Anyone one know where I can find plans/ short kits for some of the classic birds of yester year? Like the LA-1, Jeykll, Dr Jeykll Phoenix 8 etc. I want the good flying .60/1.20 size planes that didnt cost you a second mortgage to afford. And digital servos werent required, maybe a good old fashioned ball bearing servo if you went high tech! Im not really interested in competeing, but instead really like the flying qualities of the planes. I cannot believe we are in a world of ARF's, what are the next generation going to do. Thats not building a model to me, thats assembling! Thanks for any help you guys can give me.
Bryan

All the major magazines have plans available (RCM / MAN / FM & AMA). Check the websites for lists. The Loaded Dice is also a good one. The Widebody 60 has been discussed here in this forum and availble as a kit. Mine won't be here until March.

Welcome back to flying.

EXCAP232

ATC4U,

Here are two kit suppliers that offer some vintage 90 era pattern designs.

http://home.att.net/~rc-enterprises/rcme_002.htm

http://www.precisionaerocomposite.com/

Take Care,

ATC4U,

I'm in the exact same boat. If you check my recent posts you'll see that I asked the same questions. Here's what I've come up with so far:

Personally I wouldn't use or buy a .60 size pattern ship unless you plan on keeping it. If you try to sell it, you'll be lucky to find a buyer.

I have a medical retirement salary so my options were limited to 3-400 for a basic airframe. I didn't mind building so I looked for kits and flyers.

There are a number of late '90s models that are perfect for us. The pattern guys that are quite serious get a new plane every year or every other year. The planes they use in the higher levels of competition are not necessary for those of use getting started or getting started again.

There have been a great many suggestions and I'll pass them on to you. I ended up getting a Summit 120. It was popular in the mid-late 90's and 2 of my local pattern flyers said it would be perfect for me and that I could do a LOT worse.

I only paid $215 and that included retracts, fuel tank, throttle servo and all the hardware. Basically all I had to do was install and set up the radio, fix some monokote and I was ready to go.

I also have looked around for my 'next' plane and again I looked for a late 90's plane. I really liked the Pursuit, Temptation, Elan, Omen, and Odyssey. The Pursuit hasn't been built in at least 2 years but I found one flyer and one kit about 80% built, all for less than $450. The Elan fuse and cores are $325 + shipping. The Temptation is the high one at $650-750 depending on the fuselage construction, but it's got a lot of work already finished. The Odyssey and Omen are $425-525.

All of these plane will fly on a standard 120, meaning you won't need to spend $700 on an engine. I've included the websites for these planes so you can check them out for yourself. I hope this has answered your questions. gv


http://www.precisionaerocomposite.com/ Omen and Odyssey
http://www.piedmontmodels.com/temptation.htm Temptation
http://www.concentric.net/~Dhmodels/ Elan

If your serious about saving money, start going to swap meets. I just bought an unmolested Dr. Jekyl deluxe kit (all sheeted and cut outs done) for $200.

Swap meets; what a great idea! I didn't even think of that. I'll start looking around. gv

If you don't mind building a 900" Typhoon can be built very easily and cheaply for a YS 1.20. Check with Gator RC for parts and plans. You could also use an OS 1.60 with the Hatori wrap around header in a two meter bird like the Gator Giles or larger Typhoons.
Join the NSRCA lots of good info in the newsletter and website in addition to the work they do as the SIG for pattern.

Thanks GHWATSON, your the heat, thats exactly what i was looking for. I dont wanna plane thats going to eat me out of house and home in fuel, nor do I care much for the Extra style of aircraft, to me they arent precision acrobatic, but mere fun fly's on steroids. I love the way the old .60's flew. straight as an arrow, and on rails. Thanks much, eyeing that Jeykle!!

Another option is Dick hanson's Runaround series. They are typical construction of foam and glass and he makes them sized for the YS91 (large wing) and the OS91 (Small wing). I built one 4 or 5 years ago with the os91 and it came in at 7lbs even. I'm building another currently with a saito 100 and it's at 6.0 without paint or monokote. It flies well enough for the first three classes.

There's a Hydeaway ARF (.60/1.20) on eBay now (not mine). I know you don't like ARFs, but some of them are really well built and finished, and light.

Also, I have a Boxer 1.20 "kit" if you're interested.

Thank you guys for the awesome replies. What a help. Right now I am going with a Bridi Great Escape kit from b-terry, with brand new MVVS.77 set up for rear exhuast/ with the pipe and main gear Rhom AIrs new in box. He is one of the nicest people to deal with if you ever get to!
I am still amazed at the loss in the number of kits out there across the spectrum. Now I dont want to take anything away from you guys who compete on the cutting edge of technology, but I cant help but think that in this day and age of high cost fuels, that gas hasnt become the option. Also I think an extra number of points ought to be awarded to the guy who scratch builds, or builds from a kit, Vs. the guy who merely "assembled" someone elses's work. Or they ought to at least break off into a seperate size catagory, like .40-60, .90-1.20, and ultimate class where the sky's the limit for the Chip Hydes out there. Just my opinion reference kits/ARFS, how are kids like mine, who are the life blood for sustaining this great hobby, ever going to learn how to build? In my opinion, We are all losing a great talent to the people in China and Taiwan. After all, the Scale Masters doesnt allow for ARF's! Thanks again everyone for the great replies.
Cheers, Bryan

If you are interested, I know someone that has a Tippo kit for sale for $100.

Emory.

Actually, AMA was experimenting at some of last season's contests with a 2nd Sportsman class, limited to 65" or less wingspan. I don't know how it went.

I'm not an experienced pattern flyer yet, but for budget reasons, I've been trying to stay 90-size or smaller, and am finding several kits with modern (longer than span) planforms, many based on larger designs. I would imaging they fly better than the vintage kits of similar size and cost. Check out MK's 3D Dancer and Alliance CP (bottom of page), both in stock at Singapore Hobbies; or special order from Gator RC; or CA Models' Widebody 60 available from Planes Plus.

By the way, fixed gear is now in vogue, saving some additional money.

Good flying,

Marc