Best first full house sailplane?

[rcflyer1984]

I'm planning on getting a full house sailplane this winter so I have something to further advance my skills next season. What are your opinions on one under $1k?
I've been building and flying woodies as of late(LJ Meteor at last weekends contest). I don't care for the look of a V-tail much, but will go that way if it's the best option.

Thanks,
Tim

[Regnar Petersen]

Hi

I am very fond of my Pike Brio / Giant with the x-tail fuselage.

My first was an Ellipse 3 cam but the Pike is much easier to fly. Flew the ellipse for 1½ season before I got the Pike, so it is my second glider, except for combat wings and a MPX Easyglider.

[OVSS Boss]

A Sapphire if you can find one, maybe the Predator 4 which has a thread about going back into production. Go with a normal airfoil, takes the giant out, and something that is fixable, cause you will need to. The Sapph is a great first full house ship.

Marc

[rdwoebke]

Hey Tim,

It was good meeting you last weekend. That Meteor was flying great and you did good with it.

I'd Echo what Marc said, but suggest that there are good deals on used bagged planes if you look around. Psykos, Saphiers, Edge, Schpot Dorker, Addiction, Cumpulsion, etc. would all be good.

Else, you can still get the Psyko and other Daryl Perkins designs new from NSP for about $700 or the Thermal Dancer, a bagged wing plane that is a take on the Supra, also for about $700 from Polecat.

Ryan

[Bernd Brunner]

Hi Tim,

take a look at the climaxx (100", 40oz)
http://www.rc-network.de/forum/showthread.php?t=76545&page=2
It´s from Hoellein http://www.hoelleinshop.com/e-vendo.php?shop=hoellein&SessionId=2977xad2beb7b63ca3123579aedd42ec2f366&a=article&ProdNr=GRU1050&t=10&p=23444&c=23444

Excellent reviews so far. And it´s taking full f3j launches!

Bernd

[rdwoebke]

Wow, that is a sweet looking plane.... Too bad our dollar trades so low against the Euro.

Ryan

[thermalbum]

I have flown the Sapphire and a Artemis for the past few years they both fly great. The Artemis is under IK and is easy to fly but the moldies tend to be fragile.
I am just finishing a Harley Michealis Jouster and starting a Franken Jouster/Easy Genie. If you like to build, the Easy Genie would be a good plane to start with. I flew a Jouster when the plans were first published and it can win contests. The Jouster was tougher than a 50 cent steak, very forgiving, thermaled like crazy and landed like a Sapphire. It is not as fast as the mouldies but it not slow by any stretch of the imagination. I was flying a Meteor along with it at contests in the 90s. I beleive that unless the weather really sucks the balsa veneered version Easy Genie will be competetive. One of my buddies was flying a Jouster up to about 4 years ago and he was holding his own against Heras and the like.

[atjurhs]

Else, you can still get the Psyko and other Daryl Perkins designs new from NSP for about $700 ...

Ryan

I doubt it, although you may want to make the inquiry yourself. I tried to get a Laser 2m about two or three months ago, and was told that NSP's wing builder is no longer working for them, and that NSP is searching out a new wing builder, but that might take a loooong time to ensure that the quality of their last wing builder is matched. However, foriegn built planes are presumably still available from NSP.

[rdwoebke]

I doubt it, although you may want to make the inquiry yourself.

I would have swore that somebody recently commented they bought a new Psyko. I also thought I saw Phil post somewhere that he shipped a Psyko wing as recent as a year ago. But, a quick search has came up empty on those 2 things, so perhaps you are right...

Ryan

[Ed Franz]

Maybe you can talk me out of my Sapphire Tim.

Ed

[ejett]

I think the Thermal Dancer from Polecat would be a pretty good steip up from where you are without putting a huge load on the wallet. I've been looking seriously at those myself.

I would love to have a Sapphire, but they are hard to find. You better talk to Ed Franz before I do.


EJ

[schrederman]

You can get a Dragonfly Strong for $600- from Soaring USA. Mine surprised a lot of folks at TNT...

Jack

[rcflyer1984]

Thanks for all the suggestions. I looked at a few of the ones mentioned, and some not.

Good to meet you too Ryan. Had I been flying gliders all summer instead of the slimeballs, I'm sure I might have placed a little better than 9th. That was my first time flying a glider since the 01 Pumpkin Fly.

Ed you've got a pm.

schrederman- I looked at the Strong and liked what it had to offer, but was curious about its durability and ability to take a hard launch. Being that it has a built up wing and all.

Keep the suggestions coming,
Tim

[schrederman]

The`Strong has taken all I've thrown at it. Just because it isn't glass, doesn't mean it isn't durable.

Jack

[rdwoebke]

I'm sure I might have placed a little better than 9th. That was my first time flying a glider since the 01 Pumpkin Fly

That group has a lot of talent and experience. Anytime a person can place in the top 10, I'd say that is doing pretty good. :)

If you wanted to see a local example of the Strong, AJ from Lexington has been flying one for a few seasons now.

Ryan

[aeajr]

I have been flying the Thermal Dancer for a year and I just love it. We have a second one in the club and that one is likewise loved.

$1k budget would be about right:

$650 for the plane, shipped

$175-$350 for servos, receiver, battery.

That gets you to $825 t0 $1000 for a Thermal Dancer, ready to fly.

