what is the best rubber powered plane

[jd4science3]

I am looking for a free flight rubber band power model but don't know what to get.

[jimwalker]

If you can afford them, Herr kits are the way to go. The parts are laser cut and the kits are very complete. They are great choices for conversion to R/C or any other use.

[LarryF]

I'm farily new to this as well. I started with the AMA Cub and a couple of ARF foam things - good instant gradification.

I then built a Guillows Cessna - it was OK.

Next I built the SIG Thermal Dart. This is a GGREAT plane. Easy to build and flys wonderfully. Recommended without reservation. It is stable enough to even fly outside with a little breeze. I covered mine in Reynolds coloered plasic wrap rather than using the paper that comes with the kit. Looks much better and is lighter. Get this one.

For more of a challenge a build a Baxter PussyCat from plans I downloaded. This took me a long time to build and a longer time to trim. It flys well but not as well as the Thermal Dart. Maybe it's just my building and triming skills. I'm still working on this one.

Good Luck.

[anticoli]

Depends in what you are looking for. Duration or scale. Scale models that fly well would be in my opinion... And I have a strong one! Peck Polmyers. EVERY THING they make flys and flys well! However the best Endurance model I have ever built and flown was a cheap 7 dollar javelin kit put out by guillows. Sig also makes a REAL winner with a kind a V tail with a small rudder protruding from the bottom. That thing flies!!! I can not even count how many free flights I have built through the years. I have built Comet kits, sig kits, Herr Kits Peck Polmyers Kits, Guillows Kits, Aero Graphics kits and others from various plans. Peck Polymers are winnersI have built and successfly flown more than half of their inventory and have made their "prarie bird" at least 5 times! Herr Kits are also Awesome kits but a bit larger than the peanut scale kits put out by peck polymers. (they are definately the way to go if you want larger scale kits) Herr however uses the WORST *** tissue going! Be SURE to replace it befor you even try to use it! But they have some of the best kits I have ever seen if you want a scale "Larger sized plane" Their kits are Laser cut too, saves time! By the way Sig *** tissue is INCREDIBLE I don't know where they get it but believe you can order some from them. That stuff has a fairly glossy side and a fairly dull side and it shrinks TIGHT.-Sure makes a plane look good!

Tan 2 rubber is the (only) way to go for power and some Rubber lube is a MUST for max duration flights. But here is a trick. Armor-All car shine stuff works just as good and wont eat the rubber. Peck sells a 5 to one rubber motor winder for about 6 bucks and helps to save time while winding and helps get the most out of your windings.

Free flight is a great way to learn about kit building, flight principles and an inexpensive way to have a blast!

Good luck and be sure to let us know what you have chosen!

Mike

[jd4science3]

Thank you!
I have narrowed my choices to 2. I will get either the Sig cub(thanks mike!) or the Firefly. To see it go to www.hobbylobby.com (http://www.hobbylobby.com) and search "rubber". Then click spare rubber motor for firefly. Does anyone know if it is a good one.
Thanks
Justin

[jd4science3]

Sorry,
Im wrong. its www.hobby-lobby.com (http://www.hobby-lobby.com) . I forgot the dash. My fault
Justin :(

[LarryF]

I was flying my PussyCat today - 16 inch wingspan. It caught a lift and shot up almost out-of-sight. It was wonderful to watch. It glided down in nice tight left circles -beautiful.

Only one problem - it landed on top of the Elementary school. two feet less and I would have been alright. I guess I have to build another now. I think I'll go a little bigger this time, for outdoor flying.

After seeign this one take off I'm hooked

[james_a_moles]

Larry,

Did you build it from the kit or from the plans? I built one from the plans and it's a great plane...You should also try the Arko, it's a really good flyer too!!!


James

[Bob Chiang]

If you are able to build from plans, I also suggest the Pussycat. I have achieved the most consistent flights and best performance compared to any of my previous rubber powered models. Just last Monday, I lost one out of sight in a thermal.

I've had good luck with all of the models designed by **** Baxter (Akro, XE-5, and P-51) that I've tried.

I am really impressed with anticoli's experience with the Javelin. I built one Guillow kit, and the balsa was very heavy compared to Peck Polymers kits, or the wood that's available from a store.

[LarryF]

Yes, I built the PussyCat from plans that I downloaded. The only change I made from the plan was I built the stab out of foam (to save time). Worked great. I'll try another one soon. Anyone build one scaled bigger than 16"?

I just ordered a One-Night 28 kit. I've heard they are good too.