Which should I get, Bonanza or T-34?

[CLSSY56]

I really want the Bonanza, but..... should I get a different low wing first? Should I start with a T-34? This would be moving up from an Apprentice.

[ATIS]

The Bonanza will be easier on the lipos... the T34 requires a nice 3s 3200

[CLSSY56]

Actually all 3 take that same lipo.

[ATIS]

actually if your only plane experience is the Apprentice I would say the T-28....wish you lived closer....you could use mine and jump up without having to spend any money.

[CLSSY56]

Actually my 2nd plane. My first is a Slo-V. Ya I know, shut up, that don't count. LOL

[CLSSY56]

Boy I still want that Bonanza....

[ATIS]

Go for it, just keep her light if you can and remember to land with a little power.

[CLSSY56]

I've got 50+ flights on my Apprentice and have only crashed once. For some reason it doesn't like to roll inverted at a low altitude (15'). It made a nice inverted landing :) How much runway does the Bonanza need for both Take-off and Landing. Funny how fullsize aircraft specify that, but RCs don't. The two distances are "Normal weight" and "normal weight to clear a 50' obstacle", for both take off and landing.

[bassfisher]

You might actually want to start with the Pulse XT. The Bonanza, although a very pretty plane, looks to me to be a third plane. Semi Scale lines means high wing loading and nasty things can happrn in unusual attitudes. Have I flown one, no, but have I flown planes like them - yes. How can that be - lots of time flying nitro T-34s that have the same wing and flying some larger nitro Bonanzas.

The Pulse is a good flying plane with very few bad habits (that ALL sizes). You can set it up slow and progress quickly. Once you have figured it out and get some time under your belt with the performance low wing, then get the Bonanza.

[kirch]

I moved from the Apprentice to the T28 and I think it was the right choice for me. It only took me one flight to go from low rates to high rates. It flies like it is on rails. It does exactly what I tell it without any surprises.

I got the BNF T28D and the only complaint I have there is the gray color just blends right in with the sky. It requires some concentration to maintain orientation. But I am also learning to sense the orientation of the plane based on its behavior when I am uncertain of the orientation.

And the T28 is a much smaller plane than the Apprentice. Great for packing into the car but it also means that your circuits will be smaller. But it does have a scale look and is durable foam.

As for balsa planes the Pulse and the Ultra Stick series both look nice. The owners of those planes swear by them.

So many decisions, so little money, so little hangar space *sigh*.

[CLSSY56]

I can't stand flying on low rates and I never fly on low rates, either with my Slo-V or Apprentice. When I want it to move, I want it to move!
:)

[ATIS]

Low rates are good for take off's and landings... where steady, slow adjustments come in handy. A twitchy plane during landing is a plane thats about to cartwheel.

[CLSSY56]

I can understand that, but I don't like them or use them.

[ATIS]

I only use them on aelirons... other then that its 100% throw and 35% EXPO for elevator and rudder.

[CLSSY56]

I wonder if those NACA droops from a T-34 would fit on the Bonanza??

[CLSSY56]

The only thing I don't like about the T-34, seems to me, is the short flight times.

[John Redman]

Hi guys,

After reading the thread it seems a few love the looks of the Bonanza and are looking for that second airplane. I will be honest, although she flies real nice I would not recommend her as second model, or as a 1st balsa model. Someone mentioned the Pulse XT 25e in the thread and that would be a great place to go. The new T-34 25e ARF woudl be another great place to go before the Bonanza.

The Bonanza is slightly smaller than either of the T-34 or Pulse. The wing is a bit smaller delivering a slightly higher wing loading. While the flaps do help a bunch, the complexity of the assembly is something that would be better suited for a second or third balsa model build. The flight characteristics would be better there as well.

I love the model and wish everybody bought one, but I have to be honest here. I want all of you to have the highest success rate. The Bonanza can bite you on final with a tip stall if you get it slow. Although not bad, it is there and is something we could not get rid of due to the clean design of the model. She behaves a bit like a warbird. She is very similar to the full scale as well.

Work you way up and you will be fine. Apprentice, T-28, then maybe the T-34 25e, then the Bonanza. That could be a solid direction for success I believe. I am here to tell the real story and the Bonanza a trainer or second model she is not.

