FLAPSDOWN

I've developed a renewed fascination for pattern flying, classic style. I flew in contests when I was 11-13 years old in the mid 70's in novice and intermediate. So what if I only won one contest because there were three guys entered and two crashed. Hey, they were a lot older than me anyway. I loved it and as I grow older, miss the good old days.

So, I'm starting a Dirty Birdy build with one of my old Enya 60x engines, pipe, and Rhom retracts. My dad owns a hobby shop and I stashed away several glass kits, engines and sets of Goldberg and Rhom gears. Now I just need my old Kraft signature radio. I have two that are like new. They weigh a ton, but the stainless open gimbles are probably smoother than any modern radio and the antenna must be 7 feet long, or at least it seemed that way to an 11 year old.

Can someone give me some advise on converting an old Kraft to narrow band. I'm determined to use it. My wife's gonna buy me some white bell bottoms and a big old wide belt. It'll be 70's day at the field this summer.

Bill

8178

My Feedback: (17)

Bill,

These guys can help you http://www.radiosouthrc.com/ Are your TXs AM or FM?

If you decide to replace the RX you might want to look at Futaba servos because the Kraft center pulse is off a smidge from most other modern radios and the Futaba servo output arms are keyed so that if you move them around they can be centered using the Kraft TX.

TFF

Kraft made narrow band FM modules and receivers on 72, or you can use a JR reciever if you want a more modern airborn pack. They show up on ebay all the time. My Signatures and 7Cs have them. I hear a couple of people have converted their Krafts with 2.4 modules.

crankpin

My Feedback: (15)

This is good new's. A good friend of mine, has given me a like new Pro Line Competition Serie's open gimbal transmitter. I will go this route also.

Vince

8178

My Feedback: (17)

I use RCD Hitec dual conversion narrow band receives that were made as AM and FM. You can still find them used on eb*y. They were made with Futaba, JR and other connectors.

Again be careful what servo you use or you will not be able to center the servo output arm. As far as I know only Futaba servos have the offset keying on the arm that lets you center it with a Kraft radio.

NM2K

My Feedback: (14)

All you have to do with servos that don't center is remove the case top, lift the output shaft/gear and rotate one gear notch in the proper direction, then set it back down. Now the servo is centered. Reassemble. BTDT dozens of times.


Ed Cregger

8178

My Feedback: (17)

Correct but that depends on where the feedback pot is connected in the gear train.

NM2K

My Feedback: (14)

One way or the other, you're adjusting the servo and not the transmitter's encoder timing rate. Doing so via the TX might be pushing the bandwidth limits for signals in the various CB classes of licenses that we use in the 27 MHz, 49 MHz and 72 MHz bands. Also the 50 & 53 MHz ham bands.

I'm not argueing with you, old friend.


Ed Cregger

hook57

My Feedback: (21)

Just do it, all of theseguysareright andI'm in the same boat (former pattern flyer from mid seventies - early eighties and I was probably one of those that crashed when you won). Exception isI can't find the boxes with my old Kraft equipment. Although I have one Pro-Line on its way back from Tony S. with the 2.4 mod (another one to follow), a JR Galaxy 7 with a "new" rudder knob and a Spektrum 2.4 plug-n-play and a JR 9 ch PCM, my old OSs', Super Tigres', and a Rossi ready to go, a Tiger Tail III (thanks Crankpin), a Spot on 50 for Mini (price was very right), oh yeah, a great buy on an Ace Silver Series to convert (date to be determined), and they are all Single Stick Txs'. Can't wait to get to my first SPA or Mini contest; now if I could only find a Strohs beer (even better would be a Strohs Signature bottle). Ever notice that Strohs is Shorts backwards??? Keep it going guys, the classic (old time pattern) seems destined to be resurrected.
Mark

hook57

My Feedback: (21)

I know this thread is a bit old, but just curious Bill , was/is your Dad's name Tom? Were you from the south suburbs?
Mark

AndyKunz

I'm looking for the back half of a Kraft radio. We moved twice in the past year, and somewhere along the line it got "cleaned up" on me. I'm halfway through converting it to Spektrum.

Andy

hook57

My Feedback: (21)

Andy,
I'd be interested in your Kraft 2.4 conversions if you're willing. I have three Kraft SS's that I plan to do the same with. I might have an old back cover, circa 1977), I'll check in the "antique" box.
Mark
AMA 63845

cllaurit

Are you talking about Tom from M&M Models?

FSFLYER

My Feedback: (12)

You have pinouts..... supply, modulation infromation on the Specktrum?

AndyKunz

I'm putting a Spektrum encoder in mine, as the original Kraft board was corroded (the cells leaked onto it). If the encoder had been OK, it could have been mated to a Spektrum FUT or JR module even easier. I did that for my daughter. Regular size tx's are too big for her hands, so I put a module inside a GWS tx.

Andy

hook57

My Feedback: (21)

Yes, exactly! He had two sons named Bill and I think Tom. They were in Midlothian on 147th Street. I still have some M&M decals too. I know they had built a couple of really sweet DB's , around 1979-80. (Last name was Shoen....??)

Mark

hook57

My Feedback: (21)

That's my concern too Andy. I sure would like to hit you for questions when I'm ready, okay if I PM you at that time?

Mark

Seventies Flyer

My Feedback: (4)

I have alot of Kraft radio stuff,I will give you a back cover if you still need one. Let me know

AndyKunz

Sure thing.

AndyKunz

YIKES! I guess you do! I'll be in touch.

Andy

trmcrft

My Feedback: (87)

Wow! Just stumbled to this thread whilst searching (still) for Tweety Bird info/plans. Here's a pic of my Kraft SS converted to an M*2K computer radio. i have a Proline SS being made into a 2.4 and M*2K. Nice reading 70's stuff! Gino

doxilia

My Feedback: (3)

Gino,

if you're looking for plans to build a Tweedy Bird, here you go. Rib templates included in the second file. For comparison, the third attachement is of a 75% Dirty Birdy which has the same dimensions as the Tweedy Bird. I'm thinking of building a DB20 rather than a TB.

David.

trmcrft

My Feedback: (87)

Thank You David!!!

doxilia

My Feedback: (3)

You're welcome - happy building!

David.

AndyKunz

Gino,

This would be a great place to post that picture you sent me last week. This is the place I was referring to where they would know what you had.

Andy