Suggestion for new builder

Sero

Elite member
Hello!

I did a search and couldn't find anything conclusive but perhaps the answer was obvious.

I'm trying to find a balsa kit for my father-in-law for a retirement present. He's an aviation enthusiast (used to have his private licence) and loves woodworking so I thought this would be a great idea. He has 2 foam RC planes but hasn't flown them, good chance this wont fly either but it if he decided to obviously a trainer would be best.

A few things that I think he would like best:
- Good instructions/kit for a new builder
- Good for a new flyer but would prefer something that looks like a scale plane in case he just want to look at it and not fly it.
- Cost approx $50 for kit with no electronics

Any suggestions?

Thanks in advance,
Steve
 

Turbojoe

Elite member
$50.00 for a good balsa kit is a VERY tall order. For a GOOD trainer bigger is always better and of course bigger costs more. My first "good" trainer was the Goldberg Eaglet 50 that I built, covered and flew with no build assistance other than the kit instructions nearly 40 years ago. I even bought another Eaglet 50 kit over 10 years ago just to use as templates to build an all balsa/electric version. The end result FAR exceeded my expectations.

In the $50.00 range I'm afraid you'll have to look mostly at Guillow's for anything remotely scale looking. The little experience I've had with Guillow's has been miserable though it was all long before they started laser cutting some kits. There are many better kitters of scale kits like Mountain Models (the Cessna 180 and J-3 Cub are my favorites) and ParkScaleModels (my Monocoupe 90A turned out so well it's ready to fly but I use it for display only) but those kits cast far more than your budget. Mountain Models will likely come closest to your price range for a very complete scale Cessna 180 kit including quality hardware.

Joe
 

Turbojoe

Elite member
Just a suggestion..... Put your location, city & state, NOT your full home address in your profile. You'd be surprised just how much LOCAL help you may get. I've gotten and given many free items over the years because of local enthusiasts.

Joe
 

Turbojoe

Elite member
http://www.balsaworkbench.com/?page_id=1318 you just need sticks for the spar and tail

That's a GREAT price for an Eaglet 50 short kit! I made a windshield mold for mine and could try to pull another good copy if needed. It took me several failures though. I'm not good at it. I'll try to find out where I posted the many mods I made during my balsa build of the bird and post the link here. I'm far beyond the need for a trainer but you never forget your first love and for me it's the Eaglet 50.

Joe
 

Sero

Elite member
$50.00 for a good balsa kit is a VERY tall order. For a GOOD trainer bigger is always better and of course bigger costs more. My first "good" trainer was the Goldberg Eaglet 50 that I built, covered and flew with no build assistance other than the kit instructions nearly 40 years ago. I even bought another Eaglet 50 kit over 10 years ago just to use as templates to build an all balsa/electric version. The end result FAR exceeded my expectations.

In the $50.00 range I'm afraid you'll have to look mostly at Guillow's for anything remotely scale looking. The little experience I've had with Guillow's has been miserable though it was all long before they started laser cutting some kits. There are many better kitters of scale kits like Mountain Models (the Cessna 180 and J-3 Cub are my favorites) and ParkScaleModels (my Monocoupe 90A turned out so well it's ready to fly but I use it for display only) but those kits cast far more than your budget. Mountain Models will likely come closest to your price range for a very complete scale Cessna 180 kit including quality hardware.

Joe

Thanks Joe! I was thinking $50 was pushing it, we're not firm on that but I was hoping. Also I'd like it to look like a scale plane but doesn't have to be, I just don't want it to look like a cartoon or an Ugly stick.

How about these 2 and any idea on their instructions?
http://www.parkscalemodels.com/shop/item.aspx?itemid=13
http://www.mountainmodels.com/product_info.php?products_id=228

And I found this, thoughts? Getting up there in price.
https://sigmfg.com/collections/sig-kits/products/sig-kadet-mark-ii-kit

Great idea about location. I'm actually part of a club, I should send out an email too.

Thanks!
 

Joker 53150

Mmmmmmm, balsa.
Mentor
Another option would be watching for a kit on Craigslist or at a swap meet. There are great deals to be found!
 

Turbojoe

Elite member
Thanks Joe! I was thinking $50 was pushing it, we're not firm on that but I was hoping. Also I'd like it to look like a scale plane but doesn't have to be, I just don't want it to look like a cartoon or an Ugly stick.

How about these 2 and any idea on their instructions?
http://www.parkscalemodels.com/shop/item.aspx?itemid=13
http://www.mountainmodels.com/product_info.php?products_id=228

And I found this, thoughts? Getting up there in price.
https://sigmfg.com/collections/sig-kits/products/sig-kadet-mark-ii-kit

Great idea about location. I'm actually part of a club, I should send out an email too.

Thanks!

I have a PSM Cessna 182 with the aileron/flap wing kit as yet unbuilt. The Monocoupe 90A is a real gem. I won't fly it because it came out way too pretty. I'll have to dig through my stock but I think I have other PSM kits as well. The PSM (Tres Wright design) LoLo is the worst flying piece of garbage I've ever bought. Get the MM Tom-E 150 instead! It looks old school like the LoLo but actually flies with zero fiddling.

I also have the MM C-180. First one built 15+ years ago and I have a spare NIB kit. This is a Dave Blum design and is cut from the typical best quality wood from MM. It builds so easy and flies like a dream. GWS IPS motor/gearboxes it was designed for are impossible to find now but converting to a small brushless outrunner would be a snap. DO NOT over power it! This plane puts a huge smile on my face every time I fly it.

I also have that very same Kadet kit NIB. Never built a Kadet before but having built other Sig kits I know they're one of the best.

Joe
 
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Turbojoe

Elite member
Eaglet 50 plan attached.

Eaglet 50 manual is large file and hopefully will make it.

Joe
 

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