Recommend me a plane for my beginner Dad?

[nobrakelights]

Hi Guys, hopefully I'm not repeating a question (again!?)

My Dads birthday is coming up and I want to get him an R/C plane made from balsa (or equiv) so he can spend time building it and eventually have a go at flying it! He's god a 2 channel plane (foam), so he has some basic skills, but he's enjoyed building balsa types over the years using cellulose dope and tissue paper (I'd never have the patience!)

I guess a channel or two more and a budget of approx £250. It's more about the build than the fly, so generic kits will seem a bit dull I think. Any specialist companies making kits in the UK? I thought of approx 36" wing span as a max.

Many thanks in advance,

Chris

[Amused2death]

What are you considering to power it?

ETA..RCME usually has a free plan every month, maybe take a look at that, also prob have ads for kits too

Edited by Amused2death on Tuesday 5th March 11:36

[grenpayne]

Have a look at http://www.evolution-models.com/

Straight forward to build, fly really well and produced in the UK. I had a Mk 1 Fusion Funfly and it was superb. Any of the models could be set up to be a great first 4 channel model too.

[hman]

Ben buckle vintage kits would eb right up his street, I learnt to fly (about 30 years ago) using a super sixty 3 channel (rudder elevator and throttle).

I reckon building an aileron wing for a super sixty is one of the easiest ways into model flying.

The great bit about building from a kit (or plans) is that when you crash YOU know how to put it back together.

Modern Ready To Flys or Almost Ready To Flys are a quick way into the sport but most use laser cut ply in quite intricate ways to bring strength and lightness. Unfortunatley after a crash they are very complex to rebuild in some cases.

I have junked a whole plane (Graupner Extra 300) because after I spun it into the floor - oops- it was totally unrepairable as it resemblemed a pile of match sticks in a bag.

You wont get this effect with a vintage built up plane.

I hope you and your dad get a lot of enjoyment, budget £100 for the plane, £100 for radio, and £100 for engine and other bits and you wont be far off.

Then you should really join a club who will normally teach you how to fly for free and the membership will include insurance.

Great hobby!

[nobrakelights]

Thanks very much guys, I have some research to do. By Thursday, I might get a chance to have a look and let you know which way I decide to go.

The insurance / membership thing is something hot on my mind too, if not only for him, for me!!

[grenpayne]

Can only echo the insurance/membership as a good idea. You're probably aware but most clubs are affiliated to the British Model Flying Association. Their website gives details of all the clubs around the UK and joining a club is really worthwhile not only for the help and tuition (almost always free) that your dad will get but also for the facilities and social side of things too.

[nobrakelights]

^^ Thanks for that!

[hman]

I agree with Gren, model flying clubs like HHMFC have their own insurance and so wont feature on the BMFA site list. Talk to your local model shop for more ideas on local clubs.

Edited by hman on Wednesday 6th March 15:09

[nobrakelights]

So I ended up getting an Evolution Micro Fusion. It went down very well! Gavin was very good to deal with and I hope to be buying the rest of the radio gear etc from him in the near future. I thought we'd see how the build went, but I think having the other parts before commencing building might be a good plan!

I'm suddenly very jealous!

And yes, insurance / membership will be sorted before the maiden voyage