Entry level pattern ARFs: an endangered species?
 

I flew a .40 ~ .50 size Thunder Tiger Imagine 50 ARF with a Saito .72 last year in Sportsman. I wanted to move up in size, and had looked at the Focus Sport, the Northeast Aerodynamics Aquila, and the GP Venus II as all being affordable steps up. I started collecting my receiver (Airtronics 92104) and my servos (Airtronics 94842s with a 94702 for throttle) while I pondered my choice of engines and airframes.

Now as I'm looking around, all of these fine airframes are being closed out and/or discontinued. The Focus Sport ARFs and Venus II ARFs are already apparently gone, and the Aquila ARFs are on final clearance. Now it's a race to get $300 or so put together before they sell out, too. If I don't make it in time, I'm going to have to look at a World Models Spot On 120 or something.

Why are all of these great pattern ARFs disappearing at the same time? Are these airframes simply not suited for the overwhelming trend toward electric power for pattern?

RE: Entry level pattern ARFs: an endangered species?
 

New year hopefully making room for new models. There are many out there, even Great Planes has one.

RE: Entry level pattern ARFs: an endangered species?
 

WIND 110
Good up to Advanced in the right hands.

RE: Entry level pattern ARFs: an endangered species?
 

I don't mid buying used planes. Have you checked out that Genesis for sale for only $600 bucks. If you watch long enough you will find a great deal on an awesome plane.

RE: Entry level pattern ARFs: an endangered species?
 

Don't hold me to this but I think Max Blose (Todd's dad) has 1 or 2 of the Venus II's at his hobby shop.  My buddy Danny flies one in the advanced class in D6

RE: Entry level pattern ARFs: an endangered species?
 

Check this one out over at 3D.[link=http://www.3dhobbyshop.com/62quot-OsirisRed_p_15388.html]Osiris[/link]

RE: Entry level pattern ARFs: an endangered species?
 

You have also a GREAT MACHINE: The elation Rapture 110, made in UK and the best looking one.
Check it out: http://www.elation-f3a.co.uk/shop/page/5?shop_param=
Regards
G.

RE: Entry level pattern ARFs: an endangered species?
 

Venus .40 was lost to make room for the Sequence. Rumor has it that GP is replacing Venus II with a larger Sequence.

Many guys are moving to electric flight (my experience shows more than 50% of pattern pilots fly electric - roughly 80% in D1 and nearly 50% in D4). Thus, planes like the Sebart Wind, the 3DHS Osiris, and other e-powered planes are coming on the market.

These planes are not as 'cheap' as the Venus II, however the engineering and fabrication are of much higher quality.