Aero Skylark

[Gary Anderson]

Hi guys,

Has anyone build this version of the Skylark??? This Skylark has Ed Southwick and Randy Smith, redrawn by Ron Farmer on the plan. I punch in Skylark in the search tank and didn't notice any articles about the Aero Skylark. How does this version vary from the other Skylark's? Was this Skylark ever kitted? I purchased this kit from Mrs. Sawyer and it has very nice wood and a lot of nice hardware (maybe Bill just cut this kit??). Haven't checked the prints out very close cause I need to get the plan over to the plotter to make several build plans. The plan shows all of the ribs and it looks like this kit was hand cut. I PMed Randy and he replied that he has the plan and its classic legal?? Wing span is 52" to 53", fuse is 38" from tail to nose, moments is 15". Not a big plane but looks nice. I believe a OS 46 LA would give this plane a nice ride. I appreciate any input about this toy.
Thank You
Gary

[Bob Reeves]

The Aero kit was available long before the RSM kit came out. I also have one, got it off eBay several years ago. Nice kit and someday I might build it. I ended up building a 46 size Skylark from an RSM kit simply because I wanted a larger version.

Memory sucks but, think I asked Randy about this kit when I first aquired it and seem to emember him telling me it wasn't a product of his. Not sure who Arrow was...

[Gary Anderson]

Hi Bob,
There is a band of tape on the box that states laser cut, inc. Not sure, the plan has Ed Southwick, Randy Smith and redrawn by Ron Farmer. I figured it was the Randy Smith that has Aero Product?? Maybe not??? Darn Postages covered up the Aero part on the box, so not sure if its Aero Products or something else. The wood is very good wood. The ribs look like they're hand cut and cut very well. Has very nice control horns. Several sheets of contest balsa wood. Great motor mounts, beautiful landing gear and canopy. Just wonder how she differs from other Skylark Kits?

[RandySmith]

Hi Gary

The kit looks to be one cut from the plans that Ed Southwick, Ronnie Farmer and Myself did for the 52 inch version that was published in the model magazine right before the Sterling kit came out, The plane is accurate as I got all the info from Ed, there where many many long phone calls, Lots of paper shipped back and forth and even a couple face to face talks.
Ed did several sizes of his Skylarks, he even did a couple with SV-11 Stabs Elevators  and wings in them. The Sterling kit was the 35 to 40 size, 52 inch or so, and the ones that Ed mostly flew where 56 inch span..or close to that.

Randy

[Gary Anderson]

Hi Gary

The kit looks to be one cut from the plans that Ed Southwick, Ronnie Farmer and Myself did for the 52 inch version that was published in the model magazine right before the Sterling kit came out, The plane is accurate as I got all the info from Ed, there where many many long phone calls, Lots of paper shipped back and forth and even a couple face to face talks.
Ed did several sizes of his Skylarks, he even did a couple with SV-11 Stabs Elevators  and wings in them. The Sterling kit was the 35 to 40 size, 52 inch or so, and the ones that Ed mostly flew where 56 inch span..or close to that.

Randy

Hi Randy,
Do you remember what year and month this article was published and do you have a copy?? I would like to have the article to go with the plane.There is several nice lite blocks in the kit, I'm sure I won't use them, probably just form wood rather than cutting and carving up these nice blocks.

Thank You
Gary

[Bob Reeves]

Well I did say my memory sucked.. Remember asking someone if it was his kit, pretty obvious it wasn't Randy. Anyway they are nice kits, if my present Skylark ever bites the dust I'll build the one I have.