Paragon kit:
- MZ Modellbau in Germany makes it
- good quality wood
- easy build
- instructions text only, but supposedly adequate
- three piece wing, but still large
- I love the looks
- keep a traditional legend alive

Bird of Time kit
- Dynaflite in US makes it
- questionable quality wood and fitting?
- more difficult build
- instructions poor (is this true)
- two piece wing, but people have converted to three piece
- wife likes the looks
- user base huge

Which one would you choose?
. I already have a GL and a wrecked Spirit 2M

...and to add my intended use is non-competition thermal soaring, not slope flying. I also want easy repairability and easy transportation.

Paragon.

I looked at the Bird but am building the Paragon. Ryan will most likely chime in on his Paragon also. The part of “easy transportation” may be an issue with either one. I know that Ryan built a detachable tail and I plan to do the same. The wing on the Paragon I have is three parts so wing length is not a transportation problem. I have not seen the German version so I can’t comment on the kit directly, but if it is similar to the US one it should be a good plane.

John

Paragon

Develop your flying and craftmanship skills first. Master the Spirit 2M with a new kit and rebuild the old plane. Even bulld a third Spirit. When you improve your flying, adusting and craftmanship skills near to perfect, then consider your question about BOT or Paragon.

Paragon Paragon Paragon!

If those are the only two choices I would have to pick the Paragon. If chosing a BOT like plane I would pick from the Bird series from skybenchaerotech.com.
Without a doubt.
Bob

Quite an endorsement for the Paragon, is it really that much better or is it a reflection on Dynaflite kit quality? I feel particularily lucky now as I have a NIB Paragon by Pierce and the kit quality does appear very nice. Great to know that everyone seems to like it. Instructions seem top notch too.
Tom

I am particularly interested to know how the instructions in the Dynaflite BOT kit are like? Are they photo-illustrated?

I am aware that the kit wood quality is hit or miss 50/50

...or perhaps the BOT owners are too busy flying their beauties

Originally Posted by arukum17

I am particularly interested to know how the instructions in the Dynaflite BOT kit are like? Are they photo-illustrated?

Nope...

those BOT instructions s=ck...has any third party/RC modeller enthusiast come out with better instructions/detailed build thread?

Originally Posted by arukum17

those BOT instructions s=ck...has any third party/RC modeller enthusiast come out with better instructions/detailed build thread?

I think you have been spoiled with the instructions for the Spirit. If you built the kit and they are the same as when I built mine they were super complete. The kit I built had pictures, diagrams and all kinds of extras on the use of a Hi-Start, first flight, balancing, control throws, etc. etc. etc. I kept them for future reference and as a primer for new builders and flyers. I have yet to see as good of an instruction package as came with the Spirit. The Paragon instructions are not even close.

John

P.S. Not sure about better BOT instructions.

A beginner learns to read the plans and instructions (like a new language) slowly. Then faster with meaning and without problems. When you are building the Spirit kits it enough times then you are ready for plans and sketchy instructions like Paragon and BOT.

Originally Posted by LVsoaring

Paragon Paragon Paragon!

For histart primarily - with winch the secondary launch option (i.e. most sport flying 'solitary' competion) Paragon hands down!

[Note: I oversize the tail feathers chordwise for better low airspeed control
reactions - and the big machine becomes a fantastic thermal hugger that works great out of small fields.]