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General control line discussion => Open Forum => Topic started by: Paul Raley on December 17, 2020, 08:50:53 AM

Title: Belair Kits
Post by: Paul Raley on December 17, 2020, 08:50:53 AM
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!
Title: Re: Belair Kits
Post by: Perry Rose on December 17, 2020, 09:46:02 AM
Tom Dixon kits a Thunderbird or two. He's in the vendors section.
Title: Re: Belair Kits
Post by: Paul Raley on December 17, 2020, 12:48:14 PM
Tom Dixon kits a Thunderbird or two. He's in the vendors section.

I just gave Tom a call.  Thanks!
Title: Re: Belair Kits
Post by: wwwarbird on December 17, 2020, 07:35:10 PM

 Brodak sells a Thunderbird kit too...

 https://brodak.com/thunderbird-kit.html
Title: Re: Belair Kits
Post by: Paul Raley on December 17, 2020, 08:17:33 PM
Brodak sells a Thunderbird kit too...

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

Thanks Wayne.  Their Thunderbird I does look nice.
Title: Re: Belair Kits
Post by: Skip Chernoff on December 18, 2020, 07:06:35 AM
Build a T-Bird II it's a much better flying model IMHO. I have both.
Title: Re: Belair Kits
Post by: Dan McEntee on December 18, 2020, 07:21:41 AM
   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
Title: Re: Belair Kits
Post by: Paul Raley on December 18, 2020, 01:06:46 PM
   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
Title: Re: Belair Kits
Post by: Ian Hewitt on December 21, 2020, 06:41:56 AM
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
Title: Re: Belair Kits
Post by: BillP on December 21, 2020, 11:49:31 AM
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.
Title: Re: Belair Kits
Post by: mccoy40 on December 21, 2020, 02:23:15 PM
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.

 y1   H^^
Title: Re: Belair Kits
Post by: Paul Raley on December 21, 2020, 06:41:32 PM
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.
Title: Re: Belair Kits
Post by: Steve Helmick on December 22, 2020, 07:02:12 PM
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.  y1 Steve
Title: Re: Belair Kits
Post by: Ian Hewitt on December 23, 2020, 01:59:42 AM
The link to the Belair Thunderbird is http://www.belairdigital.co.uk/detail.asp?id=1174

Ian