Who/what/where to order from?

[W.D. Roland IV]

Hey guys,

I am new to the group but not new to control line ( just really out of practice).  I live outside Alexandria, La and the closest thing we have left to a Hobby Shop is Hobby Lobby (probably be better off going to Home Depot??)

I haven’t even heard a model engine run since before my dad passed in 2013 (to busy being young and dumb).  My son is now 5 years old and I patched my old 1/2a wizard back together today and hopefully will start teaching him and myself how to fly tomorrow.  I literally have stacks of my dad’s old planes but am to skiddish to even pull one off the wall now much less attempt to fly one of his.
With that being said, where is the “go to place” now days for litterally everything?  My plans are to fly 1/2a for a little while and start building a couple other planes to learn on.  Maybe later on down the road re-consider flying some of my dad’s planes.  He was a way better designer/builder than I will probably ever be. ( I grew up when they were heavy into racing cars, so guess which bug bit me the hardest?)

[Gary Dowler]

Welcome back!   As to where to go on line, Sig mfg and Brodak come immediately to mind. Lee Machineshop also sells handy tools. Then there is Stunthangar Hobby right here on the site.
Beyond that, others might have more suggestions. Another thing to look for are local swap meets.
Hope that helps.

Gary

[James Holford]

Hey guys,

I am new to the group but not new to control line ( just really out of practice).  I live outside Alexandria, La and the closest thing we have left to a Hobby Shop is Hobby Lobby (probably be better off going to Home Depot??)

I haven’t even heard a model engine run since before my dad passed in 2013 (to busy being young and dumb).  My son is now 5 years old and I patched my old 1/2a wizard back together today and hopefully will start teaching him and myself how to fly tomorrow.  I literally have stacks of my dad’s old planes but am to skiddish to even pull one off the wall now much less attempt to fly one of his.
With that being said, where is the “go to place” now days for litterally everything?  My plans are to fly 1/2a for a little while and start building a couple other planes to learn on.  Maybe later on down the road re-consider flying some of my dad’s planes.  He was a way better designer/builder than I will probably ever be. ( I grew up when they were heavy into racing cars, so guess which bug bit me the hardest?)

Hey Will.

Best shop in La is Hobbytowne in Baton Rouge. They stock Brodak stuff and many control line items.

 Other than that online ordering is the way to go.

 Brodak.com
Rsmdistribution.com
Cox International

 Just to name a few.

 Lemme know what ya need and Ill see what I have and can bring it to ya Sunday.

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[Robert Zambelli]

I would definitely go with what motorman said - build the kid a good size plane like maybe a Jr Ringmaster. Set up the controls for slow movement and you can both enjoy it.
Check out the Brodak website - plenty of stuff there.

Bob Z.

[W.D. Roland IV]

To all

Thanks for the replies.  I am mainly wanting to do 1/2a first because it’s quick and easy, I am not worried about crashing my old profile trainers, and also to see if he shows any real interest.  If he is interested than I will build him/us a .015 sized plane.  Or use one of dad’s old ringmasters or magicians.  Probably be years before I would feel comfortable enough to fly his FW 190, that thing is a work of art (it may just remain a wall hanger)

[Tim Wescott]

There are lots of sources, but they're all scattered.

Brodak and Sig are your best one-stop-shop mail order places (and Brodak has a lot of nice ARFs, if you don't have time to build).

I like National Balsa for wood -- I've bought contest grade balsa and maple motor mounts from them, and have been pleased.

Engines are currently cheap on eBay, because everyone seems to be going electric.

If you want to go electric and don't know much, check out Brodak's starter kits.

If there's anything specific you want and Brodak or Sig don't seem to have it -- ask about that specific thing, and we'll help.

[EddyR]

Roland     You said 1/2A is fast and easy. That is the problem it can be very slow and hard. IF the motor runs ,1/2A do not fly easy. They can be hard to get flights on and that leads to discouragement. The larger models are much easier to fly.
Ed

[James Holford]

Many if you will remember who his dad was.

