Sorry Rob, but I only have the Tauros kit that will soon be ready to fly.

Porter

I don't know about Jim, ......but I just happen to have a Kwik Fli kit of Jeff's

Duane

So do we get a three-way going here?
If Duane is willing to part with the Kwik Fli, he and I negotiate a price.
Then if all works out, I pay Duane for the Kwik Fli, Duane sends it to Rob and Rob sends me the Simla?

sounds good to me. I will pull it out this afternoon and take pics.Rob

http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/atta...mentid=1933665http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/atta...mentid=1933666The kit is still packed as received, if this goes I will double box the kit for extra protection.Rob

I am curious how much did the Simla kit cost? I'm hoping it comes back soon...

I don't remember what I paid,( in the 250 range)but the amount of wood and work put into this kit not much profit im sure. I also have the King Altar kit they made . I am still looking for a kwik fli kit if someone wants, I will buy it if not interested in trades.Rob

It sold for under $200 I believe. Jeff always wanted to keep the price down. I hope the kit will come back...I think it will...it's just a matter of time. I've talked to him about it from time to time, but Jeff just doesn't have the time due to accepting a new job, and the travel it requires.

By the way...did you see the Simla on page 82 of the December Model Aviation. If you are "out there", I'd love you to comment on your model.

Duane

Hey guys love all the info and pics of the simla ,I have built the Taurus from plans ,I would really like to build the Simla i know you can't buy the kit anymore and just wondering if anyone out there knows of plans that i can get to build the Simla.

Mike

You can order them from Model Aviation plans service. Full size--lots of paper. Use contest balsa unless you have a big engine like a 120. The prototype flew adequately on a 2-stroke OS .91.

Duane

Duane thanks i will look into that,and yes i was thinking about putting a 120 four stroke,i know build ing lite plus strong is the key to any rc plane they just fly better, also i will be using modern covering (monokote),i had built the Taurus in came in at 5 1/4 lbs complete, i installed a LA 46 engine with a 12-6 prop she flies great here is a pic of it.http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/atta...mentid=2000737

Hello guys
Decided to sell my nib .never opened
Simla kit as I am never going to build it ..
Looking for 190.00 plus shipping
Let me know
Larry 386-473-9527

I'm not sure Jeff originally sold the kit for that much, but it is no doubt worth it. I always told Jeff he didn't charge enough for such a complete kit--this plus the kit is no longer in production. Jeff's kits are on indefinite "limbo". They may someday be re-released, but I have no idea when.

The Simla is a nice-flying plane and is perfect for the guy who wants to bring and fly something different. It is also historical, celebrating it's 50th year in 2015. Not every plane has a story behind it now-a days.it. :D

Duane Wilson

here is picture inside box
duane ,,i paid like 155 plus shipping
so my asking price is to cover only what i got in it . would like to pass this on to someone who will BUILD it
as i have a taurus flying now

http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/atta...mentid=2044614

Sold in one day
Good luck with the build George
Thanks again Larry

OK, let's change the subject a little back to the "Ed Kazmirski's Taurus" thread, which eventually led to this thread. If you are one of the brave readers who has trudged through the whole Ed Kaz Taurus thread, you will remember that a relatively small group of us, (Cees from the Netherlands, Ray from Belfast, North Ireland, Evan from New Zealand, and Burkhard from Germany--in addition to myself and a host of others), made up the bulk of replies to that thread as we researched anything having to do with Ed, his RC career, and his designs. We tried to figure out what came first, what came next etc and made up time lines covering Ed's 11-year tenure as RC's first "superstar". We worked together, we sometimes fought amongst ourselves, (the thread was "cleaned up" numerous times), but we accomplished and learned a lot in the process. Mixed in with all our ill-conceived personal opinions, (and what can charitably be called "rubbish"), is a lot of good information on Ed--it is probably the best single source of documentation on Ed Kazmirski and his planes for those interested in this remarkable pioneer of RC.

The Simla discussions started around page 51 of that thread, and we worked out many if not most of the mysteries concerning the Simla over a period of 1-1/2 months in mid 2009. It's hard to believe that was five years ago. The entire Simla project took 18 months from the date of its first mention until we made the first flights of the prototype on October 3rd 2010. The Simla article was printed in the March 2011 issue of Model Aviation, then this build thread was born a little later.

I've said all that in order to "set the table" for the most recent phase of the Simla project just completed. It might be of interest to anyone who was involved with either the Kaz thread, (started in 2008) or this one. Evan, Ray, Burkhard, Cees, Ray Kunz, (and many others), got to "KNOW" each other pretty well, (kind-of like RC "brothers"), as we met and worked together on the two threads even though we were from different countries, (even continents) and we never actually met in person. Some plans, design materials, data sources, (even original genuine Ed Kazmirski propellers) were exchanged back and forth over the months and years when the Ed Kazmirski Taurus thread was the hottest thing in the RC Classic Pattern category, (that thread didn't become #1 in views by accident).

