WJ Birmingham

Last time I flew was around age 12-14.

Trained on:

Goldberg - Falcon 56" Mark I
Goldberg - Drifter II (72" Glider if memory serves correct).

Advanced to:

The original Sportster, then a Lanier Dominator 500.


Now, getting back into the sport, having remembered the fun I had with the Dominator, I immediately bought one when I saw they were still in production.

However, after having found some old friends who remembered me, and still fly, they're saying it's a bad idea to pick up where I left off.

Their suggestions include not a basic trainer, but a low wing intermediate trainer.

So, after having perused the kits out there to some extent, I'm kind of leaning towards the Somethin' Extra by Sig, or the Sky Vista by Hobbico.

Will be using a .46 size engine, and a 4 channel non digital radio with mixing for Std or V-Tail, and flaperons.

Input from the flying community here would be most appreciated.

WJB

Texas 3D

My Feedback: (16)

welcome back to the hobby ! You will have a blast !
The Somethin Extra sounds like a good choice. Starting flying again should be like picking up a bike and go ride. I don't think you wil have any problems.
If you really want to have some fun, get a Morris the Knife !

hoverit-RCU

Yep the knife is it.

WJ Birmingham

While the Morris the Knife kit does look like it'd do anything...

I think I prefer something a bit more scale in appearance.

Has anyone had any issues (bad/good/ugly) with kit assembly of the Somethin' Extra, and it's flying characteristics?

johnhardy1

WJ Birmingham,
Have you ever flown a Morris profile ? You cant much tell that profiles are profiles when theyre in the air, although they are certainly all about the flying and not the looks. I bet youd be real happy with the Knife ARF.

I think the World Models Super Stunts represents a very good value too, if you think a stick fits the bill.


We are talkin bout FunFly ARF's arent we ...hehe.

-John

WJ Birmingham

I thank you all for the replies... And yes, you're correct, in the air I imagine that it probably looks pretty realistic, even as a profile.

I think though, for the time being, I'm going to go with the Sig Somethin' Extra... Read all I could find on the net about it, and it seems like it should fit the bill for my intermediate low wing trainer, and then let me progress into more aerobatic moves.

I'll be using a Futaba 6DA radio (now discontinued) with it, that has some nice mixing controls to make up for my returning lack of ability.

David Cutler

Hi WJB welcome back!

I would thoroughly recommend the Somethin' Extra. I am currently building my second one (the first is still going strong after more than a year).

It is a great way to get back into flying as it is very predictable, with no bad habits like snapping when you don't want it to, and it lands at walking pace!

A pleasure to build too. That'll be one thing you notice most, if you are anything like me, when I came back to the hobby. Laser cutting has transformed the building techniques as everything simply slots together square!

One small point about flying .. It rolls spectacularly, and therefore on your first few flights I would suggest you only give the ailerons about 30% travel on the dual rate.

Have fun!

David C.

WJ Birmingham

Yeah, the laser cutting is simply amazing.

Hell, I recall having balsa pieces with nothing more than crappy ink outlines on them, and having to hand cut everything out.

I can only imagine how relieved everyone was when cookie cutting dies came out.

But, the new laser cuts... oh my! Drool...



I just wish Sig had their instruction manuals in PDF online. Seems that they neglected to put one in my kit (got the blueprints, but no manual). Called them, and the gal who answered was very congenial, and had no problem in saying she'd send a manual out Monday to me.


Could anyone point me to other large R/C Plane forums like this one? I came upon this place by shear luck.

ibekdog

I was at the field today with a guy flying a somthin extra, with a 46, WOW. that plane really flew nice it flew like a combat plane if he wanted, or it floated. he landed once on the tail wheel,then set the front down real soft, i see a somthin extra in my future for sure

jmulder

My Feedback: (6)

Im confident in saying that you will like the Sig SE. I can also say that you made a wise choice NOT to buy the Sky Vista!!

SLO

Thanks for your help on my thread.

What engine did you end up going with?

SLO

I think I am going to have to go with the sig SE as well!

jmulder

My Feedback: (6)

A Saito 56 is perfect on a SE. A 46 will fly it great too.