vertical grimmace

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After being distracted by the AMA threads, I have made a decision to not look at or spend any more time in those registration drone discussions. I want to get back to enjoying my hobby and not have it become so political. So here I am! I have registered and am moving forward.

I have noticed that there are so more kits being made available of late, but I have found myself snatching up some old kits, and have gained somewhat of a stockpile.
The first 4 kits I built for radio control (starting in 1984) are in this order: 1) Goldberg Eagle 63, 2) Goldberg Sky Tiger, 3) Fliteline Scat Cat, 4) Great Planes Super Sportster .40.

Many of us airplane modelers seem to be pretty sentimental, and I am certainly one of those. While I am not really interested in having another Eagle 63, or a Scat Cat, I always loved my Sky tiger, and I lost my Super Sportster before I really got to get a lot of time with it. So those were 2 kits that I really wanted. I was lucky enough to recently have procured both of them. The original kits.

So my question: What kits are you guys looking for, or have a soft spot for from the past?

foodstick

You know, I don't think I really have a plane from my early years that I really lust for.. However as far as planes that really bring back memories of my first years of flying there is one in particular..

There was an older member in my club that flew a GIANT 1/3 Balsa USA Flybaby bipe. It was easily 3 times bigger than anything else that was being flown at my club at the time. it. He actually brought it to the field on top of his car, wings off..

It had an early gasoline conversion engine in it. and a snoopy stuffed animal in the cockpit. Every year the plane was more faded.. and Snoopy was dirtier, greasier, and mangier ! But it would just float by with those impressive flybys.. Snoopy's ears flapping in the wind.

vertical grimmace

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Our models have gotten quite a bit larger than they used to be. So I can understand why some of the planes of our past are not so appealing.

This was my Sky Tiger in 1986'. We had our club meetings at the field in the summer, and I had a more experienced member do the maiden flight for me. Funny story about this plane, I took it off with the ailerons reversed and realized it soon enough to make the necessary corrections. I was able to land it without a problem, because I was so comfortable with the plane! I have not had that luck with any other plane I made that mistake with. I ended up losing this one around 1992, because I did not put enough rubber bands on the wing, and it came off in flight. You can't see the rubber bands on a low wing.

RagwingFan

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I dove into the hobby in the 90's. Lasted little over 10 years and life took over. Just got back into last 3-4 months. What is interesting, look through a Tower Hobbies flyer. Count the pages of ARF's. Then count the pages of kits. Total turn around from my early days. I used to thumb page after page in the Tower book looking through black and white pages of kits after kits.

OK, back on track. Now that I am back, I do find myself grabbing those kits I fondly built then. They ranged from Goldbergs mainly Cubs on floats(Super Chipmunk, Extra 300 and Sukhoi were great kits and excellent flyers as well), GP Cubs, Sig 1/4 scale cubs full length and clipped, ACE Taylorcraft, Extra 230, Seamasters, Nosen kits, Robinhood 99 kits, etc. True kits.

as side note, it is crazy hard to find a hobby shop any more that carries the supplies to actually build, outfit and cover a kit. sign of the times I guess.

vertical grimmace

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I had posted this link in a Kaos thread earlier, but I thought it might be appropriate to put here. http://www.eurekaaircraft.com/

It can be hard to find kits, but actually the ones that are out there and still being produced, are better than they were when I started. I find that the wood is of much higher quality. At least if the kit cutter is doing a good job. At this point in my model aviation career, I am building a lot to plans, and getting the kits cut by a cutter.

My 2 favorites right now are National Balsa, and Bob Holman. The wood and accuracy from these 2 companies are as good as it gets. Eureka does a good job as well. Thier kits are cut with a CNC router instead of a laser, but the wood and cut accuracy are great.

The reason I mentioned Eureka though, is they provide classic kits, that many would like to build. The old pattern designs fly great.

JCOKEEFE

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Sig Astro Hog. I believe that Sig still kits it.

