In the Challenge II the O.S. 1.20 was side-mounted, so the fuse was wider to hide more of the motor. The Challenge III was intended for a 2-cycle with an inverted engine and the pipe in a channel down the bottom. So the fuse could be thinner.

It was probably me in that picture holding an ARF model that World did of the Challenge II. When I first reached an agreement with John Maloney it was going to be a Model Tech ARC, which would have been a great kit. They did the Prettner Calypso. But John changed it to that ARF and it was a terrible kit. Heavy and it came apart. The one I flew though actually flew alright, but the kit was bad.

I don't think I have ever actually flown an Illusion, just watched Dave fly his. I never felt he flew it as well as a Tipo. Moving the wing up in the fuse killed some of the knife edge capability and it took more fuse angle to fly a horizontal roll. Just my opinion.

I sure hope kits can become available for the original Tipo. I'd love to do another one.