Bill Skipper 'Akrobat'

[James Lee]

Hello all
I'm looking for a source for the plans for the Bill Skipper 'Akrobat'.    A Precision Models kit from 1947.
thanks
Jim

[Roy DeCamara]

Hey Jim!    I have an original set along with the kit box.  I just have to find where I put the box.  The place is in a mess since I moved the Tucson stuff into an already crammed shop.  I'll make a couple of copies and mail them to you.  Will take a couple of days or so.  Regards,  Roy DeCamara
C

[Steve Helmick]

Hoping to find something on eBay or one of the plans sites, just to see what it looks like, I did a search (DuckDuckGo) for "Bill Skipper Akrobat Precision Models 1947". Didn't find what I wanted, but got a hit you might find interesting, at least. I'd bet a buck this is the same guy.    Steve

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/262625887/bill-l-skipper

[James Lee]

Roy
Sounds great!!! No hurry, And I hope you find other 'stuff' you've been looking for!
thanks
Jim

[Roy DeCamara]

Hi Jim    I found the box and had the plans copied today.  I'll get them in the mail tomorrow.  I've had these plans for about thirty years.  Don't know why I never built one.  Regards,  Roy

[Dan McEntee]

 What does this puppy look like?? I don't think I have ever heard of this one.

  Thanks!!
  Dan McEntee

[Roy DeCamara]

Hi Dan     I don't have a picture of the model.  I'm going to take a picture of the box and send the picture to Jim at his email.  This model is 1940's technology and designed to run a Super Cyclone on spark ignition.  The fuselage is round using a crutch with oval bulkheads and planking with some blocks at nose faired into a spinner.  48 inch wing similar to the Zilch series with the stab mounted at the back of the fuselage and the elevator overhang like an All American. It is a mid-wing design, so no vertical cg problems.  George Aldrich had one in the early 90's VSC.  Regards, Roy DeCamara 

[James Lee]

Roy
Thanks a bunch!!  Aldrich had one at VSC II, the first one in Tucson.   I got the hi point spark award with my first Super Zilch with an Anderson Spitfire.   Aldrich was running the Super Cyke.'
thanks
Jim

[Dan McEntee]

Roy
Thanks a bunch!!  Aldrich had one at VSC II, the first one in Tucson.   I got the hi point spark award with my first Super Zilch with an Anderson Spitfire.   Aldrich was running the Super Cyke.'
thanks
Jim

   So we are talking 1989 or 90? I'll look up the coverage of that. Ought to be something at least in Fancher's column in Model Aviation. I think 91 or 92 was my first year.
   Type at you later,
  Dan McEntee

[James Lee]

Dan
Flying Models, July 1990, page 40.   And this also explains the genesis 'Keeper of the Flame' award.
Jim

[bob whitney]

the AKRO-BAT  is on the cover of the march-April  2014 stunt news, RAD

[Dan McEntee]

   I finally got around to pulling out the July 1990 Flying Models to check 0out the photos from VSC-II, and as soon as I saw the picture of GA holding it I knew I had seen this outline before. That big square stab and big "flipper" as they called it back in the day, really struck me, and I had it in my mind it was a color photo, with a white and black paint job!! The spelling kept ringing a bell also.  RAD's answer and spelling had me check the Flying Models Plans Store and BINGO!! It was published in May, 2011 issue of Flying Models by Watt More and Allen Brickhaus, and the color photo was of Allen's model in his sort of signature paint style.  Watt tells the story of rescuing the subject model that they reverse engineered from the landfill in the town where Watt grew up. I knew I has seen it some where before!! There is also a copy of the original ad in the magazines for it and the same picture of George holding his rendition at the 1990 VSC.
  Well, I'm glad I still have a few brain cells still functioning!!.
  Type at you later,
   Dan McEntee