another sad day for kitbuilding.
03-06-2008, 10:57 PM
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another sad day for kitbuilding.
Tower now has the Goldberg protege 60 kit listed as discontinued.
The Lanier kits will soon be a thing of the past.
Very soon, the only .60 or larger trainer kit from Tower (read the Hobbico Conglomerate) will be the PT-60,
Very soon, the only .10 and larger sport kits from Tower will be the SIG four-star 120.
I can only wonder what Hobbico is planning after all the acquisitions it has made.
Will Hobbico bring back the kits after re-tooling in Illinois? Or were the aquisitions merely to eliminate some mainstream competition to make way for more lucrative ARF's, and the kits are never to be seen again? I hope they do come back.
I wonder if and when they will go after SIG?
Also, with the dollar getting as weak as it is, all I see is that the prices for ARF's are going to go up and up and up, and more and more are going to be priced out of reach. Same with the electronics and accessories as less and less people are involved due to rising costs.
This entire scenario is giving me some pretty bad feelings for the industry in general for the near future.
Just my rambling thoughts.
The Lanier kits will soon be a thing of the past.
Very soon, the only .60 or larger trainer kit from Tower (read the Hobbico Conglomerate) will be the PT-60,
Very soon, the only .10 and larger sport kits from Tower will be the SIG four-star 120.
I can only wonder what Hobbico is planning after all the acquisitions it has made.
Will Hobbico bring back the kits after re-tooling in Illinois? Or were the aquisitions merely to eliminate some mainstream competition to make way for more lucrative ARF's, and the kits are never to be seen again? I hope they do come back.
I wonder if and when they will go after SIG?
Also, with the dollar getting as weak as it is, all I see is that the prices for ARF's are going to go up and up and up, and more and more are going to be priced out of reach. Same with the electronics and accessories as less and less people are involved due to rising costs.
This entire scenario is giving me some pretty bad feelings for the industry in general for the near future.
Just my rambling thoughts.
03-06-2008, 11:31 PM
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RE: another sad day for kitbuilding.
So the demand for scroll saws and miters might be going up soon... I'm not even done with my first kit yet (GP PT-40), but I've been scoping out my next project and I think I'm ready to just get some sweet plans and cut my own parts... The selection of kits is certainly dwindling pretty fast.
Although, I think I want to build the SIG 4 star 60 or 120 next, then a Spacewalker.
James
Although, I think I want to build the SIG 4 star 60 or 120 next, then a Spacewalker.
James
03-07-2008, 09:27 AM
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RE: another sad day for kitbuilding.
Remember when many kits were just a box of wood with plans and few, if any, precut parts? Then Sig made a giant leap forward by printing on the sheet balsa so you didn't have to transfer the shape from the plans to the wood.
There are plenty of radio systems, propulsion systems and lots of materials available from which to build models, even if it isn't balsa. Not to worry.
Ed Cregger
There are plenty of radio systems, propulsion systems and lots of materials available from which to build models, even if it isn't balsa. Not to worry.
Ed Cregger
03-07-2008, 09:40 AM
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RE: another sad day for kitbuilding.
Maybe this will "kick start" the idea of getting back to building from plans and making your own kit parts prior to construction. Always an enjoyable experience to see that aircraft rise off the ground on its initial flight and know I cut the parts and built the plane myself. Try it!!
03-07-2008, 10:49 AM
#11
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RE: another sad day for kitbuilding.
i agree, built more than one plane from scrach.
its not warbirds but its satisfying the RC addiction.
as long as there are motors and radio systems we are good.
its not warbirds but its satisfying the RC addiction.
as long as there are motors and radio systems we are good.
03-07-2008, 10:51 AM
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RE: another sad day for kitbuilding.
i started with arfs then after rebuilding one i decided i wanted to build a kit and after a couple of kits now i am gearing up for my first scratch build. i think if i cant find kits i will buy a rcm plan or two and get cracking. i want an authentic ultrasport one day so i may go that route.
building one of these http://montanamodelworks.com/index_031.htm
and one of these first http://montanamodelworks.com/index_027.htm
met the guy who makes the plans at a swap meet and saw the airframes they looked neat.
building one of these http://montanamodelworks.com/index_031.htm
and one of these first http://montanamodelworks.com/index_027.htm
met the guy who makes the plans at a swap meet and saw the airframes they looked neat.
