Your opinions on 1st biplane?

[yamahafunkplayer]

I really want a biplane. They just look good, period! What would be a good first time bipe for me to try? Not 3D, but just acro + sport flying. I love the looks of the Ultimate bipe, but it appears that it might be more airplane than I can handle. (preferably balsa, preferably afforadable!)

Here are some that I've been lusting after...

Eflite Ultimate Bipe
Eflite Rhapsody
GP Christen Eagle EP
Dynam Devil
Dynam Wako
any EP version of a Pitts. (my favorite)

[solentlife]

As a lover of Bipes ...

WW1 types which a lot want to fly are difficult due to short nose and wheels forward. Ground loops and bad landings !

Later 1930's ... 1950's - are much more friendlier and generally have longer more balanced nose / fuselage.

To have an all round friendly machine ... the crop-sprayer machines would be good ... from UK are the DeHaviland machines such as Tiger and Gypsy Moth ...

Later aerobatic machines such as Pitts ... and it's later cousin the Ultimate are in scale form a handful to fly, but generally the models today such as the Foam Pitts, Ultimates and like my World Models balsa EP Ultimate are actually very good intermediate machines that are quite forgiving ... but also capable of good aerobatics.

So lets consider how good YOU fly ...

Early intermediate - Tiger Moth, Gyspy Moth etc.

Intermediate - Jungmeister, Foamy Pitts, EP Ultimate

Good Intermediate - Scale Pitts, Ultimate, etc.

My thoughts anyway ..

Nigel

[Rodneh]

Tiger Moth, most any brand.

[rreid7]

If you are willing to build from a short kit I can highly recommend the Curtiss Jenny from AerodromeRC. It is a pretty straight forward build for a balsa bipe, and also flies very nicely. The design of the kit and the use of precisely laser cut wing struts makes the alignment of the wings a breeze, something that can be tricky with many biplanes.

[firemanbill]

A good trainer Bipe would be a Jenny or Tiger Moth.

For a bit more advanced bipe and all around good sport flyer you cn't beat a Waco!

[Stevephoon]

If you want a kit, try the Mountain Models EVA Bipe. It's a great all around sport bipe that is not too big or too small... About 180 Watts will power it just right!

http://www.mountainmodels.com/produc...roducts_id=214

Here's mine:





Steve

[yamahafunkplayer]

everyone, thanks for the great recommendations!

I think I am allergic to CA, every time i use it I get stuffed up and start sneezing and coughing. -so severe I had to go the ER a few weeks ago. So that kinda rules out the kits for me. I guess I am looking for an ARF biplane then.

Anyone else have respiratory issues with CA? I was scratchbuilding a Forerunner from plans and now I am unable to even work on it at all. Just using a tiny drop causes these reactions. Horrible problem to have if you love rc planes...

[solentlife]

CA is not only glue and in fact is not best contrary to popular belief. There are much better out there, less brittle, environmentally superior etc.
CA is relegated to tacking while more forgiving glues do the main job.
What did we do before CA ?
Nigel

[mclarkson]

GWS Tiger Moth 400. A wonderful, inexpensive easy-to-fly plane. It was my 3rd plane, my first ARF and my first bipe.

A gentle flier but capable of basic aerobatics. Here's some of the gentle variety, from this afternoon.

YouTube Video

[yamahafunkplayer]

that's what I'm looking for. an easy to fly, but still aerobatic, bipe... awesome... thanks for the video, it's easier to judge how a plane flies when you can see it for yourself!

[Stevephoon]

Originally Posted by yamahafunkplayer

....
Anyone else have respiratory issues with CA? I was scratchbuilding a Forerunner from plans and now I am unable to even work on it at all. Just using a tiny drop causes these reactions. Horrible problem to have if you love rc planes...

I have issues with CA as well. Not as bad as yours, but it still bothers me. When I use CA I use the Foam Safe / Odorless versions. Those do not bother me. I still use Titebond a lot as well. Like Nigel said, there are lots of glues available. Don't give up on building, just change glues.

Good Luck with your search and your builds.

Steve

[Rodneh]

There is no need to use CA. You can build just as well if not better using other glues. We got along fine without CA for many generations without it.
Any of the alaphatics will do fine and then there is always epoxy for those joints demanding maximum strength.

Originally Posted by yamahafunkplayer

everyone, thanks for the great recommendations!

I think I am allergic to CA, every time i use it I get stuffed up and start sneezing and coughing. -so severe I had to go the ER a few weeks ago. So that kinda rules out the kits for me. I guess I am looking for an ARF biplane then.

Anyone else have respiratory issues with CA? I was scratchbuilding a Forerunner from plans and now I am unable to even work on it at all. Just using a tiny drop causes these reactions. Horrible problem to have if you love rc planes...