The lack of kits
 

Hey guys I have been out of this hobbie for over 7 years now.. I sold all my stuff to help me pay for my powered paraglider... Now that I have all my ultralight gear I'm getting back into this great hobbie.. My question is this... Why are they lacking on kits.. There is a HUGE selection of ARFs around but only a few amount of kits to choose from... Why cant they have a kit form for every arf they make... The people that buid these arf must get it in kit form at the shop right? Like the dazzlerI just built... They have it in kit form and arf form.... I love to build these planes... It gives me something to do when the winds are too high for me to fly my powered paraglider... Now I'm building my Great Planes Ultimate Biplane.. Its almost done and I'm stumped on what to build next... Maybe I might have to try out scratch builds next... Since theres nothing out there that peeks my intrest.... Any thoughts on a great kit that I might have looked over.....

Heres a link of me flying my powered paraglider off the beach.... Its another great sport that is safe and affordible.... Let me know what you guys think,,, Carl from Michigan

<font color="#00265e">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xbL4bL0W83g</font>

RE: The lack of kits
 

If you look at an ARF you'll see it's made from a couple hundred little jigsaw like parts that are laser cut from light ply, the instruction manual would be a book. But the main reason is our instant gratification society, no-one wants to build a plane. If there is 100,000 modelers in the USA, if 5000 want to build I would be shocked.

What type plane do you like?

RE: The lack of kits
 

i will take an ARF 2 as i says a few kits ago this is the last one that i build:D

RE: The lack of kits
 

While an ARF is built from a "kit" the kits are not what we're used to. There are no plans, and they are Jig-Built - That is, the manufacturing plants have special jigs that the parts fit into, all the parts are inserted and glued together. Without the jig, they would be extremely difficult to assemble.

That said, we have compiled a list of many companies that still make excellent kits. have a look at this thread:

http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_8132568/tm.htm

RE: The lack of kits
 

According to Great Planes it is not as simple as tossing the ARF parts in a box and calling it a kit.
The way it has been described, each worker in an ARF factory only builds a specific assembly.
They do not have plans to work from or build manuals.
They have fixtures to line up the parts and use heat activated glues.

To make a kit, they'd have to print plans that we could use and write a manual.

Also, the ARF may be totally different than the kit. When the GP Skybolt was introduced as an ARF it was 1.5 pounds lighter than the kit. On a 60 size plane that is a huge difference and it means the ARF hasd a lot less wood in it than the kit.

RE: The lack of kits
 

Full kits are hard to come by. But if you are a true builder try Presion cut kits.
They a very large selection of kits available.You must buy your plans from the designer and then they cut the kit for you.
I HAVE BUILT SEVERAL OF THEIR KITS AND FOUND THAT THE CUTTING AND MATERIALS ARE VERY GOOD.
You need to be able to build your own gear and associatied parts but that is the true challenge to a builder. This type of building requires intermediate skills.
If you can't find a plane you like in their inventory then no one can help you.

RE: The lack of kits
 

I responded to the same exact same post in Q &amp; A.

RE: The lack of kits
 

"Same exact same post"?

Are you working in the Department of Redundancy Department now Robbie? :D

RE: The lack of kits
 

Maybe, do they need some help , lol

RE: The lack of kits
 

There's a lot of great kits on Ebay. That's where I buy a lot of mine from.

The laws of supply and demand, even though the word "demand" is somewhat oxymoronic in this instance, dictate I'll pay a little more...but that's fine by me. I'm not in this hobby to save money.

I'll keep building kits...I am young....have a lot of kits I want to build yet.

RE: The lack of kits
 

There are hundreds of kits available domestically, from small to large. There is already a thread in this forum, similar topic, which has been turned into a reference for them. Search through recent posts, you'll find it easily.

There are even more, if you choose to include the European and South American producers. If you include plans and kit cutters, the number swells even more.

Try posting with a bit more information on your desires (with a topic like "Where's a good glow P-51 kit?" ) and you will get an abundance of responses. Don't hide your question at the bottom of the post.

Good luck,
Dave Olson

RE: The lack of kits
 

Sig still sells kits, check them out.

RE: The lack of kits
 

Thank you I never new all those kits were out there....

RE: The lack of kits
 

I always see arfs on ebay... I have even used keyword full build- kits and no luck....

RE: The lack of kits
 

Here's how my saved search is set up on eBay. I avoid all the ARF's this way.

Keyword: kit
In: Radio Control Vehicles
Fuel Source: Gas, Nitro
Sub-Type: Unassembled Kits
Type: Airplanes

RE: The lack of kits
 

Thank you.. I just found some kits there.... Silly me..... I tryed to fly my Dazzler today in 25mph winds... Wow what a rush.... Carl

RE: The lack of kits
 

Like previous posts point out to us there are plenty of kits but the marketing hype leans toward ARFs. That is where the big bucks are made.

RE: The lack of kits
 

Yes, there are tons of kits, but the market is ARF driven, so the good manufactures of kits rarely get the noticed, even tower has cut back on selling the sig lineup of kits. I'm a little bias in my answer, I only own 2 arfs in my hangar, but they are good ones in my mind, with the right mods to make them last.

RE: The lack of kits
 

I also love to build - especially SIG kits. I have built the Four Star 60, Something Extra, Kavalier, and am just finishing the Smith Miniplane. I also just ordered the Spacewalker, Citabria, Astro Hog, and 1/4 Scale J-3 Cub - all SIG kits. I notice you are in Michigan. Try out Flightline Hobbies in Lake Orion. John has 10+ kits in stock and is willing to order anything for you he does not have. He also has a great supply of stuff for us builders. Their number is 248-814-8359.

RE: The lack of kits
 

Blue Jay is still making most of the old Bridi designs and the prices haven't gone up all that much. There are kits out there but you do have to look around a little. It's also not very hard to cut your own kit using builders plans sold through a number of plans services. Plans building is never running out of cool planes to build!!

RE: The lack of kits
 

Build the plane not the kit

RE: The lack of kits
 

Tower hobbies still sells a number of kits from the Great Planes, Carl Goldberg and Top Flite brands. They range from trainers to warbirds. Unless you're looking for something obscure, they should have something to your liking. You can also buy direct from Sig.

RE: The lack of kits
 

bsumrell - point well taken - build the plane, not the kit. Point I should have made is I like the quality of the SIG kits. I also like the quality of the Top Flite kits as I have a Gold Edition P-47 on deck once I finish the Smith Mini Plane. Unfortunately I can only build one at a time otherwise I might end up with a funny looking hybrid!!

RE: The lack of kits
 

I've never found a better deal on kits, engines, or ARFs, than RC swap meets. I don't know about your area, but it's very common in Florida, for a fraction of Ebay prices.

RE: The lack of kits
 

I've e just getting back in after several years off myself,,, I was amazed the kits are all gone too
Glad I can scratch build. :D