I am considering ordering and building this kit, but would like to know comments re the Marutaka kits (formerlay Royal) and am more interested in gaining information from anyone who has built the Skymaster.

I built the Skymaster back when it was a Royal kit.

My biggest complaint (aside from lousey instructions and plans) was that the wood was so old it was rotting.

I had to replace a lot of wood, but it did build a good looking plane!

my zero will look good when its done, the wing was great, but the fuz, oh gezzzzzzz. and im left with so little room for the gear. but, i got nice docs ( cr&p instructions tho ) and a nice cockpit. lots of options for retracts, fixed, or hand launch. amazing spun alli cowl.
if you like to build, and build, and build, and sand, and sand, and build, and change things. then its ok for you

I have built this model and glassed it. I have also built the Royal Cessna 310Q. Both planes were stolen in a break-in to my shop during the easter weekend 2009. I have molds for the front and rear cowlings for the skymaster, and have ordered the plans for both models so that I can build them again. I would like to buy both kits but they are hard to find. I have several other models in process in my shop and several on order should arrive next week (Beech Baron 58 and Douglas C-47 Skytrain, also both Royal kits.) I am planning to scale up my efforts to build quite a few more molds both for thermo forming plastic, and vacuum bagging glass. If you know where I can find a Cessna 310Q or Skymaster still in the box I'd be mighty grateful.

206Flier

Who are you ordering your kit from? The Royal kits have long been discontinued and are only avaliable here in the RCU Market Place or on the bay. They are builders kits. You get a lot of blocks and spend a lot of time shaping them into an airplane. They do make for good looking planes once finished. Good Luck, Dave

Thanks Dave, Yes they are builder kits. I have built both the skymaster and the Cessna 310Q. Both were stolen. so I am looking for these kits, and know that they have been discontinued. They are in peoples attics and back rooms of hobbyshops and bought by collectors etc., but they are out there. I have a 7000 sq. ft manufacturing facility for my business which relates to general contracting work that I do, so I have adequate space to build models. I usually clear out the shop for about two months/year to just build models and it looks like an airplane factory and smells like a boat (fiberglass) shop...I am currently building several large scale (1/5 and bigger models). I want to add these two into the mix to replace them.

Thanks for your help
206flier

Given the rarity of these kits now, the prices are getting up there. (A Skymaster in good condition just sold on bay for $460. [link=http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&it em=270377029937]LINK[/link]) With copies of plans and canopies now widely available ([link=http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=360153665296&ssPageNam e=MERCOSI_VI_ROSI_PR4_PCN_BIX&refitem=270377029937 &itemcount=4&refwidgetloc=closed_view_item&refwidg ettype=osi_widget&_trksid=p284.m263&_trkparms=algo %3DSICRS1%26its%3DI%252BC%252BP%252BS%252BIA%26itu %3DFICS%252BUFI%252BUA%252BIA%252BUCI%252BMRU-220%26otn%3D4%26ps%3D10]LINK[/link])the only reason to pay collector prices is for the convenience of precut wood pieces. But many of the kits floating around have been damaged by water, insects and time or may not be complete. Let's see, thats $400 for a box full of 30 year old balsa wood, hmmmm. "You pays your money and takes your chances."

I wonder if there is a market for laser cut short kits? Used but still nice lasercutters can be had for about $1500 now. Someone with a big shop and plenty of room might be able to make a bit of profit during slow times........