Christmas shopping for a large electric

[wartoy]

Hello all,

My wife asked me what I want for Christmas. My response was a large electric ARF. Now the next question is what exactly is available in a large ARF.

NO 3D!

Any and all suggestions please!

[GordonTarling]

What a very generous wife! Take a look at www.austars-model.com - they make some great ARFs and many have been successfully converted to electric power. I'm 'doing' their 110" Cessna 188 Aghusky at the moment. Search the forums for 'austars' and you'll find quite a few posts about them.

[Fusion-Pack]

Ha! I hope I will find a wife like that! All the guys I know, their wife is like this.. "Let me see your credit card statement!"

Is she going to buy the battery for you too? If so, look at our Fusion-Pack.com :D

[wartoy]

Well, ok...

Let ad a qualifier...

Between $100-$300...

[minitelemaster]

go look at nitroplanes.com, they have big planes for cheap

[LBJ]

Hobby People has a 92 inch A-26 Invader. They also have an 80 inch P-61. Both will cost (your or your wife) at least a grand to complete. But would be pretty cool as electrics. I have also seen a large TigerCat (not sure who made the model) at the field which looks good too. If you can find a VQ P-38 you would have a nice LARGE twin. However, these are VERY difficult to find since VQ dropped them from their lineup. I've been looking.

Years ago when I was married, my wife's brothers always complained when I got tools and other cool stuff for Christmas (and they didn't). She simply told them "That's what he ASKED for." You won't likely get what you never ask for.

Hope you get something good for Christmas. LBJ

PS, the Nitro Models P-38 is not a good deal, no matter the low price. The wing design is one-piece, stupid, and hardly practical. Don't waste your time or money.

[frednjess]

I've been tempted to pick up one of these for a while...just can't decide which one!
http://ak-models.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=AKM&Category_Code=GIANTSCALE
I've heard they're pretty nice ARFs.

[wartoy]

That link seems to be broken. THe hime page seems fine, just the page where to owner makes money is broke.

[JWilliams2]

Well, ok...

Let ad a qualifier...

Between $100-$300...So $379 then.

[frednjess]

That link seems to be broken. THe hime page seems fine, just the page where to owner makes money is broke.

Well, it worked yesterday! :censored: Geez, try to send some business a guys way and it doesn't work!
I guess I'd go with the Nitroplanes.com stuff then. Good luck!

[wartoy]

What can you say about VMAR brand planes? I saw a Storch and the 3 engine transport the Germans used, an Ju-52 I think its called. The models really looked sharp and ARFs at that! and for under $200. I think the challange on those will be finding them still availible.

http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=919216&highlight=ju+52

http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=853969&page=2&highlight=ju+52

Comments?

[Thomas B]

The Great Planes ARF RV-4 in 1/4 scale is a nice model at about 300 bucks:

http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/WTI0095P?FVSEARCH=rv-4

And the Hangar 9 Piper Pawnee is a nice giant scale model with a 80" wingspan...street price is about 280-290.

Most giant scale ARFs start near 300 bucks...not many less than that.

[Jimmy_H]

THe Hangar 9 Piper Pawnee is a beautiful plane and flies very well on a 4S setup !

[flieslikeabeagle]

My wife asked me what I want for Christmas. My response was a large electric ARF.
Lucky man. :)

Now, please excuse my asking, but what exactly do you mean when you say "large"? I ask because some of my friends who fly parkfliers would find a 55" wingspan .40 size model large, while some of the guys at the club who fly 70" .60 models routinely would consider a model "large" only if it was over 100" wingspan or so.

I'm assuming you know that the cost of building and flying an electric model goes up very steeply with its size (more correctly, with its weight). If you're on a tight budget you can get a 55" roughly 5 lb model flying with a $35 Hobby City motor, $45 Hobby City ESC, and about $70 worth of Lipo or A123 batteries. Go up to a 70" model which probably weighs 10 lbs or so - twice as much - and you'll be looking at roughly double the cost for almost every component, and that's if you use bargain-priced equipment. Go up to a 110" model and you can triple the cost of the 70" model's components...and so on.

Which is why I have built a couple of electrics in the 55" range, and have one still in the box that is close to 70", but do not plan to go any larger. A larger one won't fit my car and won't fit my budget either.

-Flieslikeabeagle

[wartoy]

Hi Beagle,

Yep, since the time I posted this I have learned quickly the size/electric cost goes up exponentially.

What I have decided is something between 50”-70” range. As you can see I had my heart set on a Great Planes P-6E Hawk but it got sold out from under me. Then I tried for a E-flight Beaver but I was too slow getting that one too. I have been building little foamies and want something that really looks nice and flies nice (not wild and 3D) that I can take to the filed not feel so impotent. Size does matter…..

