Well I have several biplanes and the Samson is by far the best flying one. I do not have either of the 2 you list though.

After several months of waiting on the Eflite Rhapsody to become available due to quality issues, I jumped ship and ordered the Samson II 35e. Some of the reasons include:

• Quality issues with the NEW rhapsody
• The price for the airframe was nearly the same for a smaller plane
• The Samson has a good track record
• The Samson comes with a "matched" and reliable motor
• The Samson is capable of more aerobatics and 3D
• The Samson is a real full scale plane

The first reason in my list was the biggie. The Rhapsody is very new on the market and immediately was removed from stock due to quality issues. I have a few motors that I could use but I have seen good reports about the Hyperion motor supplied with the kit. Finally, I am not a 3D pilot but I do perform intermediate aerobatics - the Rhapsody may not be capable of being pushed beyond sports flying.

I hope I made the right decision - looking forward to flying this plane in the upcoming flying season.

It seems the quite a few of the E-flite planes have had quality issues. On the box of their Pitts biplane, it says that the plane is fully 3D capable, but in the instructions, it say it is capable of "mild" 3D, but has been known to fold the wings on even mild aerobatics. One of their other planes, was notorious for folding the stab in flight (it turned out the first batch had the grain of the balsa running across the leading edge, instead of length ways, so no strength at all that way.)

SteveT

Has anyone modofied the paint scheme on the bottom of the lower wing? I see visual issues if you get aggressive with aerobatics. I'm thinking of black strips with white pinstripes coming from the leading edge black to the trailing edge. The stripes would match the stripe currently in the center of the wing.

Originally Posted by Iflyrc_vic

Has anyone modofied the paint scheme on the bottom of the lower wing? I see visual issues if you get aggressive with aerobatics. I'm thinking of black strips with white pinstripes coming from the leading edge black to the trailing edge. The stripes would match the stripe currently in the center of the wing.

Give it a try before you modify it. Mine has over 100 flights and through blenders and tumbles , snaps or lumchevaks (not sure of the spelling) I never questioned what side is up.

Richard

Originally Posted by R.Gareau

Give it a try before you modify it. Mine has over 100 flights and through blenders and tumbles , snaps or lumchevaks (not sure of the spelling) I never questioned what side is up.

Richard

For your edification... (and edumacation... )

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lomcevak

SteveT

Thank you Mr. Steve

Originally Posted by R.Gareau

Thank you Mr. Steve

I only knew because it is one my favorite maneuvers...

SteveT

"I wanted to throw up but I didn't know which way up was."

Originally Posted by Iflyrc_vic

Has anyone modofied the paint scheme on the bottom of the lower wing? I see visual issues if you get aggressive with aerobatics. I'm thinking of black strips with white pinstripes coming from the leading edge black to the trailing edge. The stripes would match the stripe currently in the center of the wing.

I added the white stripes just for a bit of added insurance......

Originally Posted by Mr.T

I added the white stripes just for a bit of added insurance......

And did a right nice job of it too....next time show the young ladies face (at least I assume that is a lady)....not nice to cut her head off....

SteveT

Just got mine delivered today from ALL e RC. Well packed - double boxed - no exterior damage. A quick inspection of the inside revealed no apparent damage - got to look closer as I build it. I did notice that the fuse was relatively light weight - that's a good thing.

As for the paint scheme, I will hold off for now but I might go with something like Mr T did to his except with black insted of white. So far she looks good. I realy like the modern and sleak canopy with the installed hatch latch.

Just wait until you start to install the cowl bolts. They are a little hard to install. I had to slightly drill the holes out in the fuselage, then use a long "ball" hex driver, with a magnet stuck onto it, so that the screw and washer would stay on it to get them started. Once started, no big deal, just not the easiest place to reach (especially if your hands shake)..

SteveT

Heh, I use a small piece of masking tape to hold the bolts to the end of a hex driver to get them in the holes. It's a tad tricky, but the benefit is no external bolts on the cowling which looks really nice

Originally Posted by LAdams

Heh, I use a small piece of masking tape to hold the bots to the endof a hex driver to get them in the holes. It's a tad trikey, but the benefit is no external bolts on the cowling which looks really nice

Yes it certainly does....

SteveT