Ten Plus airplanes
12-09-2009, 06:38 PM
#1
Ten Plus airplanes
Anybody remember the Ten Plus ARFs? Anybody still have one in flying condition? Their most popular model, by far, was the Aurora.
Also, looking for a Ten Plus Aurora fuselage in decent condition (does not need to be flyable).
Thanks,
Will
Also, looking for a Ten Plus Aurora fuselage in decent condition (does not need to be flyable).
Thanks,
Will
12-09-2009, 06:57 PM
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RE: Ten Plus airplanes
I know one of the guys involved with importing and selling these. Mid-late 1908's. Planes were manufactured in Taiwan and imported by a guy (Gene I think his name was) who was a lamp importer if I recall. He would have them ship in his ocean container with the lamps to fill space. Sold new for about $800-$850. I have a very good friend with a 10Plus Aurora that has never been touched. It sits in his spare bedroom
12-09-2009, 08:46 PM
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RE: Ten Plus airplanes
10 Plus models...!
I had (2) Ten Plus Beetles in 1999.
The first one, which made me very uncomfortable even rigging the thing...lasted about 20 seconds. I took off under my control retracted the gear... a little elevator...a little aileron...Houston we have a problem! Hey, anyone on channel 24...anyone turned on on channel 24. It made a very uncomfortable loopy deal then went straight in at something a lot like full power 400' feet from where eht wheels left the ground.
Post crash led me to believe I was using a early model rx that apparently I should have exchanged for a new one prior to flying. Complete loss of everything but the last 14" of the tail. I took the junk home, put it in the garbage cans which were already outside for the next days trash collection...picked up the phone and immediately sold the second one!
I believe my models were about $1200 each, were just amazing and built from actual MK kits by "picture frame" artisans. I had matching YS long strokes, Hatori header/pipe, MK tri-gear retracts with the nifty bell crank to operate all of the gear with one servo.
I was told late last week that the model I sold (rarely ever flown) may be hanging in a shop ready to fly. I will not share where until I determine if it can be purchased!
Rusty Dose
Team Futaba
I had (2) Ten Plus Beetles in 1999.
The first one, which made me very uncomfortable even rigging the thing...lasted about 20 seconds. I took off under my control retracted the gear... a little elevator...a little aileron...Houston we have a problem! Hey, anyone on channel 24...anyone turned on on channel 24. It made a very uncomfortable loopy deal then went straight in at something a lot like full power 400' feet from where eht wheels left the ground.
Post crash led me to believe I was using a early model rx that apparently I should have exchanged for a new one prior to flying. Complete loss of everything but the last 14" of the tail. I took the junk home, put it in the garbage cans which were already outside for the next days trash collection...picked up the phone and immediately sold the second one!
I believe my models were about $1200 each, were just amazing and built from actual MK kits by "picture frame" artisans. I had matching YS long strokes, Hatori header/pipe, MK tri-gear retracts with the nifty bell crank to operate all of the gear with one servo.
I was told late last week that the model I sold (rarely ever flown) may be hanging in a shop ready to fly. I will not share where until I determine if it can be purchased!
Rusty Dose
Team Futaba
12-09-2009, 08:47 PM
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RE: Ten Plus airplanes
2 Blue Angels (1 crashed, other sold but don't know who), 2 Silents (1 crashed, other is still around and for sale I think) and 1 Aurora bought off Merle Hyde (Chip's 3rd, but was moving on to Jekyll) but sold. They were the quality in between Oxai and Nishioka (sp).
12-10-2009, 08:54 AM
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RE: Ten Plus airplanes
Just for some insight to building techniques of the time...Were the Ten Plus airplanes painted or covered with monocote??
also:
Anyone remember if that famous picture of Steve Helm's Aurora was a Ten Plus airplane?? Just curious...I thought I remembered hearing that...
also:
Anyone remember if that famous picture of Steve Helm's Aurora was a Ten Plus airplane?? Just curious...I thought I remembered hearing that...
12-11-2009, 07:20 AM
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RE: Ten Plus airplanes
I still have one 10+ Aurora. It is a restoration project. I was the 2nd owner in 1988, went to three more owners, and I got it back a few years ago.
Some cracks in the stab skins, a bit of battle damage on the leading edges (apparently was landed short in a tree). Canopy was shattered but I have a new one ready to install. Wing is sound, still has the MK retracts and wheels
My biggest challenge is getting the fuel tank out of it. It is "in there". After 20 years it will have to be replaced or at least refitted.
