15 of the M4 - I must say here that I have no connection with them at all - the plane stands on it's own merits! I may well get one for my son when he gets old enough to learn.
As you can see it's a trike layout which makes the landings easier - less tendency to balloon, once it's down it stays down!

hope this helps and good luck - nice to see somebody going the building route for a change!

[8D]

cheers
Rick

Thanks Guys,

Lots of good models there that I did not know about. I like the look of the WOT4, I think that I will end up getting that one for him to learn on.

I've been in the hobby for long enought to know that ARTF's are the cheaper option now days, but I've just got the building bug.

The Wot 4 is a bit sportier than the Uno Wot, but it would probably also be a good choice if you're on a buddy box, and in the UK (as I'm sure you know) it's the standard Sunday hack.

Have you got your son flying on a sim? I more or less learnt to fly on a sim - for a while I used MS Flight in tower mode, and then later I found FMS:

http://n.ethz.ch/student/mmoeller/fms/index_e.html

Matthew

EDIT: I noticed you had another thread about Warbirds Replica. RCMF, the forum I recommended above, actually has a special section for this company's kits.

Thanks Matthew,

I've always wanted a WOT4, they always seem to fly and look great, I've got that Sim but I've not plugged him into it yet. I'll have to get him on it before we start, so when he is ready he'll know what to do.

Thank for the tip about the Warbirds forum, I've been looking for info on these kits so thank you very much for your help.

Hi happyal
I've had a number of Wot4s (see my profile and review) - I love them. I've had all 3 marks in various states of modification.

If you're going to go for that choice I would, if I may be so bold, offer just a couple of tips:

1) keep the motor size down - say a 40 maximum.
2) keep the aileron rates low.

I fly with one with an OS46FX and with large throws it will roll very fast (say a couple of rolls per second) and will vertical climb from take-off to out of sight in 20~25 seconds. I would say that both characteristics are way too much for a beginner to learn on

Other than that, I think it is a fine model and can be re-engined later when he has got the hang of it I had a 40 powered mk2 as my second model - hope your son gets as many hours of enjoyable flying out of it as I have mine.

cheers
Rick