This evening we were looking at a Mach 1 from an estate and noticed a stamp on the balsa inside that said Hecho en Mexico. Was there a Mexican manufacturer of Mach 1 kits or ARCs or was it maybe just a south of the border balsa distributor?

Dave

Yes, at one time there were Mexican ARF and R/C system manufacturers (EK/Logictrol and Hobby Lobby). I forget if it was in the seventies or eighties for the ARFs. I know that the Hobby Lobby R/C rigs were made in the seventies.


Ed Cregger

Yes they were manufactured in Matamoros. Tamaulipas . México just across the border from Brownsville. Texas. also EK Logictrol radios were assambled in the same factory .

That's an old MACH 1 you looked at, that factory was there around the 70's.

Dont remember well but they build some other ARC's there.

Mach 1...by NAME, Inc?

I would say 1975 - 1977.

I believe the models were marketed and I assume the brain-child of modeler/marketer Jim Simpson (Ace R/C, Extra 260...) who marketed them under the name of "NAME, Inc." If I am correct they also made the Kaos, Dirty Birdy and other popular kit of the era. They were beautifully crafted, sanded and came with virtually no instructions or drawings.

I remember this because of my weekly visits to Bud's Hobby shop in Omaha to inspect the newly arrived merchandise. Jim was a pal of Bud and dropped off a few dozen models for Bud to offer. I thought it was cool how they could be so well sanded without motors or any of the equipment installed.

Rusty Dose
Team Futaba

Hey, thanks guys! Very interesting.

Dave

Could we be talking about Model Merchant? There was a nice guy named Don ( recently deceased) that worked for EK in Texas. He imported some really nice ARF's from Mexico. I believe Ted White flew one at our field one day at the Mesquite Texas field. It flew great until he wiped it out on a low slow roll. They were uncovered with really good craftmanship showing. They were very affordable too.