So almost all my RC life I've built and flown ARF's. However I've come to appreciate what a well built kit can offer. Either scratch built or from plans. I have built a few kits in my time (Sportster, Trainer, Decathalon etc). Recently though I vowed to start working my way away from ARFS and picked up two kits. The P-51 Top Flight Golden Edition and a Mini Lanier Extra 300.I decided to start with the Extra (small and in-expensive)

What I was surprised to see was very little documentation describing each step. The Extra included some plans and a small booklet with nothing but verbage (no pictures with each step). It's like trying to explain how to tie a complex knot without pictures!!!! What a waste.

When I built planes years ago I dont remember this being a problem. I was hoping to "warm up" on some kits before taking things to the next level (AFF -> Kits -> Scratch etc). But right now I'm basically staring at some CAD generated plans with a book trying to explain what to do (no pictures and very short descriptions).

It's a little frustrating. Are all kits like this now a days or did I pick a poor kit to start with? I was hoping to spend the hot summer months and cold winder months building, leaving Fall and Spring for flying. But right now I feel like I'm over my head and I really want to build

Unfortunately, many kits manufacturers assume you are a veteran kit builder. Most of the top brand kit manufacturers also include detailed dawings and assembly instructions. You may be better off putting that kit to the side for now until you are more experienced.

Top Flite, Sig, Goldberg and many, many others do a very good job with plans and instructions. You might want to put "feelers" out here on RCU before you buy your next kit. Previous builders can tell you if it's instruction are complete or for the more advanced builder. People here may also be able to walk you through the build if you have questions. Help is usually just a question away!

Good luck!

Rod

Open up the instructions for the Top Flite P51 and you will see that not all documentation is created equal. Sig, Top Flite, Great Planes, to name a few, have very good instruction manuals. I built a D&L Designs Edge 540 kit that was similar to what you're describing with the Lanier. There were small, dark, black and white pictures all put together by themselves to 'help' you build the kit.

The great thing is that you have access to the internet, and usually can find someone who has already assembled the kit you're talking about.

Kerry

Ok, well can someone recommend a great kit to build next (not ready for my large P-51)? I'm looking for something in the .40-.60 range thats aerobatic.

Planes that I'd like to consider are:

- Sig Something Extra
- GP Super Skybolt Kit

Also interested in a good .40-.90 Warbird, Cap, Extra, Edge etc (no Tri Gear or High Wing planes)

Any recommendations?

I've never seen the plans for your Extra. But the plans should be the road map of any build not the instructions. Plans vary in quality and plans and instructions do have mistakes. If you have a build or two under your belt there are many common construction techniques or preferences in building that are left to the builder.

Some plans you have to "study" for a while to get a mental picture of how the plane goes together.

I ordered plans for a Ziroli B-25. Great plans...the documentation that came with them was two pages! Something along the lines of "build the wing first then the fuselage. Build it straight or it won't fly right."

I'm studying those plans for a while

Break out the TF plans and instructions and read them. It may give you some insight on the Extra. Sig's kits have good plans and instructions if you want to go that route.

The Sig Something extra would be an excellent choice. It has been said that this is a kit that you open the box, throw in a bottle of medium CA and 15 min epoxy, close the box, shake well and out pops an airplane. Very easy build and lots of build threads on it here. Hardest part will be deciding how you want to cover it.

I think you could "shake-n-bake" a 4* too. lol

Take a look at the SkyShark models (http://www.skysharkrc.com/ ). They are a "full" build. Many people would call them a builder's kit, however, I do not feel they are. They have quite a few steps, but they build into a very nice plane. The documentation/instructions are top notch. If you do run into problems and they can not help you here, call SkyShark. They are quite helpful.

I'll second that Sig Somethin' Extra. It's a very easy build and very fun to fly. I miss mine(sigh!) Some Sig kits are easy and some are builders kits, depends on the age of the kit and who designed them. Something as common as shear webbing between wing spars on todays kits wasn't even dreamed up on some older kits. You might also consider a Bruce Tharpe Venture 60. Looks a bit like a 4* but better. It's the best kit I've run across so far, really outstanding quality. A pic of my old SSE to push you along

Kit mfg's run the gamet on instructions in thier kits. The old Royal kits had instructions that read something like; " Build wing and sand to shape." Then there are mfg's that detail out ever step with photos. Great Planes, Top Flite, Goldberg and possibly others have thier plans avialible to download off the net. This will give you an idea of the amount of detail in the instructions.

For your Lanier kit, it's always a good idea to spread all the pieces out on a table or floor and identify each piece and label it. Look at the plans and lable each piece. Even the stock balsa sticks and sheets should have the dimension written on them and what that piece is used for. Do this before you start any kit and the build will go much smoother and with less confusion.

Try the BTE Venture 60. It goes together extremely well, and is aerobatic as well. The parts fit well, and the instructions are comprehensive too. That would be my reccomendation.

Bill, AMA 4720
WACO Brotherhood #1

For what it's worth, I'll also add my recommendation for the Somethin' Extra. This is a very easy kit to build, and flies great. You will learn good construction and covering skills that will help a lot if you ever go for a more difficult project. Here's a pic of my current SSE (I liked the kit so much that I built 2 [&:])

Sig Something Extra is about as easy as it gets. Nice laser cutting, and great instructions. One of the first kit planes I ever built, and it was a piece of cake. I would only suggest that you carefully mark the part numbers on each piece of wood before you get started. The pieces will fall out of the shucks as you handle them, and get mixed up if you don't. Just makes it easier, although it would be nice if they would have etched the numbers on each part with the laser.

GP-SIG Goldburg all very good plans and instructions. SKYSHARK?????????? Maybe after building 10 kits, just A bit too scale and they fly scale too. Not for A begining builder. Cost A bunch too but they are A great kit.

My GP Extra 300S had terrific instructions and is lots of fun to fly. Supre Tigre G51 for power.

Dan

Another vote for the Sig Somethin' Extra.
It was my second build.
My first was a 4 * 40, another nice kit to build.
Currently working on a GP Ultimate 40, not as easy as the
Somethin' Extra.

Don J

Another happy SSE kit builder here... fun build, good instructions and a blast to fly to boot!

somegeek

Call Bubba and tell him his instructions stink !!! ( but I think he knows that)