With Central Hobbies no longer bringing the PL Products pattern kits into the U.S., it has been very difficult to get these kits without paying an arm and a leg, especially for shipping single kits. Pattern Proz in Oklahoma are trying to put together an order of at least 10 kits to try to save some on the kits and on shipping. I know they are trying to do this at little or no profit for themselves, they just want people to be able to get the kits at as reasonable a price as possible.

If interested, here is the link to Pattern Proz,

http://user1019747.wx16.registeredsite.com/index.html

Just to make this clear, I am not associated in any way with Pattern Proz. I, like others out there, just want to be able to get a PL Partner kit. The Partner I'm flying now is hands down the best pattern plane I've flown in 29 years of flying pattern, and I just want another one.

The kits will be a bit pricey, but in my experience they are well worth it.

Thanks!

Hey Tony,
Is it the airplane that you like alot, or is it the power set up?
Thanks,
Greg Grigsby

Hi Greg,

I'm sure that it is somewhat a combination of both, but the Partner has very good qualities on it's own. I guess if or when I build something else for electric I'll have a better idea. But the Partner is just a very good candidate for electric, with no belly pan and a short chin cowl.

Maybe if I ever get to work with a glow version of the Partner I'll know more. But right now I don't think I could go wrong with another one.

The electric power is certainly very nice to fly!

Hi Tony,
You mentioned awhile back about building a electric Lazulite after the Partner project. Is it the electric version that they have on there web site? Are you still going to do this and will you post the progress here? Does the Partner fly that much better to build a second one. With much interest in electric power for pattern thank you for your answers.
Scott S

If things fall in place Piedmont should have new designs by QuiQue Somenzini soon. That will help in the ease to obtain without having to obtain a home equity loan. Mike

I have a Partner set up with a 140DZ, and I love it. I would like to have Tony fly mine to see what he thinks -- maybe at Riverside? Anyway, the Partner is a very solid airplane. It goes straight up, straight down, rolls beautifully (mine is top hinged), snaps very predictably, slow rolls and point rolls are easy and do not require much rudder. It handles wind very well. Landing in wind is also particularly easy. Knife edge with very little rudder. Knife edge does not have any roll couple, but a slight pitch to the belly. I have yet to mix this out. I just fly with it. Tony -- does yours have any pitch couple?

In my opinion, there is no better kit or design on the market. The Partner is THE pattern plane to which all others should be measured. The combination of design features are found in no other pattern plane in the world as far as I know. These are: 1) small chin piece instead of a long belly pan, 2) light, stiff, all composite canopy instead of a heavy, flimsy clear canopy (I wish kit manufactures would stop using clear canopies), 3) plug in wings, 4) huge fuselage yet probably the lightest of all the big bodied pattern planes available. My bare kit fuse, canopy, chin piece weighed 742 grams. Very large and convenient top access (After building, I have yet to turn mine upside down, and I have had the engine out of it a few times. There is no reason to turn it upside down at the field.) And 6), the best looking pattern plane. While this is subjective, I added it to the list because several people have said this this is the best looking pattern plane they have ever seen.

I have a ZN line Supreme kit and I really like it. But if I had to choose, the winner without any doubt is the Partner. The Supreme has a large clear canopy which is heavy and very flimsy. I don't like clear canopies (anybody have a carbon replacement yet?). The design of the Supreme's side vents are a little annoying. You need to cover those yourself with something like 1/64 ply or thin glass laminate. I am going to make these vents functional; I will probably glue .01 glass laminate to the inside of the vents, and then mount my firewall. But covering the vent channel is an extra step and something that could come unglued later on. The PL side vents are a better design and look nicer in my opinion. The quality of the Supreme fuse is actually better than the Partner however. So dispite my gripes, I do like the Supreme very well. But I have zero gripes about the Partner. It is the perfect kit and plane.

All of the other pattern plane designs have something that I do not like. The Hydeaway has a clear canopy. Same with the Temptation, Focus. The Lazulite has a long belly pan and is ugly. Or the other great designs have one piece wings.

Sorry to run on and be so blunt about things, but hopefully other manufactures will figure out a way to improve on the Partner. Until then, it will remain the best.

David

If I can get another Partner kit I won't build the Lazulite. If I can't, I'll build it, but IMHO it won't make as nice an electric model as the Partner. It has a belly pan that I don't need for an electric, and the LG mount can't be lowered like the Partner, so I would need longer LG legs. I have seen the pics of PL's electric Lazulite and I don't like how they did the installation. I really don't like the battery packs in the pipe tunnel area, and the firewall will reduce the cooling flow on the motor.

David, I'll be at Riverside flying all day Friday, maybe even Thursday, so I'd be happy to work with you and your Partner. I'd really like to see a glow one fly.

I do know of the upcoming Splendor, Quique's new design. I'm sure Quique will have the flying qualities right, it remains to be seen if the quality will be as high and if it makes as nice an electric conversion.

Tony,

I should be there on Friday, unless we get a late storm. See you there.

