Radio Controlled Aircraft

[EN4CER]

I’m considering on venturing into the Radio Controlled (RC) Model Aircraft Scene. After doing considerable research on the internet I am thinking about making the following purchase.

ALF202 Alfa Model P-51D Mustang ARF RC Plane

33-1/2" wingspan, 29" long, 192 sq. in. wing area, 15 oz. flying weight. Just about ready to fly when you open the box. Wing is removable for transport and storage in its box "hanger". Leading edge of wing is reinforced and battery hatch is in front of the canopy. Hollow molded foam with a hardened surface to resist dings and hard plastic where the model contacts the ground. Firewall installed and ready for motor. Wing is semi-symmetrical as is the elevator, the model flies like a much larger model, smooth and responsive and is capable of performing in the wind. Hand launch is easy with a good grip area under the wing. Waterslide decals for 2 authentic aircraft are included. For 3 channels: elevator, aileron, speed control.

Radio System:
HTR48725 Hitec Neon 3 SS, Micro 05 Receiver, 2 HS-55 Servos

Connectors:
MJ20221 3 Wire Connection Set for Brushless, 2.5mm

Brushless Controller:
JESAP18W Jeti Advance PLUS 18 Amp Brushless Controller with Program

Prop:
P09060SF 9x6 Slowflyer Prop

LiPoly Battery Pack:
TP13203 3 Cell 11.1V 1320 mAh Li-Poly Pack

LiPoly Charger:
ETC2500 Li-Poly Smart Charger for 1-4 Cells

Entire Kit runs under $500.

RC Warbird Site

Just curious if any has some expertise in this area. Gas vs. Electric. Advice appreciated.

[Suave]

If you don't know how to fly rc yet, your first plane should be a trainer, something that you can afford to crash every 3 minutes, not a $500 scale.

And if I was gonna go scale, I would go with the Flying Styros, they look better.

[Suave]

Check out hobbyzonesports.com , they sell nice trainers $150-$190 and cheap replaceable parts for them. Their trainers also have cool features like auto recovery, dropable bombs, parachutist and ultrasonic combat module.

[Golfer]

BEFORE you buy that nice trainer you'll wreck (and yes...you will crash!) purchase Realflight G3.

It's an R/C simulator that comes with a controller that you can either use or an interlink that you can plug into your actual controller from your PC.

You will crash hundreds of times saving thousands of dollars and when you're finally ready to head out to the field you'll be prepared and have at least an opportunity to survive

Realflight

Your best bet for purchase is either tower hobbies or ebay.

[J_A_B]

I never crashed the first trainer I bought.  A gust of wind caught it and it was carried away, never to be seen again.  For all I know the blasted thing is still flying around out there somewhere.

My second trainer was also my last RC plane, as I found that I was bored with flying it once I figured out how to not crash it every other flight.


J_A_B

[phookat]

Yeah, you're gonna crash.  I'd suggest something cheap and high wing.  And get something ready-to-fly, or as close to it as possible.  That way when you crash you won't feel so bad about all the time you spent building it.

Don't get something too light and foamy though, unless you have a place to fly that has NO wind.

[RAIDER14]

Ebay Results

[fartwinkle]

Originally posted by Golfer
BEFORE you buy that nice trainer you'll wreck (and yes...you will crash!) purchase Realflight G3.

It's an R/C simulator that comes with a controller that you can either use or an interlink that you can plug into your actual controller from your PC.

You will crash hundreds of times saving thousands of dollars and when you're finally ready to head out to the field you'll be prepared and have at least an opportunity to survive

Realflight

Your best bet for purchase is either tower hobbies or ebay.

I wish I would have had this 15 years ago when I tried to fly Rc aircraft.
I spent $500 bucks on a plane that took three months to build only to fly for 90 secs before it became kindlin. I had to dig the motor out of the ground with a shovel:rofl

[RAIDER14]

if you really wanna go high dollar get 1 of these

[Lye-El]

I bet that would make expensive kindling........

[MoeRon]

B52


check this out

[x0847Marine]

Originally posted by EN4CER
I�m considering on venturing into the Radio Controlled (RC) Model Aircraft Scene. After doing considerable research on the internet I am thinking about making the following purchase.

ALF202 Alfa Model P-51D Mustang ARF RC Plane

 

Check with Pacfan, he wont admit it but I know I saw him on TV at an RC air contest.

Talk about skills?, see if pacfan will share some pics because his planes are amazing in every repesct.

[Suave]

If you dig scale planes check out these pics.

http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_509567/tm.htm

[eagl]

Definately go with a "trainer" model to begin with.  I prefer high or "shoulder" wing but there are also some decent low wing trainers out there.  Lots of dihedral, big thick semi-symmetrical wing.  I learned on gas and still prefer it due to longer flight times, but electric is a lot cleaner and if you buy a bunch of batteries and a charger that will run off of your car battery, you can still get a nearly continuous full day of flying instead of 10 min flight time for each hour or so of charge.

I suggest something that uses between a .25 and .40 motor, on the theory that although larger planes are often more stable, they can be intimidating and that isn't good.  I learned on a .25 powered high-wing trainer and did fine.

Also, don't waste too much money on a fancy schmancy radio.  Get a decent 5 or 6 channel radio but don't go overboard on features.  If you outgrow it, you want one that is actually worth something used or you'll be happy keeping around as a radio for a second model.  4 ch radios are not a good purchase in my opinion unless you're on a very strict budget.

If you don't have a local club to help you learn, you definately want to practice first with one of the PC simulators.  Even then, you'll probably wreck a few times.  If you don't have an instructor handy, consider getting a motorglider for your first model.  They fly a lot slower and are easier to see so a novice will probably have a better chance of learning without an instructor.  I knew a guy who taught himself to fly with a 6 ft wingspan motorglider...

[Golfer]

I can't speak highly enough for JK Aerotech and their product.

Easy to build, easy to fly and bullet proof.  I had an F4U 2610 airplane survive a mid-air with a canadian goose.  Threw on a new prop and it flew the same day with no repairs needed after falling maybe 100 feet.

Had the goose for dinner the next night.