03-07-2008, 11:59 AM
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RE: another sad day for kitbuilding.
Yes, there is always an itch to scratch build
Even so, The kit is the way a heck of a lot of people learn about building and go on to scratch. I would love to start a scratch build, and I will by the end of this year, but it had been so long since I had built anything, 23+ years, that the kit provided a easier way to learn the old and NEW techniques.
I guess it does allow the smaller providers a nich to fill.
It seems hard for me to think that Top Flight and GP would stop kits, seing as they do generate revenue, but stranger things have happened.
Bion
Even so, The kit is the way a heck of a lot of people learn about building and go on to scratch. I would love to start a scratch build, and I will by the end of this year, but it had been so long since I had built anything, 23+ years, that the kit provided a easier way to learn the old and NEW techniques.
I guess it does allow the smaller providers a nich to fill.
It seems hard for me to think that Top Flight and GP would stop kits, seing as they do generate revenue, but stranger things have happened.
Bion
03-07-2008, 01:11 PM
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RE: another sad day for kitbuilding.
ORIGINAL: housedad
Even so, The kit is the way a heck of a lot of people learn about building and go on to scratch. I would love to start a scratch build, and I will by the end of this year, but it had been so long since I had built anything, 23+ years, that the kit provided a easier way to learn the old and NEW techniques.
Even so, The kit is the way a heck of a lot of people learn about building and go on to scratch. I would love to start a scratch build, and I will by the end of this year, but it had been so long since I had built anything, 23+ years, that the kit provided a easier way to learn the old and NEW techniques.
-MA
03-07-2008, 01:41 PM
#15
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RE: another sad day for kitbuilding.
you know what you got me into this sadness of kit disappearance.
there is another way which is even better!!!!
Fiberglass and epoxy fuselage and foam balsa sheeted wing.
the biggest problem is lack of airfields to fly it, and i dont want to mention the big brother restrictions.... with the new GPS systems.
that maybe something to worry about....
hey a little bit of paranoia helps me to remain a free man.
Alex
there is another way which is even better!!!!
Fiberglass and epoxy fuselage and foam balsa sheeted wing.
the biggest problem is lack of airfields to fly it, and i dont want to mention the big brother restrictions.... with the new GPS systems.
that maybe something to worry about....
hey a little bit of paranoia helps me to remain a free man.
Alex
03-07-2008, 03:00 PM
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RE: another sad day for kitbuilding.
Soon all the sport kits for real building will be gone. Maybe it is time for us builders to go to Toledo and buy up what we cn afford.
03-07-2008, 04:11 PM
#18
RE: another sad day for kitbuilding.
These days we have Top Flite . Back in the day I loved Carl Goldberg kits. These days we have LOTS of plans available and a lot of custom kit cutters. There is a positive to this ARFs bring folks into the hobby that never would of considered building a kit .
Regarding the ever shrinking value of United States currency :how bad can it get??[&o]
Regarding the ever shrinking value of United States currency :how bad can it get??[&o]
03-07-2008, 04:13 PM
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RE: another sad day for kitbuilding.
Question for those that have been in this hobby for a long time(10+ years)... have you noticed if boards, such as RCU, have sparked new interest in kit building?
I started with a kit... finishing my 7th build now and ready to start my 8th... having RCU as a resource definitely helped make this happen.
somegeek
I started with a kit... finishing my 7th build now and ready to start my 8th... having RCU as a resource definitely helped make this happen.
somegeek
03-07-2008, 04:21 PM
#20
RE: another sad day for kitbuilding.
You know thats "good news" I'm doing the 07 errr 08 Stinson build simply to help those considering building a kit. It takes more time to build taking pictures and doing posts,however is worth the time an effort if it brings new builders on line[8D]
03-07-2008, 04:32 PM
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RE: another sad day for kitbuilding.
Couldn't agree more!
I've done a few build threads as well(Sig LT-40, Sig SE, Herr Pitts Special, Stryker and a number of other things). I like sharing the information with others to help and also get feedback from others with things I could be doing better or change. This site is what, six years old? That's a ton of info in the archives... heck of a resource.
