Hamish Posted February 15, 2010 Share Posted February 15, 2010 Having seen the start of this posting I thought, great, just what I need as a novice to this side of model flying. I am away for a few days and when I catch up, the icing is on the cake. The link by Andy to the novices section of the Eastern Soaring League is just what I need. So much information and I can now begin to understand why I am having so little success. Great keep it coming. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whacky Posted February 15, 2010 Author Share Posted February 15, 2010 So hamish which was your first model? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hamish Posted February 15, 2010 Share Posted February 15, 2010 The first glider I purchased was an electric powered Easy Pigeon, which with two new central wing sections and some damage to the main fuselage will still fly, I hope. I do not think this was a wise buy as the wings can be easily damaged. I hope to take it on to a slope and have somebody with experience train me to fly. I then bought a second hand Hawk 1500 electric powered glider which was in pristine condition only for me to sadly continue to crash it and repair but taking away its initial appearance. With the added weight of repairs I think it will need a force 10 to lift it off the ground. Third model was off ebay and I did not no what I was buying and it was a Laishing Thunderbird. This was an all plastic or whatever electric powered model. I have had an immense amount of fun with this model with the wings being rejoined a few times and it still flies, again needing a force 10. Had a FlyCam fitted so got some great pictures of my numerous crashes. This had a 400 brushed motor that burnt out and I have replaced with a brushless I had, but it is now underpowered. I think my biggest problem with the above models is I still think they are IC powered and I can throw them about the sky which is not the case. Another problem I think is as I can fly IC you think you no it all but that is not the case. My most recent purchase is an old Secret Weapon which is of traditional construction with foam wings covered in veneer and is I am told an aerobatic style glider. I have tried to behave sensibly with this model and it has been up once with me with the hands of an experienced flier to guide get me out of trouble. Unfortunately the winds have disappeared at the moment and no other outings. My last model is a scratch build total balsa glider from a 1996 plan, a Yellow Bird and I believe is for thermals. I do not think any of the above is a guide as to what you should buy but is a picture of what I have done, right or wrong. What I am slowly learning is that at this time of the year I think thermals are few and far between and this resulted in much of the damage to the first two models. They are now heavy enough to go up on a slope and take a fair blow. I think most importantly is to no where you are going to fly and get a model to suit along with the most important part being guidance from an experienced flier. I hope the experienced can respond Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy Gates Posted February 15, 2010 Share Posted February 15, 2010 I would like to echo Hamish in suggesting you get a little experienced help for your first attempts. Gliders fly in a completely different way to power models. Generally they are less responsive, slower to react to control inputs and need to be flown much further ahead than any power machine. Although they can land in the same sort of area as a power model, it takes heaps of experience or practice to achieve this reliably. Good luck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whacky Posted February 15, 2010 Author Share Posted February 15, 2010 I have no plans of flying a model beyond my experience. Ikm hoping this thread will arm me with the knowledge to be able to make an informed choice once combined with anything I can get from my local club. So far I have learnt that its fine to have a huge collection of planes only limited by the tolerance of your other half. Its also fine to have several plans or kits waiting. Along with don't fly what you can't afford (finacially or emotionally) to crash. All this means it will be fine to have a beginner model to fly another to build and lots more besides. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alan Williams Posted February 16, 2010 Share Posted February 16, 2010 I am suprised that nobody has suggested the multiplex easystar here.I have flown mine for over three years and bounced all round the field.It still flies fine.Now upgraded to brushless.Another good glider I have is the Perkins seagull.Cheap and a very good thermal glider. Alan Williams Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whacky Posted February 17, 2010 Author Share Posted February 17, 2010 I'd like to thak keith for the DVD one very informative one very aspirational Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barrie Dav 2 Posted February 17, 2010 Share Posted February 17, 2010 Whacky. I agree with Andy Gates. If you don't mind, or even like building, try the Gentle Lady. It's pretty cheap, simple to build and it's also pretty rugged. Can be easily converted to electric flight. Has a good performance too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim Mackey Posted February 17, 2010 Share Posted February 17, 2010 Yep got my copy of Keiths film too - and I second that - well done sir ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kiwi g Posted February 17, 2010 Share Posted February 17, 2010 Great planes spirit and spirit elite are both great building planes and flyers also. Or maybe a sig ninja for the slope, the technology of the ninja build is a bit dated but still worth a go. