Has anyone flown either or both of these models? I'm thinking about venturing into the realm of park-flyers after I finish building my glow-powered trainer (LT-25). Financial constraints will probably put the purchase of light-weight radio gear off for several months after I'm done with my trainer, so i expect to be well into my flight-training before I get my park flyer. I was wondering whether one of the above mentioned models might make a good first electric/park flyer.

Also, is a park flyer like the DuskStick or Dandy easier to fly than a glow-powered trainer? I could put off the park flyer until I solo on my LT-25, but I see lots of posts about people teaching themselves to fly on a slow-stick, and thought maybe a partially-trained pilot would do well on a DuskStick . I'd take it out to the power-field for the first flight, of course, to let an experienced RCer look it over (and hopefully take me up on a buddy box for a flight or two so I can get used to the difference).

I realize a slow-stick is much more damage-resistant than a DuskStick or Dandy, but the built-up balsa planes are just so much more aestheticly pleasing to my eye. If I need to wait until I solo before attempting a balsa park-flyer on my own then my pocketbook will breathe a sigh of relief, and I'll just wait *grin*.

thanks,
Rick

I have both and enjoy both. The Duskstik is slower and more forgiving than the Dandy. The Dandy needs a little more speed, and if washout isn't correct, has a habit of tip stalling. The Duskstik can easily bea built under 10oz, and the Dandy is a bit heavier at 10-13oz.
IMO the Dandy does look better, I'm not real crazy about having my electronics hanging out in the breeze.

I don't think you should have much problem flying the Duskstik, it's slow, stable, and fairly tough.

Jason

IMHO the Duskstick is a lot more durable than the Slow Stick. I have both. Both the DS and SS fly grreat. If I had yo choose one over the other, I would take the Duskstick.
I am in the process of building my Dandy, and can't wait to fly it!

Ken

I have several Dandies (all three variants) AND an LT-25 that's been flying electrically for several years. I've also flown a DuskStick.

Several things:

Frist, the LT-25 is a VERY capable airplane. As long as it's flyable, you'll be flying it long after you pass the basic flight training curriculum with it. It is also about a sweet-natured a plane as you'd ever want to fly.

The DuskStick will be "easier" to fly that the LT-25, but since it's only three channels, it will be much more limited. Also, unless you up the power system a bit, it's not one you want to try on a day with much breeze. It IS very rugged and designed as a primary trainer.

The regular long-winged Dandy shares the same airfoil as the Duskstick (and, oddly enough, the LT-25 as well - they all use the real Clark-Y), but with the tapered tip panels it can tip stall. With the recommended washout you have to provoke it and it will then spin beautifully, but if you don't want a spin, well....... Also, the two-piece wing of the Dandy is joined by a thin ply joiner that will stand maybe one cartwheel before it breaks. I've replaced mine with an aluminum one. For this reason alone I'd choose the Duskstick over the "regular" Dandy, even though the latter is a much prettier airplane and has all the bits inside instead of hanging out on that carbon tube.

What you probably should REALLY be looking at if you're going to learn the basics on the LT-25 is the Dandy Sport. With the control throws set moderately it will fly actually quite a bit like a really light LT-25 (except that its ground handling is rather worse on smooth surfaces - the main gear is really too far forward). Turn up the throws and you'll be amazed at what it can do while still be relaxing to fly.

If you're getting antsy and can get the micro radio gear before you've soloed the LT, then it's definitely the Dusk Stick. If you wait until you HAVE soloed the LT, then I'd skip the three channel floater (unless that idea just really appeals to you - it does to me from time to time) and go right to the Dandy Sport.

Sounds like I need to buy the "package" for a Dandy Sport, and a wing-kit for a Dandy, that way i get all the servo's I'll need and the spiffed up motor... build it with the regular wing first, then move up to the sporty wing when i'm ready?

Speaking of multiple wings on a dandy... could one mount a Duskstick wing on a Dandy? Get the electronics hidden away, yet maintain some of the duskstick flight characteristics? I suppose it wouldn't work too well since the wing wasn't designed to go with the fuselage (not to mention i'm sure alot of the duskstick's flight characteristics come from it's light weight, not just it's bigger wing), but thought it was worth asking... maybe someone out there has both and has tried it *grin*

-Rick

Rick,

The Duskstik wing will fit on a Dandy fuselage. The ribs and wing design on the Dandy Sport, Duskstik, and regular Dandy (root ribs) are the same. The major difference between the Duskstik wing and the Dandy wing is that the Duskstik wing is strait, and the Dandy wing tapers towards the tip. In flight the DS wing will have a lower wing loading because it's got more wing area.

I think BEC's right on track when he recomends the Dandy Sport.

Jason