David Roland



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[Sean McEntee]

Welcome back to the show!  Since your son is same age as my daughter, I'm assuming you're under 40.  Not enough of us mid-lifers around! 

Don't discount hobby lobby, or anyplace else that sells balsa.  Get you a small digital scale, and bookmark this link on your phone: http://www.nclra.org/Programs/BalsaDensity.php About once a month, I go to all the Hobby Lobby's, Michael's, and HobbyTown's in my area (I'm in Colorado Springs) and go through their wood, and typically head home with a pretty good stack of 5-7lb sheets and blocks.  It's a bit time-intensive, but do it once a month or so and over time, you will build up a pretty good stock that is way cheaper than paying the prices and shipping of any of the online sources.  I still order through National Balsa if I need a bunch of wood now, but collecting wood helps a lot.  This all of course predicates on the need for contest-grade balsa, as I do for CL and FF models.  If you're just trying to get flying again, super light wood isn't a necessity, and a lot of what those craft places carry will do fine for your purposes.  They also typically carry essential tools such as exacto knives and blades, glue, adhesive, ect..

If you're wanting to initially stick with 1/2A, my recommendation is the Sig 1/2A Skyray.  I could probably retire if I had a dollar for every one of those I've had in my life.  Its a sheet wing that quick to build and easy to repair.  Best advise is to get a kit and copy the parts to templates.  This way, you can build several without needing to buy a new kit each time.  I believe both Sig and Brodak carry kits.  They also carry fuel, lines, and everything else you need. 

If you want to bump up to bigger models, my pics are the Sig Akromaster (15-19 size) and Sig twister (a good 25 will fly it, 35-40 preferred).  Same concept, make templates of the parts so that WHEN you crash it (because that's part of the game), you can build another one.  Both of these models are quick builds and will fly well as long as they are built correctly.  Both models will also get you started on aerobatics, if that is the route that you chose. 

For your kiddo, I recommend the Carl Goldberg "Lil Wizzard" that brodak carries.  It's big advantage is the rubber band mounted engine.  He's going to be hitting the ground quite a bit (again, we've all been there) and that engine mount design will significantly reduce the chances of the nose snapping off in a crash.

 link up with a local club in the area.  Lots of friendly, experienced people out there to help you along, and its just more fun to get out and fly with other folks.  Find out when and where local contests are happening, go and spectate. Contests are fun, and the social aspect has become more and more important to me as I get older.

The newest and greatest help is this forum.  Using the search option, you can pretty much find out anything about anything.  However it can be a bit finicky, so if all else fails, post your question and we would be happy to help.

The most important part....have fun flying with your kid!  I started when I was a bit younger than him, and all the models mentioned were part of my progression and many others.  Countless, priceless memories of going to contests with my dad (who is also on this forum) throughout my childhood, as I'm sure you have from flying with your dad.  Best of luck!

Cheers,
Sean McEntee

[James Holford]

Welcome back to the show!  Since your son is same age as my daughter, I'm assuming you're under 40.  Not enough of us mid-lifers around! 

Don't discount hobby lobby, or anyplace else that sells balsa.  Get you a small digital scale, and bookmark this link on your phone: http://www.nclra.org/Programs/BalsaDensity.php About once a month, I go to all the Hobby Lobby's, Michael's, and HobbyTown's in my area (I'm in Colorado Springs) and go through their wood, and typically head home with a pretty good stack of 5-7lb sheets and blocks.  It's a bit time-intensive, but do it once a month or so and over time, you will build up a pretty good stock that is way cheaper than paying the prices and shipping of any of the online sources.  I still order through National Balsa if I need a bunch of wood now, but collecting wood helps a lot.  This all of course predicates on the need for contest-grade balsa, as I do for CL and FF models.  If you're just trying to get flying again, super light wood isn't a necessity, and a lot of what those craft places carry will do fine for your purposes.  They also typically carry essential tools such as exacto knives and blades, glue, adhesive, ect..

