GWS A10 Warthog

[DrDiff]

I am considering my first plane. Have been in Cars since 1987. What about t he GWS A10 Warthog?

I was thinking of quazi Glassing the airframe (nulon and Future floor wax) and if possible going with LiPO and Brushless.

Or would that setup be too hot for a newbie like me? :cool:

[Sierra Flyer]

DrDiff,

I think that choosing the A-10 for your first plane would be one of the worst choices you could make. Almost everyone that has tried the A/C has been disappointed, and they were in most cases accomplished fliers. There are so many better choices out there for a beginner, i.e., the GWS Slow Stick, and other similar types that are available from other manufacturers. If anyone else doesn't agree with this, jump in!

Sierra Flyer

[Y2KGTP]

I too am going to try a plane after running cars for 20+ years....I decided on the Firebird Commander 2 RTF, as it was cheap, and has some "anti-crash technology" built in.....it is just a 2 channel plane, with ailerons mixed with the throttle I believe, and left/right on a seperate channel. You can get it on ebay for 99$ shipped, with an extra battery included, I have seen.

It's not for stunts or anything, just looks durrable, and should get the basic stuff done.....like learing to fly! I figure I'll just get something nicer/more advanced after the skills get up there a bit.

[RAMTech-RC]

Get the Slow Stick. It is very forgiving to learn on, then you can move the electronics to a better plane.

[Dr_Who77]

GWS Slow Stik is a good recommendation. Plane is somewhat fragile, but good slow flyer, lots of possibilities for upgrades (brushless, Lipo) when you are ready for that. Aerobird Challanger is also a good choice, but may initially be more difficult to dial in. T-Hawk is a good complete package, but initially a little more difficult for an absolute new flier, especially without any assistance. Lots of performance potential with the T-Hawk, with upgrades, etc. Also, it is a good, value based complete package, every thing you need, plus spare parts!!

GWS A-10 can be a great model, if you know how to modify it and are a good flier to begin with. Definitely not for newbies! :eek:


Good luck

Dr_Who

[Leo L]

If you like to build, the Slow Stick is a very good choice. If you just want to get out there and fly, and do your building after you have learned the basics of flying, I suggest that you consider either the Firebird Commander, the Firebird Freedom or the Slow-V. The Firebird Commander is the easiest to learn on, but being a 2-channel plane has the greatest limitations and will have you looking for an upgrade soonest.

Which ever plane you select, don't fly if there is any appreciable wind! Most of the crashes that new fliers have are the result of the following four conditions: flying when there is too much wind (must be less than 5 mph); not staying well clear of trees (you will learn that trees seem to jump out and grab airplanes, so stay out of their reach); not flying high enough (always fly three-mistakes high giving yourself plenty of altitude to recover from any mistakes); and over-controlling (too much throttle and/or too sharp a turn will stall the plane. If you don't have enough altitude or experience to recover, you will crash).

[kingsnake93]

I too am going to try a plane after running cars for 20+ years....I decided on the Firebird Commander 2 RTF, as it was cheap, and has some "anti-crash technology" built in.....it is just a 2 channel plane, with ailerons mixed with the throttle I believe, and left/right on a seperate channel. You can get it on ebay for 99$ shipped, with an extra battery included, I have seen.

It's not for stunts or anything, just looks durrable, and should get the basic stuff done.....like learing to fly! I figure I'll just get something nicer/more advanced after the skills get up there a bit.
I am 12 I started a firebird commander2 like 5 or so weeks it is probbaly the best choice you could make. I have been in electric cars since I was five. good luck :) Oh the bigger the better. The big one's have more lift so that means slower flying for beginners like my ;) DON'T get the firebird commander it has no ACT.
the person that worked at the local hobby shop the firbird commander was for more better pilots. and no a 2channel plane has up/down(aka throttle) and left/right

[wernerwilliam]

A10 wart Hog would be a giant lawn dart. Get the slow stick. Learn with the stock motor, then up grade to brushless. I Run a Hi-mAx 2025-5300. 3 cell lipo battery. This thing will go staright up untill it disappears out of sight. Slow stick crashes and you are back up and running in no time with some packing tape. Styrofoam planes crashs and breaks in half , your day is pretty much finished. Good luck

[diabolicaldan]

I have to swear by the GWS Estarter... it was my second plane.
I have a Magister epowered 40 sized plane but it was just too intimedating...
I bought the estarter put a brushless Himax 2025/4100 with a 1:4.4 gear Pheonix 10 ESC, 1500 3S Lipo and a gws 9X5 sport prop or 9X4.7 slow prop, 3 HS-55 servos and an Electron 6rx... and took it out to the park. Had a complete blast! The power to weight allowed for almost unlimited vertical (once I had a bit more courage).
Aileron rolls and loops are fun, and the stall speed is just a little faster that a brisk walk or jog.

I have since crashed it 4-5 times (damn tree) and it just goes back together with a little CA and tape.

This summer I even put floats on it and took off from water for the first time.

People who have never even touched an RC Radio before have flown my plane(on a buddy box) with no problem. I taught my Dad to fly it and now he has one too.

We're on to bigger stuff now but we still love to get out to the park on a nice day for a quick flight.

I can't recommend a better trainer with ailerons.
I've never flown a slow stick so I can't say much about them.

Have fun, no matter what you pick.
Cheers,
Dan