Belair Kits

[Paul Raley]

Does anyone have experience with Belair laser cut C/L kits from the UK?  I was wondering about wood quality.  They make both Thunderbird versions which I am considering purchasing.  The shipping cost is relatively painful to the US but is offset to a degree by reasonable kit costs.  Thanks!

[Perry Rose]

Tom Dixon kits a Thunderbird or two. He's in the vendors section.

[Paul Raley]

Tom Dixon kits a Thunderbird or two. He's in the vendors section.

I just gave Tom a call.  Thanks!

[wwwarbird]

 Brodak sells a Thunderbird kit too...

 https://brodak.com/thunderbird-kit.html

[Paul Raley]

Brodak sells a Thunderbird kit too...

 https://brodak.com/thunderbird-kit.html

Thanks Wayne.  Their Thunderbird I does look nice.

[Skip Chernoff]

Build a T-Bird II it's a much better flying model IMHO. I have both.

[Dan McEntee]

   I believe that RSM has or at least had both versions in their kit line.  I like the look of the earlier upright mounted engine. Worth a look or a call to find out.
   HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!
   Dan McEntee

[Paul Raley]

   I believe that RSM has or at least had both versions in their kit line.  I like the look of the earlier upright mounted engine. Worth a look or a call to find out.
   HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!
   Dan McEntee

Thanks Dan!  This is one I built a number of years ago based on an RSM kit.  I am thinking of building another and was just curious about trying a different kit using the exact Veco/Dumas profiles.  The earlier one is nice too.
Happy Holidays to you too!
Paul Raley

[Ian Hewitt]

Hi Paul,

I guess that you understand that Belair supplies short kits - no spars/LE/TE/sheeting or block and no control gear or engine bearers.

I have an unstarted Tucker Special and the quality of the wood and the laser cutting is very good. This did come with the block for the tips and the spats.

Hope this helps

Ian

[BillP]

If memory is right Dixon sells the plans drawn by Busco and they had outlines for either version. Excellent plans and were signed by Palmer so you know the design wasn't "improved" by others. I built a TB-1 from them and it flew nicely with a McCoy 40RH.

[mccoy40]

Hi Paul,

I guess that you understand that Belair supplies short kits - no spars/LE/TE/sheeting or block and no control gear or engine bearers.

I have an unstarted Tucker Special and the quality of the wood and the laser cutting is very good. This did come with the block for the tips and the spats.

Hope this helps

Ian


Ian,

Have you tried the Belair short kits? Just wondering - it's always good to have MORE model kit builders than less, especially good ones.

If you have a web link that would be appreciated as well.

    

[Paul Raley]

Hi Paul,

I guess that you understand that Belair supplies short kits - no spars/LE/TE/sheeting or block and no control gear or engine bearers.

I have an unstarted Tucker Special and the quality of the wood and the laser cutting is very good. This did come with the block for the tips and the spats.

Hope this helps

Ian

Thanks Ian! That is what I wanted to know.

[Steve Helmick]

Unless things have changed, both RSM and Brodak sell Thunderbird kits and will sell plans, wing ribs or other parts for anything they kit. I'm not really very "up" on what Brodak kits, but know that RSM kits the '59 T-Bird and Brodak kits the earlier T-Bird.

I don't see any reason to buy a "short kit" from UK and pay the shipping plus wait for the customs folks to inspect and possibly break what you bought. Both RSM and Brodak kits are laser cut, anyway.  Steve

[Ian Hewitt]

The link to the Belair Thunderbird is http://www.belairdigital.co.uk/detail.asp?id=1174

Ian