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My son and I have developed an interest in F1B. There seems to be a total lack of reviews to help us decide which of the manufacturers have the best gear. Obviously, we need to start with the entry level ships at first but is there a system to start and grow with?
Randy,
Welcome to the site and the world of F1B flying!
Have you had other modeling experience?
There are a couple entry-level models that come in kit form, needing primarily assembly of completeed parts. These models are typically good for learning, which also, unfortunately, involves crashing.
If you’ve had more extensive experience with rubber models, I’d go with Andriukov models. He offers several different types of variations of a very good line of models. Well built and the tolerances and quality control are first-rate. The prices are a little higher, but I believe is money well spent. I build my own flying surfaces, but use his motor tubes, couplers, front ends and prop blades. Nice stuff. A few guys in my area also buy his kits and are pleased.
Again, good luck and welcome!
BillRandy,
I have purchased several models , both F1G and F1B models, from Larry Bagalini at Starlink-FlightTech Models. Both are excellent models by Andrey Burdov. The web site is http://www.starlink-flitetech.com/index.htm I have found Larry to be very helpful when I started flying F1B. I have flown freeflight models for 40 years+ but only started flying F1B last year, a great event, very exciting to fly.
Ed
Thanks for the responses so far. I only have modest experience with rubber so I have started with Larry’s Burdov Starter and it seems like a good airplane, although it’s first flight won’t be for another several days.
What prompted my question is that my son started with a Vivchar Suprima which we promptly lost on it’s first flight, tracker notwithstanding. There is quite a difference in the details of both airplanes which is to be expected, and I began to wonder if it made sense to stay with a certain designer’s system. I have heard that Andruikov’s products are well designed and well made but perhaps too costly to jump into until we prove to have the “Wakefield Gene”
Are any of the F1B’s to be recommended as the best flyers or is it a matter of putting together a well practiced system?
I found a lot of helpful stuff on the NFFS Sympo Archives regarding F1B as well. My son just bought a WinStar from Flight Tech so I guess that solves some immediate problems. We’ll have to get a lot better with the retrieval process.
Good choice!
At some point, you may want to invest in a Walston retreival system. It will pay for itself with your first lost model
Good Luck, and keep us posted!
BillHi Bill,
We are using an L&N Tracker system which is popular here at the MMM field in Denver, but we lost signal and couldn’t run down the model. Three hours on a bike is a long time for geezers. Probably our fault as it was the first time using the tracker as well.
Practice with the tracker. Even when you know where the plane is. While practice doesn’t make PERFECT, it does make PERMANENT.
Randy-
If possible, I would find a good F1B mentor in your area. Someone in the team selection program probably has a list of all active F1B flyers and addresses for them.Another thought, come out to Lost Hills in February, most of the F1B manufacturers or reps will be flying/testing for the entire week between the Isaacson and Maxmen contests. When not in competition, they’re real good about helping, trimming and setting up your planes. Watch the guys (and gals!) in competition, or better yet, enter the competition.
This October in Lost Hills, the Livotto, team selection and the Sierra Cup, will all happen within about 10 days. Another opportunity to see the best in action.
As for planes, there are several really good F1b’s to choose from. I would pick one and stay with that builder. For example, I wouldn’t want to campaign a Vivchar and an Andriukov. The set-ups are different, bits and pieces are different etc.
– Norm
Hi Randy, As others mentioned welcome to F1B. It’s a great event. I have gone thru the process of learning F1B with my oldest son (at the time he was 14, now 19). He began flying Burdov Starters. This simple model is a good performer and easy to learn F1B on. He was able to make the US Jr team flying this model. After a year he graduated to a DPR model, although he did not always use the DPR function. By the 3rd year he was using the DPR regularly. I always kept him with on the Burdov system as it was effective and simple.
As Norm and other have suggested, stay with one manufacturer in the early stages. While the principles of flying wakefield are the same, the set and mechanics are different between each manufacturer. Louis Joyner wrote a good article in one of the symposiums on the different manufacturers and what parts were interchangeable .
And as Norm pointed out find a mentor. There are many people out there willing to help. They will be able to answer many questions help you towards being successful.
Best of luck!
We have a couple of folks in our area who will help us including Don Deloach so we should be good there. We’ll concentratre on retrieval techniques above all as it seems that losing the airplane out of sight isn’t uncommon.
I do appreciate the advise to stay with one manufacturer and right now my son and I both have Burdov ships. We intend to go to Eloy in January and Lost Hills sounds possible as well.
Thanks for the help! Randy
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