Buying a RC model

[SuperDud]

Anyone have any good sites? Looking for some reasonably cheap "beat up" ones to learn with, as well as a nice one for when I get the hang of it. Prefer a WWII model of coarse for the nice one. The trainer ones aren't as important. Also, any advice?

[Cougar68]

First piece of advice, find a local RC club and use one of their instructors.  It'll cost a heckuva lot less in the long run compared to crashing a couple of models before you figure it out.  

If where you live has some decent spots for sailplane flying (thermal or slope, slope being the easier of the two) then you could always try out a foamie.  Dave's Aircraft Works makes a Schweizer 1-26 model out of EPP foam.   The thing is darn near indestructible.  I've seen them nosedive from 100', bounce, and then fly off.  You could probably teach yourself with one of them.  Scroll down the page and look for the 1-26.  http://www.davesaircraftworks.com/thermal.htm

[GRUNHERZ]

Get a trainer first.  Learning to fly IS important.

[SunTracker]

Yeah, r/c planes are pretty fragile, considering the forces put on them during a crash.  The toughest plane I have is something called a "Sturdy Birdy II".  Its made from pvc, aluminum, and foam for wings.  I've cartwheeled it a time or two on take-off, but never crashed it.

[Swager]

Find a club near you.  Many club give free lessons.  You can buy a nice used trainer on EBay or RC Universe for a good price.  Usually come with a full combo kit which includes the plane, the motor and the radio equipment.

I have a Hobbico Superstar and it is a great plane.  I got it all, shipped for $240.  The guy never used it. It was like new.  It now has 108 flights and still going strong!

Good Luck

[Tarmac]

Buy a plane that you can crash.  Preferably something foam.  

I own a traditional wooden trainer, and never learned to fly it because I never flew it without a trainer around.  Then I bought a ZAGI 400X, which flies like a combination of a rock and a rocket, and learned to fly on it -- not because it's an easy plane to fly, but because I can full-power auger it and laugh as I put the pieces back into it before the next flight.

[Darkish]

Just wanted to add that if you go the pre-built route you'll miss out on that wonderful feeling of seeing something you've created with your bare hands fly.

I still remember my first flight, took it down to the local club and spent 1/2 an hour watching the guys fly. Asked one of the chaps if he wouldn't mind test flying my model (an out of trim RC plane on takeoff is not something for the begginer). 2 minutes later he handed over the controls ... the smile on my face was stuck there all day.

[Swager]

Dont forget, flying season is here now! If you build a kit, the building may keep you from the field for another month or more.  A pre-built trainer will get you in the air alot sooner.  You will have a chance to build and fly with other planes down the line.

[GRUNHERZ]

Originally posted by Darkish
Just wanted to add that if you go the pre-built route you'll miss out on that wonderful feeling of seeing something you've created with your bare hands fly.
 

Couldnt disagree more. An ARF trainer will be lighter, better built, better covered, safer, and better flying than 90% of first timers attempts at building.

The point of getting a trainer is to learn how to fly and get soloed quickly. So getting from box to runway in a few stress free ARF assembly days is much more productive than spaending weeks building a plane and struggling with all sorts of new tools and materlials. All up ARF cost is also much cheaper than any stick built kit.

[Dago]

I learned on a Goldberg Eagle II.  Great stable plane.  I built it, and enjoyed the process, plus learned more about the plane that way.

Getting an Instructor is a MUST!  You are guaranteed to crash if you dont, and you will crash on your first flight if you try it alone.

A bad crash will destroy your plane, and possible damage someones property.  That can get real expensive.


dago

[indy007]

This would do you right...

From scratch, you should be able to get a .40 size trainer in the air for around $280 including radio, engine, & spares. That's all new. I'm sure ebay would be cheaper.

[maxxius]

id start on electric power cheaper, less messy and no need to worry about busting up an engine also you will be able to fly electric alost every where..... electric=quiet
http://www.chiefaircraft.com/cgi-bin/rcm/hazel.cgi?action=serve&item=/Models/ElectricAirplanes/Kits/MiniEdge540.html

http://www.hobby-lobby.com/minipiper.htm

http://www.modelflight.com.au/electric_rc_planes.htm


http://www.greatplanes.com/


electric park flyers
http://www.electrifly.com/pflyerindex.html

this is what i started with build it than learned to fly one
http://www.greatplanes.com/airplanes/gpma0118.html


now i fly this baby

http://h1070257.hobbyshopnow.com/ProdInfo/PagesAUX/1358-ART.asp

good luck


also dont skimp on your radio   futaba had great products i got this one so i wwont need to upgrade any time soon

http://www.towerhobbies.com/products/futaba/futk75.html

also JR had awsome radios
http://www.jrradios.com/

[maxxius]

just wanted to add that just do a search on ww2 planes rc they very form skill level to price so thats somethin youll need to be more specific on

[SuperDud]

Wow, thx for all the info guys! I'll do a search for RC clubs around here and ask about it. Also there's a guy at a park around here every Sun. who flies one, maybe I'll just ask him about it. I'll probably go for a less expensive, pre-assebled one at first to see if I like it. I'd then consider upgrading to a nice one that I'd build myself. Thx again all

[SuperDud]

Originally posted by maxxius
just wanted to add that just do a search on ww2 planes rc they very form skill level to price so thats somethin youll need to be more specific on

Not to worried on skill level. I've bult plenty of plastic and die cast models in my day. Also, not sure if this will apply to model building, but I'm and a/c mechanic.