Blasa USA Excalibur-Build log...sort of.
11-11-2008, 04:46 PM
#1
Blasa USA Excalibur-Build log...sort of.
Hey,
In the mid '70 my dad had one of these planes. It was a .40 size low wing sport plane, fully symmetrical wing. Looked sort of like an Ercoupe with it's twin rudders. I remember flying it as a 5 year old and would love to track one down to build again for him.
Does this ring a bell? I'm nearly certain it was called a Mars by Balsa USA. Does anyone have a kit or plans? Anyone know who designed it? I tried fleabay and Balsa USA with no luck. My Googlefoo is weak. Any help would be greatly appreciated...it would make a great Christmas gift.
Rob
EDIT: Found out it was actually called Excalibur...still looking for plans or kit.
In the mid '70 my dad had one of these planes. It was a .40 size low wing sport plane, fully symmetrical wing. Looked sort of like an Ercoupe with it's twin rudders. I remember flying it as a 5 year old and would love to track one down to build again for him.
Does this ring a bell? I'm nearly certain it was called a Mars by Balsa USA. Does anyone have a kit or plans? Anyone know who designed it? I tried fleabay and Balsa USA with no luck. My Googlefoo is weak. Any help would be greatly appreciated...it would make a great Christmas gift.
Rob
EDIT: Found out it was actually called Excalibur...still looking for plans or kit.
11-11-2008, 07:22 PM
#2
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RE: Blasa USA Mars
The plane you are seeking is called the Excalibur. Possibly see their website for plans.
They had one called the Moonraker as well.
https://www.balsastore.com/store/products.php?cat=8
Dave
They had one called the Moonraker as well.
https://www.balsastore.com/store/products.php?cat=8
Dave
11-12-2008, 12:06 AM
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RE: Blasa USA Mars
The Excalibur looks like what you remember, twin fins like an Ercoupe, symmetrical airfoil, 40/50 size.
Don't see those particular plans at BUSA, but here is a a picture.
It was advertised back in the early 80's. I don't see any BUSA ads in RCM from the mid 70's though.
Dave
Don't see those particular plans at BUSA, but here is a a picture.
It was advertised back in the early 80's. I don't see any BUSA ads in RCM from the mid 70's though.
Dave
11-12-2008, 07:03 AM
#5
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RE: Blasa USA Mars
ORIGINAL: fritzke
The Excalibur is a plane that looks like what you remember, twin fins like an Ercoupe, symmetrical airfoil, 40/50 size.
Don't see those particular plans at BUSA. Here is a a pic.
It was made back in the early 80's. I don't see their ads in RCM back in the mid 70's though.
Dave
The Excalibur is a plane that looks like what you remember, twin fins like an Ercoupe, symmetrical airfoil, 40/50 size.
Don't see those particular plans at BUSA. Here is a a pic.
It was made back in the early 80's. I don't see their ads in RCM back in the mid 70's though.
Dave
The Balsa USA kit built a little heavy and with the equipment that we used back then it was easy to get heavy. However a good 40 is really all that you need for it. I used an OS Max 40H for mine and had a lot of enjoyable flying with it.
Now if you find one of the BUSA Aeronca C-3 models, the small one, by all means buy it and enjoy a classic build with some really nice sedate flying. The landing is really poetry in motion.
Dennis
11-12-2008, 09:28 AM
#7
RE: Blasa USA Mars
Ahh....I see I'm not crazy witht he Mars reference after all, thanks for that! I'll look for the plans and see what I can do. I would love to get an original kit and redesign it to be lighter. I have a laser cutter and it would be a cool project.
11-12-2008, 04:37 PM
#8
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RE: Blasa USA Mars
ORIGINAL: Lownverted
Ahh....I see I'm not crazy witht he Mars reference after all, thanks for that! I'll look for the plans and see what I can do. I would love to get an original kit and redesign it to be lighter. I have a laser cutter and it would be a cool project.
Ahh....I see I'm not crazy witht he Mars reference after all, thanks for that! I'll look for the plans and see what I can do. I would love to get an original kit and redesign it to be lighter. I have a laser cutter and it would be a cool project.
Plans are not hard to obtain. Check with the C/L suppliers, Stuka Stunt Works,Aero Products and others. Plans are reasonable in price.
Dennis
11-15-2008, 01:38 AM
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RE: Blasa USA Excalibur-looking for kit or plans
Just sent you a PM...I have one of these kits purchased at a Thrift Store $5.00. I did not think anyone had any interest in this old kit. If you don't see the PM, contact me ([email protected]).
Dave
Dave
12-16-2008, 05:16 PM
#15
RE: Blasa USA Excalibur-looking for kit or plans
Progress to date. Need to do a bit of sanding and run the rudder cables, but it is close to covering. I work on it a little bit every day.
One sort of delimma I have is which direction to mount the motor. I would love to mount it on it's side to hide the head in the cheek, but then the muffler would hang down. I seem to remember this as a kid but I think my Dad's had an old blade style straight muffler on it. I could mount it upright, but that might look bad too with the head and muffler sticking out.
I think I'll just mount it on its side and live with the muffler out the bottom.
I've forgotten how spoiled I have become with a laser cutter of my own and modern kits. It took some true patience and a craftsmen back in the day to build one of these old die crunch kits......and its heavy! lol. I have the luxury of building as fast as I can glue with CA, but I remember having to glue a few pieces and then wait OVERNIGHT to do a little more. Those were the days!