As you can see my taste runs along the ”sort of scale” side of things.

Got anything in mind?????

[flieslikeabeagle]

What I have decided is something between 50”-70” range.
<snip>
something that really looks nice and flies nice (not wild and 3D)
<snip>
As you can see my taste runs along the ”sort of scale” side of things.
Got anything in mind?????
I'm still working on getting a handle on the type of model you might like. :) But here's one possibility: a nice 55" Piper Cub: http://www.allerc.com/CUB25.htm

One nice thing about Cub's is they are light for their size - that means that size for size, it is cheaper to get a Cub flying with electric power than many other models. (A 55" P-51 Mustang would weigh a lot more and therefore cost more to get in the air, for instance.)

One we go; this one isn't scale - but it's inexpensive, large, attractive IMHO, and flies well. I've seen on fly (with glow power) and the builder was fairly happy with it - he did say he tweaked a few things, but didn't specify what exactly: http://www.nitroplanes.com/nilosuaetr60.html

I know you don't want a 3D flip-flopper, but consider this one: a (sorta) scale Yak 55 that is big, pretty, very light for its size, and not very expensive either. I haven't flown this particular Yak, but I've flown a smaller 46" one, and with the throws turned well down they make sweet sport models, especially if you like doing (traditional, non-3D) aerobatics. Here we go:
http://www.hobbycity.com/hobbycity/store/uh_viewItem.asp?idProduct=6573&Product_Name=YAK55__.50e_3D_ARF_98%

Going up in price quite a bit, there is the eternally beautiful Sig Rascal 40. I have a blue one converted to electric. It is a joy - pretty, flies great, and gets a few compliments every single time I take her out to play. This one is not the easiest of electric conversions, because the nose of the fuselage is narrow and you have to do some delicate carpentry to remove the pre-installed wooden (glow) engine mounting beams to fit a motor in there. Still, if you want a beautiful model that flies very well and performs great on inexpensive electric motors and other components, the Rascal 40 is a great choice. It will putter lazily around, or zoom through powerful aerobatics, whatever you want:
http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXBDE7&P=FR
http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-Sig-Rascal-40-ARF-Red-40-46-72-5-FREE-SHIPPING_W0QQitemZ270308854895QQcmdZViewItem

Next up: it's slab-sided and clearly old-school, but many people like the Telemaster. The six-foot version should be an easy electric conversion with relatively inexpensive components:
http://www.hobby-lobby.com/telemaster6.htm

Here's another cutie from Hobby Lobby. I've never seen the model in person, but Graupner has a good reputation. This model is very light for its size, so it should be a great relaxing floater if you pull the throttle stick back - and Hobby Lobby says it is also quite aerobatic if you want that: http://www.hobby-lobby.com/kadett.htm

Anything from that list sound interesting?

-Flieslikeabeagle

[flieslikeabeagle]

Wartoy, am I so far off base with my suggestions that you vanished in disgust, or are you just busy? :D

-Flieslikeabeagle

[wartoy]

Beagle,

I am sorry, I took my wife out for hte night then was watching Heros.

Of those you suggested, I would have to go with the Cub. I will always lean to ward a scale or sort of scale over anything else.

What do you think about this????

http://www.nitroplanes.com/cmpmebf10h12.html

Or this one...

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&item=350124859385

[flieslikeabeagle]

Don't be sorry, glad you had a nice date with your wife. I'd like to do that one of these days myself (with my wife, not yours!). :)

I'm still not very clear what sort of model you're looking for - a warbird to fly fast aerobatics with? A Cessna to putter gently 'round the field with? Something in between?

That big Bf109 is not a model I personally would want to convert - fibreglass is an awfully heavy material, and that model is going to cost a lot of money to power adequately for all that weight. And then it will be heavy and fast and not terribly manoeuverable. Okay if you like that sort of thing, I suppose, but it doesn't really jangle my chain.

The Ebay Cessna looks more promising - if the provided wing area and weights are honest, it should fly nicely on a 5S 4000 mAh or so lipo pack at around 40 amps current draw. I'm a little sceptical of the published weight, because of the fibreglass fuselage (which tends to be heavy).

Personally I feel fibreglass has no place at all on a model aeroplane - the stuff is both weak and heavy, which is a really bad combination. I think the only reason it's used at all is because you can (a) make compound curves with it, and (b) it will accept a smooth glossy finish.

Here's a big (80"!) cub that's only half the weight of that fibreglass Bf-109:
http://www.horizonhobby.com/Products/Default.aspx?ProdID=HAN4000 . This should be easy to go electric with, and is light enough to fly well. It's big enough that you probably need a truck/van/large SUV to transport it...

