maxpower1954

I ordered a Lanier Caprice today and spoke to Bubba Spivey, the owner. After 40 years of continuous production, the classic Lanier ARFs are finally being phased out. Once the existing stock of kits is depleted, that's it. The plan is to replace these models with China- built balsa ARF versions. The prototype Dart is ready to go, followed by the Comet. If these are sucessful he will bring out new versions of the Jester and Caprice.

Sold out, no longer available: Slo Comet, Hawk glider, P-51, Jester and Rebel Bi-plane

Still available, while supplies last: Transit, Caprice, Comet, Sea Bird flying boat and Dart

I didn't ask about the ones that don't qualify under VRCS rules. I also ordered a Transit, my first sucessful R/C model. If anyone wants a classic ARF that once darkened the skies over America (well, at least my field in Florida) now's your last chance...Russ Farris

8178

My Feedback: (17)

Sad to see them go but Bubba told me that the end was in sight for them a few years ago.

Jim Kirkland flew his “Citron” design in the 1969 World Championships that was later kitted by Lanier as the “Jester” ARF. Over the last 30+ years I’ve had four of them. They are a little heavy (just over seven pounds) and need fiber glass work on the inside of the front and back of the fuse to keep them together. I also add a firewall and use regular wood gear blocks for the wing. They are called ARFs but they are more like fiberglass kits with plastic parts that do not need painting. With a little work they can look much better than most of the modern day ARFs. I still have one and they fly pretty good even at seven pounds!

I think Bubba should bring the 70s vintage Sabre pattern aircraft back. It was a very neat looking aircraft and I saw the mold laying in a pile of stuff when I was at the factory in the 90s.

Jeff Foley

My Feedback: (45)

I learned to fly on Lanier Dart in 1971.....it had a K&B .40 and a MRC F-700 radio. Man....am I getting old or what. Hate to see them go.

Scar

My Feedback: (3)

Interesting. My TR-260 taught me a whole lot, and was a ton of fun. I gained a whole lot of confidence with that plane, practiced aerobatics, and did not care one whit when the radio quit and it spun in from about 200'.

However, at the time, I had a Laser 200 (from the Sky Hobby closeout) and a P51 (from a sale) in the attic, and they're still there, in their boxes. Might have to put them together some day. A buddy had the Dart briefly, and thought highly of it.

I believe they were a good value. I hope they made Bubba some money.

Good luck,
Dave Olson

8178

My Feedback: (17)

Some Lanier RC ads from 1968 MAN. The Sabre was pretty cool!

8178

My Feedback: (17)

The Lanier RC Jester!

I have some extra Jester parts NIB if anyone needs them. It is a full kit that is missing the fuselage and landing gear wires. The wing and stab are the same in many of the Lanier kits.

8178

My Feedback: (17)

While I was talking to Bubba yesterday I asked him why the new Goldberg push rods http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...?&I=LXDMJ0&P=0 no longer have 1a /16” shaft. He said the Goldberg got them from a company that made bicycle spokes and they stopped making them.

Gremlin Castle

My Feedback: (14)

The Caprice was a land mark for me in that it was my first fully aerobatic RC model and it was also the plane where I experienced my first radio failure. It stopped almost knife edge going into the third roll and strung out orange and white plastic over about 50 ft of grass. The year was 1971 and the radio was a six channel Orbit single stick guiding an HP 61 powerplant.

Costas

dear fellow forum readers.
I am Costas Kalfakis from Greece. In 1994 I have met Bubba Spivey and we became friends. Since then I lost contact with him.
Can you please kindly help me to find him. My e-mail is [email protected]
I will appreciate your help.
Costas Kalfakis

roia12

My dads transit in 1972

maxpower1954

roia12 - your picture does not show up. Russ Farris