Eric Rule at RSM was beaten up today.

[Mike Griffin]

OK, not literally but I thought that might grab your attention.  Eric Rule, owner of RSM Distribution and I have been working on a joint venture to produce something a little different that we both think has a future for Control Line flying.  

For the past few weeks we have been working on logistics and pricing to get this program out to you and we just came to an agreement today after I spent about 30 minutes on the phone beating up on him and squeezing out good pricing.  I had to do some arm-twisting but I got it out of him.  Actually it was not that bad and I was able to compliment him into it.  

Most all models that are labeled as RTF (ready to fly) or ARC (Almost ready to cover) are imported into this country from the communist Chinese.  I myself had owned a few of these but found that before I could fly them, I had to strip the covering off, change out the control system and use epoxy or CA glue to repair loose joints where they used a hot glue gun.  But regardless of the inferior workmanship and materials, they have sold prolifically and there are thousands of these models in the air every day counting both Control Line and RC models.

The concept of a model that is built to the point of just having to install a wing and tail and go fly, has been tremendously successful in the circle of people who either do not want build, do not have the time to build, do not know how to build or do not have a place to build.  Or, maybe they have all of that but just rather buy something that requires very little time and labor to put it together and just go fly.  In addition you still have to glue in a wing and tail and hope you got the incidence right and they are level.

What we want to do is take that concept (Less the gluing together part) and improve upon it by using all contest balsa, quality components for the control system, and expert building skills to offer you a package you will be proud to own and will have fun flying.  Plus they just screw together.

Here is how Eric and have worked out the logistics.  He will laser cut the kits, send them to me and I will build them to the point of Ready To Cover (RTC) and then ship them out of New Orleans.

Now here is the great part, the models we have selected to start with, will all feature TAKE APART engineering.  In addition, they will be built for either a glow engine or an electric motor.  I took two glow Take Apart Ringmasters to the contest in Baton Rouge and sold them both the first day within a few hours and got an order for three more from a hobby shop.  I wish I had taken a dozen.

We picked 4 designs we are going to start with and then we will take others into consideration as the program develops.

They are:

The Tutor      (not the Tutor 2 that was offered at one time as an RTF)
The Flite Streak
The Magician  
The Ringmaster.

With these take apart designs we are offering, once you have covered the wing in your choice of materials, painted the fuselage and installed the power system of your choice, you are ready to go fly.  There is NO GLUING INVOLVED in assembling these planes.  The wing, stab and rudder simply bolt on using a few 4-40 socket head bolts.  After flying all you have to do is take it apart and store it in your closet if you wish.  These take up a lot less space than any permanently assembled model.  You could carry 20 of these in the backseat of your car if you so desired.  I did not take into consideration a smart car.

NOTE:  Eric Rule is now engineering the Magician Stab so we can make it a take apart also so it may be a little longer delivery time.

I will be posting the pricing in my section GRIFFIN’S BUILDING SERVICE, in Vendors Corner.

There will be an introductory offer that will run through December 15, 2014, which will be posted in my Vendors Corner section, Griffins Building Service.

One final note, if someone absolutely insists that they want the model shipped with the wing covered, I will do it for an additional fee which I will list with the prices in Vendors Corner.  I will NOT do any painting of the model.  That will be left up to the customer.

If you have any questions, please contact me and I will do my level best to answer them.

Here is the link that will take you to the pricing...

http://stunthanger.com/smf/index.php/topic,37239.0.html

Thanks from Mike and Eric…

Sorry for posting the picture of the Ringmaster twice.

[Paul Taylor]

Way to go Mike!
The thing I found with ARF's is at some point the person will have to do some type of repair.
So a kit would be in the next step for them 

I do have a suggestion. Instead of the Flite Streak why not a Streak Master?
(Aka - Sky Streak or Streak Ray). SkyRay fuse and rudder with Streak wing and stab.
A better flying model IMHO.

[James_Mynes]

What's the wingspan on the Magician? Just wondering which size you're talking about.

[Mike Griffin]

Hi Jim

The span on theMagician is either 43 or 44 inches and I cannot remember right now but I can get Eric at RSM to send me the exact measurement if you wish.

Thanks
Mike

[Mike Griffin]

Hi Paul

Thank you for the vote of confidence.  In answer to your suggestion, there have been many hours put in to get the CAD work and engineering done for the take apart feature for these four designs.  We picked those designs because they are well known models and fly well.  In the future we will take a lot of ideas and suggestions like yours into consideration for production.  We just want to get these out first and see how they are received and then we can expand the offerings. 

I really appreciate your input.

Mike

[Paul Taylor]

Gotcha 

Good Luck.

[James_Mynes]

Hi Jim

The span on theMagician is either 43 or 44 inches and I cannot remember right now but I can get Eric at RSM to send me the exact measurement if you wish.

Thanks
Mike

Thanks. It's not the Midwest sized Magician (Magician 35?) which is around 50" span.

[john e. holliday]

Geesh,  I don't have room for any more planes let alone fly them.   But, for those guys that want to get in the air fast this is the way to go.   

[Motorman]

Seems like you've got allot of cross over in the product line with planes about the same size.

[Mike Griffin]

Seems like you've got allot of cross over in the product line with planes about the same size.

Actually, that was intentional.  We also picked all profiles.  These four designs have a history of teaching a lot of people to fly.  We are not aiming toward the expert stunt flyer who competes with advanced stutters.  We wanted reasonably priced proven designs for folks to have fun with and advance their skills if they wish. Or, just go to the field on a Sunday afternoon for some fun flying.

Mike