The first model a beginner builds is without a doubt the most important. It can make the difference between success and failure. The Stick 40 Plus has been the choice of club trainers since 1977. If a beginner wants to start with a sporty or flashy plane, the Stick 40 plane may seem very boring. However, if he is looking for a trainer that's tougher than a Sherman tank and simple to build and fly, this is the plane of choice. The first plane is the one that will take all the abuse and still to flying condition when the second plane is started.

The Stick 40 was very straight forward to build. The instructions were very well written and included pictures for almost every step of construction. The main body is simply 4 spruce sticks glued together and later pulled together at the tail to form the platform for the tail. The tailfeathers are balsa. All that is required to build them is to simply shape, sand and assemble. The cabin of the is also plywood adding to the strength and speedy construction. The plans show how to build the plane with a tricycle or taildragger landing gear. The tricycle landing gear is recommended because it is much easier control when learning to fly.

The wings were built in 2 pieces right on the plan sheet to insure correct alignment and spacing of the ribs. When both halves are done, they are joined using epoxy. The slowest curing epoxy available is recommended for this application. It will make the joint a lot stronger. This joint can be made even stronger if fiberglass cloth or kevlar thread is wrapped around the joint. This is not shown in the instructions. Care must be taken when shaping and sanding the ailerons and the wing tip blocks so the contours match.

Red Monocote was used to cover the wings but any good covering will do. The first time a beginner covers a plane, he should not be afraid to ask for help. No help was sought for this covering job and several valuable lessons learned that could have been avoided with the help of an experienced modeler. The fuselage and tailfeathers were sanded and painted with Testor's aircraft white lacquer. Finally, the control surfaces were connected with Sullivan Ny-Rod control rods. The one common flaw in the Stick 40 seems to be the control surface movements. The ailerons and elevator must be adjusted to their maximum travel. The plane will be very sluggish in flight if this is not done.

This project was started with a Magnum XL40A and after a month of nothing but trouble, the switch was made to a Supertigre 40. This eliminated the problems. It has more than enough power to do anything required of it.

The plane flies like a dream. For a plane with such a large dihedral, it is surprisingly agile. It has been flown inverted several times with little extra effort. Loops, rolls, and other maneuvers are also performed quite easily. It also has a great glide ratio making landings that much easier.

The Stick 40 is recommended to others who are starting out in this hobby. It is easy to build, easy to fly and almost impossible to destroy. One final recommendation to beginners is to talk to the members of a local club and ask questions of instructors. This will save time and frustration later and make it a nicer hobby to enjoy.

Since this review was written, the Stick 40+ was lost due to structural failure. The right wing, approximately 8 inches to the right of center, broke off in flight. Analysis revealed that the material furnished in the kit for the main spars was too soft. If this plane is going to be built, and it is still recommended, the leading edge, trailing edge and main spars should be replaced with a harder wood if those that are supplied seem soft. It is also suggested that sheer webs be added between spars to help reinforce them. Happy flying.