Originally Posted by cyclops2

Kyosho is a 30 year old company ?
At 73. Seems like I was buying them 2 years ago.

Kyosho is even older that that. As I recall, they evolved from an older balsa kit company, the name of which escapes me now. Could be the company that used to produce the large scale balsa control line kits back in the 1950's: the B-36, DC-4, C-124, etc.

Kyosho also made die cast model cars back in the 1960s,

Originally Posted by Thomas B

Kyosho is even older that that. As I recall, they evolved from an older balsa kit company, the name of which escapes me now. Could be the company that used to produce the large scale balsa control line kits back in the 1950's: the B-36, DC-4, C-124, etc.

I think the name of the company that made the giant c/l kits was Eureka; those kit were big hits at the BXs. According to Wikipedia, Kyosho was started in 1963. I had the Kyosho Mustang, Zero and ME-109 foamies in the early eighties powered by OS .15s and they all flew great. Just finishing up another Kyosho/Kraft Chipmunk with brushless and lipo power, just like Thomas B did. Pictures after the maiden!

Russ Farris

Thomas B - just about to maiden my Kraft/Kyosho Chipmunk. 2208 outrunner swings an 8 x 3.8 SF prop, 1300 3S battery. I added a steerable tailwheel and some red wing and tail tips for a little color. For ailerons I'm using in 6 gram servos for each one, my preferred set up. Will Post pictures soon!

Also, I snagged three MRC Ryan STA kits and a Puss Moth off eBay, Your Ryan used a AR 6400 off a Mustang, correct with ailerons? What about power? Brushless?, what size? Any details of your set up would be appreciated! Thanks, Russ Farris

Originally Posted by pookielips1954

Thomas B - just about to maiden my Kraft/Kyosho Chipmunk. 2208 outrunner swings an 8 x 3.8 SF prop, 1300 3S battery. I added a steerable tailwheel and some red wing and tail tips for a little color. For ailerons I'm using in 6 gram servos for each one, my preferred set up. Will Post pictures soon!

Also, I snagged three MRC Ryan STA kits and a Puss Moth off eBay, Your Ryan used a AR 6400 off a Mustang, correct with ailerons? What about power? Brushless?, what size? Any details of your set up would be appreciated! Thanks, Russ Farris

My little Ryan used an AR6400, like the one in the Mustang. I did a brushless upgrade, which can be found by seaching the AR6400 thread. I used a Turnigy Plush 6 ESC and a 10 gram 2000Kv outrunner from HobbyKing. On vacation away frm my shop at the moment, but I think the prop was a 4.5x4 GWS. Battery used was a Rhino 2S 370 and a Hyperion 2S 240.

I used two aileron servos.

The upgrade involves plugging the three pin ESC connector into the 4 pin Xport socket in the AR6400. You must have a programable TX as the ESC will only work, going this route, with a mix in the TX. (slaving Ch 5 to throttle) You also have to add a diode to the positive lead of the ESC to keep the voltage at the correct level for the AR6400.

I do not have the link to the AR6400 thread, but it is not hard to find. Search the thread with the word "diode" and the mod will come up.

Here is the pictures of the gathering of Vintage Foam at SMALL 2012 in Little Rock, AR. All models were upgraded to modelrn radio equipment and brushlesss/lipo setups. Pictures by our awesome R/C action photographer Richard Ng.

Kraft/Kyosho Cardinal: Paul Willenborg
Kraft/Kyosho Chipmunk: Richard Ng supplied the kit and Tom Blakeney converted it.
Coz/Kyosho Sportavia: Tom Blakeney
Cox/Kyosho Cessna 182 Skylane: Tom Blakeney
MRC Ryan STA: Tom Blakeney
Bentom Edleweisse: Tom Blakeney

We got some photos of the Kraft models flying in formation with each other and of the Cox models flying in formation with each other.....Might be the only photos ever taken showing these models flying in formation!

More pictures of this gathering over in the SMALL 2012 thread:

http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showp...&postcount=201

Here ya go. To think I passed up a new one of these that was going for about $50 some years ago in a dime store: Cox Cessna.

. . . or this one.

Tony

If I ever come across a good deal on a Cox Cessna Centurion, I would likely add that to my collection. I had one when it they first came out.

My Cox Cessna 182 was a beater that I got for 25 bucks complete with .049 and Cox 2 channel radio system. Model needed a cleanup and a new cowl and looks decent enough now.

I did post that first link tongue-in-cheek, by the way. In my opinion, it shows the completely unrealistic assessment some have of what old models are worth. However, if someone is willing to pay that, it is their business. There are several old Fred Reese designs by Ace on eBay now for premium prices. I prefer to scrounge for deals when possible.

Tony

Thanks Tom on the info on the Ryan conversion. I like how your paint scheme is the same Maxey Hester used on his super scale Ryan STA for SIG back in 1971 or so. Did you use two conventional five gram servos for the ailerons or the servos that come with the mustang/T-28?

The Kraft Chipmunk is ready for it's maiden voyage tomorrow, wind permitting, Pictures to follow, I'm sure it a winner! Just wish it had a clear canopy like the MRC glow version

And how about the Cox Fairchild 24 ARF that appears on ebay regulary, bet that would be a sweet conversion!

I used the little Spektrum linear servos that go with the AR6400...was going for a very light setup. It paid off, as the Ryan ST-A is a real floater for its small size.

Flight report: The Kraft/Kyosho Chipmunk is a huge success!

I did a few things different than Tom in his conversion. I added a steerable tailwheel and used a servo on each aileron.Oh, and bigger wheels, too. RTF weight with a 1300 3S is only 21 ounces. The 2212 outrunner is MAJOR overkill for power - it takes off easily at less than 1/2 power, needs LOTS of right rudder at full throttle. It flies so well I nearly cratered it on the first flight - I lost track of time, was flying it well in excess of ten minutes then decided to make a low (20 feet, that's low for me) inverted pass at 1/2 throttle. When I went to power up, the battery was gone and my 1/2 roll to upright finished about 4 feet off the ground. Yikes! I'd rather be lucky than good, poor judgement on my part.

Like Tom said, it's a crime this model isn't available today. Russ Farris

Originally Posted by Thomas B

I used the little Spektrum linear servos that go with the AR6400...was going for a very light setup. It paid off, as the Ryan ST-A is a real floater for its small size.

Thanks, I'm really looking forward to getting mine. I love these small scale rubber conversions, like my Carl Goldberg Cessna 180.

Russ Farris

I know this is shameless but here it is anyway.

http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1652345

Anthony

Here's my brand new 1990 Cox Electric Sundance. I picked this one up recently. It had never been assembled and the foam was mint. All of the hardware was missing, including the landing gear, pushrods, tail skid and the motor cover. I was able to fabricate what was needed, except the motor cover of course.





I converted it to a brushless / Lipo setup.




I made several modifications for longevity, including internal wood braces and supports.





The rubber bands always make dents in the foam. I fiberglassed the wing's center leading edge which is hidden under the decals. It is barely noticeable in the first photo, below. I also manufactured plastic trailing edge protectors. I also capped the wing tips with epoxy.

I added an Obechi wood dihedral brace. The fuselage, tail and wing had very pronounced lines where the molds met so the entire model was carefully sanded. I applied three coats of WBPU to the fuselage belly to prevent grass stains from setting in.




It has about four flights on it. I will add a more detailed description and some better photos to my blog.





Regards,

Anthony