TJ Alexander Posted March 15, 2018 Share Posted March 15, 2018 Dipping my toe in the water of building, but limited budget, space, and skills. I've made a simple balsa kit, and I managed (just!) not to glue my fingers together, so now I fancy moving up. So...recommendations for a simple kit for a klutz to build, that's satisfying and easy to fly. Preferably EP or EP convertible. What do the panel recommend? All suggestions gratefully received. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Former Member Posted March 15, 2018 Share Posted March 15, 2018 [This posting has been removed] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Walby Posted March 15, 2018 Share Posted March 15, 2018 IMHO Cambria fun fighter (**LINK** Simple, easy to build and fly well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob Posted March 15, 2018 Share Posted March 15, 2018 Something like a Tomboy is a great build. You can purchase short kits(all the complicated bits pre-cut you just supply the long bits from LMS) from ebay or purchase the kit from a well known supplier or go the whole 9 yards and buy a plan and a stack af balsa and go for the full plan build experience. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TJ Alexander Posted March 15, 2018 Author Share Posted March 15, 2018 Thanks for these suggestions. I'm not ready for a plan build, and I'm still a wee bit wary of short kits because of lack of knowledge/experience. I'm not necessarily that fussed about the format of the model, but I only have six channels on my TX. I'd be happy with a 3-ch for starters. I have a penchant for gliders, but I quite like flying the Sig Seniorita in RealFlight 7.5, and something of that nature would be good. I know I've posted this in Traditional Kits, but I am open to suggestions from a wider arena. I just felt this might be the best place to get advice. Westwings is a name I've had recommended, and their kits do look well thought out. DB is a new name for me, but I will check it out. I've seen the Cambria Funfighters on this forum recently, but hadn't realised that they might be a simple build. Plenty of food for thought. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nigel R Posted March 15, 2018 Share Posted March 15, 2018 Tony Nijhuis' Sky 40 by SLEC. **LINK** Pre-rolled electric power train here: http://www.4-max.co.uk/tn-sky40.htm I would suggest the FunFighter is probably best as the one after this one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cuban8 Posted March 15, 2018 Share Posted March 15, 2018 A couple of kits from the Balsa Cabin come to mind, very complete kits and inexpensive.**LINK** **LINK** Edited By Cuban8 on 15/03/2018 17:13:40 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kc Posted March 15, 2018 Share Posted March 15, 2018 One of the simplest models to build yet with a really useful flight capability is the Limbo Dancer from SLEC. Kit is available for electric or glow. Very straightforward build with few parts, yet a good size model ( i.e. easy to see) Or the SLEC Fun Flyer is a good model. Kit building is not as cheap as building from plans though! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don Fry Posted March 15, 2018 Share Posted March 15, 2018 TJ, what sort of aircraft do you want. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Former Member Posted March 15, 2018 Share Posted March 15, 2018 [This posting has been removed] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Goose is the real hero Posted March 15, 2018 Share Posted March 15, 2018 I’m a novice builder TJ and just completing a Warbird Replicas Spitfire kit. It is a comprehensive kit and builds into a beautiful model with a minimum of fuss. There are a few threads on this forum detailing the build to a very high standard. I’m not sure Richard Wills (of Warbird Replicas) is still trading but last I heard he had some Spitfire kits still available. May be worth emailing him through the WR website if you are interested in a scale build. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kevin b Posted March 15, 2018 Share Posted March 15, 2018 How about one of these ? Fairly straight forward kit and very reasonably priced. Kevin b Airsail Volksplane dept. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChrisB Posted March 15, 2018 Share Posted March 15, 2018 DB Sport and Scale kits Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TJ Alexander Posted March 15, 2018 Author Share Posted March 15, 2018 Just following up some links. Airsail and Mick Reeves have websites which are very difficult to navigate, but both have interesting products. Thanks for all the suggestions. It may take me some time to decide... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kevin b Posted March 15, 2018 Share Posted March 15, 2018 P.m sent. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jonathan M Posted March 16, 2018 Share Posted March 16, 2018 Posted by TJ Alexander on 15/03/2018 15:11:21: ...recommendations for a simple kit for a klutz to build, that's satisfying and easy to fly... ...3-chan... ...Sig Seniorita on RealFlight... Posted by Nigel R on 15/03/2018 16:10:51: Tony Nijhuis' Sky 40 by SLEC. **LINK** Pre-rolled electric power train here: **LINK** From what you indicate about your flying experience, I'd second Nigel's suggestion for the Sky 40... or something very similar like the DB Sport & Scale Mascot **LINK** also with a pre-rolled electric setup **LINK** Building is hugely satisfying but time-consuming, and you don't want to invest all that time and energy in something that you won't enjoy flying - or could simply crash - at your current skill-level! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TJ Alexander Posted March 16, 2018 Author Share Posted March 16, 2018 Exactly, Jonathan. My previous build was a Chinese cheapie. It fit together well, and glides decently, too. But I'd not have been too upset if I had made a mistake in the build or crashed it flying. It's all about learning the skills for me at the moment., and if I end up with a model I'm going to love flying at the end of it, then that's a major bonus! Having someone else spec the electronics as a package removes one layer of difficulty as well. I like that idea. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard Wood Posted March 16, 2018 Share Posted March 16, 2018 Hi TJ, Some excellent suggestions so far. Another is the Chris Foss Wot 4 - although designed for IC, electric conversion is straightforward. The kits are very good quality & are relatively quick to build with veneered foam wings, pre-cut parts & good instructions. It is a strong, proven design that flies very well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Miller Posted March 16, 2018 Share Posted March 16, 2018 How about something from here. **LINK** Real vintage style models but precut parts The VIntage Model Company Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TJ Alexander Posted March 16, 2018 Author Share Posted March 16, 2018 Nice. I've just looked up the Seniorita, and that seems reasonable. And I've been looking at the Steve Webb website - So. Many. Kits! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Denis Watkins Posted March 16, 2018 Share Posted March 16, 2018 Posted by TJ Alexander on 16/03/2018 21:00:28: Nice. I've just looked up the Seniorita, and that seems reasonable. And I've been looking at the Steve Webb website - So. Many. Kits! Always check for items actually being in stock and available TJ Sites are not always bang up to date Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Piers Bowlan Posted March 17, 2018 Share Posted March 17, 2018 This flies really well and is easy enough to fit a couple of servos and receiver for RC - cheap too. Here. Some video of it flying too, here. Edited By Piers Bowlan on 17/03/2018 04:06:33 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TJ Alexander Posted March 17, 2018 Author Share Posted March 17, 2018 Sweet! Although I wonder if it can be motorised, as I'm a bit shy of chucking my models off a cliff, or slope soaring, as some folk call it :D I can't even slope successfully on RF7.5! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PatMc Posted March 17, 2018 Share Posted March 17, 2018 If you want a glider suitable for thermal hunting from the flat the Amesthyst is a bit small & probably too light weight for all but the lightest wind days. IMO you really need to be thinking of something at least 6ft span. The Sonata linked previously would be a better bet or at 100" the Cambrian Elan kit. Both of the latter are around the same price & whilst double the price of the Amesthyst I think they would prove more practical & better VFM. Converting to electric would also be easier with the larger models. If you do consider either of these I suggest contacting the supplier & asking if any conversion drawings are included. However if they're not at least ask for the internal width of the nose. With this info you should be able to get advice from here regarding suitable motor/ESC/battery combo at reasonable prices. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TJ Alexander Posted March 17, 2018 Author Share Posted March 17, 2018 I hadn't realised that the Cambrian range extended beyond the Funfighters! Good spot Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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