Mark/Badge Posted March 17, 2015 Share Posted March 17, 2015 Hi Everyone, I've just joined this site & really glad too, the amount of information is fantastic, I'm almost 50 yrs young & have been a keen modeler as long as I can remember, I have built several RC boats, O & OO guage trains, live steam models & numerous static models, but have always considered RC planes to be the ultimate challenge. So now I have decided to take the plunge, ( or hopefully not ! ) At the moment I have an E-flite Hurricane which I swapped a Steam Roller for with my Stepdad, it's a great plane, but I don't think I should use it to learn with, I understand 'high wing' planes are best to start with, so after lots of surfing the net I fancied the Piper Cub - then read somewhere that they can be a bit tricky too ! Hmmm So now I have narrowed down to either a Seagull Boomerang V2 RTF with an SC46A Engine & Optic 5 TX or a Wots Wot or a Mascot which is a kit to build from DB Sport & Scale, I'm confident with the building but wondered if anyone else has flown any of these models & what you'd suggest for a first timer ? The best transmitter I have at the moment is a Planet T5, this works fine for my boats - they are rairly more than 30 - 40 feet away from me, but was just concerned what actual range it is capable of. Any replies will be greatly appreciated. Keep up your good work & hopefully I'll be able to post what I've decided to do. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Devcon1 Posted March 17, 2015 Share Posted March 17, 2015 Welcome aboard Mark, I've got no experience of the particular models suggested (although I did learn on a 1970s equivalent of the Boomerang) so will leave that to the more experienced here, suffice it say research your local clubs as I'm sure you'll find plenty of sound advice and help there. Kind Regards John. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cymaz Posted March 17, 2015 Share Posted March 17, 2015 Find a club near you that is open and friendly...go along and see what happens. Under bmfa ( British model flying association ) insurance you can have 3 taster sessions. Any good club with a club trainer will let you have a go....enjoy and welcome. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sticky fingers Posted March 17, 2015 Share Posted March 17, 2015 Welcome to the forum Mark,all the models you mention are very good trainers I have had the Boomerang and the Wot Trainer if thats what you mean, and also the DB Mascot The first two are ARTF and require minimal assembley, the Mascot is a good quality kit a bit more involved but as you mentioned you are a modeller so it shouldnt pose any real issues and in my honest opinion is the best option.The choice of radio guidance is a good starter but if finances can stretch a bit further go for something which gives you flexibility for the future e.g. flaps retracting u/c.Iam very happy with my Hitec Aurora 9and my Futaba 6 channel radio.I cant comment on other brands but many years ago I was a fan of JR gear.As cymaz and John said, get into a local club go and visit Good luck Dave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Hopkin Posted March 17, 2015 Share Posted March 17, 2015 Hi Mark and welcome I was in your position a year ago, coming over from model boats and you are quite right a Hurricane isnt a trainer and it probably wont last long Before you buy anything - make contact with your local club(s) and visit them, when you find out you feel at home in, then buy the RC rig that is compatible with the clubs instructor (so you can use a buddy lead/wireless connection) when learning If you are going the IC route then I wont make any suggestions on plane if your going electric, then a bixler from hobby king is a cheap and fast way to get into the air on a plane that fun to fly and docile enough to give you thinking time - then you can use your building/engineering skills to make the next plane without the urge to rush it You migh want to consider a rc fligh simulator too, they dont replicate flying exactly but they are a good tool to learn on and slowly ingrain what stick to move to control the plane so reducing "thinking time" when you are flying (of that makes any sense) Either way I am sure you will enjoy it The BMFA Club finder is here http://clubmap.bmfa.org/ Edited By Dave Hopkin on 17/03/2015 23:16:30 Edited By Dave Hopkin on 17/03/2015 23:17:19 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ted hughes Posted March 18, 2015 Share Posted March 18, 2015 Hi mark, the most important part of rc planes is learning to fly. It is a bit like learning to ride a bicycle, once you have learned you wonder what all the fuss was about! Accept that your first plane will get knocked about a lot. You want something easy to fly and tough.Ideally, a model that was designed for free flight. When we learn to fly rc we need to educate our thumbs and brains, and that takes time. A fast plane is our enemy! If you are close to a club and can afford the fees, that is your best bet. If you want to learn solo, a gentle high wing plane or a powered glider like a Radian 1 is a good first plane. Three channels