thalis69

Tom,I must admit that you are a very good builder.The finishing quality is outstanding,as outstanding are the composite parts.
Dick and Mike,thank you for your valuable experience with Lake Buccaneer.I believe that many modelers have noted down what you wrote and propose,starting by me!
The kit list goes on today with Nieuport 28(one of the most beautiful bipes I have ever seen),Tiger Moth 40/60,Moth Minor,Akro and Fourstar planes.

Is there a fellow modeler out there that has a Moth Minor and is willing to part with?(my turn now Mike!)
Regards,
Socrates

pittsdriver

My Feedback: (7)

The Moth Minor must have been one of the last kits on the market. I don't remember ever seeing one at Hobby Shack. Nice design with a 70" ws was probably a very nice flying model. Don

otrcman

Thinking back some more about the poor directional stability of the Lake Buccaneer, I don't recall experimenting with a more forward CG. Think I just put it where the plans showed for all flights. But moving the CG forward may have helped.

Many people don't realize that the CG affects the directional stability as well as longitudinal. In most cases the directional (or "yaw") stability is so good on an airplane that longitudinal ("pitch") is the critical parameter. But when directional is marginal, then a noticeable improvement may be had by moving the CG forward.

Dick

thalis69

Don,If you say that you have never seen a Moth Minor model,then I don't expect to find one
Dick,your advise about Lake Buccaneer's CG is noted down.May I assume that you built the tractor type?
The Pilot kit list goes on with the giant models and I will finish with the gliders.
Three wonderfull kits will be presented today:Big Rainbow,Bucker Jungmann and Tiger Moth.

Have a nice weekend and happy-one piece-landings
Socrates

20181c

Here is my Pilot Decathalon 96" span just finished. Great kit!!!

mikmerl

Great Decathlon
I am green with envy. It's a beauty.
Share some tech info...........what engine..........what servos ....... etc

Does someone have an un started kit that they could trace the fuselage formers from (also landing gear dimensions)?

otrcman

No, to the best of my memory it was a pusher. I would think a tractor version might have severe water spray problems.

Dick

20181c

It is powered by a DLE30 and the servos are JR8411's and a Hitec servo for throttle. It is covered with Monokote and weighs 14 pounds. The cowl and wheel pants are painted with Lusterkote paint and clear. I use a JR12x radio.

Ce.Tom

Socrates thank you for Your feedback, I love the Pilot kits and plans .

I have too very old Pilot Kits i think thats the first Kits from Pilot,

the G 17 Beechcraft Staggerwing and the Grumman F3F-2 this models was designed by Aristocraft then the Company turned to Pilot OK models



Tom

thalis69

Tom,the kits that you show us are trully collectible.
I am lucky,also,for having Beechcraft by Aristocraft.The manufacturer is OK Models and the plan,from what I can see is the same.
The quality is very good,thinking that these kits were produced back in the 50's!
Today I will post all the giant kits that are left from the cataloguesecathlon(Mike this is for you!),Pitts,Piper Cub,Christen Eagle,Diabolo
and Fairchild PT-19.

They are all part of an era that produced wonderfull planes and kits.OK Models here really presents masterpieces,not only for
the good looks,but also for their flying qualities.
Have a nice day.
Socrates

mikmerl

Pilot Pt-19 and Tiger Moth for sale on ebay .................... worth a look


http://www.ebay.com/itm/NIB-Fairchil...item33913c32f5

http://www.ebay.com/itm/DeHavilland-...item1e8dccd7ef

http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-Pilot-Fa...item1e8e092d2b

Rockster

mikmerl and others,

I too was looking for a 1/4 Decathlon kit but have given up on finding one. It seems to be one of the most sought after of all the Pilot kits. I do know of a member who will be selling a Pilot Tiger Moth 1/4 kit very soon with a lot of true scale accessories, but his 1/4 Decathlon is already built. Just to rub it in my face I happen to be in a local Antiques shop today and there hanging from the roof was a fully built, mint/unused Pilot 1/3.5 Pitts S2A. Asking $550....temptation is a .......

For my Pilot Decathlon 1/4 I have decided I will be reconstructing the missing parts from the plans (outerzone -thank you) and the images I see on the forums. So far I have created formers 13, 11 and 8. Eventually I plan to digitize all of the components and will recreate them on my cnc router. I am currently investigating the option of using carbon fibre foam sandwich for the formers in the absence of good quality ply and also trying to control weight. Its only theory so far as I want to finish the plans first. Once the plans are complete I will test fit everything out of Balsa first then when comfortable with fit/finish I will publish them back to outerzone...and here.

If anyone out there has a 1/4 Pilot Decathlon kit, please contact me so we can arrange to get scans of the parts. This will expedite the process immensely.

I tried contacting OK Models in Japan asking if they had any material in archives from the original Pilot models but am yet to hear back. I wont hold my breath but remain hopeful.

Just in case a 1/4 Decathlon turns up on ebay, if you see greiggsa bidding against you, please let me have it. I only want to measure the parts and will sell it again.

Thanks again Thalis69 for all the images, the memories of these kits from when I was a kid come flooding back. They were all so expensive and daunting to think of something so big. I still remember our first plane the QB40S....

LesUyeda

"I tried contacting OK Models in Japan asking if they had any material in archives from the original Pilot models but am yet to hear back. I wont hold my breath but remain hopeful."

You have no hope. I cried when that happened, and cried even more when I found out that the factory that burned down had everything that they had it in. No backups, nothing off site, nothing.