If you're wanting to initially stick with 1/2A, my recommendation is the Sig 1/2A Skyray.  I could probably retire if I had a dollar for every one of those I've had in my life.  Its a sheet wing that quick to build and easy to repair.  Best advise is to get a kit and copy the parts to templates.  This way, you can build several without needing to buy a new kit each time.  I believe both Sig and Brodak carry kits.  They also carry fuel, lines, and everything else you need. 

If you want to bump up to bigger models, my pics are the Sig Akromaster (15-19 size) and Sig twister (a good 25 will fly it, 35-40 preferred).  Same concept, make templates of the parts so that WHEN you crash it (because that's part of the game), you can build another one.  Both of these models are quick builds and will fly well as long as they are built correctly.  Both models will also get you started on aerobatics, if that is the route that you chose. 

For your kiddo, I recommend the Carl Goldberg "Lil Wizzard" that brodak carries.  It's big advantage is the rubber band mounted engine.  He's going to be hitting the ground quite a bit (again, we've all been there) and that engine mount design will significantly reduce the chances of the nose snapping off in a crash.

 link up with a local club in the area.  Lots of friendly, experienced people out there to help you along, and its just more fun to get out and fly with other folks.  Find out when and where local contests are happening, go and spectate. Contests are fun, and the social aspect has become more and more important to me as I get older.

The newest and greatest help is this forum.  Using the search option, you can pretty much find out anything about anything.  However it can be a bit finicky, so if all else fails, post your question and we would be happy to help.

The most important part....have fun flying with your kid!  I started when I was a bit younger than him, and all the models mentioned were part of my progression and many others.  Countless, priceless memories of going to contests with my dad (who is also on this forum) throughout my childhood, as I'm sure you have from flying with your dad.  Best of luck!

Cheers,
Sean McEntee

And he lives less than 2 hours from me on top of that! Us youngins are gettin old


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[Tim Wescott]

About once a month, I go to all the Hobby Lobby's, Michael's, and HobbyTown's in my area (I'm in Colorado Springs) and go through their wood, and typically head home with a pretty good stack of 5-7lb sheets and blocks.

Y'know, every time I price that out I find -- if you can collect a big enough lump of money -- that it's cheaper to order a big pile National's "value contest grade" (like, $100 worth or more).  It doesn't work unless you're willing to order enough to spread out the shipping costs.  But to each their own.  And, if I'm in Michael's and someone has accidentally left behind a light sheet of C grain around, I'll buy it.

If you want to bump up to bigger models, my pics are the Sig Akromaster (15-19 size) and Sig twister (a good 25 will fly it, 35-40 preferred).

I'm firmly in the Sig Skyray 35 camp for learning to fly on a big plane (this in spite of starting out with flapped planes).  Save anything with flaps until you fly well enough for it to make a difference, and you can see trim problems well enough to correct them.  Find one of Brett Buck's rants on doing it right (Stock Sig Skyray except for leadout locations, OS 20FP or 25LA, don't modify the motor, don't modify the plane, do trace the parts and make three planes from one kit -- then go fly).

[James Holford]

Hey guys,

I am new to the group but not new to control line ( just really out of practice).  I live outside Alexandria, La and the closest thing we have left to a Hobby Shop is Hobby Lobby (probably be better off going to Home Depot??)

I haven’t even heard a model engine run since before my dad passed in 2013 (to busy being young and dumb).  My son is now 5 years old and I patched my old 1/2a wizard back together today and hopefully will start teaching him and myself how to fly tomorrow.  I literally have stacks of my dad’s old planes but am to skiddish to even pull one off the wall now much less attempt to fly one of his.
With that being said, where is the “go to place” now days for litterally everything?  My plans are to fly 1/2a for a little while and start building a couple other planes to learn on.  Maybe later on down the road re-consider flying some of my dad’s planes.  He was a way better designer/builder than I will probably ever be. ( I grew up when they were heavy into racing cars, so guess which bug bit me the hardest?)

