So far everyone has built the most well-known version of the Simla...the one on the back cover of the August 1965 RCM. This one had the full 102" wingspan, and had the larger aileron modification. That mod gave Ed's Simla its unique wingtip look, (compare the wingtips with Ed holding it vs the young helper...notice the thinner ailerons.

The reason we have been building the original has been that so far everyone has wanted to get a faithful reproduction of Ed's plane before he cut the wing down to 96" for the NATS. I full expect that someone will be the first to opt for the "clipped-wing" 96" version, (which of course is still pretty big).

The 102" Simla is pretty impressive in the air, (while flying and while performing maneuvers), and reminds you of a "Jumbo-jet" while on approach for landing. When I let (then) Model Aviation editor Michael Ramsey test-hop the plane in October of 2010 I was a bit nervous about how he would appraise it, (especially because the entire plane was developed from nothing but photos and 119 words of picture caption description), but I didn't have to worry. He described it as nice-flying and predictable, and was able to set her down on the mains while holding the nose up....and on the first landing.

You will love the way the kit goes together, and the way she flies.

Duane