RWHorton

How's Rich doing? My youngest and oldest are showing interest in the hobby, I have been giving them my history of building plans for 30+ years trying to instill in them that flying is just a part of this hobby and that building is just as much fun and adds an immeasurable amount when you take what you spent several months if not years building and it really flies. I hope the hobby can survive in some form where you can still buy kits and balsa wood.

Ron

br549-2

I like a lot of the sig offerings and collect comet kits of the 60's-80's bar code and none bar code..Flyline is also in the stash, an original Berkley muskateer nib, larger peck r/c planes, and some jetco's.I plans build more today than ever, and use the kit for enlargement or shrinkage. VG, I agree with the Holman wood, my comet clipper was a sweet build except for the laminations and sanding of the ellipticle outlines. I learned to dye silk over the summer and was quite pleased with the outcome.

vertical grimmace

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Ron! How are you? Have not seen you since the WBOTR I have such fond memories of the beginning of RC combat. Montana was the epicenter.

Check it out, I finally got my big TA 152 finished. I had a botched take off and snapped it, so I need to repair it now. But I think you may like it. It was of course the weapon of choice in 1/12th scale combat!


Oh, and while we are talking about kits, avoid Precision cut kits at all cost. This TA 152 kit I got from them, and it was terrible. I replaced almost every single piece. A complete waste of $450.00

RWHorton

I have a couple of Hergett 152's ready to fly, they were the bees knees in combat. Thank to Steve for putting out some great flying planes.

That is a good looking TA 152. Still have my TF 190d-9. There is a fellow modeler somewhere in Europe that is making a 1/5 190d-9, really looking hard at that for my next build or maybe a Mokie power Navy plane.


Too bad WBOTR is in September, it is really hard for me to get down there that time of year.


Ron

vertical grimmace

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Hey Ron, If you want a 1/5th FW 190 D9, you might wanna check with Bob Holman. He has a Fiberglas fuse version, and a great wood wing kit for it. I have this kit/plane sitting in the corner waiting to build. He does not list this model on his website, but if you are interested, just shoot him an email. He is a great guy. The wood and laser cutting he provides is top notch. http://www.bhplans.com/

He also has a laser kit for a 1/5 scale HE 100 D if you want another German plane that is a little different. This is a Jerry Bates design, and very well engineered. I have one of these sitting in the corner as well. I have a lot of projects in the wings! But when I discover something I want to build, I try to grab it before it is not available anymore. THe HE 100D is listed on his website.

Not sure if you remember or not, but our beloved combat buddy Mark McCool used to fly 1/12th HE 100's at the Billings combat meets. It was just too small of an airplane to be competitive.

Here is a pic of the Holman FW 190 D 9. 80" wing, if I remember. This pic was posted in another thread. It is a very scale design, they look great.

TomCrump

I spent years looking for the IKON N'west kits that I missed buying in the 90's. Their Lockheed Vega and Cessna Airmaster topped the list.

I was able to purchase, and build, both.

Their Fairchild 24 R was also on my list, but Wendell Hostetler has filled that desire, as he did with my current build, the Luscombe Silvaire. http://www.hostetlersplans.com/ Kits are available from National Balsa and glass parts from a couple sources listed on the Hostetler site.

I've built the Holman Focke Wulf., mentioned above. It's a nice kit that builds in to a great model.

foodstick

Tom , I have to ask...
You are ALWAYS building a cool plane I don't think you ever stop from what I have seen. Do you have a giant shop full of planes? Do you sell them after awhile? or do you just fly them hard and drag home the pieces? hahhahaha I won't mention the low flight numbers on some of my planes past and present !

I just wondered if you have a giant collection of beauties or not You do stay busy....

