Rod,

Funny thing is, some of the flyers here also fly larger planes and either like these better or fly both.

There is room for everyone.

George

Advantages of 1/2A:

1) LESS MONEY REQUIRED, a big deal to some of us poorer folks.  A good engine might be $40 to $50; the Cox production Sure-Start is still available I think from the Canada folks for $8 or $10?  Always some on E-bay too.  The planes don't use nearly as much materials, flying lines can be fishing line, a good prop (APC) is $1.85 rather than $30 or $40, A gallon of fuel will last you a year or two, get wheels off toy cars at the dollar store, use party balloons for tanks, etc.

2) LESS SPACE REQUIRED, in every aspect: Less flying space for shorter lines (although I use up to 52' with some of my .061s), less storage space (one wall will hold a BUNCH of models), less building space (build on a card table, or the kitchen counter if Mama ain't looking), etc.

3) LESS DANGER, although a 1/2A prop can cut, it can't amputate like the bigger ones can. I got hit in the back with a Cox Black Widow and lost a little skin (made a hole in my shirt too); with a big model, I'd probably be in the emergency room.  You can do stupid things like grabbing the lines with your bare hand with no consequences--don't try it with a big plane.

4) LESS NOISE, important if a residential neighborhood is close. 1/2As don't require mufflers--well, they shouldn't anyhow.

5) LESS MENTAL PAIN when you crash one--on grass, many 1/2As will pretty much bounce; even when repairs are necessary they are usually minimal. 

6) LESS POLLUTION if you're one of those greenies that cares.

Anyone think of any more?

easier to trim.  seems to me my 1/2As are easier to true up, or maybe I'm just lucky.

Aggravations:  Can be harder to start (get a electric starter), parts are a little harder t find than they used to be

Whole engines are easier to come by than certain parts.
Keep in mind that few of the engines one comes across these days has the important wrenches you will need. I hope you have some already. If not get some because these are important. Using tools that were not meant to do the job can sometimes be frustrating.

Robert

One more 1/2 A advantage - you can dare to design your own - If it works you have a one of a kind at the field.  If it doesn't you haven't spent big $ and you can afford to try again. It's also a good starting point for scratch building from plans. Same reasoning success is rewording - failure is rare but cheep.    My only regret is that I did not buy 20 of the Sure Starts when Cox dumped them at $3 each.
    

...My only regret is that I did not buy 20 of the Sure Starts when Cox dumped them at $3 each.
    

Well John, although you can't get them at that price, you can still get them at Xenalook.

George

Speaking of COX tools a must have is the piston/rod set tool.  I am running two new sure start jugs on my DO335.  After about 4-5 runs things went sower.  Reset the rods and all is good.  I think that a new piston/rod has bers in the crimp joint.  After a few runs the rod seats itself to the pistion and gets sloppy.  After a joint tighting all seem to be good for a long time.
 

I'm lucky enough that when my dad left me all his stuff there were two wrenches for each engine in the box. I don't have alot but enough. Did I read correctly, the newer Cox engines ned the piston reset very soon after starting or breakin. I was tempted to order a couple basic motors to play around with. I think Zenalook on Ebay has them and alot of them.