Any suggestions for anything in the class of airplane such as the Tiger 60 (arf)?

I have one and have been flying it for almost a year now. I can tell you that as a second plane, it is a great flyer, however, again as a second plane, it takes a beating.

I am considering building another but this time, making it a tail dragger and doing some other minor modifications that I believe would benefit the aircraft (that is after seeing the shortcomings (only a few minor) with the original that I think would be worthwhile fixing or changing).

I intend to use the replacement as a Sportsman class Pattern plane. I have read enough on the plane to know that it is totally capable of performing all the required maneuvers, and doing so quite well. But, I guess what I am looking for is anyone out there with the experience to make suggestions as to a different plane (mainly because I already have one and fly it a lot).

I have thougth of the Sig Four Star 60, have a Sig Four Star 40 now.

Ok.. come on, guys.. give me some ideas!!

DS.

Dick,

Since you have a 4*, and you're looking to get into sportsman Pattern, I would strongly suggest the GP Ultrasport+

They don't make the "Plus" version in a 60 size (yet), but if a 60 size is what you need, talk to RCKen, He may be able to find you one of the original 60's

Hi Minn.

How does the GP Ultrasport rate in level of competence of the flyer? Keeping in mind that I solo'ed last August.

DS.

Thanks, Minn. I hope RCKen reads this and posts his input.

BTW, I just looked over at Great Planes and they don't seem to have the Ultrasport + in their inventory. Next question.. is that what the GP stands for (Great Planes) (duh on my part).

DS.

A couple of planes comparable to the Tiger would be the Sig 4*, and Ace Bingo or the Bruce Tharpe Engineering Venture (kit ).

I have a scratch built 60 size Bingo with a Saito 72 in it. The plane is no hot rod, but it is a nice, pleasurable sport flyer that is capable of basic aerobatics.

The US Plus is a real machine, not a pretender, but is it still available? I think that If you really want a sport-pattern plane, find an old US 60, although I suspect that you won't find one -- they are guarded by their owners with guns & pit bulls -- but maybe ---

In a 40 size model, the Great Planes Venus 40 ARF is about as close as you can get to an F3A pattern ship in that size, but still be a "sport" plane

Keep flying it, see what experience can add to it.

I say Fly it til you have to retire it.... See if you can't find the US Plus... Or consider a larger Puurpose built pattern plane (90-120) sized if thats what you want to do in RC!

Come on guys, dicksoucy is obviousy comfortable flying his plane and has gotton to the point that he just wants something different to fly. We all do that now and then. How many flyers have only one or two planes?? I came up with 1 plane that isn't really considered a "pattern plane" but it would be fun to fly and has a very wide speed range, the GP Shoestring. I wouldn't suggest it as a 2nd plane but shouldn't be any trouble for someone that has flown a Tiger 60 for a while and its a pretty good price considering its a decent size plane. [8D]

Are you up for a bi-plane? Nothing radical, maybe a Stearman?

While niether one is a tail dragger The Gp patriot XL or the Sig King Kobra would make excellent sportsman class pattern planes. The KK was recently discountinued on towers website but is still available through Omni models and direct from Sig

I have a carl goldberg Tiger 60 with a Thunder Tiger 61 pro that I have built as a taildragger. It is coming out very tail heavy.
I've added a "heavy hub" and 6oz of weight to the nose. Everything is as far forward and it can go. Is this typical for this plane?

Yes most Tigers do come out WAY tailheavy

Don't worry about the extra weight. You will not notice it at all. When I built mine, I even emailed Goldberg because I wasn't too sure. They said it is fine. It flies very well with that weight added, but I cut an extra hatch under where the fuel tank goes, and installed the battery up in front of the landing gear, but behind the firewall in the space under the fuel tank. A 12 oz. tank gives plenty of flight time.



Dick - The Venture looks like it might be a nice build. The price doesn't look bad. I guess it's a question right now of whether you'd rather be flying or building right about now. Have you looked in the Pattern forums to see what planes those guys are talking about?

http://www.btemodels.com/venture.html

Thanks everyone for the quick responses, I put a 1450 mah battery under the fuel tank and installed a 14 oz tank. I'm glad to hear that the extra weight won't cause any adverse problems. Can't wait to get it in the air.

Remember to balance the plane with an empty tank.

Sorry Dick, I was away from the computer for a few days.

Yes, GP stands for Great Planes, and all I can say is, You didn't look hard enough

http://www.greatplanes.com/airplanes/gpma0390.html

Hi Minn.. Ah.. see it now. Looks good but I am looking at something a bit larger. Got lots of suggestions. One I particularly have some interest in is the Venture 60. Looks like a pattern type fuselage and good sized control surfaces.

The thing that scares me a tad bit with planes like the Quest G2 are the size of the control surfaces, ie. rudder, elevator.. look more like 3D than pattern. I am not interested in 3D, I really want to get into Pattern.

The Tiger 60 was performing just great this weekend, had a great Saturday with it, got in I think it was 7 tanks before the heat and wind got the better of everyone and we called it a day at about 2-ish. More to follow, and more investigation in what I want to get next.

Thanks all for the great suggestions and ideas. I am now in the thinking mode, perhaps the purchase mode next week or so.

DS.