Suggestions on a new kit?
 

I'm looking for a new plane to build. I've been out of airplanes for a few years and have been trying the helicopter thing for the past few months, but I just want something to throw around the sky without the stress of being on the sticks all the time like you are with a heli. Basically I'm here to get a few ideas/suggestions as far as what to go for.

Here's some of my background. First (nitro) kit I built was a Sig Four-Star 60 with an OS .61. I only got 5 flights on it because I was a newbie at that time and lost track of my altitude and the plane met a nice big rock (which cracked the engine among cracking many other things :(). From what I did experience though, it was fun to fly. I really liked the slow, floating landings. Heck, there was one day with a decent breeze coming down the runway, I dropped the flaps and practically landed it flying backwards, talk about fun! :D Anyways. What I didn't like about it was the semi-symmetrical wing and dihedral, making inverted flight somewhat annoying, as well as the rudder-elevator coupling and general rudder behaviors (knife edge, etc).

The second plane, and one I flew the most, was a CG Tiger 2 with a HB .61 on the nose. A bit more aerobatic than the 4*, but with the HB up front and the couple ounces of lead I had to add to the tail, the thing came in hot on landings, which scared the crap out of me each time I landed [:o].

Basically I'm looking for a mix of the two, which I know is having your cake and eating it too. Planes that I have looked at are the Sig Somethin' Extra, GP Ultra Sport 40+, a smaller version of an Extra 300, like the GP Extra 300S .40, or something similar. I would like something in which I can put a slightly larger engine, just to have the extra power as a "in case stuff happens" and also given that I'm at a higher altitude, approximately 5000'. I've often thought that I would like the build the 4* again, but I really hesitate because of its negative attributes, but the kit was just a dream to build.

I would really appreciate people's advice, whether it's about one of the planes that I mentioned or something completely different. Thanks!

RE: Suggestions on a new kit?
 

Check out Bruce Tharpe's Venture .60 [link=http://www.btemodels.com/venture.html]Venture 60[/link] Bruce was the original designer of the 4*. The Venture is his "new and improved" version.

RE: Suggestions on a new kit?
 

I have never flown the Ultra Sport +, but If it's anywhere near as good as the original, you'll do back-flips!

RE: Suggestions on a new kit?
 

Hi Jinzo,

I just retrieved your message RE: Shopping for a new R/C project. I am just re-entering the hobby myself after a long layoff to concentrate on work related matters. I have several projects slated for the next year or two including a Top Flite Gold Edition Spitfire, a T/F DC-3, and an in progress Royal F-8F Bearcat kit from the late 70s.

My re-awakening into the aero modeling hobby includes discovery of the Great Planes "Real Flight G-3" Flight simulator computer software. After some long coversations with friends at the flying field, I became convinced that I should invest in one inorder to practice and broaden my horizons on the type aircraft I wanted to fly. I was not disappointed. Man, I was like a kid in a candy store when I realized how many diverse types of aircraft and helos I could attempt to fly! One of the bonus benifits of this investment is the ability to match pilot skills to the types of aircraft included in the menu. The other benifit is the ability to predict/select the flight characteristics you prefer prior to investing your valuable time, energy, and hard earned cash, only to be disappointed if they don't meet your preferences and expectations. Through 'SIM ' practice you may also avoid catastrophies like the one you described with the "crash on the rock " incident. You will be able to make a project selection on the basis of what you see and experience rather than what you hear from manufacturers or others. This is not a commercial, only a testimonial to my own personal satisfaction with the concept of "sims". I understand there are others on the market such as MRC (Model Rectifier Corp) that are equally good. If you already own a simulator, please forgive me. It just ocurred to me that $200 bucks is a fairly resonable price to pay for guidance in your project selection process.

Thats it from me Jinzo. Hope ya get some more input!! Drop me line via this forum if you get time.

Good luck and best wishes,

Mike

P.S. That little "Ultra Sport 40" is a nice little airplane. Have'nt flown the real thing but love the way it handles/lands on the sim. Flys straight, right where you put it. Resists snaps at relatively low landing speeds!!

RE: Suggestions on a new kit?
 

Here's a couple of my suggestions - How about a very light job of kit bashing and build yourself another 4*60 but without the dihedral? That's how built mine and it flew great until.... That ought to get rid of the negatives you mentioned. Then there's the BTE Venture as has already been mentioned. My brother has one of these and likes it. I have an Ultra Sport 60 from a kit a number of years ago, so they are also a possibility and they fly like a pattern plane.

One that hasn't yet been mentioned is the Great Planes Extra 300S http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...?&I=LXJ579&P=0

I had one of these powered with an OS 61FX and it flew great right until.....They also have a 60 size whichmay be worth considering http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...?&I=LXJ580&P=0 I would use an OS 91 on it if I were building it and wanted to use a two-stroke.

Good luck and good flying.

RE: Suggestions on a new kit?
 

AllTheGoodNamesAre Taken said:"Check out Bruce Tharpe's Venture .60 Venture 60 Bruce was the original designer of the 4*. The Venture is his "new and improved" version"

I'll second that.........you will NOT fine a better kit on the market!