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Author Topic: Availability of Airplanes  (Read 2447 times)

Offline John Given

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Availability of Airplanes
« on: January 29, 2020, 06:22:17 AM »
I’d like to know if there are any kits available to build a Speed model from. The only source I can find is eBay. The prices there indicate that there is a market for these kits, or am I just seeing two collectors fight over a kit that will never see the light of day?

I’d like to try speed flying, but it seems my only option is to scratch build and scrape together all the items needed.

Any help with being able to put a plane together will be appreciated.

This is what I’m referring to:


Tom Vieira

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Re: Availability of Airplanes
« Reply #1 on: January 29, 2020, 08:08:25 AM »
yeah, kit prices suck....

easier to find the prints and plans then go from there...

Offline Dennis Saydak

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Re: Availability of Airplanes
« Reply #2 on: January 29, 2020, 08:22:42 AM »
I have a hard time understanding how or why that the Kansas Twister kit sold for $200 bucks on EBAY. I looked at the pictures and it looked to me that the speed pan was missing. I have one of these kits that I was going to start building this winter. I also have a pristine Rossi .60 speed engine for it. Hmmmm, maybe I'll just sock it away in my safety deposit box and wait for the moths to eat it.   ;D
Just when you think you're getting ahead in the rat race.....you find the rats just get faster! MAAC 13120L

Offline John Given

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Re: Availability of Airplanes
« Reply #3 on: January 29, 2020, 08:26:13 AM »
yeah, kit prices suck....

easier to find the prints and plans then go from there...


If kit prices suck, why does no one make kits?

Tom Vieira

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Re: Availability of Airplanes
« Reply #4 on: January 29, 2020, 08:32:00 AM »
super niche market, that's why.  Bill Hughes gets pan castings made from time to time, but it's a huge up front investment for him to just sit on and hope someone buys them....

Offline Fredvon4

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Re: Availability of Airplanes
« Reply #5 on: January 29, 2020, 08:59:09 AM »
must look at Mike Hazel's fer sale ad on flyin lines

http://flyinglines.org/fleamarket.html

no kits but tons of kit

I have 1/2A stuff to liquidate

Midwest kit 256 mouse racer KIT for beam mount engine
2 each Cox speed pans
1 fiberglass top for Cox pan
2 each shorter Tatone speed pans...no top
1 left hand drive cox TeeDee...blader or suction..Nelson and merlin* heads
1 right hand drive Cox TeeDee...blader or suction..Nelson and merlin heads

Merlin shut doors...new inserts unobtainium at this time
Plenty of Nelson plugs world wide...used on a lot of engines from factory
"A good scare teaches more than good advice"

Fred von Gortler IV

Offline John Given

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Re: Availability of Airplanes
« Reply #6 on: January 29, 2020, 10:14:33 AM »
must look at Mike Hazel's fer sale ad on flyin lines

http://flyinglines.org/fleamarket.html

no kits but tons of kit

I have 1/2A stuff to liquidate

Midwest kit 256 mouse racer KIT for beam mount engine
2 each Cox speed pans
1 fiberglass top for Cox pan
2 each shorter Tatone speed pans...no top
1 left hand drive cox TeeDee...blader or suction..Nelson and merlin* heads
1 right hand drive Cox TeeDee...blader or suction..Nelson and merlin heads

Merlin shut doors...new inserts unobtainium at this time
Plenty of Nelson plugs world wide...used on a lot of engines from factory


PM sent

Offline John Given

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Re: Availability of Airplanes
« Reply #7 on: January 29, 2020, 10:38:46 AM »
super niche market, that's why.  Bill Hughes gets pan castings made from time to time, but it's a huge up front investment for him to just sit on and hope someone buys them....