Plan was to restore it with the 10+ colors as it was originally delivered, but I am not 100% sure I will go that way. I'd rather get it functional and flying, rather than building a show plane out of it.
YS60RE, Hatori 650 sitting patiently in a box waiting for their new home.
Some cracks in the stab skins, a bit of battle damage on the leading edges (apparently was landed short in a tree). Canopy was shattered but I have a new one ready to install. Wing is sound, still has the MK retracts and wheels
My biggest challenge is getting the fuel tank out of it. It is "in there". After 20 years it will have to be replaced or at least refitted.
Plan was to restore it with the 10+ colors as it was originally delivered, but I am not 100% sure I will go that way. I'd rather get it functional and flying, rather than building a show plane out of it.
YS60RE, Hatori 650 sitting patiently in a box waiting for their new home.
12-11-2009, 08:06 AM
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RE: Ten Plus airplanes
ORIGINAL: bob27s
My biggest challenge is getting the fuel tank out of it. It is ''in there''. After 20 years it will have to be replaced or at least refitted.
My biggest challenge is getting the fuel tank out of it. It is ''in there''. After 20 years it will have to be replaced or at least refitted.
Getting the tank out: Have you considered drilling a hole and using something hooked to pull it out with?? Also those sheetrock wall anchors that are spring loaded may be an idea...They collapse when going in the hole but spring open once inserted which locks them in place...Then you would have a lever to pull with...
Something like the first two in this photo:
12-11-2009, 06:43 PM
#12
RE: Ten Plus airplanes
Ten Plus sure proved the commercial viability of top quality pattern ARFs. I'm sure the prevalence of desirable pattern airplanes that were only available as wood kits was a strong motivator. Of course nearly all the classic wood kits from that era (Aurora, Dash-5, Beetle, Silent, etc.) ended up being produced as glass/ foam kits (and a lot of the wood kits never got finished - too much work compared to a glass/foam kit). The Aurora as the PA-2, the Dash-5 as... the Dash-5. Then Pattern-Tek came along and produced glass/foam/plug-in wing versions of the Silent, Beetle, Supra-Fly (or Supra-Star - I can't remember which), Miss Beetle and the Jeckyl, too (I think). Ironically, Ten-plus started producing finished versions of the Pattern-Tek kits.
Rusty, did you buy your Beetles from Ten-Plus? I thought they were gone by 1999. I don't remember Ten-Plus producing many 120 sized airplanes either(besides the Silent).
Interesting comparison, Jason: Oxai vs Ten-Plus vs Nishioka. I guess I would have expected the Oxai models to be at least as nice as the Ten-Plus aircraft (considering the price
). Nishioka was (still is?) a legendary builder of TOP quality pattern aircraft (I think he built other models as well, I seem to remember seeing a Jet that he built in a Japanese magazine). His airplanes exemplified the old adage: you get what you pay for ... in this case you PAY for what you get. I think he built Naruke's SIlents and I believe he built Wolfgang Matt's Saphirs for the '89 WC. I heard that Matt paid $10,000 for the 2 airplanes (they were scratch built and I don't know if that included equipment). The workmanship was flawless. I have photos which I will post (I promise, Jason) when I get access to a scanner.
I wonder how many more Ten-Plus airplanes are still in existence?
-Will
Rusty, did you buy your Beetles from Ten-Plus? I thought they were gone by 1999. I don't remember Ten-Plus producing many 120 sized airplanes either(besides the Silent).
Interesting comparison, Jason: Oxai vs Ten-Plus vs Nishioka. I guess I would have expected the Oxai models to be at least as nice as the Ten-Plus aircraft (considering the price
). Nishioka was (still is?) a legendary builder of TOP quality pattern aircraft (I think he built other models as well, I seem to remember seeing a Jet that he built in a Japanese magazine). His airplanes exemplified the old adage: you get what you pay for ... in this case you PAY for what you get. I think he built Naruke's SIlents and I believe he built Wolfgang Matt's Saphirs for the '89 WC. I heard that Matt paid $10,000 for the 2 airplanes (they were scratch built and I don't know if that included equipment). The workmanship was flawless. I have photos which I will post (I promise, Jason) when I get access to a scanner.I wonder how many more Ten-Plus airplanes are still in existence?
-Will
12-11-2009, 07:54 PM
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RE: Ten Plus airplanes
They were beautiful but I know of at least one of their Aurora's had a wing structural failure within the first flight or two. They did replace the model however.