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ken anderson. Posted February 17, 2010 Share Posted February 17, 2010 i'll third that with you's--keith is a good lad-from the right end of the country as well... ken anderson.......member of WK's fan club.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frank Skilbeck Posted February 22, 2010 Share Posted February 22, 2010 Posted by Andy Gates on 15/02/2010 22:32:04: Generally they are less responsive, slower to react to control inputs and need to be flown much further ahead than any power machine. Mmm that depends on the glider, my Wildthing is much more responsive than some of my power planes and I've just ordered one of these http://vimeo.com/1047743Edited By Timbo - Administrator on 22/02/2010 23:30:36Edited By Timbo - Administrator on 22/02/2010 23:32:54 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matthew Lloyd Posted February 22, 2010 Share Posted February 22, 2010 This is the beast that got me hooked good and proper, and still induces big grins.Best birthday present a man could ask for.Say no more Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whacky Posted February 22, 2010 Author Share Posted February 22, 2010 An it is? These flying wing types all look very similiar to my novice eye Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim Mackey Posted February 22, 2010 Share Posted February 22, 2010 A wildthing - probably the slopers wot4 - very versatile, tough as nails, and as mathew says, huge grin factor, especially in combat on good slope in 50MPH winds. Edited By Timbo - Administrator on 22/02/2010 23:32:01 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whacky Posted February 22, 2010 Author Share Posted February 22, 2010 But is it beginner proof? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whacky Posted February 22, 2010 Author Share Posted February 22, 2010 or beginner suitable Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim Mackey Posted February 22, 2010 Share Posted February 22, 2010 Perfect for a beginner on the slope - really it is. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim Mackey Posted February 22, 2010 Share Posted February 22, 2010 But do remember - this is unpowered and for the slope only - I thought earlier on we / I suggested you may be better off with an easy glider or similar - electric motor assisted for thos flat field sessions. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whacky Posted February 23, 2010 Author Share Posted February 23, 2010 You did indeed, snow stopped play on saturday so I didn't get to the local club. But at the moment I am thinking the easy glider, and then one of the many other suggestions for when I head to the slope. I am hoping that the club will introduce me to people that slope fly or I will be back here trying to find people. I have been very restrained for me and as yet have not parted with any cash, just keep on reading and digesting. I tried to google the wildthing found some videos but no where to buy, any suggestions? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slopetrashuk Posted February 23, 2010 Share Posted February 23, 2010 Just wait around on Marine drive under the Orme and one will be along shortly! Try here: http://www.freewebs.com/sasepp/ Andy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim Mackey Posted February 23, 2010 Share Posted February 23, 2010 Ha ha....quite true Andy! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frank Skilbeck Posted February 23, 2010 Share Posted February 23, 2010 Posted by whacky on 23/02/2010 00:06:04: I tried to google the wildthing found some videos but no where to buy, any suggestions? Try here And a couple more posts on Wildthings here Edited By Frank Skilbeck on 23/02/2010 18:57:51 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matthew Lloyd Posted February 23, 2010 Share Posted February 23, 2010 Buy it. Build it. Chuck it. Walk to fetch it. Chuck it again. Repeat until the penny drops The Wildthing won't mind whilst you learn - it'll keep coming back for more. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whacky Posted February 25, 2010 Author Share Posted February 25, 2010 Posted by Matthew Lloyd on 23/02/2010 21:56:52: Buy it. Build it. Chuck it. Walk to fetch it. Chuck it again. Repeat until the penny drops The Wildthing won't mind whilst you learn - it'll keep coming back for more. Is that direct from the imstructions or your own guide lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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