Marutaka Kits have replaced the Royal products sometime ago. They are available at www.udisco.com and from www.HobbyBarn.com. The first website is from a Canadian company (priced a bit cheaper) and Hobby Barn with a slightly higher price. My question is; Does anyone have first hand experience purchasing, building, and/or flying any one of the following Marutaka kits; Beechbaron 58, Skymaster, Cessna 310Q or Cessna 500 Citation. I'm looking to build the Beech Baron soon but before I get into this, I need to make sure I do the right thing here. Any and all details are welcome, (don't hold anything back)

"How many kits have you built?" is usually my first question. These kits are for intermediate to advanced builders (like 4-5 kits under the belt...no ARFs)

I have built the Marutaka Bearcat and Zero and have a Skymaster in storage that's about 75% done.

They are all nice kits. Crisp die cutting (almost laser like) however, they are a lot of work. Lots of planking/sanding/filling. If you like to build you'll have no problem. If you only sorta kinda like to build you may get burnt out.

On my Bearcat, it was a true Marataka Japanese kit (It was purchased in Japan). Plans were in Japanese with a little english translation for metric to inch sizes but the pictures were good enough to walk you through the sequence. You had to think about construction a bit.

The Zero and Skymaster are the Royal imports so they were a bit better. I haven't bought any of the new Hobby Barn Marutaka kits so I can't comment on the included plans/instruction.

If you like to build you'll love these models. The build to a very close-to-scale look and they fly very nicely.

My 2 cents
Don

Don,

Yes, I do have a few kits (at least around 5 or 6) though that was many years ago when I was at my peak in the hobby. Now that I'm old and gray (well sorta) I'm getting back into this for the first time in over 25 years. I do like to build and I can't wait to get back into it. There wasn't any such thing as ARF, or even ARC when I was going at it, (or at least that I could remember). There's just so many kits out there to choose from, all anyone builds or flies now days are the racing, fun-fly or military. I have nothing against those aircraft at all though my heart and sole is in general aviation -- big time!

Thanks for responding!

David

hattend,
would love to get a copy of the Zero fighter plans
if it is possible..
What size do you have?
Regards
Hisham

I have built the Skymaster, and to repeat what was said, you have to like to build. You also need to improvise as their plans and instructions leave a lot to the imagination.

Minnflyer,

Yep! I'm gathering that from what's been said so far. I'm sure they are a far cry from a Top Flite Kit. This RC Universe is the perfect place to find out all this information and to make an educated decisions, kinda like a crystal ball effect! I just wish life was the same way raising 3 kids!

Most of what I've gather so far is a go with Marutaka. I will attempt to keep an open ear and mind about building techniques, and mere luck and adventure. My enthusiasm in this hobby grows everyday as I read on with everyones comments. Just maybe I'll become one of the few and proud owner of some creation that comes off my bench!

Keep'em comin!

I built it back about 1985. Sold it when I was shipped overseas (military) Plans are long gone. Sorry.

Don

I have only done 2 of the Marutaka kits, both the giant Corsair. I like the quality of wood and the plans, but as noted earlier, the instructions are not camparable to TF. Mine are 6 typewritten pages. But if you have built detailed kits previously, you can get by with those.

thanks hattend,
anyway!

Happy New 2003
Hisham

I have built the Royal Partenavia Victor (twin) it flew well. They are real builders kits. Plan and Quality of wood was very good as was the pre cut parts. However the instruction were pretty sparse, only 3 sheets of A4, but if you take youre time everything you need to know is right there on the plan.

Very useful information; Thanks! I ordered the Beech Baron yesterday, late in the day...This will truly be an adventure project.

What kits do you have? I'm looking for a cessna 310Q Royal Marutaka and the Skymaster 337. I have built both and both were stolen over easter weekend 2009 and my wife has given me the green light to replace them. I also have cowling molds for the skymaster front and rear.
206flier