I told each of them, (Evan, Ray, and Burkhard), that I'd love to meet each of them personally someday, even though the prospects for a meeting seemed kind-of dim. Well, time passed and I lost the close touch that we had over time. There were a few e-mails, but not much... but then things were about to change.

I retired a few months ago, and the freedom gave me the opportunity to tag along with my brother on a business trip of his to Germany. When I learned of this opportunity I hoped that Burkhard, (USTIK in the threads), might still be interested in a meeting some five years later. Fortunately for me he was, and we made plans to meet personally in mid-November. I had never been to Europe, and Burkhard turned out to be the PERFECT travel host as we got together for several days.

I took the train down to Augsburg and he met me at the train station. I got the chance to see all kinds of things that you can only see if an experienced "guide" shows them to you--all the history, the sights--everything. We even got the chance to go to Salzburg, Austria for a day. It was fantastic, and a trip I will never forget. Burkhard, I can't thank you enough for everything you did and the time you set aside to visit with me. All I can do is invite you to the US, and I'll return the favor.

We happened to be the same age, but Burkhard is much more used to walking miles, (kilometers) without batting an eye than I was. I thought me legs were in good shape--they weren't. He wore me out!!

I know this entry is already pretty long, but just one more thing. Burkhard was also our "simulator specialist". By plugging in the various parameters of the Simla, we knew months in advance how the Simla would look, and perform when finished. That was a great encouragement to us as we worked on the project. It was great to finally sit at your desk in Augsburg and fly your simulations of the Simla and other planes, (see photo--these are the only photos of us together--I'm glad we took the time to make the picture).


Thanks again Burkhard, (UStik). On the way home I flew OVER Ireland, and would still like to meet Ray (if you're still dialing into RCU), and someday trace my Irish roots. I might even make it to New Zealand some day and surprise Evan. You can never tell.http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/atta...mentid=2056569http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/atta...mentid=2056570

OK which of you is the handsome one?
Seriously, that is really cool. There is a lot of history tied up in these aircraft and the folk that designed and built them. Its nice to see some connections.

How do I answer that? I guess I am the more handsome one, and he is the more sophisticated and cultured. :cool: I had a lot of anticipation about finally meeting Burkhard after over four years since we had a lot of interaction on this forum--I think he felt the same way. Other than being taller, (and more suave and debonair), than I suspected, he was exactly the way I had pictured him. We had a great time, and I look forward to returning the favor someday.

Duane

Thanks! Did you get any feel for whether there is more or less interest in these classic pattern aircraft in Europe? Has Jeff indicated any interest in restarting his kit business? His kits were really good values.... I know he got really busy with work, but it sounded rewarding.

Perhaps a little late with this information, but it seems that a Simla short kit is available here:

http://eurekaaircraft.com/plan_kits/simla.htm

The page says it's from Model Aviation plans revised by Jeff Petroski & Duane Wilson.

At $199, the price is definitely higher than what I paid for the full kit from Jeff. (I'm working on the Simla again, using a second kit I bought from Jeff before he ran out.)

There are a number of other classic pattern plane kits also listed.

Cheers,
Richard

I know Jeff's heart is with his model kit business, and it looks like after a very long time, Jeff is planning on getting more involved http://www.classicrchobby.net/

Please don't hold your breath however, as he is still very busy.

Jeff's kits were not only "good values", they were a "steal". When he'd say he wasn't making enough on his kits, II used to tell him he was giving them away. I have suggested to him that if/when he offered kits again, that he offer short kits including all the essentials at a more reasonable price so he can made a reasonable profit. Only he knows what he will do.

Duane Wilson.

I can only guess that someone told Don that they wanted a Simla kit but they were no longer available. I was very surprised and disappointed to see the Simla kit on his web site. When I told Jeff he was upset...neither of us was ever notified about what he was doing. It would have been a nice gesture on his part to check with us first, but "that's life" in business...

Don't be surprised if the Simla kit is offered again some day. The whole Simla project is very "near and dear" to both of us.

I still have the original Simla prototype that has less than 15 flights on it, (I didn't want to risk it.) The picture was taken by MA editor Michael Ramsey at the Muncie runway in October 2010 before the Simla article came out. Michael flew the plane in between rain events.http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/atta...mentid=2191228http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/atta...mentid=2191229

It would be terrific if Jeff offered his kits again. I know I would buy another Simla.

Cheers,
Richard

I have one of Jeff's Simla kits that I'd be willing to part with. I used it as a pattern to cut my own kit, which I'll be finishing shortly (just have to cover it). Decided to make it with a 96" span and a Super Tigre G60 Bluehead ABC, keeping it light. Can take pictures of the Classic Hobbies kit if there is interest.
Bill

Hi Duane, My Simla has flown, monocoated and with an OS120 glow. The 120 was lighter than the 108 I was planning and with quite a bit more power... Very nice, only a click of aileron and elevator to trim to S&L, very smooth rolls, nice loops and stall turns, easy to hold inverted...reversals and half cubans look majestic, and dragging the rudder on the ground while landing...
I guess the thing is ready to start work!
Evan.