Dave Foster Posted October 2, 2012 Share Posted October 2, 2012 Hi everyone, I am sure you must get asked this loads of times but here goes; I have recently got back into model flying after a few years away. I re-joined my local club and, after a few 're-fresher' sessions, was deemed capable of re-gaining my solo status. I have been flying my ST Discovery (high wing) model for a couple of months now and feel ready to progress onto my first low-winger. But here is the dilema that I am sure has faced many converts from high wing to low wing, which one to go for?? Some of my club friends have suggested that my best option would be to go back into IC and to get something like a Black Horse Travel Air or Chipmunk, or perhaps a Hangar 9 Pulse. I am not against going back into IC, although I am very happy with the Discovery there are days when the wind is just a bit too strong for a foamie. So, what would your personal recommendations for a first low winger be?? I am not looking for something to 'throw' around the sky, I am more than happy with gentle circuits and some mild aero's. What I am really after is something that is stable, predictable and forgiving a low speed (the holy grail) . Does anything electric meet that critera, or would you agree that the extra mass of an IC model would be beneficial?? Thank you in advance everyone.... Dave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alan Cantwell Posted October 2, 2012 Share Posted October 2, 2012 the travel air, cheap as chips, and it flys well, whats electric??? Edited By Alan Cantwell on 02/10/2012 17:52:27 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gaijin Posted October 2, 2012 Share Posted October 2, 2012 Hi Dave, I too was faced with this conundrum and wanting to stay electric I finally settled on the E-flite Advance 25e, this is well priced, excellent quality and shares a lot of DNA with glow powered sport low wing trainers such as a rugged construction, simple layout, decent size and great handling. **LINK** **LINK** This was a lovely little flyer that could come out to play even on days that better favoured the IC crowd, I can't recommend it enough, mine was powered with power 25 equivalent power system although with hindsight and factoring the minor cost difference I'd probably choose the power 32 High performance setup, links below if helpful. **LINK** **LINK** **LINK** **LINK** That Said, in the last year or so I've grown to love IC and can recommend the Travel AIR or Speed Air highly and have to say there are times you just can't beat it for power and rugged simplicity, plus I never forget to charge my fuel! Gaijin Edited By Gaijin on 02/10/2012 17:52:50 Edited By Gaijin on 02/10/2012 17:54:17 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy Ennis Posted October 2, 2012 Share Posted October 2, 2012 Hmm, not an easy question to answer as there are so many variables. What kind of level were you at before your break from flying? Did you fly ic then, and if so had you progressed onto low wingers then? Have you got to the stage with the Discovery where you can wring out the most from this model? The extra mass of an ic model means that things tend to hapen a lot faster, and this can catch you out when moving over from a slow light electric model, even more so when moving directly to a much heavier ic low winger. As you want something for gentle circuits, and mild aerobatics, why not stay with a high winger such as an ic wot 4, you can fly it nice and gently on lower rates, and if you find you want to get more out of it, wind up the throws and you can behave like a hooligan Of course if you were at a much more advanced level, flying wise, I see no reason why you wouldn't cope with something like the Travel Air or the Acrowot - you never really forget how to fly, you just have to brush off the rust! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dean Posted October 2, 2012 Share Posted October 2, 2012 For my first low winger I decided to build a Sig four star 60, great to build and so easy to fly, it floats on and on when landing! It can be bought ARTF but is quite pricey. This is mine Or how about an acrowot? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phil May Posted October 2, 2012 Share Posted October 2, 2012 Black Horse Renegade....nice floater, but beef up the u/c Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gordon Bushell Posted October 2, 2012 Share Posted October 2, 2012 Don't forget that you can use electric power on an ic model.I have both a BH Chipmunk and an ARTFAcrowot that fly very nicely on 4s batteries.My first low wing flights were with the chipmunk, but as standard the undercarriage is not robust enough for some of my beginner landings.The Acrowot is significantly tougher.Hope this helps. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andrew767 Posted October 2, 2012 Share Posted October 2, 2012 Hi Dave If you'd like a Travel Air, Speed Air etc but want to fly electric, have a look at the 4Max site (sorry i can't do links!).There are conversion pics and lists of the bits you would need. Hope this helps. Andrew Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Foster Posted October 2, 2012 Author Share Posted October 2, 2012 Hi Guys, Wow, what a great repsonse so far and thank you for your time. Alan - I love the 'what's electric' quote. LOL Gaijin - Thank you for all of your suggestions, must admit that I do like E-Flite's products so I will check out the Advance 25E. Andy - I didn't move on from High Wingers the first time round and yes, I was into IC at that time. I hear all that you say though and I will give it due consideration. Dean - Nice aircraft ! Phil - That looks a bit too big for me? Gordon - Thank you Andrew - No worries, I cna check out the site, thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simon B Posted October 2, 2012 Share Posted October 2, 2012 You could also look at the E-Flite Pulse XT 25e. Nice plane and will fly on either 3S or 4S. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ben B Posted October 2, 2012 Share Posted October 2, 2012 I'd go for a Calmato Sports. Lovely planes and really easy to fly. I got one as my first low winger and loved it. They do an electric version as standard (Calmato SP 1400). Really lovely plane and very reasonably priced. And it's a tricycle which I would recommend over a tail-dragger (also known as a prop-breaker).... I'd take one over a Travel Air type plane anyday. I swapped from a Calmato Sports to a Super Air and miss the Calmato.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robin Kearney Posted October 2, 2012 Share Posted October 2, 2012 I would also second the Pulse, seen a couple up at the club as first low wingers, very nice. I went for the ARTF Acro Wot, partly because I always wanted one as a kid! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rusty C Posted October 2, 2012 Share Posted October 2, 2012 Posted by S-R-B on 02/10/2012 19:54:26: You could also look at the E-Flite Pulse XT 25e. Nice plane and will fly on either 3S or 4S. I have the pulse 25E absolutely wonderful to fly and kit quality is very good rusty Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frank Skilbeck Posted October 2, 2012 Share Posted October 2, 2012 If you don't mind a traditional build I can thouroghly recommend the PB Models Skydancer, I finished mine to fly electric with a 4s battery, lovely all weather model, does great traditional (i.e. not 3D) aerobatics and is very predictable and easy to land. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Allan Bowker Posted October 2, 2012 Share Posted October 2, 2012 Hanger9 Pulse XT60 Stable, flies like she's on rails and slow's up nicely. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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