MK Beetle Build
 

Hello Everyone

I picked up a MK Bettle kit from Singapore Hobbies late last year. It cost me $542 Singapore but shipping was free since it was checked baggage.

I intend this thread to be a build thread but dont get too impatient as I build slightly faster than the speed of smell! Also it has to fit in the schedule of finishing my Quickie 500 and major rebuild of a Wild Hare.

From looking at the plans it would appear that the first step is to build the front end so I need the engine and nose retract. At this point in time I have neither. I have a OS 61 RF-P and pipe on the water at the moment and nose retract and header on order from Singapore Hobby.

RE: MK Beetle Build
 

Hello

Here are some more pics.

What you see when you open the box.
The pre-made parts of the fin.
Lots of parts in the box.

RE: MK Beetle Build
 

Hello

Photos of the plans

RE: MK Beetle Build
 

Hello

Pics of the pre-fab bits. F/G Belly pan and pipe exhaust and top and bottom turtle decks.

Also the parts for the plug in tails. The beetle has a neat mechanism that allows the tail incidence to be adjusted after the plane is built. It has a pivot block at the front spar and a jack screw at the rear spar. The adjustment range is about 6mm or 1/4in.

Thats all for now.

Tarquin

RE: MK Beetle Build
 

What a nice kit!

Good looking plane, too. Plug-in wings?

RE: MK Beetle Build
 

Nice!! Looking forward to this one!! Thanks for the thread!!

I sure looks like a nice kit...The turtle deck ect. is formed...That is sweet!!

What a great looking plane...

Chuck

RE: MK Beetle Build
 

What a beautiful kit! Really looking forward to following your build.

RE: MK Beetle Build
 

1-piece wing

RE: MK Beetle Build
 

Hello

Thanks for the nice comments.

It is a 1 piece mid mounted wing with fibre glass belly pan that encloses the pipe. The wing is fully sheeted.

I had heard that the MK kits were good but I was very pleasantly surprised to see what was in the box. Each piece fits almost perfectly with no sanding. The skins for the fin are rebated into the fin post and I would guess that the difference in size is less than 1mm (1/32in?) even after years in the box. If you look closely in some of the pics you can see a orange/brown substance - it is rubber bands that have degraded to rubbery goo!

At this point I am planning to finish it with tissue and dope and then paint.

Cheers
Tarquin

RE: MK Beetle Build
 

What area was the Beetle from?

RE: MK Beetle Build
 

What a cool kit! That looks like the MK variable pitch prop in the boxtop photo.

David

RE: MK Beetle Build
 

Era? From the very end of the 10cc era towards the late 1980's; Akiba like most other designers was soon flying bigger machines powered with YS 1.20's. The first of those was (I believe) the Miss Beetle and although similar in name it didn't have near the sexy looks of this model.

RE: MK Beetle Build
 

Sexy is exactly what this plane is!!

DM

RE: MK Beetle Build
 

The Miss Beetle is VERY similar to the Aurora (same wing and stab) with some minor changes to the fuselage. Sleek and sexy, but Akiba moved on the the Miss Beetle when he discovered the power of the YS 4-stroke! The Miss Beetle was flown at the '89 FAI F3A World Championships and resembles a Runaround.
Will Bartlett

RE: MK Beetle Build
 

Hello Everyone

Some more parts arrived today from Singapore.:D The nose retract and header are now in my hot little hands but the OS has not arrived from Finland yet.

I got a set of MK mechanical mains from my father-in-law that he had in a SupraStar (I think) about 15 years ago. They are in pretty good condition and include the Kavan wheels that were on the SupraStar when it went in. The brand new nose unit has probably not changed in design over that time as it matches the plans and is even the same green colour!


I had to lay the parts over the plan to see how they would fit.

RE: MK Beetle Build
 

wow looks nice! i'm looking forward in seeing this MK pattern plane build..

might drop by Singapore Hobbies one of these days ...

RE: MK Beetle Build
 

Hello Everyone

look what arrived from Finland yesterday. It cost me 70 Euro plus shipping and other fees. Worked out at about NZ$200 (US$140).


OS 61 RF-P ABC and pipe along with an inflight remote needle, rear bearing, spare woodruff key plus 3 APC 12x11 props and a spinner.

Apart from a MK soft mount I have everything so I think I can start the building process.

Cheers
Tarquin

RE: MK Beetle Build
 

Hello

Nothing new to report as I need the MK soft mount before I can start. Since I am going to Singapore tomorrow I will pick one up while I am there along with some exhaust parts for a friend.

I plan on visiting as many model shops there as I can. Does anyone want me to see if I can see anthing in particular?

Cheers
Tarquin

RE: MK Beetle Build
 

I'll take a beetle myself if you see one and an aurora also. why not grab a blue angel and a couple of curares too and send them my way.:D:D:D. Mostly just let us, who can't make it to singapore, know what you see there. that would be nice.

david

RE: MK Beetle Build
 

Actually yes...This is pretty Kewl...Thanks...

I was just curious about the supply of MK Retracts, Hardware, Wheels and Accessories...Are they still being manufactured??

Also the supply of Hatori Headers...Are they still being manufactured??

I've tried to e-mail questions to Singapore Hobbies but they never reply...Maybe I've bugged them too much and they blocked my e-mail address?? [:o]

One more thing...If there any other good shops for this type of stuff...Could you get their contact information!!

Thanks...

Chuck

RE: MK Beetle Build
 

actually the skymaster i acquired recently is missing the retracts. the retract openings appear to be for MK retracts. it would be nice to find a set of those. and wheels.:D

david

RE: MK Beetle Build
 

Tarqy,

DON'T FORGET my Arrow header and Hatori short pipe for the .61VF will you, otherwise I might have to take my retracts back:D
Have a great trip
Father-in-Law

RE: MK Beetle Build
 

Hello.

I am back from Singapore.

I took a couple of pics on my phone of the old kits in Singapore Hobbies. Unfortunately they are blured so that will be the new competition to see what you can name!

I got the soft mount I need to start on the beetle and also the tuned pipe for kiwijet but got the wrong header.[:@] I got a header for the 61vf for the aurora and not the arrow because I forgot my part number list. Also the sneaky bugga told me it was for a curare from the downloaded plan but in fact when I got home he showed me the MK kit for the arrow he just acquired. Kiwijet is planning to get the plan scanned as well.

Singapore Hobbies have shoe boxes each full of hatori headers for 60, 40 and smaller sizes and a big box of pipes. MK hardware is available and appears to be current manufactured items. Retracts are being made still as I had to wait for a shipment to arrive before I could get the nose unit.

Cheers
Tarquin

RE: MK Beetle Build
 

Thank You Very Much for the Information!!

RE: MK Beetle Build
 

Man, after seeing those pics I'm wearing myself out kicking myself in the rear. I made several trips to Singapore between 2000-2003 and literally walked right post SingaHobby and never stopped in.... I could have brought back all of those beautiful kits w/out spending any $$ on shipping. Hindsight sucks...

Tim