I imagine a resource like RCU's message board community is indispensable to folks that don't have a club to go to or LHS to get help from but do want to get started in this hobby.
somgeeek
I've done a few build threads as well(Sig LT-40, Sig SE, Herr Pitts Special, Stryker and a number of other things). I like sharing the information with others to help and also get feedback from others with things I could be doing better or change. This site is what, six years old? That's a ton of info in the archives... heck of a resource.
I imagine a resource like RCU's message board community is indispensable to folks that don't have a club to go to or LHS to get help from but do want to get started in this hobby.
somgeeek
03-07-2008, 06:38 PM
#22
RE: another sad day for kitbuilding.
ORIGINAL: housedad
Tower now has the Goldberg protege 60 kit listed as discontinued.
The Lanier kits will soon be a thing of the past.
Very soon, the only .60 or larger trainer kit from Tower (read the Hobbico Conglomerate) will be the PT-60,
Very soon, the only .10 and larger sport kits from Tower will be the SIG four-star 120.
I can only wonder what Hobbico is planning after all the acquisitions it has made.
Will Hobbico bring back the kits after re-tooling in Illinois? Or were the aquisitions merely to eliminate some mainstream competition to make way for more lucrative ARF's, and the kits are never to be seen again? I hope they do come back.
I wonder if and when they will go after SIG?
Also, with the dollar getting as weak as it is, all I see is that the prices for ARF's are going to go up and up and up, and more and more are going to be priced out of reach. Same with the electronics and accessories as less and less people are involved due to rising costs.
This entire scenario is giving me some pretty bad feelings for the industry in general for the near future.
Just my rambling thoughts.
Tower now has the Goldberg protege 60 kit listed as discontinued.
The Lanier kits will soon be a thing of the past.
Very soon, the only .60 or larger trainer kit from Tower (read the Hobbico Conglomerate) will be the PT-60,
Very soon, the only .10 and larger sport kits from Tower will be the SIG four-star 120.
I can only wonder what Hobbico is planning after all the acquisitions it has made.
Will Hobbico bring back the kits after re-tooling in Illinois? Or were the aquisitions merely to eliminate some mainstream competition to make way for more lucrative ARF's, and the kits are never to be seen again? I hope they do come back.
I wonder if and when they will go after SIG?
Also, with the dollar getting as weak as it is, all I see is that the prices for ARF's are going to go up and up and up, and more and more are going to be priced out of reach. Same with the electronics and accessories as less and less people are involved due to rising costs.
This entire scenario is giving me some pretty bad feelings for the industry in general for the near future.
Just my rambling thoughts.
I found some thin aluminum sheet stock at Home Depot and I’m in the process of making the various templates/fixtures to knock out my favorite model any time I need one.
I’m slowly weaning myself off of the larger models and going back to 40-60 size. With a recession on the horizon I feel that I need to use what I’ve got and try and conserve my resources.
I don’t think it’s going to get any easier in the near future. Fuel is getting more expensive as are supplies. I’m going to “try” and make an effort to keep my money here in the USA by buying used when I can.
03-07-2008, 08:00 PM
#23
RE: another sad day for kitbuilding.
Go for it! Way back in 1985 I decieded I wanted to build a 70's vintage pattern airplane. Much to my surprise the kit was no longer available so I ordered plans from M.A.N. magazine and proceeded to cut out a kit .....and then build the plane.
Here is an picture and two paint jobs later its too heavy to perform but I still have it. Later built a CL-215 as from M.A.N. plans,a stinson SR-3 from Model Builder plans followed by a Stinson from RCM plans and sweet 33" P-40 also from their plans, that has been framed up and hanging around a while now in the shop and soon might get a 480 brush less.I must say some recient plans that I have bought seem best done by a lasor kit cutter-
Here is an picture and two paint jobs later its too heavy to perform but I still have it. Later built a CL-215 as from M.A.N. plans,a stinson SR-3 from Model Builder plans followed by a Stinson from RCM plans and sweet 33" P-40 also from their plans, that has been framed up and hanging around a while now in the shop and soon might get a 480 brush less.I must say some recient plans that I have bought seem best done by a lasor kit cutter-