A Backup Cardinal ... Good Idea?l

I am not a pessimist, but with my first stunt plane in 21 years on the building board, a Brodak Profile Cardinal, I am anticipating the inevitable. It is simply a matter of time... and lack of space! I have heard a lot of positive comments on the Cardinal in my research efforts.... so there is no reason to consider changing the sword if the swordsman is the weak link. Should I get another kit? What is your experienced opinion...

Joe

Ricer:

This stuff isn't quite like riding a bicycle. If you live near someone willing to help, mayhaps you can take a flight on one of their planes to evaluate your skills? The Cardinal is a fine flyer, although I believe that you would be far better returning with, say, a SIG Skyray / OS 25 combo, or one of Joe Just's Ukies.

The Ulie comes in three pieces and may be assembled in an evening: it's fully pattern capable, and survives pretty well.

Search "Skyray" here and you'll see that Brett Buck is a big fan, and Brett knows a whole lot about what good flying stuff is!

The Cardinal might be a bit too ambitious, I believe.

Let us know where you are and maybe we can find someone for some hands on evaluation?

See Ya

Get one of the KISS kits from Pro-Tech OR get a U-key from , well, I forget who make that.

Okay, these aren't glamourous planes, really just wings and simple fuses. But they fly well, and will let you practice all the manuevers with very little woops factor problems. Work out the rough spots and then start flying your Cardinal. Nice thing about these other kits is they don't take long to build or repair, so they won't be cluttering up the bench as you work on your Oriental .

From somewhere near Parkville, Mo.
William Crane
aka Mr. Clean

From somewhere near Parkville, Mo.
William Crane
AMA 6733

Are there any steel fence posts near your flying circle? Sorry, Nils, I couldn't resist. But I think I beat Scott to it, and got the spelling correct. As nice as the weather has been the last couple of days, Scott must be out flying...cold, tho. It's not a bad idea to start building a new one when you finish the old. You will learn more, change proceedures and it usually is a big advantage to build several/many of the same design and become really familiar with it. It is therefore key to pick a design that you like and has the ability to let you grow as a pilot without being handicapped by the model. On the other hand, it would be a real good idea to get a "warmup" model like the Ukeys to get your flying skills back. They fly well, fix good, and are available from Joe Just . Steve

The Cardinal is excellent. I'd get a second Cardinal. You will then have commonality in engine, parts, and building jig. If you smash both of them, but in different places, you may be able to use the old combat trick of combining the debris to make one flyable airplane.

Go to the classified section on this board and see the planes for sale, buy one of the Magicians, build it and fly it to pieces. Meanwhile, finish the Cardinal and fly it after doing the Magician. I have wrecked and repaired my Cardinal three times. The wrecks were minor, wind got it once, and twice I was inverted, low and nose down when I ran out of fuel. Oops. Never fly inverted after finishing the pattern. Just fly low and level until you run out of fuel. Saves dumb accidents and rebuilding. But yes, build another Cardinal. It is a great profile and I have always built at least two of every plane. the second one always comes out better and flys better too.

It's always a good idea to have one ship in the air and one on the way. Last year I built 2 Cardinals. Lost one in ten or so flights. Cleaned the dirt out of the engine and put the backup in the air.
Saved the whole season for me.

Still haven't repaired the fist one though.

Regards

John

...Thanks for sharing your thoughts and opinions guys. They are all valid approaches. I have decided to buid the first cardinal sans frills and sexy fillets and get the backup on the board right behind it.

Peabody.... I am a newcomer to the Raleigh North Carolina area. I have yet to find out where the U/C crowd hangs out. I'll try the local hobby shops for information...

Tight lines....

Joe