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General control line discussion => Open Forum => Topic started by: Paul Taylor on May 14, 2014, 06:01:01 PM

Title: Last Twister Kit sold
Post by: Paul Taylor on May 14, 2014, 06:01:01 PM
I have a flying buddy that loves to build and bash Twisters.
He bought the last one off the Sig site.

A sad day.  D>K
Title: Re: Last Twister Kit sold
Post by: Steve Helmick on May 14, 2014, 06:35:09 PM
Maybe they'll update it and sell a kit version of the "Fancher-ized" Twister? One can always hope, anyway.  y1 Steve
Title: Re: Last Twister Kit sold
Post by: Joe Just on May 14, 2014, 06:45:08 PM
NEVER HAPPEN! Somebody else, maybe Bodak
Joe
Title: Re: Last Twister Kit sold
Post by: wwwarbird on May 14, 2014, 06:59:19 PM
Maybe they'll update it and sell a kit version of the "Fancher-ized" Twister? One can always hope, anyway.  y1 Steve

 I'm pretty sure that Sig is done with Control Line. The new ownership seems to be well on their way to turning a once great name into just another cookie cutter ARF distribution warehouse. Sad, very sad. :(
Title: Re: Last Twister Kit sold
Post by: Mike Griffin on May 14, 2014, 08:24:47 PM
If you have a TWISTER kit, it can easily be duplicated and morphed into a Fancherized version.

Mike
Title: Re: Last Twister Kit sold
Post by: 55chevr on May 14, 2014, 08:26:21 PM
The first object of being in business, is staying in business.   They will go where the market takes them.  Right now that appears to be RC ARF-s.  
Title: Re: Last Twister Kit sold
Post by: James Mills on May 14, 2014, 10:19:09 PM
The first object of being in business, is staying in business.   They will go where the market takes them.  Right now that appears to be RC ARF-s.  
Ditto, they have to go with what keeps the doors open.
James
Title: Re: Last Twister Kit sold
Post by: RC Storick on May 14, 2014, 11:47:59 PM
Ditto, they have to go with what keeps the doors open.
James

That's all well and good as long as you don't forget who got kept the doors open at first.
Title: Re: Last Twister Kit sold
Post by: 55chevr on May 15, 2014, 05:59:40 AM

They are new owners and they are in business to make money.   I doubt that they have any interest in providing support for segments of modeling that aren't profitable.  If they did that they wouldn't be in business long.
Title: Re: Last Twister Kit sold
Post by: James_Mynes on May 15, 2014, 08:10:03 AM
Ford still makes cars, but not Model-Ts. I'm sure there are a few people who would buy a Model-T for old time's sake, but not enough to make production of them profitable unless the price was increased beyond reason.
Title: Re: Last Twister Kit sold
Post by: peabody on May 15, 2014, 08:17:33 AM
Sounds as if there is an opportunity here.....maybe Eric Rule or John Brodak will produce something so similar that some would say identical?
Title: Re: Last Twister Kit sold
Post by: dennis lipsett on May 15, 2014, 10:12:28 AM
If you just have to have one I still have a kit that I'll never use.

Dennis
Title: Re: Last Twister Kit sold
Post by: john e. holliday on May 15, 2014, 11:15:09 AM
Instead of a Twister, I would rather see a TAOSAWKI kit.
Title: Re: Last Twister Kit sold
Post by: Bob Reeves on May 15, 2014, 11:20:10 AM
If you just have to have one I still have a kit that I'll never use.

Dennis

Me too, maybe if we hang on to them for a couple years we can sell them on eBay for big bucks  ;D
Title: Re: Last Twister Kit sold
Post by: Steve Fitton on May 15, 2014, 12:32:37 PM
I think a set of plans and a pile of contest wood from Tom Morris would yield a Twister far superior to one from the kit....
Title: Re: Last Twister Kit sold
Post by: dennis lipsett on May 15, 2014, 01:09:05 PM
I think a set of plans and a pile of contest wood from Tom Morris would yield a Twister far superior to one from the kit....