Will, if you go to the search bar. Type in your dads name and youll be able to find every post he started.

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[Mike Griffin]

Many if you will remember who his dad was.

David Roland



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Jamie if I am not mistaken, I think this photograph was taken at our field in New Orleans.  David came down here one day to fly and I had lunch with him and spent the day with him.  David and I spend a lot of time together that day just talking and I really enjoyed being with him.  He told me he was sick and not long after that he was gone.  One of the nicest guys I ever talked to. 

Mike

[Sean McEntee]

I'm firmly in the Sig Skyray 35 camp for learning to fly on a big plane (this in spite of starting out with flapped planes).  Save anything with flaps until you fly well enough for it to make a difference, and you can see trim problems well enough to correct them.  Find one of Brett Buck's rants on doing it right (Stock Sig Skyray except for leadout locations, OS 20FP or 25LA, don't modify the motor, don't modify the plane, do trace the parts and make three planes from one kit -- then go fly).   

     Yes!  Forgot about the Skyray 35...its morning for me here and the coffee is still trying to kick in

Us youngins are gettin old


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Ain't that the truth...

[James Holford]

     Yes!  Forgot about the Skyray 35...its morning for me here and the coffee is still trying to kick in

Ain't that the truth...

35 tomorow......

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[Scott Richlen]

Hey guys,

I am new to the group but not new to control line ( just really out of practice).  I live outside Alexandria, La and the closest thing we have left to a Hobby Shop is Hobby Lobby (probably be better off going to Home Depot??)

I haven’t even heard a model engine run since before my dad passed in 2013 (to busy being young and dumb).  My son is now 5 years old and I patched my old 1/2a wizard back together today and hopefully will start teaching him and myself how to fly tomorrow.  I literally have stacks of my dad’s old planes but am to skiddish to even pull one off the wall now much less attempt to fly one of his.
With that being said, where is the “go to place” now days for litterally everything?  My plans are to fly 1/2a for a little while and start building a couple other planes to learn on.  Maybe later on down the road re-consider flying some of my dad’s planes.  He was a way better designer/builder than I will probably ever be. ( I grew up when they were heavy into racing cars, so guess which bug bit me the hardest?)

Don't let these guys talk you out of having fun with your half-A's.  They are lots of fun, fly fine, and are easy to start if you know anything at all about model airplane engines.  My brother and I were in 4th and 5th grade when we bought our first Babe Bees and they were just right sized for us.  We had a blast with them.

[Ken Culbertson]

Don't let these guys talk you out of having fun with your half-A's.  They are lots of fun, fly fine, and are easy to start if you know anything at all about model airplane engines.

I will second that.  Especially if you are small.  My first CL exploits were in the hills of Kentucky and we had a yard of really lush grass.  I must have crashed those Baby Bee .049 a thousand times and never did any damage in that soft grass.  I have a grandson that is 8 and I am going to build him something to get his interest going and you can bet it will be a 1/2 A.  I remember my first Fox .15.  It was so big...

Ken

[Bootlegger]

 W D I sent you a P/M today about your Dad, I flew with him in Baton Rouge and if  memory serves correctly he flew that very model with us. I am sorry to hear that he passed away, and if I can do anything to help please let me know..

  P S if he didn't fly that model, we talked quite a bit about it..

 I am gonna send you another P/M...

[Peter in Fairfax, VA]

As others say, Brodak's, Sig and RSM have good lines of products, and there are smaller vendors, too, some listed on this site.  In fact, if you state a specific need, you might be happily surprised at how supportive and responsive this group is.

But, for small items, like that 5/32" wheel collar or prop you might need, Tower Hobbies has an excellent shipping policy.

Peter

[Steve Helmick]

Many if you will remember who his dad was. David Roland

Yes indeed, yes indeed!  Steve