Some thoughts about ARFs and “classic pattern” flying.

As far as I know there is only one 60 size ARF still available that that might qualify as a “classic pattern” aircraft and that is the Global Kwik Fly 60 L 2nd Edition. One of the guys in our club has one and it doesn’t look much like any of Phil Kraft’s Kwik Flis to me. It is mostly a Kwik Fly in name only. See image below. Plus the covering is coming off and is wrinkled.

You might qualify some of the current 60 size Ugly Stick ARFs as classics but none of them that I know of are the same size as Phil Kraft’s original Ugly Stik. The original Jenson Ugly Stik was a fine flying aircraft but not exactly a hot pattern ship.

The Globe Kwik Fly and Ugly Stiks have not been much of a topic on this forum. The guys at Wing talked about building custom “classic pattern” aircraft last year but the idea apparently died.

Fortunately there are still a lot of great kits (current manufacturers and old ones on ebay/RCU) and plans available for flyers that are looking for a “classic pattern” ship. Most all of them are pretty easy and quick to build especially the glass and foam kits.