I'm researching the Contender and am considering this for my next build. Anybody have any pros or cons they would like to share? Also, how does she fly? I like the large single flap it has as an option. I am considering installing the Tower Hobbies .46 Ball Bearing ABC Schnuerle & Muffler. I normally buy OS engines but would like to try a different engine this time.

thanks[8D]

These planes fly very well and have been around for many years. They really scoot with a .60 engine and most I've seen use it. As for the Tower engine over the OS...do yourself a favor and stay with the OS. They may be more expensive, but they are a lot more reliable! The flaps is effective also.

By the way....my son is building one now that he got for Christmas.

Rod

I completed mine in September. Using a OS .61FX. It is definately a point and fly airplane, very fast, and will do just
about anything. I chose to retain the upswept wing, glad I did, and made other small modifications that enhanced
the plane.

I recommend it for someone that likes a fun plane to fly. The flaps really let you slow it down and make for easy landings.
The plane takes off and lands very well without using flaps, is very stable.

Good Luck.

The CONTENDER is my favorite airplane!! In fact I have collected 4 original Topflite kits and 3 of the new version. I have a 40 size Contender which I modified for aN ENYA 41 Four Stroke engine. It is brand new and awaiting it's maiden flight. It too has flaps. My next one, one of the big ones will also have a four stroke and I will include retacts in that one. Best of luck
Nevin M. Levy
g17staggerwing

I built the Contender with the flaps, standard wing tips, and powered it with the OS-46FX. Good flyer! By all means, add the flaps. Flaps add another dimension to flying. They are a lot of fun. As far as power is concerned; as mentioned mine is powered with the OS-46 and a fellow club member powered his with a .61. IMO the difference in speed wasn't much if anything. Save yourself a few bucks and less fuel consumption and go for the OS46.

DaveB

Great looking Contender Safebet. My kit is still waiting to be started. Have a habit of starting to many projects on workbenches, and have other jobs take me away from the workbenches leaving construction on hold for periods of time. It is great to get all of the construction information from you and other builders before mine got started. The wing tip and other changes will make my plane a good flyer. Thanks to everyone for sharing their construction activities.

Rich S.

Thanks for all the great responses. It sounds like a great kit. This will be my second kit build. My first was the GP RV-4. I went ahead and ordered the kit and the TH .46BB. I may decide later to use a different engine but for now, I took advantage of the seasonal discount. I'll go ahead and create this as a build thread and post pics as I build it. I read some good advice about bolting in the nose wheel. I'm looking forward to this build. Should be completed by March or April. Thanks for all of your advice. [sm=shades_smile.gif]

Still waiting for my Contender to come in the mail. Anybody know if I can put retracts on her and which size I might consider? or perhaps good places to shop for retracts?

cheers

S3eker: I am glad you are going to start a build thread. It will be fun and informative for all new builders.

I made a few modifications to mine:
1. Added 1/2" width to the ailerons at the wing tip end.
2. Took the crook out of the rear trailing edge of the rudder. Just drew a straight line from top to bottom and built it
that way. Probably added about 15% surface. Knife edges great.
3. My cowl is not one pc. I installed a .60 OS FX and had I whittled the cowl as suggested I would
never have been able to get the engine out for needed servicing or repairs. I can pull the engine straight out the front.
4. My scoop is functional and open to the cowl at the bottom. Air comes in a is directed out the top to the engine.
5. I installed the nose gear with epoxied nuts and purchased a Fults nose gear after bending the original. They are soft.

I will be watching your build with interest.

Safebet, Is there a reason why you increased the aileron size?

The ailerons looked just a little small to me. Some other builders of this kit did the same thing. Just a little more roll authority. The plane flies beautifully. One of the
guys at the club competes in IMAC and he flew it and put it thru some pattern sequences and he like it a lot.

Sounds like a good idea on the ailerons. I'll consider doing the same. My kit finally arrived yesterday. I was going to post pics of the kit but I'm sure everyone has probably already seen it. I'm starting the build this weekend and will post pics of the build. This will be my first build thread.

[8D]

S3eker

Consider using blind nuts to mount the nose gear to the firewall. Using the recommended nose gear mounting method, if the hardware pulls out during a less than perfect landing it'll be tough to reinstall. There's a lot of good building threads on the Contender that should be helpful to ya. Good luck with your build and have fun with it.

Regards
Mike

I might add a Fultz nose gear is a wonderful investment. Aleviates a lot of worries about bent nose gears. Very tough.

I built mine with the raised wing tips and I think if I could do it over I would build them horizontal. It flies great either way, but looks better flat (IMHO).

The rudder I enlarged about 30% and that seems to be a worthwhile move. I mimiced the shape of the horizontal stabs and made a framed up rudder that was convex instead of the concave version on the plans.

I also opened a passage through the "dummy" cowl intake of about 1/4"h x 1/2"w for any spilled fuel to escape and to get air back to the rear carb on my OS-FS70II. Which is, by the way, plenty of engine for the Contender. Boooo yah!

Worst problem(s) I have had are canopy related. I had a battle tinting it and attaching it. Partially pulled off last flight and I have decided to remove the glue reside (J&Z R/C-56) and reglue with servo screws or #2 self-tapping screws to mechanically hold the thing down. I lack the canopy gene or something. I hate 'em. When the canopy started to flap I thought I was hearing aileron flutter and I brought her down so quickly it's a wonder I didn't tear out the undercarriage. Whew!