David

Hey Tony,

I'm currently seeking out my next pattern plane and I think you just sold the Partner to me! Fortunately in the UK we don't have the problem of huge shipping cost etc for PL kits. However I'm having difficultly understanding the Kit descriptions on PL's website. As I understand it, the difference between the basic kit and the standard kit is that the wings and tailplane are balsa sheeted on the standard kit. Is this correct? Also, does the partner have a plug in tailplane?

Stephen

Tony our guys here have experience with ZNLine, PlProd and Piedmont and the Temptation glass work so far has been excellent. We cut all of our own wings so that part I can't comment on but the contractor that they are using for the glass has been great and the supply has been there too at very reasonable prices. It's good that an American company is striving to bring US flyers quality and value. Mike

Hi Mike,

I have only seen one Temptation kit, and the fuse was good, but the surfaces were not the PL/ZN quality. Maybe the Splendor will show improvements there.

Stephen,

I can't really help you there. I am not sure what the differences are myself. I think there is a difference in the amount of building done, and if the kit has all the honeycomb formers and servo mounts included. Maybe an email to PL will answer your questions.

Hey Guys not take anything from you about what you are saying about your airplanes, but remember the originator of the threads request. Anyone interested in buying a PL kit should contact Ultimate RC (Russ Honea) in Broken BOW, OK 918-258-0061

David,

You can get a kevlar/composite canopy hatch from ZN and do away with the clear canopy.

Anyone know of a glass canopy for the Smaragd?

Thank you Doug -- I will pursue it. I kept wavering on whether I would try to create my own mold, but I would rather pay for one crafted by a professional.

David

Hi Stephen,
I recently got one from Phil Williams in probuild. He can explain all the options.

Niall

Don Ramsey has posted a document describing my process for building the Partner @ http://www.cox-internet.com/donramsey/. Presently it's all words, however, there are 70+ photos that compliment the document that Don will post as he gets time / space. Most of the info is relative to any PL Prod kit, hopefully it will prove useful to someone.

Earl

Thanks Niall,

I'll give Probuild a call. I thought maybe it would be cheaper to buy direct from PL Prod?

Stephen

Here is another option. I took my clear canopy and made a cardboard box support crutch. Then I wax the inside of the canopy and spray PVC mold release in the clear canopy. I lay up a fiberglass canopy with Dave Brown CF toe and 8 ox glass cloth. Attached are some photos. I ended up saving a 0.5 oz over a clear canopy arrangement.

An FYI for anyone who doesn't know - Patrick Lemmonier is selling PL Prod. I got an e-mail today about it.

BUt you still have to paint it and it weighs

Hello everyone,


Here is an other cool idea.

Take a look at [link=http://home.online.no/~ofremmi/HowTo/CarbonCanopy/canopy_of_carbon_and_epoxy.htm]Ola Fremming's Canopy of carbon and epoxy.[/link]

I’m thinking of trying it out on my FOCUS II canopy.



Danny

Today, I get the following e-mail from PL-Prod ?!?[&o]

PLPROD IS FOR SALE!
BECOME THE WORLD'S NO. 1 MODEL CONSTRUCTOR
By being the buyer of the leader in competition scale model design and construction

THE PLPROD ADVENTURE

More than six years after its creation, PLPROD has become the standard
in design and construction of competition
model aircraft.

Today, we equip not only the world's best pilots, but also thousands of amateurs who, thanks to our models, can completely live out their passion.

During the last World Championship, in Poland, PLPROD reaffirmed its leadership by equipping nearly 60% of the participating pilots.

Through courage, perseverance, and above all passion, I have achieved my most important goal: to become the industry's leader!

Today, while remaining visible in the world of model aircraft design, I have decided to change course and sell this magnificent tool for both work and pleasure: PLPROD.

Patrick Lemonnier

PLPROD IS...

13 types of competition model aircraft
600 spare parts catalogued
A well-equipped infrastructure (workshop and stratification, painting, and mounting facilities)



Standing by the best pilots during the 2003 World Championship: Quiqué Somenzini (2nd Place), Chip Hyde (3rd Place), Roland Matt (8th Place), Wolfgang Matt (10th Place), Stéphane Carrier (13th Place and 2nd Place in Junior Championship).

A HIGHLY QUALIFIED STAFF


My associate, Florent Rochedieu, 3rd place in the F3A French Championships, 5th place in the European Championships, and 18th place in the European Championships, is one of the main players in PLPROD. Always in search of the smallest fault and concerned down to the last detail, he will be there to ensure the company's continuity.


Competence, rigor, and attention to detail are the principal strengths of the professionals that make up the PLPROD team.

YOU CAN HAVE CONFIDENCE IN PLPROD!

Would you like more information? Contact us!
[email protected] - www.plprod.com
87, bis route des Vignes - 78270 Limetz-Villez
Tél.:+33.1.30.98.97.01 - Fax: +33.1.30.98.91.78

Hi guys,

Just wanted to let those of you who are interested know that the necessary arrangements have been made with PL to purchase kits. The first shipment of kits are scheduled to arrive in June. For more info you can talk with Russ at 918-258-0061.