One sort of delimma I have is which direction to mount the motor. I would love to mount it on it's side to hide the head in the cheek, but then the muffler would hang down. I seem to remember this as a kid but I think my Dad's had an old blade style straight muffler on it. I could mount it upright, but that might look bad too with the head and muffler sticking out.
I think I'll just mount it on its side and live with the muffler out the bottom.
I've forgotten how spoiled I have become with a laser cutter of my own and modern kits. It took some true patience and a craftsmen back in the day to build one of these old die crunch kits......and its heavy! lol. I have the luxury of building as fast as I can glue with CA, but I remember having to glue a few pieces and then wait OVERNIGHT to do a little more. Those were the days!
12-22-2008, 01:15 PM
#18
RE: Blasa USA Excalibur-looking for kit or plans
Getting close. I borrowed a couple of Elves to help me cover it. Mom gave us a pass to work on the kitchen table, it's too cold out in the shop!
Just need to cover the ailerons, add a bit of trim and install the radio. It gets "delivered" Christmas Eve. One little thing I haven't figured out is what to do with the cheek cowls. I definately want to put them on, but on the side with the head sticking out, much of it is unsupported in the engine area and it looks funny just sort of hanging out in "space".
Just need to cover the ailerons, add a bit of trim and install the radio. It gets "delivered" Christmas Eve. One little thing I haven't figured out is what to do with the cheek cowls. I definately want to put them on, but on the side with the head sticking out, much of it is unsupported in the engine area and it looks funny just sort of hanging out in "space".
12-22-2008, 09:45 PM
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RE: Blasa USA Excalibur-looking for kit or plans
Wow...the Excalibur is looking great. You have done a terrific job and everyone should be very proud of your efforts. Your two helpers are darling and could be budding RC Pilots...we need more female pilots.
Merry Christmas to you and yours and keep posting!!
Dave
Merry Christmas to you and yours and keep posting!!
Dave
12-24-2008, 03:28 PM
#20
RE: Blasa USA Excalibur-looking for kit or plans
Well...here she is....
Need to glue the cheek cowls on, run the rudder pushrods and plumb the fuel tank. Pop will be over tonight, and I'm sure he has no idea, so this is good enough for now.
I worked mostly from memory copying the look I remembered until recently I found a pic of the original plane. I'll scan it later to post, but I think I nailed it!
I would like to thank all of those who helped out with info and parts along the way. You guys made my Christmas for my dad possible!
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to you all
Red
Need to glue the cheek cowls on, run the rudder pushrods and plumb the fuel tank. Pop will be over tonight, and I'm sure he has no idea, so this is good enough for now.
I worked mostly from memory copying the look I remembered until recently I found a pic of the original plane. I'll scan it later to post, but I think I nailed it!
I would like to thank all of those who helped out with info and parts along the way. You guys made my Christmas for my dad possible!
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to you all
Red
12-29-2008, 02:39 PM
#21
RE: Blasa USA Excalibur-looking for kit or plans
Lol..I guess I'm not nuts after all.
There was a Mars R/C kit back in the day!
http://cgi.ebay.com/Rare-Vintage-Joy...1%7C240%3A1318
There was a Mars R/C kit back in the day!http://cgi.ebay.com/Rare-Vintage-Joy...1%7C240%3A1318
04-16-2009, 09:27 AM
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RE: Blasa USA Excalibur-Build log...sort of.
Very Nice Lownnverted,
I just came across one of these kits and was not sure about its looks either, anyway searching and some help from another RCU member, 'gaRCfield ' led me here.
What was the outcome with your Pop' he must have been real surprised when he saw it.
Any flights on it and if so how was she in the air.... ??
thanks, Dan Z
I just came across one of these kits and was not sure about its looks either, anyway searching and some help from another RCU member, 'gaRCfield ' led me here.
What was the outcome with your Pop' he must have been real surprised when he saw it.
Any flights on it and if so how was she in the air.... ??
thanks, Dan Z
05-02-2009, 06:26 PM
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RE: Blasa USA Excalibur-Build log...sort of.
Great build on the Excalibur. Looking for some info on rigging the rudders on the Excalibur. The new re-release has only the rudder outline on the plans, and no mention in the plans or instructions for setting up the rudders.
Has your Excalibur flown yet? What do you think about the flight performance if the kit was built with just aileron and elevator?
Thanks for sharing your build with us!
Brian C
Has your Excalibur flown yet? What do you think about the flight performance if the kit was built with just aileron and elevator?
Thanks for sharing your build with us!
Brian C
05-05-2010, 09:27 AM
#24
RE: Blasa USA Excalibur-Build log...sort of.
Brian, I just ran across the Excalibur on the BUSA website. So you're saying that the new kit has no provision for working the rudders? You have to come up with it yourself? They advertise having much better instructions. That would be a big omission.
Thanks,
Jim
Thanks,
Jim
04-13-2017, 10:19 AM
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Hello; I found this thread while looking for info on adding dual rudder function to this plane. I have not yet begun the kit and wanted to know if it is worth the effort to add the rudders to it. If it is has anyone done it? And how? I am pretty new to the hobby but am mechanically inclined. Anyone have ideas?
Thanks in advance
JR
Thanks in advance
JR