Les

Rockster

Thanks Les, at least I know where I/we all stand. Question now is I wonder if they will hold a trademark/copyright etc etc on the original stuff. If we replicate and reproduce, developing a full set of templates for each kit that we can send to the kit cutters or even start selling the whole kit including the Fibreglass Specialties cowl etc. Its not a ticket to financial mecca but for those left who thrive on Balsa dust, maybe there will be some demand.

A local hobby supplier really ticked me off the other day telling me that I am wasting his time even talking about scratch building. I just wanted some good quality ply. Apparently nobody does that anymore. The new ARF's are lighter, can do 3D better and if damaged you just get a new wing or tail etc. He said its an expensive hobby and if you cant afford it dont get involved. Pretty much ushered me out of the shop. I was nearly beaten with a stick when I suggested I was going to build a plane and use a converted weed whacker motor because that's what I have and can afford at the moment. Interesting he was the China Pilot ARF dealer.

I guess I am probably whipping a dead horse, but while I and other people out there are interested in building kits, I will pursue the revival of the much applauded OK/Pilot kits. Starting with the 1/4 Decathlon, then maybe the 1/3.5 Pitts since I can get my hands on a built one and reverse engineer it. its very early days yet.

Greig

mikmerl

I too thrive on balsa dust and pride myself on the skills that this wonderful hobby has helped develop me over decades.

I remember many moons ago how interesting the discussions at the flying field were when modelers (that’s the key word) exchanged building experiences and techniques now the discussion mostly rotate around “where did you buy it”.

I have some ARF’s for convenience but there is a total lack of pride on my behalf on owning a buy and fly aeroplane.

I sometimes smile when I come upon “build threads” in the forums where upon a fellow retrieves a completely ready model from its box that he just purchased and the daunting task he has to face to get the plane in the air is to charge the battery.

Sorry for my ramblings but the ignoramus model store owner that you described is nothing more than a box mover. I remember when model store owners were usually dedicated builders that had their workshop in the back room of the store where they disappeared to in between customers.

LesUyeda

"Question now is I wonder if they will hold a trademark/copyright etc etc on the original stuff."

Once upon a time :-))))))))))))))) "someone" in Canada was advertising OK/Pilot, but they were only offering the trainer variety of stuff. Have no idea whatever happened to that.

Les

VeeAte

Just going through some old plans I was given and came across a plan which I think may have been one of the Pilot kits.

The plane is called the "Hurricane 40-D"
It's a .40 sized bird with symmetrical foil and constant chord wings.

It looks nothing like the Hurricane from WWII.
It's an aerobatic plane by the looks.

Anyone know anything about this plane?

I am going to have a go at building off the plans.

thalis69

Thank you all for your contribution and patience in this thread.
There are a few more kits to show from the catalogues I have.
What I tried to do,opening this thread,was not only to share a few images,but also experiences and feelings about all these wonderful kits.
It is sad to read that a hobby shop owner is not interested in scratch building or building from plans or kits...But we have to admit that these are the times
we are living.The good is that this hobby is endless,limitless.Everyone can do everything he likes and always wil be more to learn.
What remains counts and how we feel about all we have accomplished.If we are having fun then it is worth it.
I feel lucky that I had the opportunity to live and learn from true modelers but I had also love about this hobby that is still paying off.
Personally,when I open a kit box and smell the balsa wood,I understand all the pleasures I gained and good times I lived and living.
Wish you all a wonderfull week.
Socrates

joebahl

My Feedback: (2)

Well said Socrates ! When these kits were on the market i had 4 children and adopted another son so i could not afford to but one. I scraatch build now and kids are grown and gone and will build one of them some day soon.

LesUyeda

"It is sad to read that a hobby shop owner is not interested in scratch building or building from plans or kits"

One must remember that hobby shop owners are in business to make money, not engaging in a hobby, although the business may have been spurred by an interest in the hobby.

Les

joebahl

My Feedback: (2)

My local hobby shop has most supplys for scratch building here in joliet , I buy my balsa tho from another online company in bulk and buy the rest of the odds and ends at the hobby shop . I also hit swap meets and there always seems to be couple guys selling a big box of balsa for next to nothing so i stock up at every chance. I have been buying from the same local hobby shop for 20 years and the owner gives me 20 percent off sticker price on most everything so i like keeping him in buisness so i can just drive 10 minutes for parts. I get my balsa from here http://www.nationalbalsa.com/default.asp joe

thalis69

ALERT to all 1/4 DECATHLON fans!There are two for sale available here in RC UNIVERSE and EBAY.
Now,regarding to the talk about the rarity of Pilot kits,it is true that there are a few planes,the giant included,that they are difficult to be found in our days.
This is also true with many kits from other makers also.That is why and this is my personal opinion,we have to try to keep all these good old designs live and flyable,among all those arfs on the fields.
By the way,any Pilot Moth Minor kit anyware,anyone?
Six more kits will be listed,three of them sailplanes:The ACE series and QB 1400,1800 and 2500.

Take care all.

MrShoes

My Feedback: (15)

The one on rcuniverse was mine, it sold in less than 3 minutes. It was in pristine condition, still had the sales slip inside. I know where there is another one for sale, but not listed. I have the 1/5 scale version and compared the 2 and found they are identical in parts and construction, just the scale is different. Maybe these parts can help you since it was my plan to build the 1/4 version some time in the future based on the 1/5 scale version. What would you guys pay for a 1/4 Pilot Decathlon in pristine condition?

joebahl

My Feedback: (2)

These plans are out there and more added every day so i scratch build everything but from waht i see these kits are going for big bucks on e-bay and other sites . Wish i could have afforded some of these when they first came out. joe

MrShoes

My Feedback: (15)

I sold mine for $425, but from the sales slip inside, the original owner paid $369 with shipping in 1982, I believe that's over $700 in today's money. The hobby was much more expensive back in the day.