Time to think of the replacement plane. If you purchased the 27 mhz radio with the T-Hawk, the lowest cost next step is to buy a replacement T-Hawk. They have a "fly away package" available. $99
http://www.readytoflyfun.com/runrepkit.html

If you feel you still had some room to grow with the T-Hawk, or you just loved it so much that you will always want to have one around (my Aerobird is like that) then get the replacement package. Good deal.


Or you can start thinking about that next plane. On to help you continue on your journey. What should it be? Here are some thoughts.


THREE CHANNEL ELEVATOR/AILERON OR ELEVON PLANES
These planes introduce ailerons but do it on a 3 channel design without a
rudder. They typically have throttle/aileron/elevator control, or they have
elevons which combine the function of ailerons and the elevator into one
surface. There are a few RTF packages here.


If you purchased you own radio for the T-Hawk, then you will just have to get a receiver. If you have the T-hawk 27 mhz, you will probably need d new radio for the ARFs or kits. Frankly, if you have the funds and you are certain you will continue in the hobby, getting your own radio is the better choice. This article may be of interest.

Computer Radios - The recommended path for almost everyone
http://www.rcezine.com/cms/article.php?cat=&id=65

Three channel aileron/elevon planes

F27-Stryker - RTF
http://horizon.hobbyshopnow.com/prod...p?prod=PKZ1200
Video
http://rc-galaxy.com/Video/F-27_Stry...ris_7-9-04.wmv
http://www.hobbyzone.com/rc_videos/p...mallformat.wmv
http://www.hobbyzone.com/rc_videos/p...yker_video.wmv
Review
http://www.rcuniverse.com/magazine/a...article_id=392

Sky Scooter RTF - Also available ARF - 3 Channel
http://www.parkflyers.com/html/sky_scooter_pro_2.html
Video
http://www.parkflyers.com/html/sky_s...o_2_vid_1.html
http://www.parkflyers.com/html/sky_s...o_2_vid_2.html

Multiplex Space Scooter - RTF - also available ARF
http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...?&I=LXGZV5&P=7
ARF
http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...?&I=LXGZV4&P=7
Video
http://www.bungymania.com/videos/fil..._sun_stunt.wmv

Multiplex Microjet - ARF
http://www.multiplexusa.com/product_fs.htm
video
http://www.bungymania.com/videos/fil..._launching.wmv
http://www.bungymania.com/videos/fil...ight_speed.wmv

Viper Twin - ARF
http://www.parkflyers.com/html/viper.html
review
http://www.parkflyers.com/Viper_RCM_PSD_LowPDF.pdf
Video
http://www.parkflyers.com/html/trailervid.html
http://www.parkflyers.com/html/smoothvid.html

Zagi XS - ARF
http://zagi.com/index.php?main_page=...&products_id=1
Video page
http://www.zagi.com/index.php?main_p...812dbc8b76c42f

Zagi XT - ARF
http://zagi.com/index.php?main_page=...&products_id=5
Video Page
http://www.zagi.com/index.php?main_p...812dbc8b76c42f

IFO - Easy to build kit
Demo at the 2000 Tournament of Champions
http://www.wildrc.com/htmlpages/movies/toc2000.mpg
Flying Combat in a gym
http://www.wildrc.com/htmlpages/movies/mk3combat.mpg

Park Jet - Easy to build kit
http://mountainmodels.com/parkjet.php
Video
http://mountainmodels.com/ParkJet.wmv


FOUR CHANNEL AILERON TRAINERS
These planes introduce the full set of flight controls consisting of
ailerons/elevator/rudder/throttle. They are a logical next step for the
pilot who wants to take their flying skills to full 4 channel control. All of
these planes can perform aerobatics, but are primarily designed as 4 channel
trainers with high wing designs . This makes them easier to fly but less
aerobatic than the mid or low wing planes or the flying wing/delta wings above.