is easier to learn on. If you stay on the same mode (mode 2 is most popular in the uk),learning to fly with ailerons will be no problem later. I would recommend electric, as there is less faffing involved. Once you can take a plane up and land it in one piece, then is the time to think about the warbird you always wanted to fly. Edited By ted hughes on 18/03/2015 01:09:05 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark/Badge Posted March 18, 2015 Author Share Posted March 18, 2015 Thanks for your replies, as mentioned, I shall go along to a club, there are two within a couple of miles of me, so that seems the best place to start, also a flight simulator sounds like a good idea. I'm still drawn to the World Models Piper Cub J3 as a trainer, has anyone any knowledge of these ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
john stones 1 - Moderator Posted March 18, 2015 Share Posted March 18, 2015 Hiya Mark I had a couple of World models clipped wing cubs 1/6+1/5 scale enjoyed them both. I've known quite a few that learnt to fly with a J3, they get knocked about a bit more with the wind than most trainers but the choice is yours. I agree with others and think an instructors the quickest and cheapest route to learning though. John Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
onetenor Posted March 18, 2015 Share Posted March 18, 2015 IF YOU WANT A DOCILE SCALISH "WARBIRD " WW11 A LYSANDER MIDHT FILL THE BILL. THERE WAS A BOX/ PROFILE OF ONE KNOCKING ABOUT SOME YRS AGO F/F BUT CONVERTIBLE TO RADIO IT HAD BUILT UP WINGS AND TAILPLANE THE REST WAS SHEET. KIT OR PLAN DON'T RECALL. MIGHT FIND IT ON ONE OF THE FREE PLANS SERVICES ON THE NET. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Josip Vrandecic -Mes Posted March 18, 2015 Share Posted March 18, 2015 Hello Mark, as you said the biggest challenge are a RC airplanes......A lot of joy and satisfaction in the years to come.. Welcome and Greetings from Adriatic Sea... Jo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cuban8 Posted March 18, 2015 Share Posted March 18, 2015 Posted by mark ewers on 18/03/2015 16:21:51: Thanks for your replies, as mentioned, I shall go along to a club, there are two within a couple of miles of me, so that seems the best place to start, also a flight simulator sounds like a good idea. I'm still drawn to the World Models Piper Cub J3 as a trainer, has anyone any knowledge of these ? Hi Mark. For what its worth, start out with a standard 40 size high wing trainer and make your mistakes on that rather than knocking about a pretty Cub! In any case, trike undercarts are easier to cope with first of all and access to the engine is far easier rather than having it all cowled in. A purpose designed four channel trainer will cope much better in windy (not too windy to start with!) conditions, whereas the cub will quickly become a bit of a handful and may well limit the flyable days you'll get, given the way our climate seems to have gone recently. Plenty of time to fly scale type models once you've really mastered a trainer (including basic aerobatics) and in the long run it'll make you a better flyer. Good luck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cymaz Posted March 18, 2015 Share Posted March 18, 2015 Sound advice from Cuban8. Our club standard is a Seagull Arising Star with a SC 46 or similar. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fly boy3 Posted March 18, 2015 Share Posted March 18, 2015 I second Cymaz, our club has the same set up. Cheers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Marsh Posted March 18, 2015 Share Posted March 18, 2015 Boomerang with the setup listed. A Wots Wot is too advanced for now, maybe a 4th of 5th model. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark/Badge Posted March 19, 2015 Author Share Posted March 19, 2015 Thanks for all the advice, I definitely have a clearer picture of how to get started now, I'm hoping to visit a club this weekend, & I shall get myself a flight simulator. The Lysander is a great looking plane - thanks Onetenor, shall keep that in mind for the future. Thanks again everyone, I shall let you know how I'm proceeding. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Engine Doctor Posted March 19, 2015 Share Posted March 19, 2015 Hi Mark All above advice is good but dont build the Wots Wot yet its for later . Best advice in above is ......go along to a club , have a chat with their instructors and join . Good luck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Hopkin Posted March 19, 2015 Share Posted March 19, 2015 Hi Mark The Lysander was/is quite a specialised plane for Vstol - and a scale one will not be a simple beastie to learn on - the spats certainly wont last long! Go for a decent sized (at least 48" Wing span) High wing with some dihedral and a flat bottomed wing, trike undercart, low wing loading (less than 15oz) - if its an ARTF make use there is a spares supply chain for the model (you will break cowls, wings, tail etc etc) and you will need to repair it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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