Hello I am looking for any advise about my first scale project. I have built 7 planes so far for other people. Two of which were scratch built. I just started fling this spring. My instructor says I'm ready to move to my second plane. I really like to build and like the WW1 era style planes. My question is which plane of this era would be the best choice in the 40 size range. What plane, kits, manufactures, and suppliers. The Fokker D VIII has caught my interest, would this work for me? I would like to keep it some what simple. I'd hate to have a ton of hours or money lost because of a moment of dumb thumbs. Any Information you could share would be greatly appreciated.

For 40 size WWI you just can't beat the Flair scout line:

http://www.thirdcoasthobbies.com/flair_kits.htm
http://www.flairmodels.co.uk/Aircraf...coutframes.htm

Bear in mind, however, that these are all sport scale but with a little work can be extremely convincing. I'm currently working on the Flair Legionaire (sport scale Nieuport 17) and am planning to kit-bash the Puppeteer (sport scale Sopwith Pup) into a Sopwith 1 1/2 strutter. The only WWI offering from BUSA in a 40 size is the Eindecker which is very VERY sport scale if built stock (think "ugly stik with crosses"). Funaero makes a very nice DIII and SE5a but both are for a 91 size engine. Though to be fair a 50 size four stroke is a much better match for the Flair scouts.

Both the BUSA Eindecker and the Flair Puppeteer are suppose to be very easy flyers and would probably make good second planes if you've already converted your trainer to a tail-dragger -- which if you haven't you should do TODAY!!! I've heard that the Legionaire is a bit of a handful on the ground.

One note. The "instructions" on the Flair Legionaire are minimal and not for the uninitiated. The Puppeteer instructions are much better despite being entirely visual -- no step by step instructions.

You ready to move on to a WW1 type?

I would first consider trying a civilian Piper, Aeronca, Cessna high winger, and then going on to the WW1 type. As the WW1 types are a bit "sporty" in their manueverability.

Wm.

From what I've heard the BUSA Eindecker flies just like a trainer. The Puppeteer and SE5a with their high dihedral are also very stable. While it's true that many WWI types can be tricky on take-offs and landings and require rudder in turns they typically have very light wing-loadings which makes them nice and slow.

BTW, anyone interested in scale models should wean themselves off of nose-gear/trike models ASAP. I'd say that just as soon as you've nailed a dozen or so solo landings on your trainer, it's time to convert it to a taildragger which can be completed in as little as a single afternoon. Personally, I've found landing my taildragger converted trainer much easier than when it had nose-gear (which I was CONSTANTLY repairing). At this point you'd have to put a gun to my head to make me go back to a trike-style model.

Geebee makes a Gypsy Moth kit, 48" wing, about $80. It says .25-.30 two stroke, but I bet you can probably put a .40 4-stroke in it. Ought to be a pretty forgiving flyer. Bipes can be a different kind of animal, sometimes.

Well ... I can apprieciate you wanting to keep it simple. Have you considered an "eindecker". it is a WWI'ish mono plane. Since you have scratch-built before. This should be a piece of cake to do. Also if you are interested in the era between the 2 world wars .... how about a monoplane racer like the Gilmore Red Lion or the GeeBee Sportster.