All Time Classic RC Model Planes

Bridi Dirty Bird

by Dave Carroll
(Hampton, Iowa)

Here is a classic Sport Pattern Plane.

This is a Dirty Birdy .60 wood kit.

It is designed for pattern competition, but I like it as a sport plane. Anyone with some basic flying skills can master a plane like this in a few flights.

As you can see I like bright planes as they look so good in the air. It sports a YS .60 FR with a tuned pipe. It weighs around 6 pounds and flies like a dream.

Not a simple plane to build, but well worth the effort. These are still available and are a blast to fly. Something different at your field will always get the oooh aaah's.

Enjoy the sport,
Dave

Comments for
Bridi Dirty Bird

Fantastic covering job!
by: Matt

Those stripes are trippy! Is the bottom side covered the same way? If so, I bet you gotta be on your toes too keep the orientation right!


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Dirty Birdy
by:darrylvictoria

I am building one of these Dirty Birdies myself. I may need your help. Where is the cg located?


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CG location
by: Dave

The location of the center of gravity of all RC model planes really varies with your flying preference. I always start at 25% of wing chord and adjust as desired.

Your plans show a range to use. If I can help let me know, it is a great plane.


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CG help
by: Dave

Hi there.
I place the CG at approx 25% of wing chord and move it forwards or aft if needed. Refer to the plans to see the recommended location before you fly it.

As far as the stripes, it is different colors on the bottom. I do a black and white stripe system to help keep track of the orientation of my RC model planes.

Looks good in the air!
Enjoy the hobby,
Dave


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birdi pattern
by: Anonymous

I have an old wood Bridi Dirty Bird that was never finished but almost done. The C/G would be helpful.

I am putting and 60 power but wondering about going 90 ?

Any comments please?

Hangar 9 Pulse 40

by Bob
(Trenton, Canada)

This is the second plane for me. The first was the Nexstar Select (Never used the AFS though). Spent many hours of practicing on RealFlight before even buying a plane, and it took me 3 sessions with a qualified trainer (a total of 8 flights on the Nexstar) before the club members gave me my wings.

I flew the Nexstar two more times, then got bored with it and immediately went out and bought the Pulse as an ARF. I Put an OS .46AX in it, Spektrum servo's (the ones that came with the DX7), and off I went.

The quality is excellent, it has beginner friendly instructions. I had no issues when putting it together.

It flies excellent and is a great sports plane. I highly recommend the Pulse for a 2nd plane!

Just bought a CG 77" Edge which I will work on over the winter and fly next summer.

Sig Komet

by Dave Carroll
(Hampton, Iowa)

Here is a fantastic flying plane. It is a Sig Komet .60. Sig has always made very nice plane kits and the Komet is one of my all time favorites.

Originally designed for Sport/Pattern flying in the 70's. It is still a favorite with many pilots.

I just built this one as I really like building older kits. It sports a Super Tigre .75 engine and weighs approx 6.5 pounds.

Smooth in the air, lands like a feather.
This plane could be one of the best flying low wing sport planes ever made.

It will do anything you ask of it and looks good too. Grab one if you can find it, sadly Sig doesn't produce it anymore.

Enjoy the sport,
Dave

Comments for
Bridi Sig Komet

Sig Komet
by: Richard Carey

Dave,

I am picking up a Sig Komet that is mostly built. It has a glassed fuse and wing. It has a Webra rear exhuast 60 on it.

I dont quite know how I will finish it. But when I get it done I will post some pics here. I am pumped up about this!

I am particular about the older style pattern/sport RC model planes. I hope she flies as good as she looks.


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Airtronics Warlock

by Dave Carroll
(Hampton, Iowa)

Airtronics at one time made one of the best made kits around. Here is an Airtronics Warlock I built last year.

This plane is hard to find, but they are still out there. If you want a nice vintage sport plane that builds into a fantastic flyer, this is your plane. The wood is excellent and it builds very light.

I installed a OS SF 46 and it is a dream to fly.
One of the most popular sport planes long before any ARFs were made.

Happy Landings!

Comments for
Airtronics Warlock

Airtronics Aircraft Models
by: Scott CW

Hi,

I Saw your Airtronics Warlock. It's a ver nice plane!

