Old (or better yet new) kits of old planes?

[Bob HSG]

Does anyone know of a supply of old 1/2A R/C kits? It seems to me that almost every one of them would make a fantastic 3 or 4-channel electric airplane with a Speed 400 or GWS 300/350 type motor.

Also, do any of the still-in-business old-time manufacturers (i.e., Sig, Goldberg, Midwest, House of Balsa) have any plans to re-kit these classics. (Laser-cut would be nice; I know I'm dreaming here...)

[clipclop]

Bob,
Look at the Bradleys website , there are a lot of old plans for free D/L .
http://www.bmaps.net/ Also
http://www.theplanpage.com/index.htm
Good .010-.020 plus other plans here http://my.pclink.com/~dfritzke/
Stewart

[Bob HSG]

Thanks, clipclop, but I'm not much of a builder (that's why I love GWS). I might tackle a kit (built two Goldberg Junior Falcons and a Midwest Lil Esquire as a kid), but building from plans? A have great respect and admiration for those who do, but I just don't have the patience and fine motor skills (or close eyesight) required. That's why I'm hoping the old-time manufacturers have the sense to re-issue re-engineered laser-cut versions of the classics!

[steve lewin]

Have a look at Spirit of Yesteryear http://www.soy.on.ca/

All laser cut, most are bigger than you're looking for but some of them may be close.

Steve

[Bob HSG]

Dear Steve,

WOW! I was actually looking for classic R/C designs, but this is even better in that I am also very intrigued with the idea of putting modern equipment and electric motors in thermal-capable, art-deco style 1930s airplanes, so this is quite wonderful. Thanks!

[vintage1]

Yes, not seen that site. Wonderful planes.

Various ben buckle kits are also available - not sure from who stateside. Flair does some in the UK.

[Matt Dyer]

Bob:

Check out Bob Holman Plans at http://www.bhplans.com/

He has many old timer plans AND laser parts are available from him also. All you need to supply are the balsa sticks and the hardware. Very high quality product. He can also make plans to custom size for you.

Matt Dyer
Augusta, Maine USA

[Bob HSG]

Dear Matt,

BHP has been around for a very long time and have an impeccable reputation. Several of their plan/kits are on my wish list!

[Tim Wiltse]

If you are looking for some of the old classic/vintage 1/2a models. You have to see the stuff Early R/C Models is kitting. They are laser cut too!

www.earlyrcmodels.com


Later,
Tim

[Bob HSG]

Wow again! Added this to my favorites list also. Thanks...

[matticulous]

Lots of early stuff here,plans and/or kits, some Laser cut too

http://www.aalmps.com

I have recently ordered a Cavu laser cut kit from them and am eyeing up the pretty little gull-wing "Skylark" ;)

[birdbrain]

Here are a couple more

BMJR (http://www.bmjrmodels.com/)


Penn Valley (http://www.pennvalleyhobbycenter.com/)

[Steve Moskal]

Here are a couple more

BMJR (http://www.bmjrmodels.com/)


Penn Valley (http://www.pennvalleyhobbycenter.com/)
Keep dreaming Bob,
BMJR kitted the Earl Stahl Weight Rule and I can vouch for its performance on a GWS geared A motor. I just bought their Rambler on the strength of that experience. It will use the Hobby Lobby "Nippy Black" 0508/73 External Rotor Brushless. Perhaps a build on this site is in the offing. Who can say?
Just remember to look hard at the main spar locations on those old timers and get them reconfigured for shear webbing. Other than that, the structures need very little beef. :D

[Mike C]

Just remember to look hard at the main spar locations on those old timers and get them reconfigured for shear webbing. Other than that, the structures need very little beef. :D

Why would you need to worry about the spar locations? I would think that if it could handle the power of a 1/2A engine then it could handle electric power. Of course I guess it would be heavier with all the batteries in the fuse which could stress the wing more.
Did I just answer my own question? :confused:

[Steve Moskal]

Why would you need to worry about the spar locations? I would think that if it could handle the power of a 1/2A engine then it could handle electric power. Of course I guess it would be heavier with all the batteries in the fuse which could stress the wing more.
Did I just answer my own question? :confused:

Mike,
You certainly did! But there are other examples of the old free flights that are carrying motors like the Astro 15G on 10 2400 MAH cells - My Brooklyn Dodger the model on the right in this photo (http://www.cometkid.com/buzzards.html) :cool: . And the extra RC gear was not originally carried in those ships. It all adds up.

[Allan Wright]

A lot of the 1/2A models fly great on a brushless 400, or brushed 600 system. We have 3 of the Spirit of Yesteryear Playboys at our field all running on brushless 400 sized motors: Astro 020P, Aveox 1010/3Y w/Tom Hunt belt drive, Mega 16/15/8 direct drive (forget prop). All work great for nice lazy-day flying.

If you set them up with typical 2-meter sailplane power systems you have PLENTY of power and are flying in the correct flight envelope since old timers are pretty much sailplanes.

[Gerald]

Mike,
You certainly did! But there are other examples of the old free flights that are carrying motors like the Astro 15G on 10 2400 MAH cells - My Brooklyn Dodger the model on the right in this photo (http://www.cometkid.com/buzzards.html) :cool: . And the extra RC gear was not originally carried in those ships. It all adds up.Yeah, but the original had to carry an ignition coil and its often heavy battery pack and possibly a shutoff timer and dethermalizer setup.

The weight of today's radio gear will be negligable if you use sub-micro components. The main weight increase will be from the electric conversion's main battery.

Most of the old freeflight designs were designed with competition in mind and weight was trying to be kept down. Also they were never intended for aerobatics even as simple as looping, so the spars might indeed want strengthening for R/C.

[Steve Moskal]

Most of the old freeflight designs were designed with competition in mind and weight was trying to be kept down. Also they were never intended for aerobatics even as simple as looping, so the spars might indeed want strengthening for R/C.
Indeed! The original free flight competitions their builders entered did not feature spot landings sometimes requiring diving down and driving ruthlessly into an LZ for landing points. I refer to the E-Nats in Muncie where I witnessed one nice cabin Playboy blown up pretty good in the quest for a spot landing. Since then, I have foresworn that type of OT abuse for SAM contests where the entire field is the spot. My aircraft have longer lives because of it.

[50+AirYears]

As far as beefing up the wing centers, most of these designs were launched free flight with full fuel tanks, and were often lost out of site. They were designed to be quickly and cheaply built. Why spend a lot of time and materials on something you might loose, right?