ON PAGE 78 OF THE ED KAZMIRSKI'S TAURUS thread, the announcement , (press release) was made of the first Simla prototype kit, (see below). This kit was the result of a great deal of work by many different people in different parts of the world. The Simla story and the build of this kit eventually became the basis, (please refer to the PDF), of the March 2011 Simla construction article in Model Aviation magazine). I am tremendously proud of this project and all the people I worked with. From that box on the table, the very first Simla in 45 years was produced.

Recently Kevin Clark finished and flew the second prototype, and now Jeff Petroski, (owner of Classic RC Hobby, http://www.classicrchobby.com/ ), is officially releasing his beautiful, (and so far underpriced), Simla kit, (even the prototype kit was wonderful with everything fitting just like it should...and now the production kit is even better). Jeff tells me he has many advanced orders, and there will soon be nearly 50 more Simlas out there being built and flown...isn't that incredible? [X(] I think Ed Kazmirski would be gratified.

BTW...Just so you will be able to associate the names of people mentioned in this thread to their pictures, I've included a couple photos of the US part of the "Simla Development Team". Photo #1 before the first flight...Kevin Clark, (left..prototype builder and test pilot, and Jeff Petroski right...prototype builder & chief (only) engineer, and draftsman for the project). Photo #2...the three of us prototype builders pose together with my prototype after the second flight. This was the plane in the construction article, (Match 2011 Model Aviation).

Jeff packs a very informative instruction guide complete with photos as part of all his kits; it is hoped that this build thread will add to that, and be a place where building ideas can be shared. We have recently been discussing a Simla build in the EKT thread, with a lot of nice pictures etc etc. That discussion is around page 97. The Ed Kaz Taurus thread should be the general reference for all the background information on the Simla starting about page 51. In fact, the whole Simla project was "hashed out" right there on the thread in the month of April 2009, and you can see how it came to be.

Now it's time for a Simla BUILD thread...just information having to do with building. I hope you enjoy it.

Duane