Don Muddiman Flying Machine
 

Has anyone seen or know someone selling the Flying Machine kit? Have been searching for quite sometime now with no luck.

RE: Don Muddiman Flying Machine
 

As far as I know, no one is currently kitting the Flying Machine. But! Look [link=http://www.eastrc.org/shop.cgi/page=projects.htm/SID=1219101673.24797]here[/link] :D An ARF is coming!!!

Don still sells plans too! Mine were scratch built, one was powered with an HB .40 and the other had a Webra Speed 40 with a tuned pipe. They were both great performers, but the Webra powered one was insanely fast and agile.:D

[link=http://www.eagle-i.us/fm/]The Flying Machine[/link]

i have built two Flying Machines, and have been wanting to build another for a couple of years now. For those who have never seen Don Muddiman's demo, you are missing out! The Flying Machine is one of the most impressive aircraft ever created!

RE: Don Muddiman Flying Machine
 

I was told an ARF was coming. Not sure if overall strength will be there. Plus I have my own color design in mind. I must agree, it is one of the greatest planes I've witnessed to date. GOT TO HAVE ONE!!!!!!!! Got a nice Dub Jett 40 with performance pipe just waiting to find a home. Thanks for the response.

RE: Don Muddiman Flying Machine
 

I was in a hobby store just outside of Milwaukee last year, and they had quite a few older kits on the shelves, including a Flying Machine.

I was going to buy it, just didn't get around to it. May still be available, the hobby store was called "Happy Hobby", maybe they will ship???

RE: Don Muddiman Flying Machine
 

Send them an E-mail, and see if they can sell you a kit, or an ARC! Ya never know, unless you ask.;)

RE: Don Muddiman Flying Machine
 

Thanks Dave, I will check with them as soon as I'm off work.

RE: Don Muddiman Flying Machine
 

I hope everyone is having a nice Holiday Season! Here are a few pics of the first round prototypes of Flying Machine ARF's. Don and the East R/C gang will test on these to look for areas of weakness that need to be changed before a full production run begins. We should have these on the market by Summer 09'.

RE: Don Muddiman Flying Machine
 

A few more photos :)

RE: Don Muddiman Flying Machine
 

Oh my God... Oh my God... Oh my God!!! Put me at the front of the line!!! When do I get mine??? :D:D Need any "testers"??? I will volunteer to break, er I mean test fly them for you! I can't wait till summer, must have one NOW![>:]
Thanks,
Doug

Oh yeah, they look GREAT!!!

RE: Don Muddiman Flying Machine
 

A few more pics.... :)

RE: Don Muddiman Flying Machine
 

East RC, you're killing me!!! What's it going to take to get one to me NOW???;)

RE: Don Muddiman Flying Machine
 

Probably around $20k :-) . Seriously, these are from a pre-production batch we're testing, using to write manuals, and flesh out any final bugs. Hopefully this will be the last units prior to production, so we can get these out by summer (or maybe before). It's a slow and costly process, but we're nearing the end of this journey.

I just uploaded more pics and info about this airplane project at: http://www.eastrc.org/estoreflyingmachine.htm

Dave

RE: Don Muddiman Flying Machine
 

Awe man...[&o] So... You're telling me that I have to wait? Ok... tic toc tic toc... Is it summer yet?:D

Well, I guess that gives me time to save for a Jett 40L[8D]

RE: Don Muddiman Flying Machine
 

That'll take it for a ride :-)
Dave

RE: Don Muddiman Flying Machine
 

SUBSCRIBED!!!!

I want to get on the list for a Flying Machine ARF too!

I LOVED my dearly departed Flying Machine!

I've been wanting to see what a Webra 50 in a Flying Machine would do. With an ARF available, I finally might get to find out!

RE: Don Muddiman Flying Machine
 

I saw Don Fly his Flying Machine at the Byron Originals "Striking Back" show in 1990 and purchased plans at that time. I have yet to build one; but, will some day! Tweek, I think an ARF is an excellent Idea! I'd like to be kept in the loop, also. Any idea on price? Hows about a kit version?

