Gonzalo38

I have decided to buy my first jet and I can't decide which model to get.

I started thinking about the F-16 1:8 scale because of the new pricing of this model, but I'm interested on a very stable, low speed capable and easy to fly model and I don't know if this model will comply with this.

Then I started looking at the Bae Hawk and I ended seriously thinking about the BM-339. The few videos that you can find in the net, shows the BM-339 as a model that can be flown slowly and very easy to land if compared to something like the F-4.

The BM-339 is more expensive than the Bae Hawk and I was wondering if it would be a good plane for a jet begginer. If it's an easier flying model, then it would be worth it to pay for the difference.......

What do you guys think ?

There is few info about the MB-339 so I would appreciate if you can give me some inside information about this plane.

I'm going to have the help of Michele (www.jetsrc.com) so the beggining shouldn't be so difficult.

David Jackson

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Go with the MB339. It is a big plane and has great presence in the air. I have had SM Bae Hawk and it didn't make it past the maiden flight. I also have the MB339 from Fei Bao, which is the same size as SM. My plane weighs 52 pounds and is powered by a Ram 1000 (28 lbs of thrust) and it flies great. A Rhino (36 pounds of thrust) would be better for such a large plane, but that's the only engine I had available at the time. Landing are quite predictable and for the most part uneventful.

Gonzalo38

David:

What happened with your Hawk maiden flight ? It was a problem with the model ?

InboundLZ

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I have the SM MB339 ARF Plus and although I am still building, I know it will be a great flyer. The kit itself is outstanding and a real pleasure to work on....My Vote is the 339!

Gonzalo38

Do you have pictures of your plane and the built process ? Does the fuselage has a lot of details ?

InboundLZ

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See http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_68...tm.htm#6861525

David Jackson

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The MB 339 is more of an assembly, if you get the arf version. I am not sure if SM will custom paint the plane for you, but there are vendors that will custom paint the plane and do the install of hinges, etc. Here is a picture of my 339.

Gonzalo38

David:

I think I will get the MB-339. Everything that I've read has been good comments about the plane.

This is the one I'm looking at



Still haven't decided against the Hawk, but definitely the 339 has the advantage



By the way, the tanks that are mounted in the wings come with the model ? I've seen planes with and without those tanks. I personally think that they look cool.

jclittle

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David - how about it? Did you have an issue with the SM Hawk on the maiden flight?

InboundLZ

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I assume you are talking wing tip tanks...with the SM 339 you have a choice of either wing tip tanks or pylon mounted tanks under the wing. These are both optional and you can decide to install or not. Either way, you get your choice when you order.

Vincent

My Feedback: (61)

Go with the f-16 or 339. Here is some Hawk footage from LA jets `08. You can make your own call here.
V..

http://tw.youtube.com/watch?v=TxXich...eature=related

InboundLZ

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Thats not good! Looks like it just quit flying....

From EVERYONE I have talked to, the 339 is one of the turest fling planes out there and they are real *****cats in flight....

ThomasP

It looks like he pulled too hard whilst low and slow!!! []

Gonzalo38

I agree..... it looks like a very tight turn at slow speed. The strange thing is that it looks like the plane at no time tried to recover. You would think that by applying full thrust and going down you will be able to build up some speed fast and then recover the plane...... but maybe he was too low to be able to do it.

David Jackson

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This is the second MB 339 I have had. I purchased the smaller one from DL Aeromodelle back in 1999. Flew it alot for about two years and then placed on a shelf in my garage after destroying one of the tip tanks on landing. The bigger model from FeiBao is perhaps the easiest plane I've ever flown, and the tip tanks really add to its visibility in the air. The plane even looks bigger on the ground when placed beside a 339 without the tip tanks. I think you will definitely enjoy the 339. I would however suggest that you consider a powerplant producing at least 35 pounds of thrust.


The guy flying the SM Hawk did at least get some flight time with his plane. Unfortunately, my SM Hawk never got higher than 10 feet off the ground before it met its demise. The one thing I do remember from the assembly instructions for the Hawk is that if you used more than the recommending throw of the flaps, you would lose elevator authority. Wonder if that might have been the problem with the Hawk shown in the video.

Gonzalo38

David:

I'm quoting a Rhino 170......

David Jackson

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IMO, the Rhino and the MB 339 are a good combination.

InboundLZ

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Thats what I have....

Gonzalo38

Well..... I have already placed the order for the Skymaster MB-339.

I have asked them to paint the airplane in this scheme



Now is will be a matter of waiting for a couple of weeks for the model to arrive

David Jackson

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The MB 339 picture in the middle is the one that was painted for me in 2006. One of the ones with the blue A on the vertical fin went to Dewey D. These models were well built and as mentioned in an earlier reply, the 339 flies extremely well. IMO, you will be very happy with your decision.

jclittle

My Feedback: (99)

I in the lucky position to have both a Fei Bao MB339 and Skymaster Hawk. They are really different in that the MB is very forgiving and docile. They are both powered with Jet Central Eagle's, in the Hawk its pretty fast, in the MB its very scale like. A Rhino would be great as well, but anyone with an Eagle or other 30 pound turbine can't go wrong putting it in the MB. The Hawk is very good looking, built well and flies great, but its a lot faster at everything and takes more attention then the MB. For a newer pilot the MB is a better choice, but that does not make the Hawk bad in anyway, just different in a good way. Enjoy your MB.

Aero65

My Feedback: (2)

Hi Gonzalo38

I have both airplanes too. I have the older model SM Hawk, and a older model MB339. I think you made the right choice. The MB339 is very easy to land and is very nice to work on due to the space in the fuselage. The flight characteristics of the MB are great, easy to fly and forgiving.

The Hawk on the other hand is very nice flying to a point, and that's the problem that gets people. It flys so nice but pull to hard in a turn going to slow, and poof spin or at least a departure. Also on landing flare if you balloon it and pull too much elevator to try and recover, it gets entertaining really fast if you are a little slow on final.

I hope you enjoy your MB339 I know I do. I have a PST 1300R in mine and at take off full of fuel it weighs around 52 lbs. It gets off the ground in about 200 ft. (Asphalt) Here are some pictures, and say Hi to Michele for me he will be a great help.

JetsRC

Welcome to the club Gonzalo... Soon you will be flying that MB-339 like crazy...

Thanks for the words Duke... How are you doing?

Michel