Re: Model airplanes....
By: Cyclonite to All on Wed Aug 09 2006 06:31:00
Hello everyone. I've recently started thinking about taking up model airpla as a hobby, and was wondering if anyone can recommend some good starter buil kits?
I fly R/C and I'd be glad to drop some advice on you.
The cheapest way to get into R/C flying is with gliders. No, gliders are
NOT wimpy! And you will learn a lot about aerodynamic flight that will
reward you later when flying models with engines.
I'd *strongly* recommend a glider made from EPP (Expanded Poly Propelyne) foam. They are virtually indestructable which is good for a beginner.
Lots of people would recommend a Zagi flying wing
http://tinyurl.com/qgswn
but if you prefer a more conventional design, you could go with one of the other EPP sailplanes from
http://www.californiasailplanes.com/ such as the Aermacchi MB339 or F-20 Tigershark. Note that aeroplanes with more things
on them have more things to break off, which is why simple models like the Zagi and Skua are so popular (and cheaper, too).
With any simple glider you'll need at least two-channel radio, but I would
NOT recommend actually buying one. A 3-channel radio is so cheap you'd be better off getting one, and the third channel will be useful if you ever
move up to a simple electric-powered model later. You can get something
like a Futaba 3FR SS 3-Channel (which is an AM radio) quite cheap, but I'd strongly recommend an FM radio like the Hitec Neon SS 3 which isn't too expensive
http://tinyurl.com/nto6b and works well.
Now, I'm going to go out on a limb here. If you don't know if R/C flying
is for you, I'd go with the Hitec Neon. It's cheap enough that if you
decide later that you aren't really into R/C flying, your pocket isn't
hurting too bad. But if you are fairly sure that R/C flying is for you
and that you won't lose interest, then I recommend buying the most
advanced radio you can afford. A 4-channel "computer" radio like the
Futaba 4EXA
http://tinyurl.com/8gz6a will fly many sophisticated aircraft
with aileron, elevator, rudder, and motor. If you can stretch to the
Futaba 6EXAS
http://tinyurl.com/hv7qc better still. I'd strongly
recommend Futaba as the brand to aim for when buying a transmitter, with
Hitec a good choice for low-cost rigs. Airtronics? JR? Blechh!
Ok, now you got a glider and a radio and witht hat you can get into the
air! Your radio will include a transmitter, plus receiver, and servos
that go in the aircraft. Just possibly, your glider will require
different (stronger/heavier, or maybe lighter/weaker) servos than what
came with your radio. If you have to buy separate servos, I can strongly recommend Hitec servos. They are excellent and cost a bit less than
Futaba.
Ok, so you aren't interested in gliding, or there isn't a good 'slope' in
your area? Then you will have to begin with a powered model of some sort.
I would advice you to stay away from the tiny electric models. They are
fun, but they are small and fragile, and fragile is what you will need to avoid for a while. I'd suggest a 45-sized glow-powered high-wing trainer model. And you want to buy an ARF because the less emotional attachment
you have with your first model, the better!
Good ARF trainers include the Hobbico Avistar
http://tinyurl.com/kuxvc as
well as the Hobbico NexSTAR
http://tinyurl.com/zw6lg or even the TOWER
Trainer 40 MKII
http://tinyurl.com/jv3qe option. The Tower trainer is
cheaper than the other two, but it is a basic aircraft with a flat-
bottomed wing-section. This generates good lift, but doesn't work very
well upside down, so it is an aircraft you will more quickly outgrow, as
soon as you start wanting to do 'tricks'. The NexSTAR is a good looking aircraft, and the wing is not a flat-bottomed section, but it is a
NACA-Droop design, built for high stability and not too good for
aerobatics as your skill advances. Of the three, I like the Avistar,
which has a semi-symmetrical wing section and is capable of aerobatic manoevers without excess pain. They fly well and are tough.
