EDCO kits

[larry richards]

Do any of you know the years that EDCO / Engineering Development Co. were making kits down in Escondido California?  I have found an old kit from way back of their Navion Scale kit.  Just like to get more info on the kit as there are no dates on the plans or box.  Lots of good wood in it and it is light.   

[Don Hutchinson AMA5402]

I have a copy of a 1947 catalog that contained all the well known C/L model kits available. There is a Navion in there but no manufacturers name. There was also a companion Ercoupe kit. If your Navion kit has a 32" span and prefabbed ribs, it sold for $5.98. There was another Navion kit that spanned 35.5 inches and used single line "Autotrol"?? It sold for $3.95.

[larry richards]

Thanks Don for the info.  Amazingly enough this kit is probably not worth much more than that as the canopy is missing and according to Tony it is in the 1946/48 range as noted on a couple of ebay sales over the past few years.  Guess I'll try to sell it off for $15.00.

[Bill Adair]

Larry,

Please don't give that kit away!

A canopy mold could be made per the plan views, and I'm sure you could find someone to make one for you.

I remember seeing EDCO kits years ago, and also thought they made some model accessories.

Bill

[larry richards]

Thanks Bill.  Do you think you could make the canopy???  I know that I can not, so I hear a lot of guys on the internet forums say they make their own but when it comes to getting it done for someone else things change.

[Bill Adair]

Wish I could, but that is another model building skill I've never learned (1 of about a million)! 

Sig used to sell clear plastic canopies years ago, and I have a few sizes if you need one (no charge). I'll see what I have when I get back from NM in two weeks.

Might be easier to make a canopy out of balsa, and paint the details on.

Bill

[Andrew Tinsley]

Hello Bill.
If you have the skill to make a balsa canopy then 90% of the work is done. Plunge moulding a canopy is the easiest bit, getting a good "mould" is another thing.

Andrew.

[larry richards]

Wish I could, but that is another model building skill I've never learned (1 of about a million)! 

Sig used to sell clear plastic canopies years ago, and I have a few sizes if you need one (no charge). I'll see what I have when I get back from NM in two weeks.

Might be easier to make a canopy out of balsa, and paint the details on.

Bill

Thanks Bill.  This kit would be a real nice winter time challenge as the carving required in it will for sure be a challenge for you.  I'd like to see if you  might have a canopy that might work for a Navion.  Please let me know when you return from trip.  Thanks again,  Larry

[Steve_Pollock]

Autotrol was a feature of Berkeley kits.

[dennis lipsett]

Autotrol was a feature of Berkeley kits.

Steve,

I had an Aerotrol Radio from Berkley from 1958. That is the only time I ever saw the name used with any Berkley  merchandise. The radio was basically junk.

[Steve_Pollock]

"Aerotrol" was indeed a radio set.  "Autotrol" was a control scheme, shown here on the Berkeley P-51 kit.  The text reads: "Autotrol" is automatic control line flying.  Rudder and Elevator compensate for wind and gusts, simulation automatic pilot control.  I wish!