What thermail 3M sailplane under $500 ?

[compuatic]

I am looking for a 3M kit to whinch/histart and thermal. No sloping. I would prefer a molded ship, but none seem to exist under $500. What are some recomendations?

[djnibler]

You didn't mention if you wanted it mainly for sport flying or for contest work.

These immediately come to mind:
Houston Hawk
Bird of Time (ARF or kit version)
Laser Arts Majestic
Great Planes Spirit 100 (not quite 3m I know but close)

[nuevo]

If you look for used ships in your area, you can probably get a molded one for your price target. Especially one with cosmetic, but non-structural damage.

[petefly58]

The Whyte Wings Sapphire fits the bill although not a molded sailplane. It has a fiberglass/kevlar fuse and obechi sheeted foam wings. It is available from NSP. I own one and am quite happy with it. Mine came out to under 64 oz flying weight, it launches high and is easy to fly for an experienced pilot. The Sapphire is last in the line of evolution from Falcon 880, Airtronics Thermal Eagle and Perigrine and I would recommend it if you aren't afraid of a little building/finishing.

Pete

[portfoxdesign]

Maybe some thing scale? icare-rc have molded ships around that money.
http://www.icare-rc.com

Scale, from what i have been told and read fly very well thermal wise and majority of them can be bungeed, just about all winched.

good luck

Steve

[SoCalGliderFlyr]

3 Meter Gnome. $120 for the kit plus shipping. Add in another $80 for materials including carbon to cap the center wing section and about four weeks of evening building.

[Radian]

A Mantis is an excellent composite plane that is just under $500. :)

http://home.att.net/~CASA/Mantis/

Radian

[jgleigh]

Those Mantis pages are a bit out of date, the latest version of the Mantis is significantly upgraded. For more than you ever wanted to know about Manti, and the latest incarnations, see:
http://www.b2streamlines.com/MantisHistory.pdf

On a performance per $ basis, the Mantis is about the best there is (IMHO).

[Radian]

Still even more info can be found on the Mantis Building forum here:

http://forums.flyesl.com/forum.asp?FORUM_ID=5

The older style can be had for under $500. I think the newer style moves that price up to around $600 and you have to but the components from two different sources.

If you are interested in the older style, then the complete kit is available directly from Phil Barnes. If you want the newer style with Aegea wing then the wing and tail pieces are from Phil and the Fuse is from Terry Luckenbach,

Radian

[gdjsky01]

Art Hobbies... like a thermic.

Used I think you can find Compulsions and the like for under $500. The only hard part (but perhaps good part) is that normally used competition planes tend to come with the flight pack radio installed since it's hard to get out. So that tends to bump up the price on used mouldies. But you get the advantage of it being really RTF if you have a compatible radio.

Best

[aeajr]

I am looking for a 3M kit to whinch/histart and thermal. No sloping. I would prefer a molded ship, but none seem to exist under $500. What are some recomendations?


We need more info:

1) Sport or competition

2) Why a molded ship?

3) Hi-start or winch launch?

4) Full house? RES?

5) What is your experience level on sailplanes or any RC flying.

There are always birds in the price range, but you don't buy a new Rolls for the price of a Yugo. Then again, you may not need a Rolls and you don't have to settle for the Yugo.

Lots of good built up ships. With the right reinforcements they can be tons of fun, take strong winch launches and thermal wonderfully.

We look forward to your answers.

[compuatic]

1) mainly sport, possible competition in the future.
2) molded / composite for strength, quality, attractivness, generally higher performers, higher resale value.
3) both
4) full house, not res
5) 4 years E-plane experience, mainly parkflyers, and 3D. No problem with the flying skills. Good sloping experience. No thermal experience, just getting into it. Own 3 sailplanes right now. Want to get into flat land thermaling with a high quality ship that will hang around for a while. I do not have time to build so no kits. nothing that will take longer than 3-4 hours to get it RTF.

[aeajr]

1) mainly sport, possible competition in the future.
2) molded / composite for strength, quality, attractivness, generally higher performers, higher resale value.
3) both
4) full house, not res
5) 4 years E-plane experience, mainly parkflyers, and 3D. No problem with the flying skills. Good sloping experience. No thermal experience, just getting into it. Own 3 sailplanes right now. Want to get into flat land thermaling with a high quality ship that will hang around for a while. I do not have time to build so no kits. nothing that will take longer than 3-4 hours to get it RTF.

Clear on all points except the last one. 3-4 hours is probably not enough time for most ARFs.

You are out of my league. I am primarily into woodies, 2M RES and 3M full house. I also fly electric parkflyers, no real aerobatics. Just started with slope with a ZAGI 3C.


But let's see what the folks suggest.

[compuatic]

umm :confused: ... ok thanks :rolleyes:

[Gliderguy]

Yeah, 3-4 hours is kinda pushing it, especially for a $500.00 kit. You're going to have to snag something used. They are out there but you have to be lightning fast to get it cause everyone else is looking for the same deal too. :D
Art Hobbies is the best cheapest plane going for a new kit but plan to spend a minimum of 15 hours if you're a fast builder/assembler. You can think you're going to spend less time but reality will set in. :p And don't forget programing time depending on the capability of your radio. Or get a buddy to do it for you. ;)

[ClayH]

in about one hour. I've got a Fred Sage Addiction, full house with Airtronics 141 servos, test flown and in great shape. 7037 airfoil, 118" wing, has Whyte tailfeathers plane weighs 61 ounces RTF. Just add your receiver and program. $500.00 shipped to SF. Great TD contest plane. Let me know if you're interested and I'll send you pics.

Clay

[aeajr]

I have spend 3-4 hours just laying up the electronics as I look at different options, test the balance, then try a different layout.

If the plane is really all done, which most ARFs are not, and all you have to do is mount servos and an receiver, then maybe you can do it the time you suggest.

When you find a plane you like, see if you can download the manual and look it over. Some ARFs are virtually done, and some need a bit of work, but a lot less than a kit. Without having settled on a specific plane, there is no way to tell. I just think that time target is a bit tight.

[ClayH]

Send me your email address and I'll send more pics.

[LWThompson]

Check out the new Thermal Dancer at Polecat Aero. It's $575.00 with Dr. Drela airfoils.