As already noted, Bruce sells plans and you can download a PDF of the manual for free. I had the plans for a Venture 60 out just a few hours ago for review while I was making a list of supplies to order soon. The plans are very nice, indeed. If you can scratch build, these plans will serve you well.

Bruce also has an email list for people who want to be notified about any future Venture 60 offering. Email Bruce and get on the list. The more firm interest he has, the sooner another batch may happen. This is pure speculation on my part, for sure. But having spoken to Bruce a few times, I suspect he is a big softy at heart and it pains him to have fans of his planes go without.

I have not seen a Four Star 60 kit. I have a Mid Star and Four Star 40 Sig kit, both Bruce Tharpe designs. I also have several BTE kits. As much as I like Sig kits (I like them!), they are totally eclipsed by the quality that Bruce puts into his BTE kits. That is to say, I feel your pain. I called to order two or three Venture 60 kits a few days after Bruce sold the last one in stock. I was crushed. I spent countless hours searching here, ebay and elsewhere. It took a few months but I managed to buy one here and one on ebay. If you really must have a Venture 60, you are going to have to be both lucky and prepared to pay a premium. No, my two are *not* for sale. I have specific plans for them. I want a third kit, so I know you have some competition looking for the next one that comes along. :-) There is a smiley there, but I am not kidding. Lots of people are looking for a Venture 60, not just you and me. For what I have in mind, I will probably plan/scratch build instead of hunting down more kits because I intend to do some extreme bashing so I may as well cut my own parts. I only bought the Four Star because I could not buy more Venture 60s and the smaller 40 size will be less expensive to experiment on.

While you are looking for a Venture 60 or something to similar to make do, may I put in a big plug for Bruce's Delta Vortex? Yes, I know it is not even remotely similar to a Venture 60, but it is *so* cool. I have always had a thing for delta wings. I ordered two from Bruce recently and man, let me tell you that opening that box and rolling out the plans was devine. I have to do some home repairs and build a bigger work bench before I can build one of the Delta's; and the wait is painful. This is one beautiful box of balsa. Why be normal, eh? Why show up at the field with yet another copy of what everyone else is flying? Be radical. Go Delta! :-)

- Jan