Can anyone recommend a good starter r/c plane/chopper?
Can anyone recommend a good starter r/c plane/chopper?
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Discussion

kowalski655

Original Poster:

15,172 posts

167 months

Monday 20th August 2012
quotequote all
Exactly as it says on the tin.
My 8 year old son want a r/c thing for Xmas...either a plane or helicopter.
Obviously I dont want to get a proper full-on spec one,that will end up in bits within 30 seconds, but what would be best for a beginner, so he can handle it & not be put off.
Im erring to one of the foam ones,2 rear facing props,get one to go faster to yaw,and both full on to get higher. Or would a simple r/c copter be easier(Im not too sure,they seem pretty random when flying,at the ones I have seen)
Or would a specialist shop be able to supply a more advanced plane, like a Cub say, all in with proper controls, that wouldnt smash on 1st landing.
No idea if it's possible but would prefer not to spend more than £100 (little sod's already got enough in at the minute for Xmas! biggrin )

clockworks

7,172 posts

169 months

Tuesday 21st August 2012
quotequote all
For teaching yourself, I don't think you can beat a 3 channel Kyosho Minium plane. Small, light, relatively cheap, and flies quite slow. If it's flown over grass, it'll survive most crashes.

CharlieCrocodile

1,227 posts

177 months

Wednesday 22nd August 2012
quotequote all
On the heli side try this - http://www.horizonhobby.co.uk/aeroonline/e13_blade...

Will fly indoors and outdoors with zero - light wind, you'll need to get the RTF version as that will come with a transmitter.

If you want something cheaper then this bad boy will do the job http://www.amazon.co.uk/2-4GHz-Propeller-Helicopte...
It's widely cloned but really is fun, again it's the perfect indoor heli. Full reviews etc here http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=15...


Dusty964

7,205 posts

214 months

Thursday 23rd August 2012
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For a trainer plane- flyingwings do an pep foam thing called a v trainer.
You can fly the thing straight into the deck and it bounces.
If it does break, hot glue it, and 10 seconds later it's fixed.

Simple, great to learn on, cheap batteries- and good duration.
Bloody great thing to learn on

El Capitano

1,157 posts

217 months

Thursday 23rd August 2012
quotequote all
This is what you want... http://www.google.co.uk/products/catalog?q=hobbyzo...

£120
Perfect to learn to fly with. It has 'anticrash' technology, basically a sensor that will detect if the plane is in a non normal attitude etc. it either cuts the power to drop the nose or adds power to correct. May also level the wings. I can't quite remember, but it is very very good and the foam is very durable and easy/cheap to replace if it does get pranged