I'm considering buying one of these kits and am looking for feedback on people who have put this model together or other Lanier kits together.
Love or hate let's hear it...
Thanks fellas!
Steve

I took delivery of this kit a week or so ago. Box is nicely packed; wood quality as good as I've seen in any kit, qualifies at least as "very good." This is my first laser cut kit, and the parts with their cutlines look beautiful. I like the looks of the airfoil, from what you can tell by contemplating a rib (nice semi-symmetrical). Ribs have building board tabs, but I will make the wing on my jig.

I bought the kit after seeing a finished model fly at a local field. I didn't have a chance to talk to the owner/flyer, but it looked real boss sitting in the pit and flew as good as it looked. He built the clipped wing version. He didn't wring it out, but it did fly smooth and scale-like.

The kit is modeled on not the stock Taylorcraft, but on a full-size Taylorcraft which was modified to make it more aerobatic. The book includes instructions and the kit has parts for a longer wing (83-1/2" clipped, 108" long wing). The book runs 34 pages of instructions and photos, plus added sheets of parts outlines that could be scaled up for repair parts (ouch!).

The molded parts are ABS. Fiberglass would have been nice, but ABS is light and inexpensive, and glassing is always a builder option.

If you like a smooth, hot, scale high-wing, I can't imagine you would be disappointed with this kit.

Ordered it today from Chiefaircraft. It will be my first kit. I'm sure I'll make mistakes and be confused but I'm looking forward to learning and hopefully the guidance I receive here and from my friends who are experienced builders I'll have a nice plane.

Dick Pettit of R/C Report did a Product Review a couple of months ago. Contact R/C Report Att: Gordon Banks for a copy of that issue (256) 539-3031.

Jerry

Which month issue was it? Thanks.

I sent email to Dick to find out what issue but have not back from him yet. Anyone know what month?

The Lanier Taylorcraft review in RC Report appeared in the August 2001 issue.

majortom, stevta, please keep us posted on your building, and later flying, experiences. I'm very interested in this kit. I'd like to fly a high wing floater for my first giant scale aircraft, but I really don't want a "me-too" yellow J-3 Cub, especially if I'm gonna build it.

Questions:

1. How much of this kit is laser cut? 100%? 50%? The ads do say it also has router cut parts.

2. Does the kit include wood and parts for building both 83.5" and 108" wings? Or is an option to build one of the other, but not both?

3. Is the fuselage built in sections, like most planes this size and up? Is it of the tabbed-locked self-aligning type? Or is it the former, plank sides, and stringers method of construction?

Thanks much.

Volfy, 100% of the sheet parts are laser cut. I believe I counted 15 laser-cut sheets of balsa and plywood parts, plus some large plywood formers that were not embedded in their sheets. Perhaps these were router cut, but that was not apparent to me; they looked laser cut.

The fuselage has a short section in the cabin that is made up of tabbed plywood, but the sub-frame aft of the cabin is 1/4" balsa sticks in a truss-style construction, which are then bolstered with 3/16" sq spruce stringers, of which there are I believe 14 running from cabin to tail. The kit does include laser-cut plywood gussets for the truss joints, which is nice.

The tailfeathers are stick-built, 1/4" sq balsa, but the perimeter parts are hardwood sticks or cut ply curved pieces. There are some plywood parts where extra strength is needed in the interior framing. This is a well designed kit, not something cobbled up from the most obvious design solutions. Hardpoints are provided for attaching tailbraces, and suggestions offered for a few different options for the braces.

The supplied wing parts make up the full-span wing halves. The clipped wing is merely a matter of omitting rib bays. The wing halves are removable, fixed to the fuselage with braces, struts and 1/4" nylon screws. There is a removable top hatch and hinged cabin doors on either side to give access for mounting and un-mounting the wings. The tail servos are mounted towards the tail, with a service hatch.

I am familiar with the Ikon Northwest quarter scale Taylorcraft kit, and can say the Lanier kit is clearly superior as to thinking through the construction process, design of building parts, plan details and copious directions, photos and explanations compared with fairly brief construction notes from Ikon Northwest. I can not recommend the Lanier for a first or second kit, but I can say a builder without a lot of experience will find the Lanier parts nicely designed and their directions clear and explicit. I am not knocking Ikon Northwest, as I like their products, especially their newer kits, but they are for veteran builders IMHO.

