Tiporare
11-30-2006 | 10:28 PM
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From: Boerne,
TX
Tiporare
Does anyone recall who manufactured the Tipo in addition to Dick Hanson & Bill Keller? I'm wondering if there are any kits/plans/plugs remaining these days. Currently flying one now, & had a Hipo-tipo about 10 years ago...really great flyer.
12-01-2006 | 01:49 AM
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RE: Tiporare
Supposedly, the molds for the Great Planes Tiporare, Illusion, dirty birdy as well as others were all sold to Kitty Hawk Models... which doesn't seem to be in business anymore. So I'm guessing these prized treasures of aeromodelling history are sitting in some storage closet somewhere.
You can buy the plan from "Bill Northrop's Plans Service" and it is plan #2801.
I'm going to be scouring the swap meets this winter to try and find a good deal. Hopefully, they won't know what they've got.
You can buy the plan from "Bill Northrop's Plans Service" and it is plan #2801.
I'm going to be scouring the swap meets this winter to try and find a good deal. Hopefully, they won't know what they've got.
12-01-2006 | 06:56 AM
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From: Frederick,
MD
RE: Tiporare
There were several makers of different Tipo designs. I flew with Shawn Graham a few years ago in the Frederick, MD area. His dad produced a version in California. The plugs etc no longer exist. This was in the late 70's and/or early 80's.
EXCAP232
EXCAP232
12-01-2006 | 09:29 AM
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RE: Tiporare
ORIGINAL: RonRoyer
Does anyone recall who manufactured the Tipo in addition to Dick Hanson & Bill Keller? I'm wondering if there are any kits/plans/plugs remaining these days. Currently flying one now, & had a Hipo-tipo about 10 years ago...really great flyer.
Does anyone recall who manufactured the Tipo in addition to Dick Hanson & Bill Keller? I'm wondering if there are any kits/plans/plugs remaining these days. Currently flying one now, & had a Hipo-tipo about 10 years ago...really great flyer.
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My Tipo was from Aerocomposites. It featured a beautiful epoxy glass fuselage and foam wing and stabs. What I would give to have one of those today.
Ed Cregger
12-01-2006 | 02:18 PM
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From: Boerne,
TX
RE: Tiporare
stiletto660,
My current Tipo looks like the red one shown on this forum. Anhedral stab & all. It has an old K&B pumper for power.
The "Hipo-Tipo" had a slightly deeper fuse, with a pipe tunnel running down the right side. Had a OS 61 pumper w/ a pipe; used a 13x13 prop as I recall.
And it was a slow rollin' fool!
Ron
12-04-2006 | 12:29 PM
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From: st. charles,
IL
RE: Tiporare
Anyone try to call Kitty Hawk Models lately? I did some time ago, got a message from some guy. But if I remember when I originally purchased my Illusion form them it was the same way, also took a bit of doing to get in touch. I will look for the number tonight.
12-04-2006 | 06:14 PM
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From: Austin,
TX
RE: Tiporare
ORIGINAL: jquid
Anyone try to call Kitty Hawk Models lately? I did some time ago, got a message from some guy. But if I remember when I originally purchased my Illusion form them it was the same way, also took a bit of doing to get in touch. I will look for the number tonight.
Anyone try to call Kitty Hawk Models lately? I did some time ago, got a message from some guy. But if I remember when I originally purchased my Illusion form them it was the same way, also took a bit of doing to get in touch. I will look for the number tonight.
Tim
12-04-2006 | 09:17 PM
#10
RE: Tiporare
Tried sometime ago also. When I talked to the person.... the only thing he had left was 1/4 scale shoe string fuse. He also said that he did find some fuses but were not usable do to warpage and storage damage.
12-04-2006 | 11:08 PM
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RE: Tiporare
I wonder if the actual molds are still useable... those are the real treasures. Of course I don't know how to lay-up a fuse, but I'm sure a kit guy like Dan could use them.
12-05-2006 | 02:02 AM
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RE: Tiporare
ORIGINAL: stiletto660
These versions sound rare and exotic, did these look like the great planes version?
These versions sound rare and exotic, did these look like the great planes version?
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I think that the Aerocomposite version was one of the first, if not the first. It preceded the Great Planes version, of that I am sure. Both versions looked nearly identical. The difference being that the Great Planes version, while having an epoxy glass fuselage, had a built-up wooden wing.