Steve,

It's not the kit that counts. It's the box. After all that is what any collector really wants the kit is just ballast.

Dennis
Title: Re: Last Twister Kit sold
Post by: Randy Powell on May 15, 2014, 02:28:48 PM
>>I doubt that they have any interest in providing support for segments of modeling that aren't profitable. <<

Or not as profitable. Sig would make money from control line. Just not the profit margin they make from selling ARFs constructed by minimum wage workers. Hey, that's the world today: make the maximum amount of money possible right now. Forget about everything else.
Title: Re: Last Twister Kit sold
Post by: MarcusCordeiro on May 15, 2014, 03:21:35 PM
I think a set of plans and a pile of contest wood from Tom Morris would yield a Twister far superior to one from the kit....

I second that...

Marcus
Title: Re: Last Twister Kit sold
Post by: John Desrosiers on May 15, 2014, 03:39:36 PM
I bought a skyray and a arkromaster back in early march.  Now I,m glad I did. still in the box
Title: Re: Last Twister Kit sold
Post by: 55chevr on May 15, 2014, 04:31:57 PM
Twister is a simple design.  There are a lot of similar planes that would be suitable replacement.  It wouldn't be terribly hard to scratch build one.
Title: Re: Last Twister Kit sold
Post by: YakNine on May 15, 2014, 09:01:34 PM
 They are still showing the twister on the main part of the site but the Banshee & Chipmunk are gone:(
Title: Re: Last Twister Kit sold
Post by: builditright on May 15, 2014, 09:07:22 PM
for those that don't know, I kit the Fancherized Twister
http://www.builtrightflyright.com/New_Web_Pgs/kits/FancherizedTwister/FTwister.htm
Title: Re: Last Twister Kit sold
Post by: Dennis Leonhardi on May 16, 2014, 10:15:30 AM
Sig sells the kit plans - Twister is SIGKP022 and costs $5.75. Banshee is SIGKP011 and costs $5.75. Killer is Shipping & Handling, which is $9.95 minimum.

Sig also sells wing kits, which cuts down building time. Banshee wing kit is SIGRPBK011 at $23.49, for example.  Twister wing kit (SIGRPBK022) is available at $29.99.

The other parts aren't that difficult to cut.

Dennis

Title: Re: Last Twister Kit sold
Post by: dirty dan on May 16, 2014, 11:42:02 AM
>>I doubt that they have any interest in providing support for segments of modeling that aren't profitable. <<

Or not as profitable. Sig would make money from control line. Just not the profit margin they make from selling ARFs constructed by minimum wage workers. Hey, that's the world today: make the maximum amount of money possible right now. Forget about everything else.


I do believe that is easily the silliest thing you have ever posted.

Dan
Title: Re: Last Twister Kit sold
Post by: Dave_Trible on May 16, 2014, 11:55:01 AM
The Acromaster kits are also on clearance.  I just ordered four to have around for trainers. At 25.99 they are cheaper than 1/2As.  About 35 left.  Not sure you could even scratch build something similar for that.

Dave
Title: Re: Last Twister Kit sold
Post by: Brett Buck on May 16, 2014, 04:16:41 PM
>>I doubt that they have any interest in providing support for segments of modeling that aren't profitable. <<

Or not as profitable. Sig would make money from control line. Just not the profit margin they make from selling ARFs constructed by minimum wage workers. Hey, that's the world today: make the maximum amount of money possible right now. Forget about everything else.

   That was the world yesterday, too.

  Brett
Title: Re: Last Twister Kit sold
Post by: Bob Reeves on May 16, 2014, 04:29:27 PM
Sig sells the kit plans - Twister is SIGKP022 and costs $5.75. Banshee is SIGKP011 and costs $5.75. Killer is Shipping & Handling, which is $9.95 minimum.

Sig also sells wing kits, which cuts down building time. Banshee wing kit is SIGRPBK011 at $23.49, for example.  Twister wing kit (SIGRPBK022) is available at $29.99.