Lots of ARF's from Hobby People to look through here: first the .40 size ARF's:
http://www.hobbypeople.net/prdcls/acarf201.asp

Now the .60 size ones:
http://www.hobbypeople.net/prdcls/acarf301.asp

It might be a good idea to start thinking about your budget for a new charger as well as the ARF and electronics for it. With these big models you may well find your existing lipo charger is inadequate for the big batteries needed to fly the big models. I built my first glow conversions in summer 2007, and ended up buying a new charger for this reason.

My suggestion is to stay with the .40 - .46 size models for a first conversion. I think it might be wise to develop experience doing an electric conversion on one of these before trying a bigger model where the cost of any mistake will be much higher.

-Flieslikeabeagle

[wartoy]

I think I will go for this one if I can find one. I am going to my local shop today to order what ever I decide on. If I can get one without backordering I and going to get the E-Flite Beaver then the Hanger 9 Cub that you showed me will be the second choice. Is there any reasons I should reconsider the Beaver?

[flieslikeabeagle]

I think the Beaver should make a fine large electric. Ditto with the Cub. :)

I see that E-Flite suggests power system components using their own brands (E-flite motors, ESC's, etc). I'm sure those will work fine, however if you're interested you can find significantly lower cost components that work equally well, especially if you're willing to order from Hobby City in Hong Kong. Let me know if you need any help picking alternate motors, ESC's, etc.

-Flieslikeabeagle

[wartoy]

The problem I found today is the Beaver is one back order everywhere.

DAMN!!! I finally decide on a plane and I can't get it.

[drksyd]

I would suggest either of the H9 .60 P-51's, Marie or Miss America. The plane flies great and slows down well. The generous amount of dihedral really makes it a good sport scale model that fits your price range.

[flieslikeabeagle]

Sorry to hear about the Beaver being back ordered.

How does the E-flite Texan grab you? It's on the pricey side, but they did add a lot of details to make it look more scale: http://www.horizonhobby.com/Products/Default.aspx?ProdID=EFL4500

-Flieslikeabeagle

[flieslikeabeagle]

Hobby People has a big Beaver, at a bargain price:
http://www.hobbypeople.net/gallery/116016.asp#More

I'm not familiar with this model (or this brand), and I do have some worries that the blow-moulded plastic model might be heavy for its size. But if your heart is set on a Beaver, this might be an option.

It doesn't seem to look a whole lot like most other Beaver models I've seen, but I'm not familiar with the full-size Beaver so I don't know if this model is more scale than most or less scale than most.

-Flieslikeabeagle

[drksyd]

It doesn't look so good. The Eflite kit is nice.

[wartoy]

Well, I spent last night and all today soul searching. I have the A-10 waiting in the garage to be finished and I have a JU-52 from VMAR coming to me for my b-day. I guess I am just trying too hard getting ahead of myself.

Because I fell compelled to thank my local hobby shop owner for all of his help I went ahead and ordered a Great Planes electric Sea Wind. Plus it will be quite different to what I am used to. Fly off grass or water, very sleek.

Thank you all for your help, suggestions, and patience.

Mike

[flieslikeabeagle]

Good luck with your new projects, Mike!

And please keep up whatever you and your wife are doing with your relationship. It's great to hear of a married couple that still goes out on dates, and where the wife accepts and supports the husbands RC hobby instead of hating it!

I'm also lucky to be in a similar situation - my wife bought me a plane last Christmas, and is happy for me to have this hobby (though she would be happier if my planes weren't taking up so much room in the house!)

-Flieslikeabeagle

[Gandalf_Sr]

I just finished this Yak 55 (http://www.hobbycity.com/hobbycity/store/uh_viewItem.asp?idProduct=6573&Product_Name=YAK55__.50e_3D_ARF_98%) today, great kit and the Turnigy 50-55A motor drops straight in with no drilling or anything AUW is . It's 20º F here so I haven't maidened yet.

Ted

[flieslikeabeagle]

I just finished this Yak 55 (http://www.hobbycity.com/hobbycity/store/uh_viewItem.asp?idProduct=6573&Product_Name=YAK55__.50e_3D_ARF_98%) today, great kit and the Turnigy 50-55A motor drops straight in with no drilling or anything AUW is . It's 20º F here so I haven't maidened yet.

Ted
Looking forward to your flight report. I was tempted by that Yak - lots of wing area for the weight, which I like, and Yak's usually fly well. Unfortunately for me, Hobby City shows "Stock: -3".

On second thought, maybe that's a good thing. I already have too many RC projects lined up waiting to be built and flown!

-Flieslikeabeagle