I'm ready to buy my next plane, and I've got it down to two. What i'm going for this time around is a scale look, I want something with the wheel ferrings, enclosed engine, flaps maybe, a little bigger than the 40 sized i'm flying now, ect.

The first of my choices is the Great planes Cap 580, smaller 46 one, not the 1/3. I like this plane alot, its got a nice look to it. I'm just worried it wont be big enough to satisfy me. I also was wondering if this plane is capable of hovering with a 4-stroke .70 engine. If its able to hover that would be nice.

My other candidate is the Great Planes RV4, 1/4 scale. This plane is real nice, also great looking, has flaps, and a generous 70 inch wingspan. But what i'm worried about with this one is that it might get a little boring. I know its not a super aerobatic plane. But can do some simple things.

Does anybody have any input? I know it all comes down to the personal pilots taste, but any help to make up my mind would be great.

I've never flown either plane, but I can tell you from what I've seen about the Cap580, that it will not hover. Its control surfaces are way too small for any control while hovering. The plane is also way too heavy and doesn't have near enough wing area to be a 3D machine. The plane flies amazingly well for IMAC type flying, and is one of the smoothest planes I've ever seen. The RV-4 I've never seen fly, but I've never heard anything negative about it. If you want a scale plane to fly in a scale way and like warbirds, go to VQWarbirds.com. Great website, gorgeous planes. The OS FS70 would fit just right in one of those planes. I'll keep looking around, but that CAP is gorgeous and flies like it's on rails.

Also, how much experience do you have in flying? That will definitely change things.

Go with the RV-4. It is not only sport scale but aerobatic as well. This plane will lead you into more exciting scale aircraft.

Re the Cap, one of our club members was doing fast low inverted passes over our (rough grass) strip recently and the rudder touched down. After it FINALLY slid to a halt, the plane was unscathed other than pulling rudder off hinges!! Incredible, even the cowl was ok. Last time I tried that trick it ended in a cloud of balsa dust....

That's one tough plane if that has any bearing on your decision.

The Great Planes Cap 580 is a great aerobatic airplane and a fine flyer. Chapman's real 580 is the pinnacle of modern aerobatic airplanes! So, to consider the RY 4 to be better doesn't gybe with reality. I have an O.S. .46 AX in mine, which is a good combination. I would agree it's not a 3D aiplane. However, 3D isn't the end all and be all and this airplane does everything but. 3D planes are generally specifically designed for 3D, they are lightly built with larger control surfaces. Don't own and haven't flown the the RV 4.