The other parts aren't that difficult to cut.

Dennis



You can also order the TwistMaster plans from PAMPA which is a Twister with mods.
Title: Re: Last Twister Kit sold
Post by: proparc on May 16, 2014, 06:07:06 PM
While I am sorry to see a good control line kit go, now maybe someone will finally kit the Fancherized Twister which is what's really needed!
Title: Re: Last Twister Kit sold
Post by: Steve Helmick on May 16, 2014, 06:25:29 PM
While I am sorry to see a good control line kit go, now maybe someone will finally kit the Fancherized Twister which is what's really needed!

BINGO!  H^^ Steve
Title: Re: Last Twister Kit sold
Post by: Dan McEntee on May 16, 2014, 06:33:20 PM
While I am sorry to see a good control line kit go, now maybe someone will finally kit the Fancherized Twister which is what's really needed!
    Scroll up about six posts and read. I think the Twister is one of the best kits of all time. Good design, simple contsruction, reasonable price, good performance. I've related here several times about a local guy that took a single Twister from the beginner class all the way to Expert, and witnessed him whipping up on piped ships with it. And it was a  bone stock, kit built Twister with an FP-40 on it. It is a testiment to the design that so much has been done with it in the way of modifications and kit bashings. I have one that I made into a profile Shark that resembles my Shark.45. Twister mods, leading edge sheeting and cap strips, and other balsa added to obtain shapes and sizes,, but 100% of the kit was used. The ribs were hard enough I had to band saw them to cut them down to allow for the sheeting and cap strips. Model weighs in the upper 40 ounze range and has always flown great. That is because I started out with a great design in the first place.
     Here's to the Twister! H^^ The Ringmaster of our generation! And a million thanks to Mike Gretz for the great design!
   Type at you later,
   Dan McEntee
Title: Re: Last Twister Kit sold
Post by: Dennis Leonhardi on May 16, 2014, 07:11:42 PM
    Scroll up about six posts and read. I think the Twister is one of the best kits of all time. Good design, simple contsruction, reasonable price, good performance. I've related here several times about a local guy that took a single Twister from the beginner class all the way to Expert, and witnessed him whipping up on piped ships with it. And it was a  bone stock, kit built Twister with an FP-40 on it. It is a testiment to the design that so much has been done with it in the way of modifications and kit bashings. I have one that I made into a profile Shark that resembles my Shark.45. Twister mods, leading edge sheeting and cap strips, and other balsa added to obtain shapes and sizes,, but 100% of the kit was used. The ribs were hard enough I had to band saw them to cut them down to allow for the sheeting and cap strips. Model weighs in the upper 40 ounze range and has always flown great. That is because I started out with a great design in the first place.
     Here's to the Twister! H^^ The Ringmaster of our generation! And a million thanks to Mike Gretz for the great design!
   Type at you later,
   Dan McEntee

I'll second that, Dan.  I've never owned a Twister, but have seen several flyers put one through their paces seemingly better than they could fly anything else.  Gretz's design has stood the test of time and been a real boon to many, many flyers.

Mr. Gretz, you done good!

Dennis
Title: Re: Last Twister Kit sold
Post by: wwwarbird on May 16, 2014, 08:20:34 PM
 I'd triple that too Dan, the Twister is a great design, an "All Timer" you could say.

 A box stock Twister built straight and light is an excellent flying model, very hard to beat. y1

Title: Re: Last Twister Kit sold
Post by: Dan McEntee on May 16, 2014, 09:20:12 PM
  What I like about the Twister is that weight isn't real critical. It carries extra weight very well. Case in point is Jason Pearson's all pine Twister, made 100% out of pine, just to see what would happen! Weighs about 65 ounces if I remember well, and I think Jason placed in several Intermediate contests with it. I'm not saying that people should build them like tanks! But most people building them are at a point in their developement where the learning curve is still pretty steep, and having a model that performs well while not having to sweat over weight is a benefit to building confidense while on the trip up the ladder. get it built per plans and straight, then get the engine reliable, then go learn the pattern.
   Type at you later,
    Dan McEntee
Title: Re: Last Twister Kit sold
Post by: Steve Hines on May 16, 2014, 09:32:46 PM
I was told at Toledo that when the dies were done the kits were done until there were all redone as laser kits. We will see if it happens or not. They said they wanted to stay the biggest kit maker. I don't think there are now.

