I've built one ARF trainer and now want to try a non-ARF kit. I love the Cub/Aeronca Champ/DeHavilland Beaver style planes and would like to build one similar to those. Lot's of Cubs around so something a bit different than that would be cool. What kit would you recommend for a first timer? As far as size goes something 1/4 scale or larger is what I'd be looking for.

How about the Unionville Beaver? Or Otter? Or Norseman? Can a rookie kit builder put these together without them coming out looking like a balsa banana?

Thanks in advance for your suggestions.

For a first kit I would look at a Sig or Great Planes kit, perhaps a Citabria or Taylorcraft if you want a high wing sport scale. The beaver or otter would both be cool, but I dont know anything about Unionville kits.

Where are you in New Mexico. I grew up just east of Clovis.

I'm in Albuquerque. I'll check out the models you mentioned. Thanks!

I built a 4 star 40 as my first kit (2nd plane) and found it to be enjoyable past my own flubs. But I would think that any laser-cut kit by most of the manufacturers that isn't specifically for advanced flyers probably wouldn't be too hard on the building.

I agree with the taylorcraft, or maybe a clipped wing cub both are good planes .

Highlander

I like the sound of a Taylorcraft but the only kit I can find is by Lanier... no SIG or Great Planes (except for the 56" GP). Comments I've read here and elsewhere warn that the Lanier 1/4 Taylorcraft is not a beginner's kit. Any other kit manufacturer's who make a Taylorcraft?

Unfortunately, the Taylorcraft's appeal is somewhat limited, and the only kits that I am aware of are "Builders Kits". Even large scale Cubs aren't made (that I know of) in "easy to build" form.

Your best bet might be the 60 size GP Cub. It's not giant scale, but it's large (Personal note, I like the clipped wing version) and it will give you building skills. If you're good, you could attempt a more difficult kit next time.

Besides there's not a lot of difference between the Taylorcraft and the Cub anyway. C. Gilbert Taylor started the Taylor Brothers Aircraft Corporation in 1929. Production began with the Taylor E-2 Cub, with production ceasing in 1936 after a production run of about 350. In 1935, improvements to the E-2 led to the J-2 Cub, the precursor to the infamous Piper J-3 Cub developed in 1937. So the GP-60 Cub might be the ticket, I have the 40 size on the bench now, its not to difficult. Be sure to read all of the instructions, including the single page corrections first. Thank Minnflyer, and Good Luck building.

My first kit was the .60 cub, I didn't clip the wings, although i wish I did now, they are just huge. Wasn't easy for me, but nothing too terrible, biggest hinderance was the poorly die-cut parts, some of the gaps in fit were terrible and couldnt be sanded perfect or you would lose the outlines of the fusalage, rudder, etc.

Really not impressed with the kit, but it served it's purpose. It isnt done yet but close, covering the fuse, even for an expert friend, was a terrible, terrible experience with Monokote, dunno if be better with different stuff, but my lord is there some work to be done covering this.

I am afraid to cover the rudder, elevator and ailerons by myself and have been putting this off, so many large and small curves,I am also afaid of the stupid solder type push rods, thats all I need, solder the wrong way and have it fail in flight.

Minnflyer I think doesn't like monokote too much, most people seem not too, it might be making my troubles worse.


When almost done though, cub is big, heavy, and pretty impressive so far, cant wait to see it fly.

Mill the semi-newbie.

I want to cover a Dynaflite Decathalon, but I don't know with what materials. Everyone says something different about monokote, ultrakote, coverite.... I am confuse. Come on!!!!!!!! What is the best easy to use, scale appearance, with professional finish covering material available?

Thanks for the help :drowning: Lolo

I've built the Unionville Norseman. Its not too difficult to build for its size. I enjoyed the build, ran into no notable problems, and would recommend it to others. However, I think its a bit much for a first kit. Perhaps as a second kit. Good luck.

lolo bond I've used Solartex and it is great stuff to use on any cloth covered plane. It will go around curved serfaces real easely and if the weather loosens up the covering just add a little heat and it will shrink back to the orriginal tauntness. And if you want to crush a plane just keep the heat on it it will defenately do that. It will also except paint and still give you that cloth look.

lolo,
This is Cheesy's thread. If you have a question that's not directly related to Cheesy's post, you should start your own thread.
Dennis-

Don't bite off too much for a first kit. Even though you can fly, there are lots of things to learn on building. If you like a cub, the Anniversary ed cub by goldberg is nice. Some of the more scale planes are tough to build. You might want to build a couple of sport fliers first.