Strykaas

Hello,

I seem to remember an old rc aircraft kit name, but I can't find any information on it. It was called "Graduate"... Can anyone remember this aircraft ? I use to see them when I was a kid.
Thanks.

Dr1Driver

I want to say it was made by Airtronics in the late 60s-early70s, but I'm not sure. Could be Bridi, too.

Dr.1

RAMFlyer

My Feedback: (65)

Don't know who kitted it but RC Mag offered one as a plans-built article from the April 1970 issue. The plan is #PL-426 costing $8.00. Go to rcmmagazine.com and check out the picture in the alphabetical plans listing to see if it is the one you remember.

Strykaas

Mhh thks for you replies, but I think the "Graduate" I am talking about is actually not that old. I would say early 80s... And not the one from rcm.

KaosDriver

FWIW, Cermark sells an ARF version for @ $150. A nice little ship......Mark

1g1yy2

I built a Graduate sailplane from a Precedent kit that Hobby Lobby used to sell.

Strykaas

Mhh that gets really interesting as it may be this one. Any picture ?

1g1yy2

Oh, sorry, we don't have a digital camera yet (Have been waiting for the price to drop on the 8+ megapixal cameras.). I still have the sailplane, and if you can wait till about Christmas time, maybe we will have a camera then.

I mentioned this sailplane -- but really thought you were talking about a smaller powered plane. My wife bought this kit for me from Hobby Lobby in 1993. I don't know how long they had been selling it, but they discontinued it probably a couple of years after I got mine.

The Graduate came as a 96" w.s. glider kit with plug-in wings that went straight out from the fuselage, but had bent up outer panels. It could be built for rudder/elevator/spoiler control, or ailerons could be added. It could be built to launch off a high start, or to be powered by a speed 700. It was a good looking sailplane.

I built mine with some modifications. I extended the wingspan by a couple of bays to 102", and built them with very little dihedral, and added flaperons. Unfortunately I built it unpowered to launch off a high start. My son and I flew it several times some years ago, and it flew great, but we got tired of the high start and haven't flown it since. I have a good speed 700 to mount in it, but other projects have taken priority. However, by next spring I will have it converted and ready to fly with the motor. (I would not use a higher performance, lighter brushless motor because it needs the weight of the speed 700 to balance.) Anyway, I spent quite a bit of time building/finishing it and it came out looking really great, so I really want to get it converted so we can fly it often.

I hope this helps -- let me know if you need any other info about it.

Strykaas

Dumb ***** I did not see the "sailplane" word, was too happy that someone talked about precedent kits which were trendy kits at these times...
However, yes I'm perhaps wrong, it might have been a sailplane (don't think I'm crazy, sometimes memory woes are very bad). I am waiting for your pictures !

After much effort, I could remember the name of the guy flying it. It is 15 year old souvenir.

thanks.