maybe a source for 3D models?

http://www.turbosquid.com/Search/3D-Models/Aircraft/Sport-Aircraft

quite pricy imo, but then we only need a shell so perhaps we can get a designer to post a cheaper version without painting etc

Yeah I don't like cost period, but I can understand if your taking orders from people if this is what you do for a living.
However I fully intend to get the appropriate program once I know what I will be working with in the update. This way I can learn it quickly and start posting open source models so people won't need to pay.
I have a feeling this will be the publicity burst this forum needs to get it rolling in the members side of things.

ckleanth wrote:

http://www.turbosquid.com/Search/3D-Models/Aircraft/Sport-Aircraft

quite pricy imo, but then we only need a shell so perhaps we can get a designer to post a cheaper version without painting etc

Not only extremely expensive, but with no moving flying surfaces from a couple of the planes I sampled, not that useful as we'd required MORE 3D parts, not less!!

He'd also still have to provide a skin template, nearly as much effort as a full scheme, so no saving there, either.

I suggest you get FMS or Clearview, then Ac3d or Metasequoia, try doing it, and you will see what actually needs to be done.

Ok, I will certainly have my work cut out for it, but with persistence I always figured out the things I want to learn for a goal purpose. Thankfully there are load of tutorials all over the internet that should get me rolling

depending where you installed phoenix if you search for *.geo in C:\Program Files (x86)\PhoenixRC\resources\objects you will find all geometry for the aircraft used