How does this airplane fly in comparason to the current wave of small, supposedly 3D planes? On my G-3.5 I find the profile planes to touchy in roll, for my liking. I had a couple "The HOTS" and this was a great airplane. I believe the Flying Machine is supposed to be even better thean The HOTS! Any input appreciated!

RE: Don Muddiman Flying Machine
 

I don't have pricing info at this time. I know what the pre-production prototypes cost, but with the foreign manufacturing/import market changing like it is, I won't know for sure until all of the production changes are made and we place the order. I'll post info on this as soon as I have it.

Also, we won't be making any kits at this time. We've asked the factory about this on several occasions prior for other aircraft we've had built, and the kit price was less than $10 different from the built price. Crazy, but that's the way it is. I'm assuming the cost of labor and covering is practically nothing in China...though that may change as well.


I've logged many years on the HOTS & FM, and the FM is hands down my favorite. The FM will do the same stuff the HOTS will, but has a much wider speed and aerobatic envelope than the HOTS. Don't get me wrong, the HOTS is a fantastic airplane, but I started flying the FM around '86 and fell in love with it.

Dave

RE: Don Muddiman Flying Machine
 

Thanks Dave! How about in comparason to the profile planes for 3D, which seem to be so popular now like the Mojo or profile Extras, Edges etc...?

RE: Don Muddiman Flying Machine
 

I don't consider the 3D profiles and the Flying Machine to be in the same class. Sort of like comparing a sailplane to a Quickee 500. Both are fun to fly, but just not the same.

The 3D profiles are extremely maneuverable at super slow speeds. Up close and on the deck maneuvers at super slow airspeeds are what makes them fun.

The Flying Machine is more like an extremely maneuverable Q-500. Very fast speeds, and lightening quick maneuvers at 100+ mph. (mine was radared at 125 mph with an OS 46VF) For a more detailed description visit my Flying Machine web page at http://mypage.yhti.net/~dmcdnld/flyingmachine.htm

RE: Don Muddiman Flying Machine
 

I didn't think they were in the same class. I wonder whether people will be attracted to the FM, when/if they learn it is, what would now be considered, an old design? They will be compairing it to 3D planes, as that is what is the rage now. This is more what my point was about; but, I didn't do a very good job making.

I've had a couple of The HOTS, I like these types of planes, however I started in 1969. What I like and what the younger folks like, are two different things. Not trying to rain on your parade and I feel the younger people need to try this type of plane, also. However, everyone is so 3D nuts now!

RE: Don Muddiman Flying Machine
 

That's a good question, and I'll give you my perspective. We run a hobby shop, and the small 3-D stuff has been going down somewhat in interest over the last year or so. Sales on Sport, Warbirds, and Vintage is up. The trends are changing, and this has also been mirrored by our suppliers and what they're seeing in the marketplace. We already have a waiting list on the FM larger than anything else we've sold, and are getting calls/emails nearly every day about it. Time will tell, but I don't think we'll have any trouble moving the first manufacturing batch.

Dave

RE: Don Muddiman Flying Machine
 

I think there is still enough of a demand out there to justify ARFing the Flying Machine. But I suspect customer base is going to mostly be made up of those who have been in RC long enough to have personally seen Don Muddiman perform with his Flying Machine. Those who haven't seen Don fly won't really have a clue about what sets a Flying Machine apart from the crowd, unless they've personally witnessed someone else wringing out a Flying Machine.

RE: Don Muddiman Flying Machine
 

I completely agree. When I saw Don flying his at the Byron Expo, I was dumbfounded! His demo left me wanting one so badly that I had to have one! I bought a set of plans and cut a kit from them in my high school shop class. Had I never seen it fly, I probably wouldn't have bought one based on it's looks. If you really want to sell a bunch of them, you need a [link=http://www.higherplaneproductions.com/]Higher Plane Productions[/link] quality video of Don doing his thing on your website. I will be happy to help make it go viral for you!:D

RE: Don Muddiman Flying Machine
 

Firstplaceaviator said: "I will be happy to help make it go viral for you"! Never heard this expression before, what do you mean?

RE: Don Muddiman Flying Machine
 

A viral video is a video clip that gains widespread popularity through the process of Internet sharing, typically through email or Instant messaging, blogs and other media sharing websites.[8D]