Did aero modeling die in Canada?
#3

Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: calgary, AB, CANADA
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I'm still building models and flying, although winter has put a halt to flying. Currently working on a Goldberg Anniversary Cub, a Goldberg Extra 300 and just finished a Sig 4 star 120, finished it with Koverall and Sig Dope, looks pretty good.
#5

Happy new year everyone! The art of building is becoming more and more rare these days, due to the fact that all the ARFs (We all know this one) are taking over. There is a fellow member at my club, who's was an avid builder in his day and one of our founding fathers of our club, as well as operated his own hobby shop, mentioned not long ago that One doesn't have to put much pride and time into building an ARF, an individual just has to assemble it, and fly. Unlike a kit where we can spend countless hours building, detailing, etc (depending on the kit or a scratch build). In a mishap with an ARF versus a kit, it only cost money, versus money, time and pride.
#6

Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: calgary, AB, CANADA
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I was at the local flying field this summer with my newly completed GP extra 300s kit. One of the other members there commented on how it was a nice looking ARF. I said it was a kit that I just finished. He complimented me on the build and said I had done a good job.
#7
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Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: oakbank,
MB, CANADA
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Well I am building a carl Goldberg anniversary cub for somebody and I have a GP p 51 40 kit that I'm kitbashing to a a36 apache when I'm done that one though I probably wont be able to get any work done on them till summer.
JM
JM
#8

My Feedback: (53)

I start flying when you actually had to build the trainer first.........stop flying for about 9 years started again in 2013....what a change, I think it's not a bad change in some aspect $ it cost less to build a ARF then a full blown pattern plane use to cost, now with all the supply being so expensive $20 for a roll of monokote wow no wonder ARF are popular.
Even with ARF there's still room to make them nice.....and personal. On the other end if you want to fly indoor with F3P models you still need to build them
Even with ARF there's still room to make them nice.....and personal. On the other end if you want to fly indoor with F3P models you still need to build them

#9

Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: calgary, AB, CANADA
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I have spent since early January working on a Tiger 60 kit plus working on a Goldberg Anniversary Cub that I started a couple years ago. Plan to try on floats when I get it done.
#10
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Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Owen Sound, ON, CANADA
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We still have 3 people building aircraft in our little club of 16. In the winter of 13/14 I built a 132" Turbo Beaver, my largest plane to date. I spent 1000hrs plus from scratch with a set of blown up Mr Aerodesign plans. Last year I managed to build one little 60" Highlander Superstol, and restore a GP 540 Edge back to flying consition. This winter plans are to build a 96" Radial Otter. The other two builders have a pair of 81" Mosquitos, a Dehavilland Fox Moth and a Zenith 700 in the works.
I received a lovely set of plans for a Norseman, 84 1/2" ws, very detailed including scale 40" floats. flytreetimes
I received a lovely set of plans for a Norseman, 84 1/2" ws, very detailed including scale 40" floats. flytreetimes
#12

Hard to find any kits out there to build anymore . There are some but not what interests me. As said, by the time you add all the extras with glue and finishing the cost can be higher than an arf. Too bad .
#13

Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Dartmouth,
NS, CANADA
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What are your interests Stegl? Some goldberg kits out there, Sig, Balsa USA...
#14

When Goldberg did their change in kit design , back in the mid 80"s I think it was ( wow time flies) they had a winner and it was all the foreign arfs that hurt them. Those were about the best out there for the money. Great designs , great wood and great plans. There were others but the second generation Goldberg's were the best, in my opinion. Sig had good flying aircraft but I did not like the printed wood pieces that some of the kits had. the Original Bud Nosen kits ( all hand cut and sanded) were very good and great proven flyers. Balsa USA also had some good stuff as well at excellent pricing.
Oh and I forgot BTE ( Bruce Thorpe) engineering makes some great stuff.
Oh and I forgot BTE ( Bruce Thorpe) engineering makes some great stuff.
Last edited by stegl; 02-15-2016 at 10:22 AM.
#15

Well, it is over a year with no replies. Might be dead here. It is 14 degrees C today, Saw the first Robin. I have to at least run up a motor. I think there is a chain at the entrance of the flying field because of the mud.
#16

Join Date: Mar 2017
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Afternoon All
Modelling is very active here in the Ottawa area.
http://phelanflyers.com
Just finished and maiden my 2nd Logo 800.
Expecting Jet Turbine Blue Thunder in MAY, hopefully not maybe.
Cheers
Donovan Dow
Modelling is very active here in the Ottawa area.
http://phelanflyers.com
Just finished and maiden my 2nd Logo 800.
Expecting Jet Turbine Blue Thunder in MAY, hopefully not maybe.
Cheers
Donovan Dow
#17

Thread Starter

Glad to hear that the hobby is still around way up north. It's just the activity on this forum was so few and far between.
Last edited by fliers1; 03-12-2017 at 11:56 AM.
#18

My Feedback: (3)