I get niche market, but if the prices are this high it would seem that it would be profitable to kit speed models

Offline pat king

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Re: Availability of Airplanes
« Reply #8 on: January 29, 2020, 05:24:55 PM »
I sell laser cut kits for Perky airplanes. I also have several racers, Mouse Racers, Super Slow Rat Racers, Sport Goodyear Racers, Quicky Rat and Quicky Rat II. The problem with kitting speed airplanes is the annual sales market would be 1 or less of most any design offered.

Pat
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Online Mike Hazel

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Re: Availability of Airplanes
« Reply #9 on: January 29, 2020, 09:55:07 PM »
John,  Two hundred bucks for a Kansas Twister is just stupid.  They can found for less.  Up until about seven or eight years ago I was an avid speed kit collector and had many dozens pass thru my hands. (I have since liquidated my collection) BTW, the KS is not from the 50's like the e-bay guy posted.
As already mentioned on this thread, speed kits would be an incredibly small niche.  In my region I know of two guys who have put together small runs of kits, and both have had the same complaint:  The effort of putting together the kits is really a labor of love and with hopes of enhancing the activity.  In reality maybe 10% of the kits get built and flown and the rest sit on the shelf either with only good intentions or for just collecting.
 
mike

Offline C.T. Schaefer

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Re: Availability of Airplanes
« Reply #10 on: January 30, 2020, 05:34:28 AM »
This is what I think.  Most of the old speed kits were pretty crude. Some precut sheet and blocks. Might be easier to look at some plans to get dimensions and techniques and then make yer own.  I have done this for Perky, Form .40 and Fox speed.  TS

Tom Vieira

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Re: Availability of Airplanes
« Reply #11 on: January 30, 2020, 06:37:29 AM »
Don't get me wrong, I'd LOVE proper speed kits available nowadays...  but, again, they may sell 1 or 2 a year probably.  It's not exactly like Stunt...

Offline John Given

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Re: Availability of Airplanes
« Reply #12 on: January 30, 2020, 07:03:55 AM »
Don't get me wrong, I'd LOVE proper speed kits available nowadays...  but, again, they may sell 1 or 2 a year probably.  It's not exactly like Stunt...

If all this is true then the eBay prices must be collectors paying whatever to make sure they have a shelf queen. 

Tom Vieira

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Re: Availability of Airplanes
« Reply #13 on: January 30, 2020, 08:30:22 AM »
...that was me that bought that hellrazor.....  it won't be a shelf queen.  i've got another 30-40 years before I need to head to the L-Pad retirement castle!

Offline bob whitney

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Re: Availability of Airplanes
« Reply #14 on: January 30, 2020, 11:15:19 AM »
enjoy it while u can
rad racer

Offline John Given

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Re: Availability of Airplanes
« Reply #15 on: October 10, 2020, 09:09:59 AM »
OK, so I got one. I had to pay similar money to the kits in the original post, but I now have a genuine, complete speed kit to work on. Looking forward to screwing myself into the ground!

Offline Bob Heywood

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Re: Availability of Airplanes
« Reply #16 on: October 10, 2020, 04:40:57 PM »
You landed exactly the right kit. The value is in the hardware, tank, and aluminum wings. What engine are you considering?
"Clockwise Forever..."

Offline John Given

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Re: Availability of Airplanes
« Reply #17 on: October 11, 2020, 09:29:51 AM »
I have a BNIB K&B 3.5 FIRE. I doubt I’ll be in contention for any trophies anytime soon, so I would guess this engine is good enough for my purposes.

That being said, if there is a much better choice I am all ears.

Offline Bob Heywood

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Re: Availability of Airplanes
« Reply #18 on: October 11, 2020, 01:38:33 PM »
The K&B will get into the mid 120's and you will learn all the necessary basics of C/L Speed flying. Bill Hughes offers the OPS 21 and runs in the mid 140's. If you are able to get to some contests, especially the NATS, start asking questions and taking notes.
"Clockwise Forever..."

Offline John Given

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Re: Availability of Airplanes
« Reply #19 on: October 11, 2020, 02:06:24 PM »
Thank you for the guidance Bob.


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