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Classic Designs => Classic Planes => Topic started by: david smith on May 17, 2009, 05:18:52 PM
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I saw a super ringmaster kit for sale this weekend and the guy wanted 200 for it that seemed a little out there to me but I wasnt sure. Anybody have an idea what it is worth. Thanks
David
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You make me feel bad every time you post something like this.
I sat on one of these for about 15 years, then assembled it in 2004. I took it as a challenge to assemble and fly a kit with a lot of problem areas. It didn't fly all that well. But then, I loaned it out at last year's Ringmaster fly-a-thon and six guys didn't wreck it.
If you own one, get all you can on Ebay.
If you want one, buy plans and scratch build for about $25.
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Or buy one of the kits that RSM makes. Better wood, less money.
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Remember guys, the Super Ringmaster came during the period of time that there was more sport flying than competition flying as we know it today. But, $200.00 is collectors prices if you find a collector that wants it that bad. The ones I have seen on the bay are closer to $100.00. DOC Holliday
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Earlier this year I sold a Ringmaster NIB for $108 on the Bay... the prices keep going up... The Super Ringmaster isn't worth $200... (Doc is right) more like $85-125. That is what I would price a good kit in my book Flying Model Collectibles.. I watch auctions and swap meets along with collectos.. and this isn't a hard kit to find... rare but not super rare..
The Ambroid and Veco Kits are the ones that go through the roof.. along with some of the larger early glider and sailplane Kits, Airtronics, Bridi, Ace, Goldberg, Jetco and Marks Models . these are starting to climb again while Berkeley, Comet, Cleveland and Scientific are holding there own..
Also.. right now is a buyer's market...everywhere... common engines are going cheap... the good stuff still commands good stable prices... one example ...Cox engines... if you have an inclination for them... best get them now...they are climbing again ... the NIB Black/Red Box examples are going for $60-80 and up.. The RR1 and Venom are the most desirable any with any NIB early examples..
Jim
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All I noticed about that kit is that it is one of the *later* boxes. Not the really OLD Sterling box. I cannot see $200 (or close to that) for the later run kits. I built one several years back for my oldest son.
Lots of means to build a better flying version these days.
Mongo
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I would have to go along with Doc H also. I have picked up two from EBAY, both very decent kits , in the 90 to 100 range. But, if I was selling I guess I would want to get what I could for it !!
Dalton H.
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A freind of mine has a Super Ringmaster and he never flies it because it is not a good flying airplane. It's nice looking but that's about it.
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Perhaps a better prospect for a flyable design (if not from the kit pieces and wood) would be the Ringmaster Imperial.
For once the Sterling kit plans had actual layout diagrams to build over, mostly. Much larger than the Super Ring' and a few oddball touches (Like the fuselage sides were not parallel, but slanted in at the tops...) However, plenty of wing area, big enough to carry, and benefit from, a modern .40 to .46 engine.
Still, an unflapped (if I recall correctly) Ringmaster planform and tail shapes beastie... Not a world champs challenger, but sure to be unusual. Someone should have kit plans, if we ask around. Intact kits on *bay? No idea, I don't play there; I have enough junk valued items already.
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The Imperial was likely a better flyer, it was flapped and about 52" span and a little more modern looking plane. They usually demand a bit more $$$ on ebay. I think Walter Umland made a kit run a couple years ago and likely has full size plans if someone wanted to build one.
Dalton H.
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Walter did make the Imperial kits. I scratch built one about 15 years ago, and it flew decent. It had a swept forward trailing edge with flaps. A friend gave me a started kit several years ago which had been hanging from basement rafters. man is it light! LOL!! (no really, it is!) Aside from a very small tank compartment, it will do a decent job on the pattern. Notching the LE is necessary to get a tank big enough to complete the pattern these days. it was designed for only 1 lap between maneuvers.
Mongo