ttolliver

My Feedback: (1)

Looking for recommendations on a Tiger Moth kit in the 48-60" wingspan range.

I am amazed at how many ARFs and monster scale kits are available, but there seems to be a hole in traditional kits right where I'm looking. The only ones I've been able to locate have been by fairly obscure manufacturers: Unionville and D&L Designs. What little I can find on them (and there isn't much) sounds favorable enough, but that doesn't always mean anything because most reviews do tend to be somewhat favorable. And I can't find anything that mentions either of their Tiger Moth kits.

[link=http://www.dldesigns.net/tmoth.htm]http://www.dldesigns.net/tmoth.htm[/link]
[link=http://www.greathobbies.com/products/productinfo.php?prod_id=UVH015]http://www.greathobbies.com/products/productinfo.php?prod_id=UVH015[/link]

For what it's worth, I'm leaning towards D&L because I prefer the exposed cockpit.

So... Anyone have experience with either of those manufacturers and/or their Tiger Moth kits? Or a recommendation for another kit?

Thanks,
Tom

Gray Beard

My Feedback: (-1)

I have one of the old Premier Balsa planes with the 66 inch span. It was made in the UK some years ago. Every Moth I have ever seen all seem to fly the same depending on the engine, more power, better loops or rolls. If you like scale type of flying they are very stable and all seem to build about the same. If you can't find the right kit there are A lot of plans for this plane in all sizes.

ttolliver

My Feedback: (1)

Thanks Gray Beard.

I started poking around and found that Dennis Bryant has plans for a 66" span Tiger Moth that has a laser cut kit available, but then ran across a comment here in RCU that it's a highly complex kit.

ttolliver

My Feedback: (1)

Well gang, I'll toss a few final notes in this thread to help out anyone who might stumble across it on a search similar to mine.

D.B. Sport and Scale (formerly DB Models) has a very nice 58" Tiger Moth kit. I was able to locate a few forum comments that highly recommended DB kits in general as well as one with pictures of and glowing comments on their 48" electric Tiger Moth. Unfortunately they are a Brit company with no US dealers and the current exchange rate does ugly things to the total kit, accessory, and shipping costs compared to domestic offerings. As a side note, they appear to have a quite extensive line of models, a few not often seen, including a gorgeous 88" Hurricane and 81" Spitfire. Definitely take a second to peek at their website.

[link=http://www.dbsportandscale.com/list.htm]http://www.dbsportandscale.com/list.htm[/link]


I gave the Gee Bee 45" Tiger Moth some consideration, but ended up running across some forum posts on it that were a little less than favorable. To summarize, it seems as though it is a great flying plane once completed, but the instructions leave quite a bit to be desired. It was a bit on the smaller side of my tastes anyway.

[link=http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXJ285&P=ML]http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXJ285&P=ML[/link]


As I continued to poke around, I found a couple favorable postings about the Unionville Tiger Moth previously noted. Unfortunately, I ended up a bit turned off by closeups that showed the upper wing being held on by rubber bands. I know those sorts of things can be modified during construction, but wing alignment and cabane attachment design can get a bit tricky, so definitely not something to brush off lightly.

[link=http://www.greathobbies.com/products/productinfo.php?prod_id=UVH015]http://www.greathobbies.com/products/productinfo.php?prod_id=UVH015[/link]


At some point I found myself looking at the D & L Designs kit again and reading reviews on some of their other kits. I liked what I saw more and more and, in the end, decided to go ahead and buy one. So I did! [sm=tongue.gif] I suppose I ought to mention that a contributing factor was the fact that this kit mentions being specifically designed for 80 to 90 4-cycle engines. The other two main contenders, while similar in wingspan, recommended engine sizes reminiscent of 10-20 years ago. I can appreciate the much lighter loading and more scale-like flight that would produce, but I also worry that the structure may not have been originally designed for the vibration and stress of the size engine I'd probably hang on it. I have a new Saito .72 without a home that is a likely candidate. And I might have to try out an RCV91 if it looks like it would fit in the cowl nicely.

[link=http://www.dldesigns.net/tmoth.htm]http://www.dldesigns.net/tmoth.htm[/link]


So there you have it, decision made. I'll probably tack on some comments about the quality of the kit and instructions once I receive them. If I get ambitious, I might even start a construction thread. I have a project to get off the workbench before I do though.

Thanks,
Tom

cub driver

My Feedback: (47)

Tom,
I've been looking for a TM kit also and was curious about your impression of the D&L kit...I had been thinking about the Dennis Bryant design/laser cut package from Bob Holman.
Bob

tailskid

My Feedback: (34)

Might be a bit larger, but check out Arizona Models at:

http://www.arizonamodels.com/

Jerry

Car Workshop

Great Post! Very informative and a great read. I saw this site during my browsing and think it may be relevant http://www.driveafrica.co.za .Keep up the great posts!

billteller

I have a Tiger Moth ARF that is 49" span on the upper wing . It is a no name far east job off E Bay
sold as a 30 size TM It appears to be identical to a pacific aeromodels kit sold as an electric. I have a old Supertigre 40 in mine & it is a very nice plane- probably the the best flying plane I have owned.
also it will fit in the truck in one piece!!

Gray Beard

My Feedback: (-1)

This was/is a post about kits and building from 2006 and about a tiger moth, not an ARF or car rental?? Renting a car in Africa is about a kit build in what way??? An ARF has something to do with a kit in what way??
Just wondering?

tailskid

My Feedback: (34)

Well Gray Beard, if you ever tried to put together the plane I referred to (and it is an "ARF") it will take you 2-3 months to finish - I called it 'Almost Ready to Finish"