Do you know anybody who had an Airtronics plane catalog from the 90s? From looking on the web, it appears that Airtronics no longer makes RC model planes.

I've an F3F plane called a T-2000, and would like to prove the lineage of the aircraft. I've found no trace of it on web searching.

Any help would be appreciated.
Scott CW


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Nice Warlock
by:Justin Campbell

The warlock is an awesome plane. My dad and I had one back in the 90's and it screamed. But he decided to let his friend fly it. Needless to say it never flew again.

My dad was very upset. We still fly but never found another one. I would like to get another one. It would be nice to see my dad act like a kid again.


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Scratch Built Junkers J-10

by Mike
(York, ME)

Flies like it's on a wire. Needs a little air speed to land without stalling. ST .61 for power and Futaba radio with HiTech servos. Great RC model plane!

Arrow 40

by Andy Migus
(Somewhere)

This plane was made by Hacker Model Production in Czech Republic. Model Arrow 40 is very very similar to Goldberg Tiger 2. Maybe it's his brother!

It's a great second plane. It's fun to fly and is a good first acrobatic plane. You can do all basic figures; loops, inverted flight, etc ...

After small tail re-make, you can even do a knife-edge.

A 40 size engine powers it OK, but I fly with ASP 46 (prop 11x7) and have a lot of fun. I know of a few pilots that have a 60 size engine in this plane, and it's ... WOW ...

At this time, Hacker production has also made Arrow 3D .. another wonderfull plane.

About picture: This plane is about 4 years old and has had about 3 crashes. This is an old photo, just before I re-covererd it...

Balsa USA Force One

by Dave Carroll
(Hampton, Iowa)

Here is a snappy little guy, the Force One by Balsa USA.

It sports a 40 size 2 stroke for power and it really moves out. One of the easiest to fly delta wings out there and a pleasure to build.

I installed a Thunder Tiger Pro 46 and was amazed at the speed this little guy reaches.

Excellent in wind, easy to take off and land, the Force One is a winner at the field and in the air.

Great plane for a guy on a budget!

Enjoy the hobby

Midwest Aerosport .40 kit

by Dave Carroll
(Hampton, Iowa)

Midwest used to make a bunch of great sport planes and 3 sizes of the Aerosport series.
They made a .20, a .40, and a .60.

This is the Midwest Aerosport .40 kit.
It is a step up from a basic trainer, yet handles so well anyone can fly it. It has excellent wood and is super easy to build.

Flies fast if you want it, yet slows to a crawl for landings.

I used a low end ASP .40 engine and it has enough power to do most aerobatics and has decent vertical performance..

I used this plane to train a student and they both survived intact.


You can still find these planes on ebay, etc. and they are worth every penny.

Enjoy the sport,
Dave

Great Planes Tracer

by Dave Carroll
(Hampton, Iowa)

Here is a nice pattern style plane that is fun to build and flies good. Great Planes discontinued it for awhile and then brought it back.

The Great planes Tracer is a good looking plane that builds fairly easily. It lands faster than most, but handles well overall.

I installed a Webra speed 50, retracts and was happy with the way it flew.

If you want a fun plane kit, this may be your plane.

Enjoy the hobby

Daves Tiporare

by Dave Carroll
(Hampton, Iowa)

Here is a blast from the past. This is my Great Planes Tiporare. These fine pattern planes are built with fiberglass fuselages, foam wings and stabs.

This plane is fitted with an OS RF.61 and tuned exhaust system. It spins a 12-10 APC prop and flies silky smooth.

Good luck finding one.
Mine is not for sale.

Enjoy the Hobby!
Dave

Phoenix Extra 300S Sport Airplane

by Brett
(OK, USA)

This Phoenix Extra 300S Sport Airplane has an O.S. 55ax engine and a 2.4GHz Futaba radio system with standard servos.

I upgraded to a bigger fuel tank than the stock Hayes fuel tank that come with it.

I also added a Bisson Pitts muffler along with an add-on pin-stripe.

RCM Funster - Big Beautiful Bird

by Mikey D
(York, Maine)

This RCM Funster is one of the best flying RC model planes anyone could ever ask for. It's built from an old kit and powered by an OS 52 4 stroke.

It's 72" wing span with full operating flaps allows for near vertical landings. Perfect for a Sunday afternoon while sitting in your favorite lawn chair.