Steve
Title: Re: Last Twister Kit sold
Post by: Mike Keville on May 16, 2014, 09:36:33 PM
R.I.P., Twister.  A great design, which we all hope someone else revives - soon!
Title: Re: Last Twister Kit sold
Post by: Brett Buck on May 16, 2014, 09:44:03 PM
  What I like about the Twister is that weight isn't real critical. It carries extra weight very well. Case in point is Jason Pearson's all pine Twister, made 100% out of pine, just to see what would happen! Weighs about 65 ounces if I remember well, and I think Jason placed in several Intermediate contests with it. I'm not saying that people should build them like tanks! But most people building them are at a point in their developement where the learning curve is still pretty steep, and having a model that performs well while not having to sweat over weight is a benefit to building confidense while on the trip up the ladder.

   Jason, whose former abode I literally see from where I am sitting, has an extraordinary natural feel for proper shapes. I saw it under construction (by his Dad, who also built a 2x or 3x Banshee back in the 80s) and saw the first flights. I forget, but 65 ounces seems about right. It wasn't a super-great flier but it would get through all the stunts.

    The Twister is a decent airplane and it's a bit of a shame that the SIG kits are going away. But there are plenty of other sources for good stunt planes these day. It's probably easier to get stunt plane supplies now that at any time in my memory, and the quality is quite extraordinary. You just aren't going to get them from "major manufacturers". Kits of all types in all categories are on the decline, and I am surprised that the "major manufacturers" have held on as long as they have.

     Brett
Title: Re: Last Twister Kit sold
Post by: Dan McEntee on May 16, 2014, 10:42:30 PM
   I agree Brett. There is often a lot of grief over things these days that most just don't realize how good they got it. Lots of engines and other power plants to choose from. Lazer cutting and instant glue. Carbon Fiber. Internet forums like this where you can get information that can shave years off a learning curve, that some of us had to learn through the school of hard knocks. But I wouldn't have it any other way. I'm just a big fan of SIG and all the nice people I have met at their contests through the years. As a kid I used to lust for all the neat stuff in their adds. Meeting and getting to know Haxel, Maxey, Mike Gretz , Mike Pratt, the gals in the hobby shop trailer, the people at the factory, and seeing a lot of modeling history in person first hand has been a real highlight of my life. Wish I could have met Glen. I was super excited the year we were packing up to head home on Sunday, and heard some of the hanger doors open up. Maxey was rolling out the two-holer Space Walker, and Gretz was pushing out Hazel's Clipped Wing Cub. Needless to say that we didn't leave on time, and I got some great in flight shots of Hazel and Maxey flying in formation over SIG Field! I'll never forget that. My first "serious" stunter as I was getting into stunt in the beginner ranks was a Twister that I tired to make look like a Nobler sort of, with an Akromaster as a back up. Been a couple of Chipmunks in there also. Lots of their free flight stuff in my stash also.Just a great company that I hope is around forever!

   Type at you later,
    Dan McEntee
Title: Re: Last Twister Kit sold
Post by: James C. Martin on May 19, 2014, 06:09:20 PM
still have a twister in the box used to fly one all the time with a coffin back fox .40 ball bearing engine on it will keep the one in the box for a while also have a chipmonk  by sig in the box wonder if they too will no longer be produced ?
Title: Re: Last Twister Kit sold
Post by: Mike Griffin on May 19, 2014, 06:48:39 PM
James I talked to SIG today and asked that very question, and they have sold out of the Chipmunk and will be discontinuing it.

Mike