Purchased this at an auction along with some other items, it was thrown in to make the pile move. The wing cores say "Bootlegger", and I understand it was quite the pattern plane in it's day. I did not get plans or much else. Is this worth anything-I'll never put it together. Looks like a 60 size and a rather nice fiberglass fuse.

That's a Bootlegger alright. Almost all of the classic airframes are 60 sized because of the smaller displacement limit compared to today. I've never flown one, but there's a guy at our club that is building one now. It's a pretty neat airplane. You could definitely sell it at a decent price.

Nope - it's junk and you should send it to me to dispose of.

Actually, they are really nice planes. They're designed for a rear-exhaust, piped 60 motor. If you look on your fuse you can see the cutout in the nose for the motor, and the cutout in the canopy for the tuned pipe to go through. Build it!!

If it's OK, I would like to pick up the freight since your covering disposal. I don't think I'll ever build it-to many other projects on the table. I would like to see a nice picture of one.

I did the "Field and Bench" article on it for Model Airplane News back in 1979. It is designed for a rear exhaust piped engine. Flies great with a lot of power. Yours is the original Southern R/C kit with a blue polyester glass fuse. They were later produced by someone else for a while with epoxy glass fuse, but I don't remember who. Wouldn't mind having another one myself. Enjoy!

RCDENT-Do you have an e-mailable copy of the artical, I can't seem to find mine!! Thanks for the info-I like the thought of owning "The Original" anything.

Glad to see some pics up... I guess the "Kit Building" thread got removed?? Looks to be in great shape! Wish I had been first to call "dibbs". [&:]

There's a very bad picture of one of mine here:
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_64...tm.htm#6680109

The Bootlegger from RCDENT's review in the April 1979 issue of MAM.

frenchie79 - if you still need a copy of the review PM me your e-mail address and I will send it.

Ray

I ran across the kit instructions the other day. I can lay my hands on them if you need them.

That would be fantastic-I thank-you. I'm very interested in how this plane goes together. I have had several PM's on builders interested in this plane. I would be happy to sell it to someone who knows this plane and would build it. Just need to find out what the fuse/wing cores are worth.

Frenchie-

What you have is pretty much a complete kit. As I recall, there wasn't much in the way of drawings as it was considered an experienced builder's model anyway. And I think most of us selected our own wood.

You'll get the most on ebay, of course. But if you pass it along to one of the forum members you can be assured it will get built and flown and you'll feel better about it knowing where it's gone.

My guess is you should get $300-500 for it.

I don't see where it could be worth that much. I don't believe everthing is their to build. I certainly would sell it for those numbers-any takers?

PS-your right-I won't go on e-bay-never have and never will-would love to see the plane finished and not resold?

Frenchie,

Your airplane is sold, I absolutely must have it! I built one as a teenager for a pal in TX...

Rusty Dose
RCU Handle: BERUSTY
(312) 580-6838 office
(800) 753-2327
Chicago, IL

There you are, Frenchie. The rules of supply and demand at work.

Note to builders:

The first Bootleggers had an anhedral stab as did mine that I built for the M.A.N. article. Many later ones, including those flown by Steve Helms himself, had straight stabs. At the time, it was considered important to have 3/16 " balsa or foam underneath the fiberglass pipe floor to act as heat insulation between the pipe and radio compartment, and I think it's still a good idea. The Bootlegger is similar to Rhett Miller's "Compensator" and I think shares the same airfoil. The original Southern R/C kit was pretty basic, and I don't remember if it came with sheeting or not. I don't think there was ever a pre-sheeted or ARC version.

I don't know if the original molds are still around, but it may be prudent to loan the fiberglass parts to a kit manufacturer like Carolina Custom so that the Bootlegger kit can be reproduced.

RCDENT is correct that the wing was basically the same as the Compensator. The main difference in the cores was that the Bootlegger's leading edge was glued-on balsa stock. The Compensator's leading edge was part of the foam core, and the sheeting was wrapped around it. By the way, my dad has some stuff laying around he wants to empty out of the attic... including an original Southern R/C Bootlegger fuse and Compensator wing cores (not sure if we have the stab cores or not).

Enclosed is photos that I took at the FAI Team Selection in Huntsville, Alabama, 1981. The individual in the bottom photo starting the engine is Steve Hems which made the team.

Ed

I forgot to mention that the airplane that Steve was flying is a Bootlegger.

Ed

The Plane has quite the history, I would really love to see one fly. Never been to a pattern event, maybe this summer if i find something nearby.

If so, you may want to hang on to this until then.... Once you go to an event and see them fly, you will be hooked. This way when you have the itch to build one it will be there and you will have a rare bird to fly in the classic pattern class. I have a Fliteglas Pagan MKII waiting to be built (vintage mid 60's kit)... I have the pattern Bug and can't wait to have it in the air, but it is so hard to find building time during flying season.

I hope not! My real passion is like most-Warbirds, and I know their boring to fly, but I love them. The last couple years have been basic kits and sport models. This year I'm going to fly some 3D and get that under my belt. But long term will be old military planes. You are right though, one can change. I hope to attend an event this summer.

Okay, guys. I scanned in the two Bootlegger instructions I have and they can be downloaded at http://www.mindspring.com/%7Erellis2...rn/bootlgr.doc

It's 3 megs so be warned.

1979 Tangerine