How difficult is it to build a Dalton or Carden?

[Sukhoi08]

What tools will I need? Are there directions included that are easy to follow? Is it basically glueing peices together then sanding or am I looking at getting 4 peices of wood for 1000 bucks and i get to make an airplane? Thanks guys, im going to get the house ready for the hurricane, I hope I have lots of replys when i get back.

[TeamFlatout]

Well I can't speak to much about Dalton's but I can speak for Carden's. Unless you are a capable builder you do not even need to try and get one. You do get instructions with a Carden but you mostly get a bunch of sheeting, a box of sticks and a bunch of foam. All that is needed to finish the plane is included. If you are looking at getting a Carden be sure that it isnt your first kit you build. I'm on my 2nd Carden and I wont even think about building one. There is a ton of work that needs to be done. Its not just glueing some wood together and then sanding it. Its a ton more. The finished product looks like it might have been easy to put together but its far more than that. Think about it long and hard before you get one unless you have someone who can build it for you.

[Sukhoi08]

sure dont, thats why i was considering it myself. I may just have to buy a used one, but that leads to other types of problems.

[Steve]

There are lots of Giant Scale Build threads on Carden Aircraft. I would suggest going through a couple of them and then deciding if it is for you or not. Lots of good info in those threads.

[dmcquinn]

I have built three Carden 35% caps. They require you to be able to sheet foam wings (and tails and turtle deck) with 1/16 balsa. Most of the fuselage is stick / truss construction. every stick must be cut and fitted. You need to be able to cut the ailerons out of a sheeted wing. Cowl and wheel pants (fiberglass) is included and just needs to be sanded / painted. The plans are good, but there is not much of a step-by-step instruction book, They also included about 30 good quality pictures of particular details. The result is a very sweet flying plane. I had built about a dozen kits before embarking on this project. You can probably do it yourself, because you can get lots of help via this internet forum.

[swk550]

I have some 30 years building experience. Anywhere from simple Goldberg Falcon 56 trainer airplanes to my current 42% Dalton 300 MEL plane. I have built three Carden 35% airplanes. There is a lot of help on the internt. If this is your first build project with sheeted foam wings, then maybe you should hold off. Look at the build threads on this site and on RCU. See if there is a local contact you can get some guidance from if you get stuck on a point. All of these kits have basic drawings or plans that get you started. The written instructions only point you in the right direction. Even after 30 years of building, I sometimes use the wrong density of 1/16 sheeting on the wings or get it mixed up with turtle deck sheeting.

I can say all Cardens and Dalton kits are first rate in quality. Take your time and trial fit up each part before you glue it in.

Good luck,

Steve

[JimC-MD]

I found the Dalton to be a straight forward build. The comments about the instructions are correct though. You are expected to have some building experience with other kits. I think the reason for this is pretty simple. At this level, there is room for a lot of "customization" or "builder options". That is a good thing and one of the main reasons for a kit over an ARF. The fully sequenced, check list type of building manual does not readily apply.

The Cardens need (IMO) some more advanced modding to come out as light as some of the other kits. That is not a big deal though, as I understand there are pre-cut motor box sides or templates available to do the main lightening mods to them as well. If you like to build, take pride in your work and want an airplane that has "you" written all over it, jump in.

Your first one will likely take you three times as long as your second one. Buy two! LOL

[3dav8r]

I've never built a Carden but have done about 10 of the Dalton's 260s, 300s, and a couple of the MEL 300s. If you have done a bit of framing and sheeting on some smaller stuff I would have to say the Dalton would be a great choice for a first large scale build. Its a first class kit with a great set of plans and instructions that you can download from www.daltonaviation.com There are also a number of great build threads on this site. I have gone through a Carden kit and would have to say it is not a beginners kit, but just as good quality.
Good luck.

[as722]

Neither is a beginers kit but then again you should not be building either as your first kit. Go with the one you like most based on looks because both are about the same when it comes to building and both can fly better than most of us.


Albert

[Spdstr280Z]

Find the "Noobs gonna build a Carden" thread by Gareth.KY......

Here you go... n00bs Gonna Build a Carden

Jason

[Simpleton]

	Quote: Originally Posted by Spdstr280Z
	Find the "Noobs gonna build a Carden" thread by Gareth.KY...... Here you go... n00bs Gonna Build a Carden Jason

Bingo, there ya go.

[Dave Hargrove]

If the building is what is holding you back you might look at all the ARF kits available. Also if you are open to other Copmanys take a look at Aero-Works Quick Build series. They are fast to assemble and fly really well.