Hello,
I have just found one of my Dads old MAP plans handbooks from 1974, and in the aerobatic section are some good looking planes.
There are the usual Phil Kraft's Bar Fli and Slik Fli which I have heard of and the Superstar by Wolfgang Matt.
Also show are :
Marabu, the 1969 and 1970 world champs winner
Skyliner by M franklin
A STYX by P Marriot
Spitpanzer
Equaliser


Never seen them before but they look quite good, anyone built one of these recently?
Regards,
Rod

I have been flying a Superstar (2, with retracts, there was at least 3 variations) for about 8 years, and competing in the modern world with it, it still wins contests. Marabu and Skyliner are on my 'to do' list. Marabu will fly a bit like a heavy Taurus, Skyliner like an Orion. Which is complimentary, by the way. Equalisers' designer (Stu Foster) is still around, still flying I believe and living in jolly old England. It will be quick. Stu took one to the ('69?) world champs. It is a Thunderstormer (Spreng) variation. The Thunderstormer plans are still available too, and another one you should consider.
Evan.

I would say more a Twister (Spreng) variation

Ray

You could say that RFJ, but in the RCM&E article Stu mentions only that the Thunderstormer he was flying had got a bit heavy, so he took the best bits of it into his new (Equaliser) design. Doug must have done much the same exercise, and come up with a remarkably similar result, Twister. Perhaps the two models were hatched about the same time. But enough speculation, lets not let this turn into another Taurus thread, what! I have a Veco .61 NIB that I think will be perfect for a Thunderstormer, when I get it built. So many planes, so little time...
Evan.

?

i understood perfectly.

Thanks, David. Anyway, for the inquisitive, Equaliser construction article, RCM&E April 1969. Marabu (1969 WC model) RCM&E, Jan. 1970. Strangely enough, Bruno traces Marabu back to Pelican, and Pelican is another Taurus variation. Marabu still has the wrapped leading edge legacy from the earlier designs. Quite complex, Marabu, progressive wing sections and washout, retracts too. Leading edge stuff back in 1969. I really do have enough models, I really do have enough models....
Evan.

Couldn't agree more but.......Stu does also mention the Twister in the Equaliser article and it was first published in RM February 1968, over a year before the Equaliser. Anyway, who cares

Stu is still active. This is just part of his classic aerobatic models collection.

You can never have too many models, you can never have too many models.......................

Ray

Nice pic Ray! A Brooke's Crusader and an early Kwik Fli. Which MK is the Kwik Fli, do you know?

FB

FB,

I believe it's a Mk1. He also has the most amazing collection of vintage radios I have ever seen. I think you will like this shot of his Nimbus

Ray

I believe that you're correct on the MK. I have the RCM plans for the MKI and MKII. Comparing them shows that the MKI has a straight L/E & T/E on the stab, while the MKII has a tapered L/E & T/E on the stab. Also, the MKI is plan #130 and the MKII plan #146. Thanks for posting the great pics! Got anymore?

Awesome shot of the Nimbus! Thanks!

FB

Yes RFJ, read it again when I found the mag. Twister must have been an influence, even if not a deliberate one. I see Stu has an Uproar and an Astro Hog as well as a Nimbus. I remember his earlier Nimbus from old RCM&E's when he was a 'young gun'. Weather permitting I will be flying my Nimbus tomorrow/today. Nice airplane and you're right, you can't have enough models, you can't have enough models...
It's just time that I haven't got...
Evan.

He sure does. Here are a couple of better shots. Also note, like all the best classic pattern pilots, he flies mode1

Ray

You mean there's another 'mode?'
Evan.

Rodders,

Sorry to drag your thread a bit off topic. To comment on the designs you mention -

Marabu (1970) Interesting design but, as Evan said, quite an involved construction job. Needs retracts to look correct.

Skyliner(1964) A bit of a barge. Too old school for me and rather ugly. Not my cup of tea. No real contest pedigree.

Styx (1969) Unusual shoulder wing layout for something a bit different..... but it's French

Spitpanser(1969) One of my favourite designers, I like all Rich Brand's models. His Tigerpanser is also worth considering.

Equaliser(1969) From the ballistic model era. Too small and fast for me. If I wanted this type of model I would build a Twister.

Having said all that, the design I would choose would be a Superstar. I had a couple years ago and it is one of the best flying models of it's era. Mr Matt developed it over several years so it would be authentic with or without retracts. Mine were Mk1s with fixed gear.

Just my opinion - feel free to differ.

Ray

Wow Ray! Do you have more pics of the Crusader?

I'm afraid not, but here's a close up of the Crusader from the same picture and a shot of Stu's Candy.

Ray

Here's a few pics of a Crusader that I took with my phone camera that was on display at this year's WRAM show. Between this model and the Taurus that was on display in the Vintage Society booth, it was a good day!

FB

Rfj What a fantastic colletion I the model it,s about no.5 with the yellow fuesalarge , a Gee string From the Map plans range i have the plan in my loft i think !

It certainly is Neilmac52. These shots were taken in Stu's back garden in Lincolnshire some years ago so goodness knows how many more he's built since then. Here is another of his Gee String. Get that plan down and start building

Ray

I'm with RFJ about Superstar, has to be the pick of the bunch. As I said earlier, mine competes against the 2M jobbies, and gets podium finishes, and believe me, it ain't the pilot. A very straight, honest airplane, but looks the best with the wheels up. Judges these days are so used to seeing these modern things flying around with stalky 2 wheel gear and misplaced spats, that when you hit the retract switch and the legs fold away they give you an automatic '10' no matter how bad the takeoff. Same with landing, a nice circuit with the wheels extending 'on centre' downwind, and so long as you don't do a go-around, full marks again. Easy points.
Evan.