Spamman127

Hi all,

I am looking for an inexpensive sailplane. My prefered specs would be a RTF/ARF(least amount of construction possible) 2m wingspan or less and an electric motor. I would also like it to be 4ch. The highest price would be at $200 US or not much over.

I also don't have a lot of experience with soaring but thats what I'm out to do, learn how to thermal. I would like to have fun with this and be able to expand with this model.

I know tough order to fill I was looking at the Hobby City AWS 28 EPO glider (seemed to fit my criteria) but they sold out and I am not sure if they are getting more. (spent too much time drooling, dang!) Doesnt look like they will restock because they deleted the page.

Thanks for your help,

Scott

evan-RCU

Thunder Tiger Hawk 1500e.... You can get it for $100-120 and it comes with a decent brushless motor.

http://www.acehobby.com/ace/TTR4344.htm

Tom Nied

Can strongly recommend the ParkZone Radian RTF at $249. Although not four channel a lot of us are having a good time with it. Comes very complete and when you add up all that comes with it, you can't do much better. Great flyer as well. Wouldn't call it inexpensive, but it definitely is a good complete package. My best flight so far is 58 minutes.

snuts

Scott, Tom is giving you very good advice. He and a few others have gotten hooked thanks to the Radian!
What I can add, is that the radio, motor,ESC are all good for up to a 3 meter ship, the battery will work, but a little larger is prefered. I am flying a home built 3 meter ship with that size motor, man dot 10ft of wing and your really hooked.
There are others, but this is a bang on unit to experiance LIFT.
Best of luck,see ya in a thermal soon.
Snuts

Sailplane

Spamman,

I agree with Tom and Snuts above. It's a great sailplane.

Sailplane

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"I can't understand why Chicago gangsters can have bulletproof glass in their cars, and I can't get it in my Spitfires!"
Air Chieh Marshal Sir Hugh Dowding, KCB, 1937

Sailplane

evan-RCU or anyone else,

What's your opinion on the Thunder Tiger e-Hawk 1500?

Thanks,

Sailplane

"I can't understand why Chicago gangsters can have bulletproof glass in their cars, and I can't get it in my Spitfires!"
-Air Chief Marshal Sir Hugh Dowding, KCB, 1937

youngpilot

My Feedback: (4)

I am in the same boat, looking for a good plane. i was thinking about the greatplanes fling but, i hear that the covering is not too good. any other suggestions? I have a few gliders, dynaflite bobcat, and a talon and a zagi 5c. the only one i like out of the bunch is the zagi. how much longer is thermal season?

evan-RCU

Excellent small all purpose glider. Light enough to thermal, decent speed, breaks down to transport in the smallest size. Excellent value for the money and quality.

I did a mod that many do to the one I got. I tore off the wing covering and installed flaps so I had a full hose ship. It's a really good sailplane.

evan-RCU

The Fling, Talon, and a Zagi.... wow, you can not ask for three more different aircraft.

The Fling is an ARF polyhedral rudder elevator thermal glider that built right comes out to 4oz/sqft. Pluses are it's cheap, flys absolutely fantastic, and can find the lightest thermals. Negatives are it takes micro gear and the covering as noted is marginal. Substitute the plastic push pull string fro kevlar.

The Talon is a kit build that has been around forever and most people that have flown for any legnth of time have built at least one. Few have anything bad to say about it, great plane for light to medium slope lift. They are elevator (actually full flying stab) and ailerons. I have built dozens and I like to build the wings a little longer, the fuse a little longer, sweep the wings, put in some anhedral, build it light and put lots of throws in it, very acrobatic...

Zagi... well not really ARF but not much to it flying wing with elevons. Can be flown in light to strong slope lift and is close to indestructable. Not my style personally but at the right slope can be a lot of fun.

youngpilot

My Feedback: (4)

wow very good input. So the thunder tiger e-hawk or the radian. what is the vote? I have flown alot of things, helicopters, 3d... almost everything thankfully. but i want a good glider... that i can throw up in the air and learn how to thermal. I am leaning toward the radian just because it looks pretty indestructable but I just dont like the price on it. thanks!

evan-RCU

There are differences between the two. One is a fiberglass/ carbon fuse with built up wing controlled by ruddervators (V tail) and ailerons. It's small, light and good flying. The Radian is a Z-foam built elevator/ rudder plane. It's larger, heavier, and almost indestructable.

Spamman127

what does the Thunder Tiger e-Hawk 1500 require to get it to fly?

evan-RCU

a cheap 25A ESC, two micro servos, 1000-1500 3S LiPo battery, receiver and transmitter. All could come from United Hobby for around $90.

From their site- http://www.acehobby.com/ace/TTR4344.htm

Accessories Needed
Radio Set - Transmitter (3 channels), Micro Servos - x2, Receiver, Battery.
Propulsion System - Electronic Motor Controller (Speed Control) for x3 channel radio, Flight Battery 8.4-9.6V-
1000-1200 mAh NiMH, Quick Charger.
Adhesives - Instant setting Cyanoacrylate adhesive (thin CA), 12 minute Epoxy.
Tools - Ruler, Hobby knife and blades, Scissors, Curved Scissors, Fine-point or felt-tip pen, "Z" bend pliers,
Small phillips and flat head screw drivers, Drill bits, Paper Towels, Medium grit sandpaper, Mising sticks for epoxy.

Spamman127

Does anyone know if HXT 900 servo's would be a good fit in the Thunder Tiger e-Hawk 1500?

Thanks

evan-RCU

Yes even the 500....

Spamman127

I'm thinking that I'm gonna go with the Thunder Tiger because it has a good motor, ailerons, and no offense looks better. lol The setup im looking at will come in at just under $200 US.

evan-RCU

"I am looking for an inexpensive sailplane. My prefered specs would be a RTF/ARF(least amount of construction possible) 2m wingspan or less and an electric motor. I would also like it to be 4ch. The highest price would be at $200 US or not much over."

Mission accomplished....

youngpilot

My Feedback: (4)

I think i will go with the radian and we can compare notes.

Spamman127

Sounds good! Might be a little while for me (stupid Ohio weather/school ) But I will post when I've got it flying.

P.S. I am a bit bummed you cant get it in blue anymore but, oh well.

evan-RCU

Tower does not have blue but you may be able to get it else where in blue.

Spamman127

Yes, most places say blue has been discontinued. I have seen blue at others, however at around $30 more I don't think it is worth it. Even in purple this glider looks sweet, and thats saying something for my tastes.

evan-RCU

You could always recover it....

Spamman127

I might if I want to put flaps on like you did. It isn't out of the question, but I won't right out of the box.

aeajr

My Feedback: (2)

While the Radian is heavier, BECAUSE it is larger, it has a lighter wing loading which usually means better thermal performance.


I am President of a glider club. The Radians are just fantastic. That would be my recommendation.

evan-RCU

AEAJR, you have a problem with what I'm saying obviously...

The OPs requirements were;

I am looking for an inexpensive sailplane. My prefered specs would be a RTF/ARF(least amount of construction possible) 2m wingspan or less and an electric motor. I would also like it to be 4ch. The highest price would be at $200 US or not much over.

He already came back saying he was going with the TT Hawk.


Yes the Radian has slightly better loading (apprx 7oz/sqft vs apprx 8oz/sqft). But I still recommend the TT since he asked for a 4 channel plane. This does not mean that the Radian is not a good plane.

Sorry, I didn't realize being the president of a glider club was a requirement to give an opinion. I'm only the VP of mine (this year).