Hope this helps. Now back to the CAD work on a future model everyone will be able to buy and will love to have! It will have retracts and flaps and looks darn cool!!!!!

John

[CLSSY56]

Thanks John, I appreciate your input. I'm an old CAD drafter myself, no longer in practice though.

[CLSSY56]

What's the roll out distance on landing of a T-34? Just making sure I have enough room where I fly.

[CLSSY56]

What other planes take that 3S 3200 Lipo? Would kinda like to stay in that size.

[ATIS]

T-34... watch the video I posted but the ROG is around 120feet.

3s 3200 lipos

1) T-34
2) Apprentice
3) PT-17


I cant think of others at this time... gonna have to go home and look at the hangar. 3s 2200 is the most common size. Use a singel for the warbirds under 45"WS and then run two of them in parrallel for a 3s 4400 on planes with WS greater then 45".

[WJCJR1]

Well if I had to answer the question you posed I'd say the T-34 man. The T-34 although a bit bigger is supposed to be a great flyer and offer a step-by-step progression into more and more of a bare naked plane. The Bonanaza is not a PTS plane as the T-34 and with no low-wing experience I'd say this would be a better choice. Now personally with your heli experience and Apprentice experience Low-Wing will be no big deal for ya but the speed to land this Bonanza may surprise you. I know you want the Bonanza I just don't want to see you get toothpicked, kind of what John Redman said. By the way, Thanks John for your honest to goodness down to Earth enthusiast sharing opinion. Nice to see a real product developer, distributor that cares about your satisfaction more than his bottom line:thumbsup:

Now to answer your question without answering your question of T-34 or Bonanza I'd say go T-28 or for use of the 3200mAH go Pulse XT25e
http://www.horizonrcflyers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=632 This Pulse is a terrific plane and flight times are not bad 13-15 minutes EASY on a 3200mAH and that's not going wimpy on the stick either I bet you could get closer to 20 if you took it easy. This is a GREAT flyer, does require more room to land than a T-28 or Apprentice but it is not like the T-34 requiring probably 25% more room than the Pulse. "Room for landing" takes into account final and roll-out. The Bonanza I bet will eat as much room as the T-34 so if you are limited I'd look at the T-28 or Pulse. Pulse is Balsa now so the stakes do go up.

I see Brian is still selling his T-28. It's been for sale for a while, I wonder if he'd ship it just to get rid of it. I see he's stepping into larger planes like his Blue Nose, NICE PLANE. His T-28 has the Power15 in it, WOOOH on a 4S which I think he has two with it maybe, that thing will hoot pretty nicely. UNLIMITED VERTICAL and good-great speed and the extra weight of the larger motor, ESC and heavier Batts really tame her down nicely the wind is not as much of an influence on her especially at low speed. Man Brian you're going to have to pay me for this advertisement! No all kidding aside this is a decent set-up and would offer you the low wing experience you are looking for and at a minimal entry fee I may add.

WOW almost a book there!!!
Wayne

[bassfisher]

Thanks John for seconding my opinion for the Bonanza not being a 2nd plane. As I posted on RCGroups, it is a great loking plane - in fact just saw it in person at the LHS today, I was impressed. I would also hate to see someone make a jump that they might not be ready for. I'm looking forward to starting on my PT-19 Christmas day - hope to maiden it on the 26th or 27th. Just have to put it together and do some detailing work.

As for another post concerning high rates and low rates- I use both on all my planes - take-off, pattern work and landing an 90% of the time on low rates. Aggresive aerobatics are on high rates, also helps my warbirds in a pinch during a "dogfight".

CLSSY56 - I am not questioning your flying abilities, just don't want to see you maybe fly something that you might not be ready for. I believe in transitioning from high wing to a "kinder" low wing to get used to faster speeds, crisper handling aspects, hign take-off and landing speeds, etc.. I have also flown T-28 and it was fun. I personally liked the Pulse XT and its smaller brother and its larger nitro sisters a lot more. It entire line does everything you can ask for and still not bite you. Maybe the smell of balsa also had clouded my mind - thats one reason I'm known as the "balsa farmer"!

