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old kits good for flying or just collecting - 3/23/2004 3:15:54 PM   
DoubleUgly



Posts: 33
Joined: 10/8/2003
From: Erlanger, KY, USA
Status: offline 		I am looking at buying a Ringmaster S6 on Ebay that is a complete kit but its just old. My question is the wood still good or does time age it to the point where it would not be good to build the plane and fly it? Thanks for the help.

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In thrust I Trust
       Post #: 1

RE: old kits good for flying or just collecting - 3/23/2004 7:35:43 PM   
mclintock



Posts: 1090
Joined: 2/5/2004
From: Brighton, MA, USA
Status: offline 		My wife asked me why I had so many un-built model kits and I told her I was letting them 'cure' so the balsa would be more stable and lighter.

I wasn't really lying, as wood for any purpose must be dried, usually for at least a year.

I honestly believe that unless the wood has gotten wet, or bugs have eaten it, that fifty year old balsa may indeed be better than new-
It's drier and absorbs glue better.. maybe..
My reasoning is that old buildings, furniture and musical instruments are made of wood and they never need to have the wood replaced due to simple age, it's always termites or fire or moisture induced rot..

Only my personal theory..

Plus old kits have that feel to them that lets you live in the past just a little-- the plans, the old engine drawings..
the teeny price printed on the box compared to what you might pay now days..

..so I say, Build 'em!

< Message edited by mclintock -- 3/23/2004 7:40:12 PM >

(in reply to DoubleUgly)
       Post #: 2

RE: old kits good for flying or just collecting - 3/24/2004 1:32:59 AM   
dennis



Posts: 1307
Joined: 1/7/2002
From: Minersville, PA, USA
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: mclintock

My wife asked me why I had so many un-built model kits and I told her I was letting them 'cure' so the balsa would be more stable and lighter.

I wasn't really lying, as wood for any purpose must be dried, usually for at least a year.

I honestly believe that unless the wood has gotten wet, or bugs have eaten it, that fifty year old balsa may indeed be better than new-
It's drier and absorbs glue better.. maybe..
My reasoning is that old buildings, furniture and musical instruments are made of wood and they never need to have the wood replaced due to simple age, it's always termites or fire or moisture induced rot..

Only my personal theory..

Plus old kits have that feel to them that lets you live in the past just a little-- the plans, the old engine drawings..
the teeny price printed on the box compared to what you might pay now days..

..so I say, Build 'em!



I also favor building them thats why I have a room full of them. I really will build them all. At least that's what I told myself when I bought them.
One thing to watch on old kits is that balsa wood as it dries can become quite brittle as the moisture leaves. Another thing is that really dry wood cannot be glued with modern CA type glues, also because there is no moisture to kick it unless you moisten the wood or accellerate it.
Yes the feel of an old kit is a real nostalgia trip so is the tiny price that you couldn't afford at the time
And to agree again withMclintock, build them otherwise your family will have to get rid of them when your gone, and the landfill is not a good place to have them end up in.
Dennis

(in reply to mclintock)
       Post #: 3

RE: old kits good for flying or just collecting - 3/24/2004 3:53:48 AM   
Old Sourdough



Posts: 107
Joined: 7/12/2003
From: Ruksakinmakiak, AK, USA
Status: offline 		It's my experience that, even though the S-6 kit has a bit less wing area than the standard S-1 (or S-1A), it usually builds a bit lighter because ot the built up fuselage instead of the standard version's profile fuselage.

The S-6 Ringmaster, by the way, is called the Super Ringmaster. Be prepared to pay up to $100.00 for a prime specimen at eBay.

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The Old Sourdough
Ruksakinmakiak, Alaska, US of A

(in reply to DoubleUgly)
       Post #: 4

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