Hi guys,

I completed a 36” Telemaster trainer from free plans a year or so ago and have had a lot of fun & training with it (pic here before I added the aileron wing http://home.vicnet.net.au/~tarnagul/...es/t400/t0.JPG ) – but now am looking for something a bit more adventurous to build and fly.

I’m after something that is relatively aerobatic – but still not too difficult to fly.
Main consideration is that I’d like to scratch build it from a free plan.

I’m basically looking for an approx 36” plane powered by a 400sp geared motor, 3 or 4 channel (but obviously with ailerons) – although happy to change a few things to get a good ‘next plane’!

At the moment I’m leaning towards the ‘Ampmaster Jnr’ here…
https://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=207463
https://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=184285
The plans are still around and it looks like a good little plane.

Anyone have any other suggestions – or perhaps feedback on what’s worked for them?

Looking forward to seeing what pops up.

Thanks,
Cameron.

Check out this site: http://www.flymodels.co.uk/ I built one and is a blast to fly, Nice and slow but very acrobatic.Matk

Thanks! This looks great - and well worth some further investigation.
Any pictures of yours or things to watch out for?

I also noticed the 'Electric Extra 200' which looked really good also - although no plans...

Cameron.

A 36" Telemaster trainer sounds like just the ticket for me. Where did you find free plans, or better yet where can I find them? I was thinking of substituting foam for the sheet balsa however.

Robert

Hi Robert,

I found the plans on the net at one of the many 'free plan download' pages.

I've also posted them on my page at the following link...

http://home.vicnet.net.au/~tarnagul/...lanes/t400.htm

This also gives a bit more detail about the build.

Cameron.

Though I don't know of any plans, an RV series aircraft would make an outstanding second plane. With it's "hershy bar" wings its very easy to design and build, and it has good aerobatic qualities, whill still retaining gentle stall characteristics of a trainer. Check out this site for 3 views and more information. I would suggest the RV-3, RV-4, or RV-8 for simplicity of the build.

www.vansaircraft.com

StevensAero has a very nice 34.5" RV-4 kit if your interested in trying a kit.

http://www.stevensaero.com/shop/prod...53&page=1#tabs

-Joshua

Thanks Joshua - this looks like good advice. The RV-4 also looks like a nice plane...

Never having actually designed a plane before (even from established drawings) I'm not sure if it would be better to go with a proven plane first... although looking at the construction manual of the RV-4 it doesn't look like it should be too hard - just that you need to think of how everything is going together yourself!

Regards,
Cameron.

Cam

Go for the Stevens Aero RV4, absolutely superb machine, mine sadly departed had about 200hrs flying on it in 18 months.
I flew it right through last winter, it flies superbly and very precisely in calm weather but will still handle winds well. I certainly flew mine in 15mph and possibly 20mph.

I am currently building another from the plans I still have and contemplating making this one gas powered.

Hi guys,

Anyone built the Greatplanes RV-4? Also looks interesting...

http://www.electrifly.com/parkflyers/gpma0010.html

- Cam.

I know I'm bias because I worked as shop boy for StevensAero for a year or so a couple years back, but the SA RV-4 is a better airplane than the Great Planes. Not only is the SA RV better looking, its better engineered. Bill strives for perfection, and tests his designs over and over again until they fly perfectly. I'm sure the Great Planes RV-4 is a fine aircraft, but from my experience, SA's are more thought out and performs better.

-Joshua

Originally Posted by cam777cam

Thanks! This looks great - and well worth some further investigation.
Any pictures of yours or things to watch out for?

I also noticed the 'Electric Extra 200' which looked really good also - although no plans...

Cameron.

Don't know how to load picture, but here is what I use:
Berg Micro Stamp Rec
GWS 2212 Brushless 10x6 HD
Phoenix 10 ESC
3c 11v Lipo TP 1230
1 HS55 on the wing
2 9g tower pro ruder and elevetor
AUW 16oz.
very nimble to fly, no bad habbit I know of. I cut the fuse from a solid sheet, instead of Stick just to ease the built, you will love it, I remeber there was a build post some times ago do a search.
Good luck and happy flying.
Matk

Thanks MatK.

Found the threads. Looking like this might be the one I settle on.

Also found the 'Jellybean' out there which looks good.

Interesting that you said you sheeted the fuse instead of stick. I agree that this sounds like a good idea. I wonder how much weight you really save with the stick anyway...

- Cam.

Hi Cam 777

I don't think you will save alot of weight by using Stick if you go with Lipo, and it much quicker to build, I built my with of the shelf stuff,not even contest wood, but it still came out pretty light, one thing I did was reinforce heavily in the nose ( my landing not that good) and it pay off. Regard to the 'Jellybean' Dave Blum design it, And it a good flyer also,( it was a little bit more difficult to set up thought) and it was faster for me to handle but that the way it like to fly... did nice patern maneuver and every thing else, until I pounded it to the ground,( pilot error.) If you like more challenging to built and fly then the 'Jellybean' a good candidate, if you like nice relaxing park like acrobatic sp 400 is my choice. But if you want the the best of both world look in to the 36" Mini TOC Design by Echasin ( I think) it is by far my favourite plane at the moment, good solid 3D flyer,Strong, simble, good looking.
There you go! now you just have to make up your mind, which one!!!!
Build them all and have fun .
Matk

Originally Posted by cam777cam

Hi guys,

Anyone built the Greatplanes RV-4? Also looks interesting...

http://www.electrifly.com/parkflyers/gpma0010.html

- Cam.

I didn't build it, but I ordered it. It's the only plane I have sent back. There was about 8 things I didn't like just looking at it--1/16" strip ailerons, no stringers on the wing ribs so it looks like a hungery donkey, no battery hatch, no outrunner motor mount and none of the wonderful interlocking laser cutting of Stevensaero. On the plus side, it's supposed to fly well and I liked that it was bigger.

If you are interested in Scratch building, the Vans planes would no doubt be challenging--tricky cowl and a lot going on with the fuse. -Steve

Hey, I just checked out Matr recommendation-- the speed 400 free plans from http://www.flymodels.co.uk/ That plane really looks nice and the price is right. Looks a lot like the SA Stella. -Steve