I'm looking to buy and build my first kit. I have been flying arf's for a while and was wanting a .40 sized kit to build. The great planes slowpoke and RV-4 have caught my eye more than anyother planes. Has anyone built these and would you suggest them if not what would you suggest.

The Slow Poke isn't a kit for a first time builder. Get a few kits under your belt before tackling this kit. Of your choices I would say to do the RV-4.

Ken

Isn't the RV-4 an ARF? I have heard that Sig's Somethin' Extra is a fun and easy airplane to build.

I really don't know your flying abilities. What is "awhile"? I think Great Planes makes great kits and good models to start with, if the RV is a kit and this seems to trip your fancy, go for it! Sig is also another great kit maker!

This is such a subjective question, other people really can't answer this type of question for you, as really only you know what you want.

I have said I think Great Planes makes great kits, the next guy along may say Mode One is nuts, Great Planes kits suck! Of course they would be wrong, but that's between you and me!

Above all, get a kit and enjoy the part of the hobby I like the best, building!

Great Planes has some of the best instruction manuals out there. They also make some great flying planes. It is hard to miss with any Great Planes kit, however you need to select one that is within your flying abilities. Good Luck, Dave

To start learning to build I would recomend the Sig 4 star, mid star or Sig Something extra as well. The four star is a little more forgiving to building mistakes though. Great planes kits are nice too. I know a guy who built the RV and he said it was ok but not a beginners build. You might also consider some of the Cub builds

Can't go wrong with a Great Planes kit.....wish they still made the super sportster series...you might look at the Ulrta Sport also...might handle a little better than the RV

Goldberg Tiger 2 a nice plane.

I guess the RV-4 is a kit.

People have different abilities right from the start. Some need the "Beginner's kit" to start with and others can jump right in with both feet and start a more complicated project. Only you can answer the ability question.

Something I might suggest is to go to Great Planes web site and download the manuals to see if you think that they are within your abilities. If you feel you can shape sand the wing leading edges You may be able to handle the RV-4. If you don't feel you are ready to tackle this, you may want to try the Rapture, or a Goldberg Tiger kit.

A big bonus if you decide on one of the Great Planes kits is that you can download the manuals, and read through them while you are waiting for UPS to deliver your kit to you. Also you can read through the tools list and order what you need at the same time you order the kit.

Well,

I dont' know if you picked your airplane yet or kit.


I just finished a great planes Pt-60. My second built, my first was a sig citabria and now I am starting on my 3rd plane. A Sig mid-star 40.

here our my comments on what I know.

1st, like any one. You will know yourself best and your building abilities. If you pick up blue print reading quick and manual reading.

2nd. I found the Great planes Pt-60 easiest to build so far out of the three. But I also found errors in the manual and on the balsa sheets.

Alot more strimming had to be done, before I could remove the pieces.

But over-all it was still a easier kit.

The Sig citabria, took me over 110 hours to build. Not recommended for a beginner, as it was my first kit I had done. I took on a big task. But it turned out well. Just alot of time, double checking everything and making sure I understood what I needed to do and that it was correct.


My comments on Sig, versus great planes.

I think in some ways, Sigs are better kits. But no so much in regards to ease of understanding and building.

Great Planes are better at that.

Now, right. I have only done three (started the 3rd plane). But I am new to building still yet, in my mind.

I am not a very precise modeler. It may be off a 1/16th here or there. Covering. I did okay, but not as good as a really good builder.


I learned after my first covering, sanding is key and those little spots that are not flush. Well they all show up.

I think it took me just as long to cover the Pt-60 as it took me to build it. Covering is a time consuming process all buy itself.

It took me around 40 hours to build the Pt-60.

I have a nice table and area set up, just for the kit and away from people or animals that can get into it.

Wax paper, pins and CA, Epoxy are needed as well as several exacto knife blades.

I typically put in 2 to 3 hours a day into a plane.

Sporty