What is a good first twin? What would everyone recomend? I am thinking not smaller than .46 engines and as always, bigger is better.

Thanks!
Mark
SLC, UT

Mark:

Do you want to build an airplane, or do you want an ARF?

Bill.

Have you considered the Twinstar? I am almost finished with mine. It is considered a twin trainer. It is smaller than you want though. It is reccomended for up to .46 engines. There is the Dual-Ace and the Cedar Hobbies Twin Stick that take larger engines.

The TwinStar has very small tanks, 3 1/2 ounce, I think, at least mine are pretty small. It isn't suitable for a .46 unless you want short flights. It is really a twin trainer for the guy who isn't really a good pilot. The controls are pretty small so you won't get fast rolls or fast snaps. I couldn't stand the roll rate so I cut the ailerons off mine and replaced them with 2 1/4" wide ones. Now it rolls. Needs a bigger rudder and elevator. Of course, it wouldn't be a twin trainer then.

The Cedar Hobbies Twin Stick is an excellent first twin. After I did the kit review, I received e-mails from several people who flew it for a first twin and agreed with me that it flew just like a Stick. Does all the acro you like and lands very nicely. Fast roll rate. Faster in the air than you might think. It's a fun plane. Mine is 8 1/2 lbs.

If you like to build, the Northeast Aerodynamics Twin-Air 45 is an excellent flying plane for twin .46s and could hold .61s. Mine flies with pattern like precision-it has a long fuselage, very groovy in maneuvers. NIce landings. Mine is 8 1/2 lbs.

The Hangar 9 Dual Ace is also a good plane. It is more work than the usual ARF, but ends up as a very nice plane. It heavier than the others and lands a little faster, but not exceptionally so. Looks very good in the air. Mine is 12 lbs.

I own all 4 planes and if you have a couple of matching .46s and want to try twin engines, the Twin Stick is tough to beat. It would be my recomendation. Like a lot of ARFs, it is put together with hot glue so I went through and added a lot of epoxy in critical joint areas. I also mounted both the elevator & rudder servo in the rear for a better CG. It will probably balance right on with a couple of plain bearing .40s or .32s.

I have had GMS .47s and OS .46AXs in my Stick and it will climb vertical on either set of engines with APC 11-5 props. It flat spins and does great diving at the ground, then tucking under outside square loops.

I'm gonna get burned but.....


My first twin was a KMP p-38. I think she flys like a trainer. Short flights, easy, slow landings with flaps, she flies just like the simulator....

Ouch the flames, they burn, they burn, I'm melting, melting.....I'll get you my pretty.......