I also had the Aerocomposite version of the Phoenix 8. Absolutely beautiful epoxy-glass work. I assumed that both models were accurate reproductions, but I'm not sure.
Ed Cregger
12-05-2006 | 03:21 PM
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RE: Tiporare
ORIGINAL: Paternguy
Ed,
My Great Planes Tipo had foam core wings and stab.
Ed,
My Great Planes Tipo had foam core wings and stab.
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I heard that they went to the foam wings too, but I'm fairly sure that the first versions had wood wings. It didn't make any sense at all at the time. The custom was fg fuselage and foam wings and stabs.
Ed Cregger
12-05-2006 | 07:07 PM
#15
RE: Tiporare
Here is the low down on the 1st Tiporares. The original version could only be built by plans from Dick Hanson which were published in (I believe) Model Builder Magazine. There was some changes made from the wooden version to the first fiberglass kit. The 1st Fiberglass Tiporares were made by Bill Keller of WK hobbies. Later down the road the molds/rights were sold to Great Planes to make the Tiporare. Both the WK and GP versions were physically the same plane. Even the building instructions were almost a perfect match with the only main difference being a name change and a "How to trim the Tipo. for flight." This part of the instructions was a shortened version in what Mr. Hanson put in the original article that was for the wooden version. From what I know.... there was never a Tiporare (plans or kit) ever offered with a built up wing.
12-05-2006 | 07:21 PM
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RE: Tiporare
ORIGINAL: impactiq
Here is the low down on the 1st Tiporares. The original version could only be built by plans from Dick Hanson which were published in (I believe) Model Builder Magazine. There was some changes made from the wooden version to the first fiberglass kit. The 1st Fiberglass Tiporares were made by Bill Keller of WK hobbies. Later down the road the molds/rights were sold to Great Planes to make the Tiporare. Both the WK and GP versions were physically the same plane. Even the building instructions were almost a perfect match with the only main difference being a name change and a "How to trim the Tipo. for flight." This part of the instructions was a shortened version in what Mr. Hanson put in the original article that was for the wooden version. From what I know.... there was never a Tiporare (plans or kit) ever offered with a built up wing.
Here is the low down on the 1st Tiporares. The original version could only be built by plans from Dick Hanson which were published in (I believe) Model Builder Magazine. There was some changes made from the wooden version to the first fiberglass kit. The 1st Fiberglass Tiporares were made by Bill Keller of WK hobbies. Later down the road the molds/rights were sold to Great Planes to make the Tiporare. Both the WK and GP versions were physically the same plane. Even the building instructions were almost a perfect match with the only main difference being a name change and a "How to trim the Tipo. for flight." This part of the instructions was a shortened version in what Mr. Hanson put in the original article that was for the wooden version. From what I know.... there was never a Tiporare (plans or kit) ever offered with a built up wing.
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The model by Aerocomposites predated GP's efforts by a few years. The first GP versions may have been made by Bridi, but they were different from what GP later sold. The first GP version came with a wooden wing. It can be found in the old model mags of the era.
As I said, it made no sense to offer a model with a beautiful fiberglass fuselage and then include a built-up wing. Built-up wings were known not to take being flown from grass fields with retractable landing installed. They simply did not hold up if built light enough to be competitive.
I'm not saying you are wrong. I'm not saying I am wrong. This is how I remember it. I've been wrong before, but I'd bet a fair amount of money on this one.
Ed Cregger
12-06-2006 | 01:15 PM
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From: st. charles,
IL
RE: Tiporare
Ok,
So it looks like Kitty Hawk is not doing this anymore. does that mean he will give up the molds? If not, is it possible to make a mold from a fuse? I have not cut into my Illusion fuse yet, except for a bit around the wing saddle area. If the molds are gone, are the rights as well? Maybe we need to put these back into production to help the BPA. I know this guy ([email protected])can cut cores for like $25.00, So is it possible?
So it looks like Kitty Hawk is not doing this anymore. does that mean he will give up the molds? If not, is it possible to make a mold from a fuse? I have not cut into my Illusion fuse yet, except for a bit around the wing saddle area. If the molds are gone, are the rights as well? Maybe we need to put these back into production to help the BPA. I know this guy ([email protected])can cut cores for like $25.00, So is it possible?
