Hello all,
I would like to say thanks to all of you that answers our beginner questions. You all make this hobbie much easer for us. I have been flying a trainer for a few months now and have been flyong solo for about a month. I want to buy my next plane but i do not know what one i sould go with. I want to fly jets (pusher) but i cant deside how to get there. I have seen the f-15 eagle by GP and also have thought about building the balsa f-18 from RCM plans over the winter. I know that alot of people recomend the Sig SE or 4* and if thats how I need to go that great. But after that can i handle one for the f-18 or F-16. So any help would be great thanks all.
Chad

Chad,

If you're doing well on the trainer, then the 4* is pretty tame. However, it is an easy to fly intro. to low-wing planes, its just a bit boring for my taste. I've not flown a SE, but it seems to be fairly capable and might be good as a second plane. It can be setup to be fairly wild, but with its low wing loading I would think that it should be very manageable with reduced control throws.

I'd save the F-15 for plane #3, and the F-18 or CBM F-16 pusher for plane #4. The prop jets are going to be quite a bit faster than what you're used to and more of a challenge to land, and in the case of the pushers, take off. You need some more experience in handling those aspects before tackling the pushers.

Bob

The GP F-15 is an extremely easy and forgiving plane to fly. It has tricycle gear and the wing design allows it to glide a long way and slow to a crawl on landing. However, aside from the "jet like" appearance, the model will not give you much useful experience to prepare you for jet, pusher, ducted fans or turbines. Minus the "self righting" characteristics of a high wing trainer, the GP F-15 flies just as easy only a little bit faster, actually I have seen some over powered trainers that are faster. Anyhow, it would be a good 2nd plane but an even better 3rd plane. It was my first "jet" and got me hooked 4 years ago. Now I am flying turbines. Good luck.

Buy the SU27 from Aviation design with twin P120 jet cat turbines.
Length of model is 2,75m, its a fairly easy to fly jet.

If I were you, once you get proficent flying you trainer, get a decent 2nd plane (like a fun fly type, the Sig SE is excellent) that will be much more mavouverable and will allow you to have fun flying aerobatics (which teach you much regarding orientation and getting out of tight spots). Then a prop jet like the GP F15 would be fine (as would any prop jet, pattern plane or even a quickee 500 type) to teach you how to fly at a faster speed. Then go to a pusher jet or a DF or you may even be ready (gulp) for a turbine trainer if you have the dosh. Speaking from experience, I went from flying pattern type planes and a few faster prop planes (but mainly aerobatic aircraft) right to my first turbine powered jet, a Mick Reeves Super Reaper.

It can be done, but just take it one step at a time and the more you fly the better you get.

Just dont let anyone discourage you from trying to push yourself into more challenging to fly planes. You only get better by flying a bit beyond your present "comfort" level.

AJC

I'm in the same position. I have been flying solo for about 2 months and came off of my trainer asap and went onto a Blackhorse (graupner) Super air.
I want to get an Avonds F15 Ducted fan but know this would just be stupid.
SO... What jet (prop powered) would be a good next step?? preferably F15/F18/F16

Cheers
Dave

Dave,

Get the F15 and fly with a buddy box. Otherwise, the GP F14 is a good Jet trainer if you build it heavy. Fully sheet the wings and glass/paint it. Piped .90 for power.

Mark

Thanks

If you can get your hands on a Great Planes F-4 kit you will have a prop jet that, in my opinion, is a far better choice than those mentioned already. Having flown all of the Great Planes prop jets, I can honestly say that this one is the closest to the flight characteristics of a ducted fan and is also the best looking one they have produced. The only non-ducted fan characteristic the f-4 has is that it will glide very well without power.

These kits come up occasionally on Ebay and possibly also in the for sale ads here on RCU.

Ditto that on the GP F-4. Flys just like a DF. glass and paint it and it won't glide nearly so long Dead stick, Ha Ha.

A question in the Jets forum that I can kinda answer! woo-hoo

GREAT ADVICE above!

The Somethin' Extra is a great second plane to get used to with sensitive surfaces, but not much speed (Fat wing )

That Super-Air (Graupner you say?) flies great and gets a little speedy, the Ultrasport is also a good combo of speed and maneuverability-

After that it gets fun- Find a GP F-15 or Patriot or DC F-20 and put like a 46FX on it until you are used to it- then you can go to hotter motors for more speed to-

yatta, yatta:

SIG SE
Ultrasport
You are obligated by the RC world to get a warbird in this spot-
Patriot
TGA F-15 (Byron)
uhhhh... This is about where I am :stupid:
Turbine?

Yeah but all these Kick A** planes(prop) aren't availiable to the UK!
The only thing I can find is the weston Magnum, but that is way to fast for me at this stage.
Or I suppose the Ripmax (lanier) Phantom. The only trouble with the Rip F4 is that installing retracts could be a bit of a squeeze.
The DC f-20 is what I'd snap up straight away but I cannot get one over here in the UK! + if I imported one the overall import costs and customs charge would be imense, I might as well get a Ducted fan Eurosport (well maybe)


Any Suggestions of prop jets availiable to UK or from within the UK?

Do a search on "Lanier F-4" cuz there are folks on here that outfit that Phantom with B&D pneumatic retracts, and enjoyed it-

I have a Lanier F-4 also, and it flies great.... Not real forgiving though- harder to land than a Patriot, and does not like being inverted-

james

Dave,

The Magnum will fly fine on a standard .46. Add the landing gear and a rudder to it and you will have a nice sport plane. It still handles too well to be a true turbine/Ducted fan trainer.

Mark

I've ended up getting myself a Bae Hawk prop jet.
I'm either going to use an OS 91 or 61, haven't decided yet!
With eurokit retracts.

Thanks
Dave