LazeeAce

In reply to the original poster's question, I accumulated kits, mostly on eBay, or RCU, in early 2000s, before I retired. Most were planes I had wanted back in the early 80s when I began RC, but couldn't afford at the time! What I have built in the last 10 years: Goldberg Eaglet, gave it away to a beginning RCer; the 76" span Lazy Ace, which I still fly with OS 120 Surpass, a 90/120 size Super Sportster with same engine; Goldberg Super Chipmunk/0S 61, unflown; Super Kaos 60 by GreatPlanes/OS 61, unflown; House of Balsa Extra 300/OS 46AX, traded to a friend.
Kits on the shelf waiting to be built: Royal B-25, 2 Pica 1/5 Wacos, 1 Pica 1/6 Waco, Jack Stafford EAA Bipe, Sig 1/4 scale cub, a Balsa USA Thunderbug, and I couple more oldies but goodies I can't bring to mind right now.
I enjoy building as much as or more than the flying.

FireBee

My Feedback: (34)

I had a Scat Cat with a Rossi 40 back in the college days. A blast. One old kit I would love again is the King Kobra. My first big Airplane with an OS 60 Longstroke and pipe. It would land so slow in a nose high approach. I flew at Pueblo Sky Corral RC club. Great bunch of guys. Hope to make WOR someday after retired.

I too am going back to kits and plans. Cleaning garage over Christmas, I decided my 15 year old Royal Stearman, 69" WS needed to be finished. I quit as at the time I had never done a biplane and the top wing incidence and struts was too challenging. Not now after many WW-1 planes. Should be ready in a month as I'm down to adding scale details and flying wires.

TomCrump

I seem to have a large collection of hangar queens. They're ready to fly, but I've been flying ARFs instead.

I'd like to get my 1/3 Spacewalker, and the two models, posted above, maidened this year.

I have a 24X24' shop, and a 12' trailer. Both are pretty well packed to capacity. If nothing else, I need to fly some of them just to create space.

As you mention, I haven't stopped building for several years. When one is completed, I usually have another on the board within a week. I plan to take a break after I finish the Luscombe. I'll wait until Fall to start the Fairchild.

Up here,,in the great White North, there is little market for large Scale Models. Selling them is difficult, and shipping is expensive.

foodstick

I just wondered because I am packed to the gills, and you seem to build 3 to my 1 !!!!

TomCrump

That's why I built a big garage. LOL

Before my retirement, my crashing could keep pace with my building, so space wasn't an issue. After I retired, I began to run out of storage. At first, I was able to thin out the fleet by selling neglected models at a reduced price. That space has been filled. LOL

One kit that passed through my hands, but that I would still like to build, is the Bridi Rearwin Speedster. I think that IKON had one, too.If so, I'd rather build it.

52larry52

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Tom, There was a Bridi Rearwin Speedster Kit on Ebay a day or two ago. I don't know if it is sold yet as I didn't put it on my watch list.

52larry52

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Tom, The 96" Rearwin Speedster kit is still up for bids on Ebay. It's at $352 now with 10 hours to go. Let your wallet be your guide, it's too much $$$ for me!

rye

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nope still there 10 hours left at 352.99 10 bids so far

http://www.ebay.com/itm/BRIDI-1-4-SC...item51deed0045

TomCrump

Thanks, guys.

I can't purchase one right now. t. The Luscombe is eating my $$$ at the moment.

vertical grimmace

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How are the Hostettler designs to build? He has a a lot of nice stuff, and they are good sizes. In particular I like the Skybolt and the Liberty sport.

MFIGHT43

@firebee. Cool! Wish I could get that kit!

TomCrump

They're not too bad, but you have to pay attention.

I find the wood codes hard to delineate, as are some of the parts. All the info is there, but I, at least, have to study the plans well before I commit to glue.

the kit cutters make some mods, on their own. No big deal, but you have to recognize that they may cut one part, when two parts are shown.

I enjoy Hostetler designs. I may gripe about them once in awhile, but they are enjoyable builds.

If Wendell didn't produce his plans, there would be a large void in what is available to the scale builder.

If you like the Skybolt and Liberty Sport, go for it. There are plenty, here, that can offer advice if needed.