Originally Posted by dmcMaine

Just joined the forums, and ran across this thread.

what a time to decide I want my first "bigger" plan to be a balsa kit.

I'm currently fiddling with the ultra-micros. So this will be my first larger plane.

I'm thinking about the Steven's Aero Fullhouse.

Skill level: Newbie

Is it too late to join in? I haven't even order a kit yet. :/

First newbie question: When ordering the kit is it better to order the extras with it or pick them up later as you come to them? Specifically the electronics and covering material really.

Have you flown 4 channel yet? Done any balsa builds in the past?

I agree with Frank, that a Squirt would be a good 'first big plane', but if you have a little building and flying experience, go ahead and jump into the FullHouse. I designed it, so I can answer any questions you have.

Buy all of your supplies now - as Frank said, it'll save you shipping. Bill offers a package deal with all of the electronics and the kit for a $32.00 savings. That'll go a long way towards covering and glue.

Mark

Okay, folks, I've started my Tiger build. I'll be posting photos and updates on my build thread. However, every once in a while I think those of us who have built a few kits will come up with something that everyone should know about.

For instance, a tip I got from one of the old timers at my local club is that the the first thing I do when I remove a piece of wood from the box with the intent of doing something with it, is to lightly sand both sides and the edges. Not enough to change any shapes, but enough to remove any surface sealer that might have been applied to protect against moisture. He said they put on a light coat to keep the wood from warping before it is sold. Unfortunately, this can also keep glue from getting a good grip. Not certain this is 100% true, but I have seen wood pop out of a joint leaving the glue in place like a socket, so I am confident there is some truth to it.

--
Tom

Here is a link to my build thread for a 1:5.5-scale 76.5" Great Planes J-3 Cub .40:

http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showt...7#post22871353

Please join me there for an open discussion of this build.

Originally Posted by loNslo

Here is a link to my build thread for a 1:5.5-scale 76.5" Great Planes J-3 Cub .40:

http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showt...7#post22871353

Please join me there for an open discussion of this build.

Got it. Thanks!

Frank

Originally Posted by fleaz

Have you flown 4 channel yet? Done any balsa builds in the past?

I agree with Frank, that a Squirt would be a good 'first big plane', but if you have a little building and flying experience, go ahead and jump into the FullHouse. I designed it, so I can answer any questions you have.

Buy all of your supplies now - as Frank said, it'll save you shipping. Bill offers a package deal with all of the electronics and the kit for a $32.00 savings. That'll go a long way towards covering and glue.

Mark

dmcMaine,

That sounds like too good of a deal to pass up. Although the SQuiRT is a great plane and perfect for a first time builder, if you feel up to it, go for the FullHouse. Rarely do people get this kind of offer from a designer of an airplane. No pressure of course.

Thanks for helping out Mark! We appreciate that.

Frank

Okay, next tip. If your plan calls for building two fuselage sides with re-enforcement on the inside, be sure to build mirror image sides rather than two rights or two lefts. I didn't mess up on this Tiger (yet), but I have a Super Skybolt with one side cut by hand and a spare of the other side sitting on the shelf!

--
Tom

OK. The FullHouse is ordered. I do have the UM T-28 so can at least keep an aileron plane in the air. Plus by spring I should also have a flying club to lean on.

Thanks for the advice on the Squirt. I didn't want to go that path because of the absence of ailerons. For this build I wanted:

1. Relatively easy to build
2. High quality laser-cut kit
3. 4-channel high wing
4. An 'off-the-beaten-path' design.

FullHouse fits all four perfectly.

Now to make sure my workshop is ready for it when it arrives....

Originally Posted by dmcMaine

OK. The FullHouse is ordered. I do have the UM T-28 so can at least keep an aileron plane in the air. Plus by spring I should also have a flying club to lean on.

Thanks for the advice on the Squirt. I didn't want to go that path because of the absence of ailerons. For this build I wanted:

1. Relatively easy to build
2. High quality laser-cut kit
3. 4-channel high wing
4. An 'off-the-beaten-path' design.

FullHouse fits all four perfectly.

Now to make sure my workshop is ready for it when it arrives....

Very good choice. Even though the SQuiRT does have an aileron wing that is availavble to purchase, I was hoping someone woould build the FullHouse.

See post #2 when you decide to start your thread. If it were me, I'd start it on the beginners forum here on RCG so they can see building a balsa plane is not such a scary thing. And since this is a trainer plane, that would fit in perfectly there.

Frank

Originally Posted by Murocflyer

Very good choice. Even though the SQuiRT does have an aileron wing that is availavble to purchase, I was hoping someone woould build the FullHouse.

See post #2 when you decide to start your thread. If it were me, I'd start it on the beginners forum here on RCG so they can see building a balsa plane is not such a scary thing. And since this is a trainer plane, that would fit in perfectly there.

Frank

Thread started: http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1743644

Originally Posted by dmcMaine

Thread started: http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1743644

Got it and great first post!

Frank

Some of you builders might want to look at a new forum we are trying to start:

http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1744238

Balsa and Lite Ply Scratch and Kit Build Forum

Go and make your vote count!

Robert

Originally Posted by kingconsulting

Some of you builders might want to look at a new forum we are trying to start:

http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1744238

Balsa and Lite Ply Scratch and Kit Build Forum

Go and make your vote count!

Robert

Agreed we need all the votes we can. Yes votes that is.

I've seen this happen before and I am not holding my breath. Sadly, the word gets out and just to sabatoge the new forum, a lot of people vote "no" even though they don't even care about or would even participate in the new forum.

But I guess we can always hope for for the best.

Frank

That's a shame that someone would do that. I understand if they think the forum too closely replicates another forum and they're worried about watering down the 1st forum, but other than that, I really don't see what an additional forum would hurt. Even with the additional pictures and all, with hard drive space being so huge and cheap now, it's not like an extra forum is going to bog anything down or cost RCG any additional money. Now if they completely changed their software like ANOTHER un-named RC site and screwed everything up, that's different!

It is a shame and it looks like it is already happening. People are capable of very spiteful things and I have seen some very ugly things happen here on RCG in my time here.

Frank