RTF, ARF & Kits - also kits that include everything in an easy build package

Several have the option of two different wings. A really cool idea to have both. Then you can start with one and upgrade to the other.

Magpie - with both wing kits - $55
Easy to build Foam kit -
Has trainer wing AND and aileron sport wing
Master the first, then advance to the second.
http://www.mountainmodels.com/magpie.php
http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showt...51#post3502851
Video
http://www.mountainmodels.com/Magpie.wmv

SmoothE - $50
Easy to build Balsa and foam
4 channel aileron trainer
http://www.mountainmodels.com/smoothe.php
Funny video
http://www.mountainmodels.com/SmoothEsmall.WMV

Mountain Models Dandy Sport - $45
http://www.mountainmodels.com/dandysport.php
Complete Package $155
Video
http://www.mountainmodels.com/ds1.wmv

GWS E-starter 400 - Simple Foam Kit - $50
http://www.gwsexpert.com/product_inf...roducts_id=551
Available as a ARF complete package kit with radio - $150
http://www.gwsexpert.com/product_inf...roducts_id=611

GWS Tiger Moth 400 - Simple Foam Kit - $70
http://www.gwsexpert.com/product_inf...roducts_id=203
Complete kit including Radio - $175
http://www.gwsexpert.com/product_inf...roducts_id=658
http://www.rcuniverse.com/magazine/a...article_id=345
http://67.18.81.100/rcuvideos/magazi...345/TM400m.wmv


Multiplex Magister ARF - $110
http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...&I=LXGZV2&P=ML
Multiplex Magister - RTF - $299
http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...&I=LXGZV3&P=ML
This plane is much larger than the others
Close to a .40 glow trainer in size
Review
http://www.smoothair.ca/reviews/Magister/magister.htm
Video - This is not with the standard motor
this plane has an upgraded brushless motor
http://plawner.net/video/magister_funday.wmv

Originally Posted by T-Fly

Yes, Red 61, Travy rocks!!!!

Rocketman, I just bought a Stryker on line so I should have it next week. I can't wait.

Travy, it's apparently on CH-3 so the original plan wouldn't work out, as far as the radio goes that is.

Ok, just let me know what you want to do.

OOPS,

A little behind on the posts. I posted the group of planes above without realizing you had already ordered a Stryker. That was one of the planes I had on my list.

You should have a lot of fun with it.

As I am sure others will tell you, as compared to the T-Hawk, which had a great glide and slow speed ability, you will need to keep the speed up on the Stryker, especially in the turns.

This is a delta wing plane and that is a characteristic of that typie of plane. I have an Electrajet, which is also a delta wing. Lots of fun, just to keep the speed up and give it a touch of up elevator in the turns.

You should have a ball with it! Good luck!

Originally Posted by Hobie

I am going to mis hearing about your t-hawk adventures T-Fly . Congrats on your new bird on the way . Is the STRYKER a good 2nd or 3rd plane ? I can't wait to hear how your maiden flight goes.

Thanks Hobie, and I'm glad to have been able to help you out with your T-Hawk. I still have tons of stories and advice about that plane. I flew it almost every day in sun, light rain, calm to super windy. One day it'll come down and I'll probably fix it up and pass it on like Travy did for me with his ABC, almost like a "Pay it forward" for parkflyers.
As for the STRYKER I hear it's a good 2nd/3rd plane and I'll know more about it next week. The FMS version is super stable and I guess the actual plane is VERY stable so it should be a blast. Mine will be comming with 4 batteries, an extra nose and 2 servos all for a grand total of $158. Yes, I got VERY lucky on this deal. Heres some of the listed photos.

Cool looking plane

GREAT DEAL! (and paint job). You'll have sooo much fun with this plane. Be sure you start at low rates, though. It actually flies better like that. Either way,the wing won't fold no matter what you do. Here's mine, it was stock, but I painted over it and canted the fins. Looks like an F-117. You'll need the extra nose, you can see mine is falling off.

