True Dan-John Goodall was the major agent (possibly the only agent for AH in the UK). I know John quite well, and have visited him on several occasions during my infrequent trips to the UK. I also wrote quite extensively for MEW when he published it.The AH Kalper replica was of the original Kalper prototype, with a straight in venturi, the VA one a replica of the production model-with the characteristic stepped intake tract. In my hands the VA is 1000rpm faster on a Cox black 6x3-(8,000rpm vs 7,000 for the VA)-quite a major difference.
......to misfit sailor-the STEEL Russki's are generally OK-it is the ABC ones that gave problems-and these cropped up most notably with the Mills 75 and Elfin 1.49 replicas when they first appeared on the market.
...to jack hiner-there was quite a bit of feedback given to the Russians, and no doubt they took some of it on board. The Russian Elfins are still available today-in both steel and ABC formats from time to time. Whether they are in current PRODUCTION is another matter, as there could have been a large batch made some time ago and drip fed on to the market. I have 3 of the ABC ones, plus a genuine Ivor F made Australian one, plus an original. The Australians only allow the use of the steel version in their vintage events, whereas in New Zealand we don't make the distinction. My ABC Millski, however does not handle and start anything like as well as an original, or an Irvine, or an original Australian made Doonside Mills-and several other NZ modellers of my acquaintance confirm the findings. Mind you NZ is awash in Mills 75's so we have a lot of corporate knowledge, experience and standards to compare them against.

Ian Russell's stuff is very nice-and he's now doing the Amco 87 in several versions. I've looked long and hard over the Jaguar (and its derivative the Cheetah) but haven't yet succumbed to the temptation.

'ffkiwi'