Another Lark Question??

[Gary Anderson]

Hi guys,
Here goes another question about the famous plane the Lark. I have the Lark Kit put together by Smith's Model Products. Smith's Products is located in San Dimas, CA. The print in the kit states:

Lark
Ed Southland
Plans by: Bill Byles
Date 8-17-55
Redrawn for Clarity" 6-1-93
Signed by Ed
Wing Span 57.5 Length 42
Question, has anyone build this kit?? seems like there is a million pieces in the box, very complete and great looking wood and products. Before I would build her, I believe I would check all the moments, areas against other planes to be sure shes on the same page as the big boys. I appreciate your input.
Gary

[Brian Massey]

Hey Gary; with you working 6 days a week now, why even start a kit! It'll be Fooor Evvveeer before I get to see you fly it!!

Brian

[Gary Anderson]

Hi Brian,
I hoping that my work time will slow down, to maybe six days a week so I'll get time to play. I received the Sig Chipmunk CL-3 and after looking at Dave's mods decided to use a legacy fuse and a few different items and paint it the same as the chipmunk and call it ?? Maybe Chipper Flipper?? I believe you said you was going to sheet the wing on your Chipper?? That entered my mind cause could use carbon fiber and end up with a very strong wing also?? Its a pain to get a good finish over carbon fiber but ya can do it. Roger has a few plane he is going to give you for club trainers but ya not going to be there today so, I guess he'll have to give them to ya another time. Hey!! I also have the original Skylark designed by Randy Smith and Ed Southland, (not as big as the Lark) maybe I should screw it up also??? In the Classic Plane I want to run pipe engine just for fun Ha Ha. Miss seeing the group.
Gary (My Score showed it at the Golden State Contest)

[Dan McEntee]

   I have one each of the Southwick Skylark, and the elliptical wing version called The Lark. Both designed by Ed Soutwick, who was a good friend of Bill Byles. The kits were put out by the late Ken Smith who alsoi did some mouse racer kits and tanks. Bill and Ed worked together on the plans and worked with Ken on production of the kit, so build it with confidence that it will be an exact replica of Ed Southwick's models. The Sterling Skylark is the same airplane that was massaged to fit the standard Sterling box and is a bit smaller I think. All versions are classic legal. Bill Byles will jump in here I hope and make additions and corrections. I was lucky enough to have met Ed Southwick on a few occasions at VSC and he was a true gentleman of aeromodeling and is greatly missed.
   Hope this helps.
   Type at you later,
   Dan McEntee
  Florissant, MO

[Gary Anderson]

Hi Ty,

This is interesting, the Smith Lark I have, wing span is 57.5", 620 sq in., the spec you show is 56 Wing Span, 610 sq in. I wonder if the kit I have is newer?? The Kit is great, nice wood, cut well, many great parts, Mr. Smith did a great job.

The Skylark I have is one of the Skylark Ed Southland and Randy Smith made up to send to Sterling to develop the Sterling Skylark by Ed Southland. Randy told me that Sterling made a error in one of the ribs, (which one not sure) and the wing is not quite in line?? Knowing me probably wrong on this item also??? (I checked the Skylark I have in the garage and I believe this to be true???)
"Skylark"
Plans by: Ed Southland Randy Smith
Drawn by: Postal Service put their darn shipping sticker over this item???
Aero Products
1880 Scenic Highway
Snellville, Georgia 30278
Ph. 404-979-2035
Thats all I know, cause thats what is listed on the box??? This Kit is also great, with good wood, parts, etc.

[billbyles]

Hey!! I also have the original Skylark designed by Randy Smith and Ed Southland, (not as big as the Lark) maybe I should screw it up also???

The Lark was designed in 1956 by Ed Southwick (not Southland), and the original Skylark and all subsequent versions (Ed rarely built any two of his designs exactly the same - he experimented with his designs) were designed by Ed Southwick.  Randy Smith has designed many great airplanes but the Skylark was not one of them.

P.S. I forgot to mention that the Lark (the kit you have) is 57 1/2" span; the Skylark is 56" span with about the same wing area since the Lark, although slightly longer in span, loses a little area with the semi-elliptical tip trailing edge.  So the two have the same area within about 2 in^2. 

[Gary Anderson]

Hi Bill

Sorry, all I meant to say was Plans by Ed Southland and Randy Smith??? That's what on the box??? Don't even know if its the Randy Smith that is on the forum? I appreciate your input. (Bad eyes, Bill is correct Southwick).
Thank You
Gary

[Larry Cunningham]

I have one of the (Sterling) Skylark kits NIB, signed by Ed.. (not for sale). I always felt the paint scheme Ed had on those two Skylarks (one red and one black) were outstanding, and the built up ribbed wings (vs the planked foam versions Ed had later) were just gorgeous. And the rudder shape is a thing of beauty. These were the models Ed took to the Worlds in Kiev.

