I built a 2M Riser 10 years ago but have spent all my time flying powered planes. I've recently been badly bitten by the sailplane bug again. I'm considering building a Laser Arts 100" Scepter but am open to ideas? Build a different one? Suggestions?

I have built the Isthmus Models Mirage and Skybench 2m I'll Bird, Skybird and Oly III. I helped a friend build a Skybench Oly II. All are good kits, easily built and good flyers. Though the Sky Bird and Oly III, given their size, are a bit more complex. This isn't to say there aren't other good kits out there but I enjoy flying these.

All listed are good kits. +1 for the Mirage and I would add the Riser 100 to the list.

Alan

Here is a build thread I did for my Mirage a few years back.

http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1157762

Alan

Plus another 1 for the Mirage.

I have built Cirrus, Windfree, OlyIIs; all excellent soaring birds.

But in my eyes the Mirage has better thermalability. It is very light for a 3 meter woody RES, but with decent wind penetration.
The thing I like best is its ability to do VERY tight, flat, consecutive 360 degree turns. This is important for flying with the raptors.

Craig

Paragon.... need I say more?

Actually, any of the Skybench kits would be good, as well as the Mirage and Sceptre. The Riser 100 is really inexpensive, builds easily, but is only a fair, not great flyer (IMHO)

Mirage.

Read up on all the build threads and tips and stuff first.

I'd spend an evening reading through the Skybench building threads. Ray has some really nice kits available. You can't go wrong with any one of them. The Bird series are really nice and I'm sure you can find one that fits your needs.

Best of luck.
Kurt

I have the Scepter kit sitting in my garage waiting to be built. It is a nicely cut kit and looks relatively easy to build. My only concern is the steel wing joiner rod assembly that plugs into the fuselage. It looks fine for slope flying but probably needs a light touch on a winch, if built stock. It is an open structure wing without D tube sheeting and kind of reminds me of the Paragon wing, just shorter.

For a 2 meter, their Jester kit is an easy build and flies decent. Since it is a flat, one piece center section wing, it has more strength. Mine came out at 35 onces.

Hy all. I am brand new to this forum so bear with me. I built the airtronics oly2 20 some years ago and loved it. Boy has everything changed. Im in the middle of building a skybench oly3 and getting close to putting in the radio gear. I bought a spectrum dx5e a year ago. However I was wondering what type of reciever, servos, battery pack I should use? Anybodys help on this matter would be greatly appreciated.

Lot's of info to check on. The Mirage is from Isthmus Models?

LVsoaring,

May I ask what makes the Paragon so addicting? I'm not familiar with the model

Thanks, Alan

Big, easy to build, easy to fly, thermals like an eagle, lots of room for modern equipment, i.e. thermal scout, vid cam. Build it straight and light, add a little CF to the spars, and you have a great flying, winchable, durable 3 meter sailplane. And not astronomically expensive. A simple design that got everything right.

Originally Posted by propnutalan

Lot's of info to check on. The Mirage is from Isthmus Models?

Yes.