T-Fly:

Just getting into this thread, courtesy of a tip from a Stryker flier. I still have my T-Hawk, never stuffed it into a tree, but have lawn-darted it a couple of so times.

I did, however, stuff one of my other favorite planes, a modified Jay Bird, into a neighbor's Cedar tree, about 80 feet up. Managed to get mine retrieved and returned, courtesy of the local fire department. Attached photo is of the actual rig that showed up to get my Jay Bird. Heck of a story involved in this retrieval process. Will share it if there is an interest.

Good luck with your Stryker. Hope your T-Hawk can get back home sometime.

RD

how did you convince them to get your plane out? That seems like a lot of hassle for a plane.

Rocketman, I can't believe the deal either. To get the the plane and one 7 cell battery for $158 shipped would have been good but adding the 2 x-tra servos, three 8cell packs and spare nose all for $158 = WOW!!! UPS tracker is showing a delivery date of Monday. I just hope the weather holds out for a maiden.

Doug, that's quite the photo. I second Travy, how did you get them to do that?

Well, after staring at the plane for three days, one of which (the days) was off and on rain, I had basically given up. There was no way I could reach it, and climbing up a Cedar tree is basically impossible if you weight over 50 lbs.

My nextdoor neighbor was the former captain of the volunteer FD and he advised the "boys" just might like a chance at exercising their recently acquired aerial ladder truck. It will go to 85 feet. So, with permission from the owner of the tree, I had the boys bring the truck. What happened thereafter made me wish I hadn't asked for the help. I won't go into the long story, but suffice it to say the "new" truck broke down, right in the Cedar tree owners driveway. The entire electrical system for the equipment was going into a systematic shut down (sort of like a $300,000 ESC). No retrieval that night, but the boys returned the next day to complete the mission. I got the plane back, very little damage. A gift certificate for diner at the local Olive Garden, for 4 people, was presented to the VFD along with a letter of appreciation. Word got around, so now I have access to this help again, should I need it. The retrieval drew quite the crowd. I was finally identified as the flier of these mysterious buzzing little airplanes that go tearing out over the neighborhood. I fly at about 200 feet, over a block of houses. Most of the folks had no idea from where the planes took off or landed. Then, one day, this huge fire truck shows up. The rest is history!!

Attached is my Jay Bird 2, the center of all the attention.

RD

Doug, I guess it's a good thing that they came to save your plane. Imagine if the truck would have had that failure in a burning building rescue situation.

So you folded up your wings ,,, I was up so high I could not tell if I was even into a dive. When the wing folded it started a spiral dive. After I got to the plane, the nose was 4" into the mud and the nose was toast as well as the motor was on the ground next to the battery. I wish mine got stuck! Plane number two,,,, carbon fiber rods work. I used one and used a heavy guuge packing tape and am back to death dives and loops. good luck.

TTPAUL, that's crazy that you just posted on this thread. What's left of my T-Hawk FINALLY came down!!!!! After accessing the damage I was going to post on what I found.

Damage report:
Motor is toast
Wing, destroyed and what's left of it's still in the tree
Rudder and elevator, complete loss.
Prop, M.I.A
Fuse and boom, still useable!!
Electronics.... Still work!!!
Battery.... will live to fly another day!!! (cheapbatterypacks.com)

I'm shocked that the electronics survived. There were a couple of storms when the plane was up there. I had a spare motor and tail feathers already. Now all I need to do is get a new wing and some props and it'll be able to fly again.

Thanks to all for the support, expecially Travy. I was out flying the ABC when I went to check on the T-Hawk.

TTPAUL, sorry about your crash B.T.W. Nothing funny about equipment failure.

Glad to hear your T-hawk came down. now let's hear if she flies again and do a comparison!

Anyone here with a T-Hawk used Rx even a RIP one or similar?
I need a the 90 degree header brkt..(pins stuff)
Roger