hello guys,
this is my first post in this great site, my name is Ali and i'm from Kuwait, i started with RC planes 3 years ago, a friend of mine taught me how to fly my trainer (Kyosho .40) well, i didnt need a training cable or a trainer next to me, he stood next to me for 2 days, on the 3rd day, i was flying the plane solo and landing it correctly. i'm a fast learner. i flew another plane from Kyosho with a lower wing and a .46 engine, i had no problems at all flying and landing it.

MY QUESTION is, what would be a good 1st warbird? i'm hesitating between the CMP .40 zero fighter with .56 saito and the
HANGAR 9 .60 miss america with 100 saito.

would somebody please tell me what would be the best choice?

For now....stay clear of CMP planes as they then tend to be somewhat tail heavy and harder to fix and the manauls CG is not always correct(the P-40 CG listed it way off causing many pilots to crash theirs on maiden flight attempts). The Hangar 9 Miss America is a fine plane with a saito 100. A bigger plane(like the H9 will fly better then the CMP 40 size of anything). It'll be more stable.
Please have someone experienced help you with the plane and preferrably have them test fly it with you on a buddy box. Warbirds are a different breed of plane and although many of us leanr quick, its the inital mistakes that can cost a plane some damage.
For instance...when taking off wiht a tail dragger.....you do not want to hold much if any elevator AT ALL or it will take off too soon and snap roll over(wing stall). You have to allow the tail to come up and then only marginally manage the elevator to keep the plane from nosing over or causing a prop strike. Some planes will not want to nose over. In any case...get enough ground speed for good lift and gently lift the plane off the ground with a LITTLE bit of elevator.

Now as a first warbird, the Hangar 9 PTS Mustang is a real good idea. It has flaps as well. It flies quite nice...can fly on a saito .56(I know as I have one with that motor in it for my son).
The H9 Spitfire is also a great flyer and does have flaps.

An alternative is some of the Kyosho warbirds......I have the Kyosho ME-109 and that plane makes me look good as a pilot. I installed retracts in it(u can use the kyosho retracts or use the H9 Spitfire retracts and cut the strut leg down and put dubro ez axles on).

I would assume the Kyosho P-40 would fly equally well.

I dont recommend a plane with rotating retracts as your first warbird. Any warbird is going to be harder to land well then any sport non warbird. Once you get the hang of flying a warbird well, then any other bird with whatever retract setup will be easier for you to master.

kahloq,
Why not rotating retracts as a first Warbird? Is it because they are hard to see if they are in position, or setup? I do agree about the PTS P51, great flying plane, just make sure to check cg after installing retracts and a new tailwheel. I forgot and am just finishing repairs. duoh.

I suggest a plane without rotating retracts for a first warbird simply because they tend to be break easier and some of them can be hard to tell until touchdown and the gear leg swivels causing a nose over.

kahloq,
thanks alot for the great info, i'll go check the local Kyosho shop to see what they have, about the H9 PTS P51, i dont like the way this plane looks, if i'm going with a H9 plane, i'm gonna get the MissAmerica
i'll build the plane myself BUT with my expert buddy next to me to check on everything, He will do the maiden flight too. i aint gonna fly it until he thinks i'm ready for it. i'll refly my trainer for a while coz i haven't touched a radio stick for more than 12 monthes (at sea). then i'll fly my first warbird

thanks again

Try a World Models P51 and let someone help you get the first few fights under your belt then try it yourself.Remember that on most war birds your take offs and landings are done with elevator and throttle.Long take off and long approach. Take your time and learn.Tom

hi guys,
just wanted to let you know that i bought a World models ZERO .60 size, it's a used plane as my friend wants to sell it coz he's moving to the RC JET world, it has a 4 stroke OS .120 engine, all digital servos, flaps and in a great shape, i also ordered my H9 MissAmerica and i should have it here in Kuwait within 4 to 6 weeks