BIG balsa kits?

[CAFplanekid]

I am interested in building something BIG over Christmas this year. At the moment, the best option seems to be the 12' Telemaster from Hobby-Lobby. I am looking around for other large, electric-friendly kits that are enjoyable to build. Any suggestions? I just don't want to sit around watching TV the whole time.

Thanks,

Jonathan

[cooper998]

If your looking for a scale subject try the TopFlite kits, they have a P-51, P-47, as well as a Stinson Reliant, all can be electrified. If your looking for a sport model you could check out the planes from Bridi as well as BTE, a search on google should get you to the web pages. Dynaflite also has a nice 90" span Decathlon that fly's great (I have one) or if you are interested in quality american products you can check out the offerings from BalsaUSA, they have several large models that build very light and can be converted to electric very easily.

cooper998

[KatManDEW]

You could try a kit from Exclusiv Modelbau
http://www.emhw.de/

I built their Funtana, and I have the 2.48M Katana waiting to build.

[CAFplanekid]

Hmm, I think the 1/4 scale Cub from BalsaUSA might be a more sane choice, in terms of transport, powering, etc. Thanks for the tips, guys. Any other 1/4 scale Cubs I should consider? SIG kits usually turn out light, dont they?

I'll be doing a full build thread when I get started on it over Christmas, so watch out for that :)

Jonathan

[Adam Neat]

Balsa USA has several big kits available. Some nice bipes The CUB's are great flyers but man..... If you do one do something different with it, L4 with invasion stripes, Super Cub or anything besides a standard Yellow Cub

[CAFplanekid]

Balsa USA has several big kits available. Some nice bipes The CUB's are great flyers but man..... If you do one do something different with it, L4 with invasion stripes, Super Cub or anything besides a standard Yellow Cub

Already have a small folder of Cub color scemes other than yellow :)

[Adam Neat]

Already have a small folder of Cub color scemes other than yellow :)


Good man :D

[cooper998]

Good choice, having built two examples of the BalsaUSA Cub in the past I can safely say you will be pleased. I have never built the Sig version but hear it does built lighter.
You may want to also check out Robarts scale shock absorbing gear for the Cub, definitely helps smooth out the landings.

cooper998

[Ercoupe Ed]

If work were a bit more plentiful right now( I'm laid off) I've been drrrrroooolllinnnnngggg over Balsa USA's 1/3 scale Ercoupe kit!
Nice airplane!
But I also have full scale 1946 Ercoupe undergoing a full restoration in my hangar at the airport.
But then I have several large kits still on the shelf.
An IkonWst 1/4 scale Monocoupe, a 1/3 scale Spacewalker, a 1/3 scale Lanier Laser, a 1/4 scale Lanier Laser, a Bud Nosen Mr Mulligan, and a TMRC large scale sailplane, and a 1/5 scale Travel Air Mystery Ship, and six large competition RC sailplane kits!
Like I need another large scale airplane kit! LOL! :D
Oh yeah, and a Great Planes large scale Piper Cub!
Oh, I almost forgot about my Jim Bridi "Bob Hoover" twin engine large scale Aero Commander Shrike.
Hmmm,maybe I should start my own hobby shop??? :D
Just blame Ebay on my oversize model air force!!! :rolleyes:

[CAFplanekid]

That 1/3 scale Ercoupe is gorgeous, I have the Model Aviation (i think) edition with the build thread of it back home. But to do a plane like that justice would take a very long time, I will have to wait till I am out of school and settled somewhere for a good while to attempt it.


If you want to get rid of that Spacewalker, I might be interested. I'm up at Purdue.


I am now considering making up my own sport design and getting the wing ribs laser cut. Choices, choices :cool:

Jonathan

[Ercoupe Ed]

Hi CAFplanekid,
I'd consider selling that big Spacewalker, but it's hard to get anymore and the price I got it for would be very difficult to match anymore.
I got it at an estate sale and they wanted less than $100 for it!
You're correct about that 1/3 scale Ercoupe, it is GORGEOUS!!!
And it is like the Spacewalker, a very labor intensive airplane
The 1/3 Ercoupe though comes with just about everything you need less the covering, radio and engine.
All in all it's really a good value for the $899 price.
I have a set of Jim Messer 1/4 scale plans for an Ercoupe, and to scratch build it for the same price would be difficult considering everything involved.
My problem is a website called Ebay!!!
I should put a website blocker or filter on my PC to keep me off of Ebay! :D
My worst nightmare is a bunch of Obama's guys in black "sharing my wealth" Each of them walking out of my workshop with a an armful of large balsa kits! :eek
I also wuish I had a laser cutter!
I am redoing an older glider kit, but making all the wing ribs with a 3014 airfoil, each cut by hand on a scroll saw. Time consuming, but fun.
I myself went to Purdue a few years back, ( 1970's).
Great school!
GO BOILERMAKERS!!!

[CAFplanekid]

I must have read 1/4th scale on that Spacewalker, the SIG 1/4th scale kit is the biggest I know of. We seem to have similar tastes in low-wing aircraft, as far as Spacewalkers and Ercoupes go. You wouldn't happen to be a fan of AstroHogs too, would ya?

I wish we had a laser cutter up here, it is on the list. Last year we got a CNC hotwire foam cutter, I just finished building an aluminum frame for it and we can now cut some pretty nice airfoils. It makes rapid prototyping for design classes a breeze, but I'm still not a fan of foam.

BoilerUp!

[RMS]

CAFplanekid,

I have built the Balsa USA 1/4 cub over 20 years ago and have built at least 3 Sig 1/4 cubs (1 full 2 Clipped Wing). The sig cubs, for me, are the very best. The structure is mostly stick built but as far as scaleness and light weight, it is the way to go. Many people get scared away once they see the plans and see all the stick cutting, but once you do it, you'll likely want to build all of your models that way. Just saw this thread and passing on my 2 cents.

RMS

[Ercoupe Ed]

CAFplanekid,
I just looked at Sigs website and the 1/3 scale Spacewalker is still available as is the 1/4 scale Spacewalker.

Ed

[turbonut]

If you want something a bit diffrent I have short kit for a plane called the BP100. its a sortof Citabria in the 100 in wingspan.the wings come off in two parts to transport.
Scott

[KOMET 44]

balsa usa kits are nice.They just end up on the heavy side(espcially the tail end).Sig kit's are great too.I like one ezoner put it "Open box ,put in a bottle of Ca ,shake box and presto a airplane" :D .No serouisly they do go togther quite well.Just remember,"Big planes big power system and transport needs to be adaquit".You have lots of choices too.Larry at PCK has almost all of the designers out there in kit form.If you need help just HOLLAR :D

KOMET44

[RMS]

Komet44,

PCK?

RMS

[cooper998]

Precision Cut Kits,
Great outfit, cuts kits for all the big time designers amongst others

cooper998

[noblapod]

Jonathon. Have a look at btemodels.com for the Super Flyin' King. 132" and a twin conversion is also available. There is also a smaller version at 80".
Chris. UK.