I have a couple building projects ahead of the Taylorcraft, so don't wait for me if you have in mind to build one yourself. If you like this kind of flying and have a few kits under your belt, this is a good kit and a sweet flyer.

but I really don't want a "me-too" yellow J-3 Cub, especially if I'm gonna build it.

Why do another me too Cub??? There are a lot of different paint schemes you can go with. Use a lot imagination here and come up with something different. Just a thought.

Thanks majortom. I have built plenty of kits to date. This would be my first GIANT SCALE kit, however. That is, if you don't count a scratch-built 130" gull-wing glider from an RCM plan called "Borne Free". That bird has a total of 6 wing panels and fuselage built from carved 2"x4" balsa blocks! I'm no master builder, but I think I can tackle the Taylorcraft. :P My problem is that nowadays I have little time to engage a craftsperson-grade building project. I would dearly love to do a Sig or BalsaUSA 1/4 scale Cub or the Bridi Rearwind Speedster, but the Warren truss frame requires time and patience I no longer enjoy. If it ain't lasercut and don't assemble as fast as I can CA, I'd rather BARF, uhhh... I mean ARF.

It saddens me that there are a gazillion gaint scale Extras, CAPs, Giles, and Staudachers, but I can count the number of giant scale floater-type ARF with the teeth on a rugby team captain. H9 has a nice Taylorcraft. but it's Clipwing only, and it comes at the expense of the now discontinued J-3 Cub. Oh well, the Lanier T-craft doesn't sound bad at all. It does sound to be the fastest building and the best designed of the 1/4 Cub types.

GrnGrt, yes, the Lone Star Flight Museum here in Galveston, TX has a Stinson L-5 that I would like to model. Problem is finding a nice 1/4 Cub kit that is laser-cut and builds fast. I thought about the Dynaflight SuperCub, but after downloading the instruction manual (well written BTW), I think it to be quite time consuming. I like the tube spar wings, though.

Are there other lasercut 1/4 Cub types out there? I know Sig introduced a lasercut 1/5 Cub, hopefully they will update their 1/4 and 1/3 versions soon.

Hey Steve...I want to thank you for that smart A.. reply on my post for a LAird Supersolution. I figured I would let people know what kind of person you are by spamming your ads. I'll let the masses decide whether or not you wer out of line. I already know I am by doing this. Here we go:

I had put a NWHT LAird Supersolution up for sale for $299.99. Now, the full price for this kit is $399.99. Unknown to me, NWHT had put these on sale for $299.99. Now, I did not buy this on sale, and therefore, my $299.99 was a fair price. Steve here, and a buddy of his, spammed my ad saying that I was out of line on my asking price since they are on sale now for $299.9 thru the end of February. Thereby, letting everyone know. Now, I didn't know these were on sale. If I did, I sure would wait until the sale was over to post the ad. Evidently, because it was on sale, I am now supposed to take a 50% loss to satisfy these guys. They were not even interested in the kit. They didn't even make a low ball offer to offend me. Instead, they attacked my credibility. And I know I am in good standing here with the VERY vast majority (you can't please all the people all the time).These kinda guys seem to think that they they can dictate what a person should sell their item for....NOT!. I see many overpriced items, but I am cordial enough to say to myself..."nope, too much" and move on. I have never attacked an ad until now. Now, personally, and the moderator agreed, these spams were out of line when they posted them, much as this one is. However, there is no justice for a guy in my position when people like this spam, just for the pusposes of creating banter.

In closing, if you have something constructive to add to a post, then by all means put it in. Otherwise, stay out (this is my feeling and the moderators).

I just wanted to let you know what kind of guy we got here. I'm sure he will be no more appreciative of me bringing question into his character than I did...but, when you are the atackee.....