[davidjensen]

I have a TD for sale. PM me if interested $600.00 + shipping

[rcflyer1984]

Thanks again for all the suggestions. I wasn't planning on buying one just yet. Probably within the next month or so. Right now I have the Sapphire stuck in my head and will probably go with it. I'll be sure to let you know what I finally end up with.

Tim

[schrederman]

A Sapphire is a good starting point. Best of luck with it.

Jack Womack

[StevenatorLTFO]

I just got what was my first full house sailplane I purchased in the air, its a few year old, new in the box K2 Light from FVK. I put a few hand launches on it, and then winched it up on two very conservative tows, and it really flew nice.

Steve

[aeajr]

Sorry - posted twice

[aeajr]

I recommended the Thermal Dancer above, because I love the one I fly.

One of my club mates has the Graphite 3.4M carbon D Tube built up wing. This wing is really strong. It will take any launch you can throw at it.
http://www.kennedycomposites.com/

You can get it as a cross tail or a V tail.

http://optimum.infospace.com/_1_KJCUCR02Z14MFS__info.cablev/clickit/search?r_aid=85353FCBDE0D405997361BB732C908A0&r_eop=2&r_sacop=17&r_spf=0&r_cop=main-title&r_snpp=9&r_spp=8&qqn=vP%3DYf73w&r_coid=264870&rawto=http://wzuy.ask.com/r?t=p&d=synus&s=dpl&c=dp&l=dir&o=0&sv=0a30057b&ip=45712e50&id=6FD2300CF28063F85EBDB5FA591C97AA&q=graphite+sailplane&p=1&qs=121&ac=24&g=7769F5CoCDt95W&en=te&io=1&b=alg&tp=d&ec=10&pt=GRAPHITE+Full+D-Box.+Hi-Tech+F-3-J+glider+3.1m+%26amp%3B+3.45m&ex=&u=http://www.airplane-model.com/Graphite-Full-D-Box.htm

They also make a molded wing version and a smaller 3.1M version. Super plane!

Runs $770 to $900. and 3.1 to 3.4M in wing span. If you get this one, make sure you get some ballast with it. It comes up so light it will float on a wish, but when the wind gets strong it needs some ballast.

Ed

[rcflyer1984]

Update- I just picked up a Victory C for next to nothing. The fuse needs a healthy repair on the nose section though. Should look like new in a few days. For the price I got this one for I can still afford to get another one assuming I don't go over budget on my 1/3 scale Curtiss P-1B.

[aeajr]

Sounds like you go a good deal. And that fuse should be 2.4 GHz friendly if you decide to go that way.

Is this the plane?
http://www.nesail.com/detail.php?productID=86

Good luck with it.

[rcflyer1984]

That's the plane. It came with everything but the Tx and Rx battery. It has 94141's for flaps and JR 341's everywhere else. Here's a couple pics of the damage.

[aeajr]

Ugly but very fixable. If the wings are clean, you are all set.

[rdwoebke]

Even if the wings are not clean, as you and I well know this wing construction method is quite fixable.



Ryan

[rcflyer1984]

Actually I was thinking about putting a Spektrum radio in it. I'll make my mind up on that later. I have a the JR 783 that went with it now. The wings are perfect other than lots of dust. After the damage occurred it was flown for the final round to finish the contest, albeit with healthy use of duct tape. Did I mention I got the plane for FREE!!

Ryan- We both know that it's a simple fix if the wings were damaged. The fuse has already been fixed. Just needs some more sanding and primer.

I'm off to finish moving and getting my third scaler finished for next week's maiden. Here's a before shot to give you an idea.

[Ed Franz]

Was that the one I built for your Dad?

Ed

[bobby legue]

Hi RC Flyer,
I also have a Victory but its the RES lite version. Here are a couple things to share with you.
1. Put a dowell through the fuse where the wing leading edge meets the fuse or the wings will rotate forward and crunch the fuse. Drill, epoxy in place, and sand flat to fuse sides.
2. The air foil will be remarkably more efficient if you add a little down in it from the slowest flight speed. Just a couple of clicks and the distance that it covers is amazing. You will know when you hit it because it will speed up a little and not want to come down.
3. I fly mine dry- no added ballast- and it shows lift with a passion, dont be afraid to bank it hard and pull back on the stick for maximum climb.
Hope thats usefull for you and forgive me for sidetracking this thread. I just realised that I should have sent a PM instead am Im to lazy to type it again,
Bob

[rcflyer1984]

Was that the one I built for your Dad?

Ed

What's left of it atleast. I'm still waiting on the rest of my tax return so I can get that Sapphire off you.

Tim

[Hoot]

Go to Soaring USA website and order a Shadow for $1,099

It is a really nice molded ship. I had one until I crashed it a couple of weeks ago.

[Guz]

Hmm... no one has suggested Multiplex Cularis. Inexpensive, sturdy. Can be done pure, or electric.

[petefly58]

RCflyer,

Check your PM. I have a great article on how to repair the kind of damage which your Victory fuselage shows.

Pete

[Bobalew]

Try to find a used Emerald.

[aeajr]

I am always interested to see how these projects turn out.

Have you finished your repairs? Got it flying yet?

Pictures! Tell!

[rcflyer1984]

Repairs have been completed with the exception painting it in white. Now I'm re hinging the wings and rudder. First flight will be Friday morning. Then it's off to the contest this weekend. I'll post some final shots of it up tomorrow or Thursday.

I appreciate your interest in my completion.

Tim