Model Airplanes

[Loafman]

Illini - I just did a search for "RC and Flying and Austin" at Yahoo and came up with a list of all the clubs in my area. I bet you can do the same.

If you're in Austin, I have a buddy there that lives on a private airport and he and his neighbor fly RC in thier 6000' backyard.

 

[starchkr]

If you already have some experience flying models and just want a little rocket for under $150 including the engine, try the SIG "Wonder". I have built 2 before and am working on my third... well will be working on it when my house is finished being built. The plane is very simple. It is hand launched and has no landing gear, just a landing skid to protect the belly upon landing. They are designed for air combat which makes them fast and agile. I have a few other models, some scale and some not, and the wonder is by far my favorite for FUN flying. My first two had recommended size engines in them, the first a .10 2 stroke and it was good for learning the handling of the a/c. the second had a .20 which really put some speed into thing, and also made it very hard to keep it within sight because it has a span of less than 3 feet. My third one under way is built around an O.S. .40 which we will have to see how it works. All that i have to do is cover it and off to the field i go. I am actually really scared to fly it because i can only imagine how fast it is going to be... that just means that the engine will be deeper in the ground and harder to dig up when it goes in. Anyway, the kit is CHEAP at under $30 if you look around, and you can have an engine for less than $100. It also only requires 3 chanels, so a radio could be had for very little as well. Not bad for such a great little bird.

 

[LearLove]

RC Jets?

Are Wholly Owned guys scoped out of RC Jets? If not do we have to give up 50% of the model to mainline?

Thanks

 

[flywithastick]

Good topic. couple of thoughts. The Duraplanes weren't much good for flying back when I was doing RC. We called them dura-cr@p planes. Just an observation. Lot's of good ARFs out there that fly very well for not too much $$. yea, they break... but that's what CA is for!

I've got a 1/4 scale Nosen P-51 for sale. Framed out and ready for hardware and covering/fiberglass overlay. Would make a killer racer!

Last I looked, there were some really nice miniature electrics available. Not too pricey and very small. J-3, Biplane, etc... anyone know how they fly?

 

[Loafman]

The small electrics are fine if you don't have much wind. If you want gas performance on an electric, try a Zagi 400X with cobalt or brushless power. I carry one in my truck everwhere and fly when the mood strikes. No runway, no problem. Also just started with electric helis. Very challenging. Electric won't replace glow power, but it has a place for those who want to fly anywhere theres an open space.

 

[bugchaser]

The only thing wrong with rc is that it can be extremely addictive and very expensive. Have been flying rc since I was about 13. Just built a Sig Four Star and stuffed a Ryobi 31cc gas engine into it. Way too much power. Lots of fun. Also have a 1/3 scale Flybaby that is almost ready to fly. Trying to save up for the engine for that one. Give it a try, you'll have lots of fun. For me, the building is about as fun as the flying. I think the anticipation of completing a project is a big part of it. I just don't get the satisfaction out of the ARF's.

 

[SDdriver]

I agree with the above poster, the building is a lot of it. I love the final day of building and the anticipation of that first flight, but damm is it scary! haha..

The thing I love about RC, you can stuff a huge motor in the thing and let it loose...it is so much fun, but I have to say, after you get a few engines and radios it is not that expensive, I mean it is not cheap, but I think that is the worst part is getting those items.

SD

 

[Toecutter]

Hanger 9 makes a great RTF trainer. For about 400 dollars you get just about everything you need to get started. It comes with a JR radio, servos, fuel tank, engine, everything. You can have it flying in an hour or two. Best thing is that when you've outgrown the trainer, you can use everything you've got out of that and put in another plane. Check out Horizon hobbies. Not sure of the web address.

 

[Brett Hull]

Jets

Next time you guys are in TEB, you need to check out this dude's MIG-29. It's in-freakin-credible! Twin turbine (about 20 lbs/thrust each) fully hydraulic, retract's, spoilers, drag chute, even the louvers that cover the intakes during ground ops work - just like on the real thing. He said they clocked it at 180 mph at 1/4 throttle. He has over $20,000 in it.

His name's Lucas. He own's the aircraft cleaning service there in TEB (i forgot the name of it), but he keeps it in his office there on the airport. Ask around and someone can point you to him - it's worth seeing.

 

[flywithastick]

Re: Jets

He has over $20,000 in it.

I used to do the giant scale racing and thought that was a lot of money! With RC, you have to be able to handle dumping the whole thing in a trash can and walking away with the xmitter. If you can't stomach that, then you shouldn't be flying RC!

 

[LR25]

Thanks brett, I might be up there all weekend, I will definitely try to find.