My first REAL pattern plane was an MK Curare, you know, the Hanno Prettner Beauty? What a magnificent kit: superb wood and hardware throughout! I was lucky and bought it ($37) at the auction in 1987, and had it ready for the '88 contest season, and did very well with it. Three firsts, and one second place finish in Novice.
About 2 years ago, I saw an MK Curare 40 kit on the hobby shop shelf. It cost me a hunnert bucks! (sp, lol) It was new in the box, but it is old. The wood is just as superb as the 60 I had long ago. I'll probably never build the kit, but cut my own balsa and fly it. You just cannot believe how good the wood is in an MK kit. Its a show-and-tell item just sitting in the box.
I would really like to see MK kits over here. I'd buy 'em!