The Skylark was well ahead of its time in terms of wing thickness, tail moment, and power. And Ed and his wife were two of the sweetest people on the planet.

L.

"Don't walk behind me; I may not lead. Don't walk in front of me; I may not follow. Just walk beside me and be my friend." -Albert Camus 

[John Miller]

I have to agree with Larry about Ed and his wife. I've shared this photo before, but for those who might have missed it.....
 This is the way I'll always remember them. She always launched for him.

[john e. holliday]

I had the previlage of getting meet Ed and his lovely wife.  Always looked forward to seeing them each year at VSC.  They were a great couple as are all the couples in our modelling field.    I also have several of the Ken Smith kits and will not sell them.   Now if you want to be in my will.

I still remember my first Sterling kit of the Skylark.  Learned not to build two separate wing halves and then join.   My second one was scratch built using the kit for a pattern.   Sold that kit for three times what I paid for it.

[billbyles]

Hi Bill

Sorry, all I meant to say was Plans by Ed Southland and Randy Smith??? That's what on the box??? Don't even know if its the Randy Smith that is on the forum? I appreciate your input. (Bad eyes, Bill is correct Southwick).
Thank You
Gary

Hi Gary,

No problem...the Smith on the box ("Smith's Model Products") was Kenn Smith from San Dimas, California who produced those kits.  Kenn passed away a few years ago.  Randy Smith lives in Georgia & is still producing some of the best Precision Acro model designs & kits around.  I believe his web address is (without looking it up) is www(dot)aeroproduct(dot)net & is well worth a look if you haven't already.

[Gary Anderson]

Hi Bill,
Thank you for the information. Do you know how many kits Mr. Smith made and have you seen any of his kit build and flown?? Just looking and weighing the parts, looks like Mr. Smith did a great job putting these kits together. I still haven't heard from anyone that has build one of Mr. Smith's kits??? There seems to be a million parts in the kit, all the modern mods. Great job on the prints, don't believe anyone could have done a better job. I believe this ship needs a modern power plant, maybe a RoJett 61, Brett Version. May have to increase size of bottom of fuse to hide pipe, I appreciate your input.
Gary

[Gary Anderson]

Well, I guess no one has build one of Mr. Smith's Kits? I guess maybe he didn't make many?? Maybe he didn't advertise? I'm sure that Mr. Smith's Kits aren't that old. I'm sure Mr. Smith was a great guy and did a lot for our sport? Maybe he only made special kits for a few?

Gary

[john e. holliday]

I think he would bring the kits to VSC to sell.  That is where I got my kits.   In fact the first kit I had to mail the money to him as he had already left for home.   I can't remember who had the kit in his hands and gave it to me when I getting ready to load up that day.  Kenn was one of the great ones.   

[Ted Fancher]

I have to agree with Larry about Ed and his wife. I've shared this photo before, but for those who might have missed it.....
 This is the way I'll always remember them. She always launched for him.

Ed and Helen were regulars at VSC (and many statewide California meets) after he rediscovered the joys of the event late in life.  It was wonderful to watch him grow "younger" each year as he grew back into the championship flier he was back in the early days of World Championships history.  He again became a prolific-and exquisite-builder and finisher and seemed to show up with a new (and better) version of one of his "classic marvels" every time you saw  him.

The loss of Ed and Helen to an automobile crash was probably the single most universally mourned human tragedy for the event in my memory.  I believe it was their loss that inspired the now ritual "last flight" of a lost legend's plane at VSC...an event that happens all to frequently nowadays.

They defined "class" in the event.

Ted

[RandySmith]

""Randy Smith makes different kits and has the same last name. End of coincidence. ""

Well...No Not exactly, I was a long time friend of Ed and Helen, I built many motors, wings stabs and other for ED, and we worked on many things including drawing the plan for the 40 sized SKYLARK that was published years ago and the plane that the KIT was supposed to be, We work for many months sending drawing back and forth to get it right. They are listed in my plans list, I do not make a SKYLARK kit.

We all lost 2 of the finest people on this planet when Ed and Helen were killed that day, I miss them very much, and they always have a special place in my heart

Randy

[Howard Rush]

Here is Bruce Hunt's Lark. 

Ed Southwick was a Hero of the Jive Combat Team.

[Tim Wescott]

Hey Gary; with you working 6 days a week now, why even start a kit! It'll be Fooor Evvveeer before I get to see you fly it!!

This plane was built in ten to fifteen minute sessions, over the course of two months or so when my sons were 1 and 6.  Had I said "I'll never get it built" -- I never would have.