Brodak S1 Ringmaster

[Gary Dowler]

Ok, several of you have likely built one of these from the Brodak kit.  I have a few questions.

1  Quality overall.  Is the wood usually decent? Knowing finish work adds weight, What can one expect typically from the factory wood regarding finished weight?  Under 30??

2  What about the ARF & ARC kits?  How do they compare to doing it yourself? Does their finished weight compare favorably to the standard kit?  How is quality of the build? 

Im considering ordering one, but I will confess that the allure of reduce build time from the ARF & ARC kits is tempting.

Gary

[jfv]

I stuffed my RSM kit Ringmaster at Brodak and since I needed another one fast for a couple of upcoming OTS events, I went to the Brodak store and bought an ARC.  Picked the lightest box.  The finished ready to fly weight with a Fox 35 was 26 1/2 oz.  Very respectable.  Fuse and tail were painted.  Wing was covered with polyspan and SLC film.

[Dane Martin]

I've actually flown and helped assemble several Brodak S1 ringmaster ARF's for one reason or another now.... I really enjoy them. The weight feels really good. If I was going to buy the ARF or the ARC, I would opt for the ARC. I'm not being judgmental, but I don't know about the longevity of the covering on the ARF. I don't at all mean to sound negative. It looks great. But after a year or so.... it gets a little so-so....
But, really good flyer!

[James Holford]

Having the ARF as my main plane.... the only complaint is the pushrod... has to be soldered.. otherwise get the ARC...change it out without ruining the covering.

Also it flies great with the 25LA

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G891A using Tapatalk

[mike londke]

My Brodak S-1 kit came in at 25.9 oz with just a clear dope and silkspan finish. OS FP .25 up front.

[Fred Quedenfeld jr]

My Brodak ARF is 27 ounces with FP and APC 9x4 and clunk tank china coat seemed better than before
Fred Q