Lastly - takeoff and landing distances have too many variables for RC planes. Grass or pavement, weights from plane to plane, pilot experience, battery charge, prop size, motor size, lift off speed - the list goes on and on. On a new plane for a maiden, I plan to use the entire runway for both TO and landing!! Hope that helps!

[ATIS]

bassfisher, check out my review of the PT-19, I included build picts and tips. It can be built in no time at all if your expereinced and have everything on hand.

[bassfisher]

ATIS, I've read it about 20 times, it was a great review::very happy::. Just waiting for Santa to get final landing clearance to my tree:happy bounce::happy bounce:. I've got everything ready to go for it (just finished doing that about 30 minutes ago), now to just open the box. What was your final CG location?

[CLSSY56]

I know sims don't count but my favorite to fly on FSone is the little white Katana.

[WJCJR1]

Oh Sims are a definite experience in my book. The simulators these days are terrific. If you can do it in the sim you will do the same in the field, that is my opinion and my son proved it clearly this year. Ethan learned completely on the simulator went to the field and did exactly what he was doing in the simulator. My son had ZERO RC Airplane experience and FSOne and Interest brought him along.

Wayne

[rcdude07]

CLSSY56 - I am not questioning your flying abilities, just don't want to see you maybe fly something that you might not be ready for. I believe in transitioning from high wing to a "kinder" low wing to get used to faster speeds, crisper handling aspects, hign take-off and landing speeds, etc..

I second this statement. This is why when I was building my 0.60 size Great Planes Extra 300S back in 10th grade (only 8 years ago) my dad insisted I put the small amount of dihedral in the wing. This was great for adding stability and forgiveness to the plane, but now I wish it wasn't there as it doesn't look very scale, but then again it is a sport aerobatic plane.

[tkrahlin]

Hi guys... [lots of good, honest advice from the horse's mouth snipped for brevity]...

Now back to the CAD work on a future model everyone will be able to buy and will love to have! It will have retracts and flaps and looks darn cool!!!!!
John

Is teasing in your Job Description, John ??

::tonguee:

[brianfp_400]

I love my hangar 9 Pulse 40. Its my favorite plane. But flying a forgiving, sport tail dragger like that won't get you ready for landing a fast tricycle gear, low wing plane like the Bonanza. Get a cheap second hand T-28 and fly the heck out of it untill you can grease your fast landings....smile. A T-34 would be great too, although a little larger than the Bonanza.

Travis, if we get some decent weather I'd be glad to meet you for a little flying and you could kick the tires and try my T-28.

Brian

PS Wayne.....thanks for the sales pitch !

[CLSSY56]

I'll have to take you up on that.
:)

[brianfp_400]

I just noticed that hobbyzone.com has reduced the price of the E-flite Pulse XT 25E from $180 to $160.......now that is a good deal for a great plane. Not a tricycle gear aircraft, but a great low wing sport flyer with a similiar weight and lipo to your Apprentice and future Bonanza. Also comes with the float kit adapter. The water video looks cool !

Brian

[brianfp_400]

Hi guys,

Hope this helps. Now back to the CAD work on a future model everyone will be able to buy and will love to have! It will have retracts and flaps and looks darn cool!!!!!

John


I vote for a 40 size T-28 with flaps and retracts !

Brian

[WJCJR1]

I'll have to take you up on that.
:)

You'll fall in love with her CLSSY56, the T-28 with the 15 on a 4S flies awesome. Vertical will surprise you if nothing else. Speed will ge awesome as well, make the Apprentice look like it's a lumbering, slow anemic pig.

Just a little heads up before you go....

Wayne

[David Eichstedt]

First low-wing after an Apprentice; I would recommend a ParkZone T-28 or Corsair, followed by the EFL T-34. The Bonanza flies too much like a heavier warbird to be a good first low-wing airplane.

[brianfp_400]

David E,

Can you give us a clue whats next off the HH drawing boards ?

How about a 40 or 60 size T-28 for those thousands of us who are moving up from our Pzone T-28. I would jump to buy one, especially if it had options for flaps and retracts supporting an E-option.

Brian