MK (Japan) is closing for good
 

I received word today from Mr. Kato that they have decided to close MK permanently at the end of November. What a great company that has brought so many top plane designs and products to the pattern community throughout the world. They will be missed for sure by all of us. I am working directly with Mr. Kato to bring as much of the remaining inventory here to the US before the end of November but it is not clear yet as to what is remaining.

RE: MK (Japan) is closing for good
 

Interesting. The inventory is coming to North America. Is there any tooling or design information which might beacquired by anyone in the US?

Jim

RE: MK (Japan) is closing for good
 

Chris,

You should find out from Kato-san to see whether he still has any more of the Aurora kit, I'll definitely take one ... :)

Adrian

RE: MK (Japan) is closing for good
 

I have alot of MK's HDWE. I'll dig it up and see what I have.

Charles

RE: MK (Japan) is closing for good
 

Thanks for the update, though I suspected this was coming for the past several years. Very sad. A terrific company which provided first class pattern kits and hardware for 4 decades. I am truly sorry to see them go. Was this an economic decision (well, obviously) due to poor sales or the increasing cost and decreasing availability of contest balsa? I doubt there is any kit inventory left; Chris probably got the last few kits they had.
What will happen to all the tooling/plans/rights to all their kits?
Webra, MK, ... who's next :(

-Will B

RE: MK (Japan) is closing for good
 

MK's kit parts fit rivals any laser cut product today.... if the part does not fit exactly, it must be the wrong part. I flew two Arrows built from MK kits.

Mike

RE: MK (Japan) is closing for good
 

Hey Chris,

Any news about getting their molds in the hands of someone that can continue to provide accessories such as the MK tail wheel?

Thanks,

Mike P.

RE: MK (Japan) is closing for good
 

Same here. The Aurora was the prettiest of all of the 60 sized airplanes I think.

RE: MK (Japan) is closing for good
 

That is too bad! MK is top of the line. I got into pattern when I saw a local top flier back in the mid 70s fly a 60 size Blue Angel.

RE: MK (Japan) is closing for good
 

Truly bad news. They've always had the finest hardware. I remember the first time I saw MK ball bearing clevis's on my brother's plane. I was blown away. We used to buy up a bunch of their hardware (along with IM and Tettra) at Circus Hobbies when we made our trek to the TOC. MK was "often imitated, never duplicated", to borrow a phrase. Just compare their hardware to the Chinese crap that's out there. No comparison. I'm glad I have a pile of hardware we stockpiled years ago. I'm short on their tailwheel assemblies so I better get my lifetime order placed....

RE: MK (Japan) is closing for good
 

I agree...MK wood kits were the best around for a couple decades or more. I also flew MK Arrows back in the day. Geez how quickly 25 years went

RE: MK (Japan) is closing for good
 

Well unfortunately all of the MK tooling and molds etc were scrapped and once their stuff is sold out, it's gone. We are still trying to get what we can, but it is still not clear exactly how much is remaining in Japan. More info as we get it.....