Airtronics “grand esprit” 134” glider short kit ebay under toy's ,hobbys not mine but wow i can't

It's listed as "off site". Where is it listed?

EJWash

says it is on feebay

Originally Posted by Thermaler

says it is on feebay

My bad!

EJWash

SORRY HERE YOU GO
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...=STRK:MEWAX:IT

i did a little search here and noted that ray Hayes sold one of these short kits in 2009 for $300. Looks like the starting price on feebay is a good one.

Originally Posted by old_dude

i did a little search here and noted that ray Hayes sold one of these short kits in 2009 for $300. Looks like the starting price on feebay is a good one.

And others sold for $150. Only goes to show that there is always someone willing to pay more than the going rate.

You'll be hard pressed to find one for $150.00. In fact, if someone wants to sell one for that, I'll take it. PM me.

As old_dude said, they usually go for $250-$300.

Originally Posted by jtlsf5

And others sold for $150. .................................................. .

WHERE and when ??

$175.00
http://www.rcuniverse.com/market/item.cfm?itemId=613189

Originally Posted by olyman

$175.00
http://www.rcuniverse.com/market/item.cfm?itemId=613189

Not a bad deal at all - but does not include the carbon boom and other extra parts this sale does. The boom alone is a hard to find and costly item.

I wish I had seen that sale on RCU.

Originally Posted by old_dude

i did a little search here and noted that ray Hayes sold one of these short kits in 2009 for $300. Looks like the starting price on feebay is a good one.

Originally Posted by jtlsf5

And others sold for $150. Only goes to show that there is always someone willing to pay more than the going rate.

Genuine Airtronics Grand Esprit full kits are pretty safely above $300, and occassionally $400+. There was one that sold on eBay for $500+, but that was an annomoly by an unknowing, dedicated wife who "HAD to have it at all costs" for her husband's birthday gift. The Dream Catcher full kits lag behind the Airtronics prices, and the short kits don't generally make it into the $200+ level unless an un-knowing buyer jumps on it.

My son was so pleased to have bought a DC short kit for $150, and then I showed him the one I had just bought weeks before for $100. Being able to point to one that sold at either extreme of the price range (and confusing short and full kits), doesn't make that the norm.

The seller in this auction acknowledges that the box pictured is not for the kit being sold. DC short kits didn't come in the full box. I have two DC short kits, and they both came in a much smaller plain box with a plain black & white label.

The removable nose cone / ballast box is a rare find. It was original to the Airtronics kit, but has been out of production for decades and was not included in the DC kit.

Similarly, the control mixer shown in the auction is similar to the original Airtronics Vector Director, but not the same. However, unless you're an originality nut, it would be better to scrap the mixer entirely and use a modern radio with V-tail mixing. Even back in the day, I chose to use an Ace electronic "Christy Mixer" instead of the mechanical one. So much better.

The seller also says the graphite boom and plastic canopy were not orginal to the kit. ?? It's true the original Airtronics boom was fiberglass (pool cue part), not graphite; but the DC short kit did come stock with a graphite boom and both kits came with clear plastic canopy blanks (untrimmed).

The Airtronics and DC booms were shaped differently where they fitted into the pod. They can't be mixed between the kits without making the appropriate changes to the mating wood parts.

Everybody that has a kit wants them to be worth big bucks. I'm in that category, but I'm realistic enough not to "take it to the bank". I have five unbuilt Grand Esprits and one flying. I'll admit to paying a little over $300 for an original Airtronics kit in a very clean box, but I've never approached $400. I've also paid $140 for an original Airtronics, and my two DC short kits cost $100 and $125 (... and my son paid $150). Pump the prices way up if you wish... make me a happy man.

I'm sure the red mist that drives eBay will sell this kit, but that's the surrealistic world of eBay. Well grounded folk shouldn't mistake eBay for reality. For that money, a patient man should wait for the real deal... ie, a full Airtronics kit. Or you just say, "I want it!!!" and assume the postion.
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Wallet open, which postion were you thinking?

Later,
Tim

PS... no, I'm not selling.

[QUOTE=Ric Duley;14645633]Not a bad deal at all - but does not include the carbon boom and other extra parts this sale does. The boom alone is a hard to find and costly item.QUOTE]

Ric,

???
Click to the second picture... it clearly shows the graphite boom and the bubble canopy in the DC short kit. All DC kits, short and long, came with the graphite boom and canopy. The plastic nose is minor (and un-lovely), and the mixer is a non-event in a day of modern mixer radios.

Regards,
Tim

That's all very interesting I had one in 70's boy that plane would fly and do the flattest turn. When I saw that on Ebay I thought I'd let you folks know but I see your all ahead of me lol
JIM

For those that know Tim he is Mr. Grand Esprit...for those that have been watching Grand Esprit kits know that he is right on.....Yes there are some kits still out there .....Mr. Kite