Its like everything else lately the instant gratification era along with much improved construction with the ARFs have reduced the demand for kits/plans to the point its not cost effective to produce new ones. I remember when there were only kits or plans that if you wanted something out of the ordinary that you wouldn't see at every event you attended you had to build or design your own. Its still the same today. Even though there is a greater selection of airframes and colour combinations than there ever has been due to the fact they are ARFs most likely you will find an identical model where ever you end up flying. Many of the most popular kits are now offered as an ARF so even your kit built model may be mistaken for an ARF. I still build but I like all of them for differing reasons. ARFs are an easy way to quickly have a new model and break up those long scratch builds. I find a new model rekindles the spirit that got me into the hobby years ago and a well constructed, nice flying ARF is just the ticket sometimes.
Finally bought my Super Duty pickup, 811 Arctic Fox truck camper and 12 ft enclosed V nose trailer and outfitting them for some serious rc vacation time.
Dennis
Finally bought my Super Duty pickup, 811 Arctic Fox truck camper and 12 ft enclosed V nose trailer and outfitting them for some serious rc vacation time.
Dennis
Last edited by Propworn; 03-12-2017 at 11:03 AM.
#20

My Feedback: (3)

Like to do Muncie maybe next year when I have something new to compete with in scale.
This year
June 24-25 Northern Ontario Zone Fun Fly Sault Ste Marie,
Aug 5-6 Bluewater Scale Rally Sarnia,
Aug 17-18-19-20 Sky Harbour Zone Fun Fly
Sept 8-9-10 Fall Float Fly Cornwall Ontario.
Had to put in for extra days vacation time before April 1st so I only chose those events of interest listed on the MAAC sanction web page. Possible to still consider Sunparlor 2 day Fun Fly, Southern Flyers event if they have one, Chatham and Kitchener but those listed I have time off for those.
Dennis
This year
June 24-25 Northern Ontario Zone Fun Fly Sault Ste Marie,
Aug 5-6 Bluewater Scale Rally Sarnia,
Aug 17-18-19-20 Sky Harbour Zone Fun Fly
Sept 8-9-10 Fall Float Fly Cornwall Ontario.
Had to put in for extra days vacation time before April 1st so I only chose those events of interest listed on the MAAC sanction web page. Possible to still consider Sunparlor 2 day Fun Fly, Southern Flyers event if they have one, Chatham and Kitchener but those listed I have time off for those.
Dennis
#21
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Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: toronto,
ON, CANADA
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I don't know if the hobby is dead of not, but I am still active, have three projects on the go right now, TF DC 3 (ok this has been on the boards for about 7 years and has been stalled for the past 5, TF GE Corsair - new build started last month, Fuse is 60% Done, Wing 60% done, Tail is completed and I am working on a Grumman Cougar Twin building from plans. I have most of the balsa parts built and am working on the hardwood / ply parts. The Twin will be my first build from plans. My hope is to have the Corsair in the air this summer the DC 3 - not likely but who knows and the Cougar will be a 2018 Maiden flight.
#22

Join Date: Mar 2017
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Here are some Canadian Jet Events for 2017:
June 15th - 16th 2017 Phelan RC Flying club Ottawa CA
June 17th 2017 - Ottawa Valley Jets event at the Carp Airport, Ottawa CA
July - 2017 - Ottawa Valley Jets" Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.
July 21st - 23rd 2017 - Wingham Jets, Wingham Ontario Canada.
August - 2017, Jet Fun Fly, Tofield, Alberta airport
Other Canadian 2017 events:
http://www.maac.ca/en/events.php
June 15th - 16th 2017 Phelan RC Flying club Ottawa CA
June 17th 2017 - Ottawa Valley Jets event at the Carp Airport, Ottawa CA
July - 2017 - Ottawa Valley Jets" Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.
July 21st - 23rd 2017 - Wingham Jets, Wingham Ontario Canada.
August - 2017, Jet Fun Fly, Tofield, Alberta airport
Other Canadian 2017 events:
http://www.maac.ca/en/events.php
#24

Thread Starter

I think that there are a lot of potential kit builders out there, but since the general consensus is crashing is all but a sure thing in the learning stage, why spend months building a kit? Just buy an arf, crash it and then buy another one. Since the flying season is coming much too quickly to an end, I am offering to give anyone a couple of free hours of flight instruction on one of my LT-40s. I can guarantee that it would be worth the trip. No strings.
I have a wonderful large flying field to fly on. It's deserted for most of the time.
All I ask in return is to post your experience, good or bad.
Not a business
I have a wonderful large flying field to fly on. It's deserted for most of the time.
All I ask in return is to post your experience, good or bad.
Not a business
#25

Join Date: Mar 2017
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Morning All
My turbine Blue Thunder has arrived.
The 2 PowerCat TS XL turbines are now with my vendor for a tail boom extension.
Just put the finishing touches on my third Logo 800XX.
Cheers and Merry Christmas
My turbine Blue Thunder has arrived.
The 2 PowerCat TS XL turbines are now with my vendor for a tail boom extension.
Just put the finishing touches on my third Logo 800XX.
Cheers and Merry Christmas