New to gliders - looking for plane recommendations

[doug35]

I came back to RC during the pandemic after several decades away from the hobby. I was hooked watching FliteTest videos. So lots of foamboard (FB).
Recently, I built a FB electric glider scaled up to 2M and took it out to fly yesterday. Amazingly, i caught some thermals and really enjoyed it.
Now I am looking ahead to what my next glider should be. I live in the midwest, so no slope soaring for me.
Thanks.

 

[Konrad]

What do you like about the hobby, the building or the flying?

If you get as much enjoyment out of the building as anything else, are you wanting to move away from foam board?

In thermal hunting size matters! I like to see folks start with the 2.7m (100" class) of ship. But today's modern 2m (79") ships are rather good.
If looking for simple, I love the F3RES or F5RESt models. Some of the best kits are made in the USA. The Sonora Yellow Jacket and the DJ Aerotech Ascension comes to mind. I have a thread here on my dated Chrysalis Lite.

If looking for a bit more advanced model with ailerons Aloft has some real nice models from Aeronaut.

If looking for more flying than building the Top Models makes many high value (not high priced) ARFs.

On a philosophical note, to my mind all real gliders carry their launch system with them. I know of no professional soarer (read vulture, hawk or eagle) that leaves his legs on the ground after jumping into the air! So I strongly recommend using electrical motors in the nose of your gliders.

P.S.
Yikes nobody has any product in stock! DJ Aerotech is out of the kit business for a while as a result of family issues (health). The other thing I suspect is the supply chain.

 

[doug35]

What do you like about the hobby, the building or the flying?

If you get as much enjoyment out of the building as anything else, are you wanting to move away from foam board?

In thermal hunting size matters! I like to see folks start with the 2.7m (100" class) of ship. But today's modern 2m (79") ships are rather good.
If looking for simple, I love the F3RES or F5RESt models. Some of the best kits are made in the USA. The Sonora Yellow Jacket and the DJ Aerotech Ascension comes to mind. I have a thread here on my dated Chrysalis Lite.

If looking for a bit more advanced model with ailerons Aloft has some real nice models from Aeronaut.

If looking for more flying than building the Top Models makes many high value (not high priced) ARFs.

On a philosophical note, to my mind all real gliders carry their launch system with them. I know of no professional soarer (read vulture, hawk or eagle) that leaves his legs on the ground after jumping into the air! So I strongly recommend using electrical motors in the nose of your gliders.

For me, I have enjoyed a bit of both. Starting with foamboard is a nice, low risk entry into the hobby, since if/when I crash I have not lost a really expensive plane and I think the expectations for fit/finish are lower than a high end plane. But experimenting with the base design and seeing something you built actually fly is rewarding. While I was frankly amazed my 2M take on the FT Simple Soarer was able to catch several thermals, I recognize it has limitations and will serve as a good starting point to learn on.

I like having ailerons so was eyeing the Aeronaut LT200 Flex. That and I have not done any iron on covering.
The TopModels look intriguing as well.

I agree that including the launch system is the way to go.

Thank you for your points.

 

[Konrad]

That Flex looks like it might be a perfect next step. It still is a basic flat plate model, similar to the FB models. But it has a lot of control options!

I like that it comes with a lot of fixturing. This makes it a lot easier to build a straight model.

 

[Hank GB Z]

Yeah, i've looked at the flex several times but i don't need any more kits. That said i did buy one of these CX mini gliders from Humming bird models. I wouldn't recomned that kit for a beginer because the instructions aren't well done. But the 2M options listed look ok.

Hank

Scale short kits — Hummingbird Model Products

Here you will find our range of scale short kits. Most are aimed at the free flight rubber scale enthusiast, however, conversion to electric radio control is possible and would results in an easy to fly RC model ideally suited to indoor and calm weather conditions.

hummingbirdmodelproducts.com

P.S. on the page go to Shop and then see the RC gliders tab.

 

[Flying Dutchman]

I'll second @Konrad 's plug for the TopModel gliders. My Prelude is easily the best overall full house glider I've ever flown, i.e. combination of thermal performance, stability, and build. If you're still considering foamies, the Mpx Heron is a good one, especially the kit version is a good value.

If thermal soaring is indeed your thing, you'll end up at altitudes where visibility will become a challenge. I would choose at least 2m, but larger is better.

 

[LtDan]

Ok just ordered and received my LT200 flex kit, as it is advertised it is made in Germany and the manual is in German. I found an English version of the manual, https://www.modelflight.com.au/aeronaut-lt200-flex-electric-glider-kit.html . One important thing I have read, the fixture for the wing must be flipped over otherwise one will build 2 left wings.