MAN had an on-line article about the Brian Taylor Vought OS2U Kingfisher, recommending it as a good scale intro plane. Any other scale planes in kit form out there that are good for intermediate flyers?

http://www.modelairplanenews.com/onl...s/gs_scale.asp

Yeah, lots. It all depends on what type and era you want. I don't know the specifics on the Kingfisher you mention, seems like that plane would be challenging as a first scale build. Do you want WWI, WWII, Golden Age, more modern.....?

A big scale Cub is always a great scale build, or a 182 Cessna, and Top Flite's warbirds are great, too.

How long have you been back from the sandpile? I assume that's you in your avatar. I flew USAF medevac (C-141B's) between Germany and Saudi Arabia the first time around, back in '91. I didn't have to stay as long as you guys did. Welcome back, glad you made it.

I prefer a military scale in the .40-.60 range, WW II and up. Some of the guys in the club told me to stay away from the warbirds until I get more flight time in. I'm on my second build (a 4*60) and I'm getting a little more confident in my building but still prefer a kit over an ARF. I like the cubs and may even hunt for a Cessna "bird dog" but wanted more input on an intro scale plane based on my flight skills.

Yes, that's me in the avatar....I got back from lovely Tikrit, Iraq in December 2005 - 11 months in the sandbox turning wrenches on forklifts, container handlers and Hummers. Thanks for the welcome and thanks for your commitment too!

Sir ~S~ for your service to our great country! How about a Tri-gear plane such as an T-28, P-39 Aerocobra, or a T34. These would be great first warbirds if you want retractable gear. If not in budget, you could go with an fixed gear civilian plane like the Piper Cherokee, Eurocoupe etc. I do not know what your building ability is. do not bite off more than you can chew. We in the scale builders do not want to lose a new member due to being frustrated and giving up. I hope you have a builder in your area that will be willing to help you through you first project. Keep us informed to your choice and good luck with your first scale project.
35 plus years of scale building and going strong!!
Gary Webb

Take a look at the build threads here in the kit forum, and also over in the warbirds forum. See if you can find a subject that has been covered from start to maiden, that interests you, and you will have a guide to follow.

Scott

I can't say it enough: you can't beat a Cub, every hangar should have at least one. And I'd recommend Sig's 1/5 scale if you go that way, 84.5 inch wing, flies very well on a .60-something 4-stroke, and there are several military schemes you can go with, the easiest being an NE-1 which is a standard Cub with a three color blue/gray Navy camo pattern. If your skills are good enough, it's a straightforward job to convert it and put a greenhouse in it as an L-4.

There are several BirdDogs also available. I've heard that Jack Stafford Models (JSM) is going out of business, but they have a nice kit of the L-19 if you can find one, and Vailly Aviation (Roy Vaillancourt) has plans available for both 1/5 and 1/4 scale. Get a good kit cutter (Precision Cut Kits) to cut the kit for you, the 1/5 scale shouldn't be too difficult as a 3rd or 4th kit.

Both planes are easy flyers after you have a bit of experience (gotta learn the rudder!).

To Gary9648--Damn Nice Mustang!!!

If you're really interested in scale, I recommend: www.RCscalebuilders.com

You can find just about any era plane that you can think of in this forum. You can read til your eyes fall out.

In the early 1970s I was stationed at HHQ VII Corps in Stuttgart, Germany. I was a 63B20 & 63C20 truck and track mechanic. Do they still describe MOS in this manner? It's my understanding the VII Corps bugged out to Iraq in the first Gulf War and the VII Corps was disbanded shortly there after. From landing on the beach head on D-Day, until disbanding in the early 90s the VII Corps had been overseas the entire time!

I am partial to WW1 airplanes which for the most part are easy flying and really nothing more then big model airplanes themselves. You do generally have to build two wings which some find tedious. You've stated you arn't interested in WW1 anyway so that's not an option. Given that you are on your second build, I would only recommend that you build something with a lighter wing loading. The choice of "what", really needs to be your own. Given this; however, an L-4 Cub would be an excellent choice. The OS2U might be more building then your ready for. However, again you need to make this decision, maybe you are ready!