I BUILT THIS KIT ABOUT A YEAR AGO IN THE CLIPPED WING VERSION AND WAS VERY PLEASED WITH THE RESULT. I THREW THE PLASTIC COWL & WHEEL PANTS IN THE TRASH AND ORDERED FIBERGLASS REPLACEMENTS FROM LANIER. I ALSO DITCHED THE WIRE LANDING GEAR AND ORDERED AN ALUMINUM GEAR FROM TNT...........I FIRST INSTALLED AN RCS140 BUT IT WAS UNDER POWERED SO I REPLACED THE RCS WITH AN US41. NOW IT IS A BLAST TO FLY. I'M NOT RECOMMENDING THE US41 THOUGH. IF I WAS STARTING ALL OVER, I WOULD USE A G38. I ALSO COVERED THE PLANE IN 21ST CENTURY FABRIC. THIS STUFF IS TOTAL JUNK AND I WILL NEVER USE IT AGAIN. HOPE THIS HELPS............................

The guy that owns the field where I fly has one totally restored with the green house behind the wing, and it's done in Canadian markings. I know if I ask he will let me take a gazillion pictures of it. I think the balsa USA 1/4 Cub could be redrawn to make one and have been giving it some serious thought. The owner is in hog heaven right now (he owns about 14 full size planes) and the new hanger 9 Taylorcraft ARF is a copy of his plane and I am here to tell the full size is utterly gorgeous!!!! I have seen him fly a few times and wring it out over the flying field and I slobbered all over myself big time. If you look at the picture in the ads that's him kneeling with the model.

Jerry,

Thanks for the info. I bought the kit a moth ago and haven't even opened the box yet. I'll most likely follow you with the cowl and pants. I was sonsidering CF landing gear instead of the bent wire.
Also the engine size is good info, what's your opinion on a YS 120FZ? I bought this motor for this palne already.
Thanks for the info
Steve

STEVE, I DON'T HAVE ANY EXPERIENCE WITH THE YS120. I KNOW THEY ARE POWERFUL ENGINES SO IF YOU KEEP EVERYTHING LIGHT YOU MAY BE OK, BUT I SUSPECT YOU MIGHT BE LACKING IN POWER. OFCOURSE, IT ALL DEPENDS ON YOUR STYLE OF FLYING.

Sorry to bring up such an old post, but I have a question... Because this is an older post, I was wondering what do you think of the Lanier 1/4 scale taylorcraft now that you own it? What engine did you go with. Were you happy with the building/flight characterists?

I read that some engines don't have enough power. I plan on using a 1.2 four stroke O.S. would that work well. I don't really want to push the plane to the max, I just really want it to float around. Because I am using a four stroke, I would think a little extra weight of strengthening the fuselage wouldn't be too disasterous. I just like a strong fuselage in my planes. I plan on using the stronger TNT Landing gear as recomended, I still haven't been sold on the idea of using the fiberglass cowl and weelpants. What are all your thoughts?

Volfy

YT Intrnatin in the UK have a nice 1/3 scale Piper Cub for 60cc/up Engines BUT it's ARTF Suspect it's made by ModelTech

Length: 7.5 feet
Span: 11 Feet (132 in)
Area: 17.4 ft2 (2,508 in2)
Wing Chord: 19 in.
Engine: 60cc

Our over inflated UK price is 750 GB.pounds ( aout $1,200)

It is very well built for an ARTF and has modifications potential!

I am bogged down with an ACE Taylorcraft 1/4Scale "clipped-wing" at the moment. Might be flying next year! ARTGM (almost Ready To Go Mad)

Stevta,
I have built two of these kits. One for me and one for a friend. If this is going to be your first kit you may need to take a valum before you get started. I did both of the ones I built a little different. I clipped the wings at 98 inches insted of the 83. If you have any questions I would be glad to answer them to the best of my ability.
Chris

Sorry about that....I just noticed this was a old post after I replied......oh well.....

SgtMitchell

Lovely picture. The full-size plans are OK but the instructions could be a lot better. This is my first large plane and anything for many years. The picture are black and white (Not Greyscale) and are little help. I am working it out bit-by-bit but it's slow going. This is suppose to be a "Fast Build-up Plane"! There are no come backs as Ace have long gone and this is a quality kit and would be easy for a really experience builder.

I have build some monsterous structures in my lifetime . . . . I will not be defeated, what I can't suss out, I'll do my own thing! It WILL Fly!