12-12-2009, 04:20 PM
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RE: Ten Plus airplanes
Ten Plus models
Where did I get my (2) Beetles?
Answer: From Ten Plus in 1989 or 1990.
Naruke airplanes: Bill Cunningham has four or five Naruke airplanes including a new absolutely gorgeous (xyz)...they are the BEST I have ever seen/touched. I literally have had at least one model from the top US builders like Hanson, Noll and my dear friend Dave Guerin each providing a different product for different end users. I have had (3) Oxai models very fine construction and awesome finish...the Naruke's are just a step above the Oxai in terms of finish. The Naruke models have built up wings/stabs, truly amazing finishes and they are $7500+. The Oxai's are about $4000 for monoplanes now and the bipes are about $5000. THe Pro builders are about $1200 - $to build finish the kit you supply.
The Naruke airplanes are YS only.
Rusty Dose
Team Futaba
Where did I get my (2) Beetles?
Answer: From Ten Plus in 1989 or 1990.
Naruke airplanes: Bill Cunningham has four or five Naruke airplanes including a new absolutely gorgeous (xyz)...they are the BEST I have ever seen/touched. I literally have had at least one model from the top US builders like Hanson, Noll and my dear friend Dave Guerin each providing a different product for different end users. I have had (3) Oxai models very fine construction and awesome finish...the Naruke's are just a step above the Oxai in terms of finish. The Naruke models have built up wings/stabs, truly amazing finishes and they are $7500+. The Oxai's are about $4000 for monoplanes now and the bipes are about $5000. THe Pro builders are about $1200 - $to build finish the kit you supply.
The Naruke airplanes are YS only.
Rusty Dose
Team Futaba
12-30-2009, 09:01 AM
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RE: Ten Plus airplanes
Ten Plus Beetle...returns!
Thanks to an airplane pal, my 19 year old Ten Plus Beetle has returned after he gave me a "heads-up" about seeing the model. I contacted the modeler who I sold it to, he said it needed to be back with me...lucky me! The airplane has been hanging for 8-9 years in a community center after being flown only 2 or 3 times since it was acquired from me in 1989/1990.
The airplane is not in Chicago, but based on the photos...looks in perfect condition. The airplane has a YS AR rear exhaust, Hatori pipe and header, MK retracts, Futaba servos and if a new battery/receiver are added...is ready to fly.
I will post detailed photos when the model is in Chicago.
Rusty Dose
Team Futaba
Team YS Parts and Service
The December issue of the "Classic Pattern-Trader" is finally just about done (over 20 pages)
Thanks to an airplane pal, my 19 year old Ten Plus Beetle has returned after he gave me a "heads-up" about seeing the model. I contacted the modeler who I sold it to, he said it needed to be back with me...lucky me! The airplane has been hanging for 8-9 years in a community center after being flown only 2 or 3 times since it was acquired from me in 1989/1990.
The airplane is not in Chicago, but based on the photos...looks in perfect condition. The airplane has a YS AR rear exhaust, Hatori pipe and header, MK retracts, Futaba servos and if a new battery/receiver are added...is ready to fly.
I will post detailed photos when the model is in Chicago.
Rusty Dose
Team Futaba
Team YS Parts and Service
The December issue of the "Classic Pattern-Trader" is finally just about done (over 20 pages)
12-30-2009, 10:26 PM
#21
RE: Ten Plus airplanes
Nice !! Very Nice !!
Rusty, you have to take more picture !! I really want to see the underside !!
I bet you feel great about finding your plane after all these years !!
Rusty, you have to take more picture !! I really want to see the underside !!
I bet you feel great about finding your plane after all these years !!
12-30-2009, 10:46 PM
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RE: Ten Plus airplanes
Looks good Rusty.
I'm sure this is a really long... LONG shot, but anyone seen this Blue Angels around anywhere? Sorry the pic is really small. And no laughing... I still have bad taste
This is what was in it when my dad sold it
OS-61 SF pumper
Davis Diesel muffler
Spring Air retracts
Futaba S-131S servos (133 for throttle)
I'm sure this is a really long... LONG shot, but anyone seen this Blue Angels around anywhere? Sorry the pic is really small. And no laughing... I still have bad taste
This is what was in it when my dad sold it
OS-61 SF pumper
Davis Diesel muffler
Spring Air retracts
Futaba S-131S servos (133 for throttle)