You will also need a motor for either of these models. All of these are FORTY-sized aircraft (the NexSTAR is a 46) so obviously, you will be
looking for FIFTY sized motor, right? You want a Glow 2-stroke .40 to .51
but there is no such thing as too much power!!! Many people swear by
them, but I would stay away from OS engines, because they are pricy. The
GMS .47 ABC BB
http://tinyurl.com/ebbqv seems to work well, and is not expensive. Note the BB (Ball Bearing). Avoid engines that use bushings because they deliver less power and wear out sooner. Lots of people like
the SuperTigre GS-45 ABC
http://tinyurl.com/q559g while I personally own
two Thunder Tiger Pro .46 BB ABC
http://tinyurl.com/q486h motors. The
Magnum XLS-46 BB ABC
http://tinyurl.com/sx8af also looks good. I have two 4-strokes by Magnum and they're great. The Magnum 2-strokes I've seen all seem to work well. The Tower Hobbies .46 BB ABC
http://tinyurl.com/madpn
is another good choice.
And of course, you will need a 4-channel (minimum) radio. The Futaba 4EXA mentioned earlier would do the job fine, or the advanced Futaba 6EXAS as
well.
You will also need to buy a glow-plug and a prop. I'd suggest a 3-pack of Tower Power plugs and a Master Airscrew 11x6 glass-filled nylon prop for
any of these engines. You will also need the barest minimum of field equipment. A fuel pump of some sort, like the Hobbico Hand-Crank Fuel
Pump
http://tinyurl.com/f7p77 and a prop/plug tool like the Dubro 4-Way XL wrench
http://tinyurl.com/ppkz5 are typical. And you will need a glow
igniter like
http://tinyurl.com/zbyvx as well.
Also, what is a realistic expenditure that I'm looking at for just getting started in the hobby? Like radio controllers and what not?
Okay, a Zagi 5C will cost you about $60, and a Hitec Neon SS-3 another
$60. so for $120 plus tax & s/h you're of the slope. Remember, I wouldn't actually recommend the SS-3 if you can afford a Futaba 4EXA for $140
instead. It costs a lot more, but it's a much better radio. If you go
that way, you're looking at $200 to get in the air.
For powered flight, an Avistar will set you back $100 and a SuperTigre
GS-45 for $65. You will *require* a 4-channel radio, so the Futaba 4EXA
for $140 is the obvious choice. A prop and a spare for $5, three plugs
for $8, a fuel pump for maybe $10, a prop/plug tool and a glow starter for another $10 each and you are ready to fly for about $350-ish. And of
course, you will need some fuel...
Okay, I hope this has given you a feel for what is involved, and an idea
of the basic costs. Whatever you do, your *FIRST* step is to contact the other R/C flyers in your area. You will tap the expertise of experienced flyers and modelers, you will get access to flying sites, and you will be
able to avoid radio frequency clashes, and so forth. Not to mention that
you *WILL* destroy your model the first time you try to fly it unless you
have an instructor to help you! Well, if it's an EPP glider you won't
destroy it, but you won't *fly* it, either.
So, you're looking at $350 to get started in the glow-powered world, or
$120 to get going on the slope. But buy the best radio you can afford
unless you think you will give up on R/C flying soon. And look for local clubs and flying groups to help get you going, and give you the flight training you will need.
And don't discount gliders! They are a cheap way to get flying, you
become a better pilot through gliding, and they are a whole heaping lot of fun! The fastest R/C aircraft in the world is a glider! And full-contact 'combat' flying is very popular on the slopes. An EPP glider can crash
into the rocks at full speed, bounce off, and fly away. I know -- I've
done it. And years down the road when your gas-turbine-powered F-104 Starfighter flames out and everyone around you is going "Oh shit!" you'll
be grinning and saying "Oh yeah, baby! Watch me land this Zagi-style!" (Actually, with an F-104 you'll be saying "Oh shit!" like everyone else,
but you'll automatically be doing everything that can be done to maximize
the chances of getting her down safe!)
---
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