Type Of Model

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Type of Model

There is a route to travel on your journey into RC flying, it’s not going down to the locl model shop or onto Ebay and buying a 1/3rd scale Spitfire or a 1/4 scale Mustang.

Read our advice, learn from our advice we havetrained 100s of people to fly so we know a thing or three!


	ARTF (Almost Ready To Fly). This means that the majority of the construction and covering has been completed by the manufacturer, and all you have to do is final assembly of the major parts: perhaps joining the wings and fitting the tailplane. You will still have to install the R/C equipment and the engine, if that has not been included.


	The Kit option provides you with practically everything you need to complete a model. Often the only thing not provided is the covering material, and sometimes even that is included. The advantages for a beginner are that there is little else to buy, and the kit manufacturer will have ensured that the hardware provided is suitable for the model.


	Scratch Build Option, here you build everything from raw materials using plans. There are hundreds of plans available, complete with a guide to construction. Many people like this start-to-finish approach but it does require a higher degree of constructional skill.

So Which is for You?

ARFT's are great and get you in the Air quickly with very little construction time.

Kit building a kit model has the advantage that it gives the beginner the in's and out's of all the components that operate inside the aircraft.

Scratch Build is not ideal for beginners as the are less likely to have wood or accessories already to hand and will have to buy everything needed, these items may be specified on the plan but if not then you will have to choose and source all the necessary parts yourself.

Style of Craft?

For the beginner a trainer aircraft is the best approach, because it is designed to be more tolerant to the learning errors. All good model shops will sell or know of a good trainer aircraft, do not be tempted to go straight for that nice scale Spitfire, you are very likely to be disappointed.

It is a very good idea to talk to a member of the club you wish to join before buying, They can give guidance as to the type of craft, transmitter, frequency required, so you are compatible with there training requirements. This will make the most out of your time and money.