RE: Royal Kits
Yes, it was a difficult decision to make. You could say there was a woman involved but it goes much deeper. There was a time where it seemed okay and reasonable to spend a couple of $k times a whole bunch of models. I mean, it still seems okay, but some years ago I went from six figures then five then none and along the way my RC fire kind of went out. And other fires are burning brighter. I need to convert these boxes of balsa into one of my other hobbies, like tubes in audio gear. I have a small fleet of Sig and BTE kits too, but that is another topic in another forum section, eh? Actually, I will probably keep and build the BTE kits. What I will not do is spend a year on each obsessing on scale details like I would with the Royal kits. If I plow in with a Delta Vortex it would not be nearly as hard on my psyche as it would be with a tricked out Zero or Lightning. So trust me, they are going. I may keep one or two, but they are definitely going. They lazy bum in me has a fantasy that I will get offers I cannot refuse without having to go through with the work of making proper adds. I will get started on the detailed inventory this weekend.
Posted on: 5/19/2011 7:23 PM by Author "Klaatu" in the forum "RC Scale Aircraft"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10530273

RE: Royal Kits
Long time, no read. Glad to see these fabulous kits are still getting built. Glad and sad. The really sad thing for me is that while it has taken a long time I have finally admitted to myself that I am not going to continue in this hobby. I have always enjoyed building more than flying but the reality is that I do not really have the space required to dedicate to a proper build hobby, even if I had the time. My sadness may be some of you guys' fortune though. I have a small collection of kits. I will keep a few to build maybe later and the rest I simply must let them go. The next truly difficult task for me is to decide which ones I can part with. Most of these were purchased at high prices so do not get your hopes up for potential give aways. A little ebay browsing shows that prices have been fluctuating with some at lower prices than I paid - not great news for me, eh? I have not committed myself to anything yet, so this is probably just me whining in public about giving up the hobby. Enough rambling. I am posting here because I know there are people here who will actually build some of these. So I may offer them on RCU and not ebay. Now, the reveal, I have; F4J Phantom F4U-1D Corsair (2) F8F Bearcat (2) Supermarine Spitfire (2) Ki.43 Hayabusa Oscar Hi.61 Hien Tony (2) A6M5 Zero FW 190A-8 twins P-38 Lightning C-47D Skytrain Cessna 337 Skymaster Cessna 310Q There are a few cockpit kits - I have to do an inventory soon, before I make any hard decisions. I also have the expensive Fiberglass bits for the P-38. Oh yea, and lots of old booklets (and a couple of thick books) on some of these for the real plane. Email offers I cannot refuse will get full consideration. [;)]
Posted on: 5/19/2011 12:15 PM by Author "Klaatu" in the forum "RC Scale Aircraft"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10529657

RE: Royal P-38 Kit
[quote]ORIGINAL: frankolin42 I was never aware Pica or Top Flite built a 337 I suppose I could write to them[:(] [/quote] They made Cessna 182 kits that are close in scale size to the Marutaka Skymaster. I was just thinking out loud that one of the 182 cowls might work at least for the front.
Posted on: 8/21/2010 8:05 PM by Author "Klaatu" in the forum "Kit Building"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9950493

RE: Royal P-38 Kit
Fiberglass Specialties does not list cowls for the Skymaster. I cannot recall that they ever did. I have not opened my kit box for ages, but I am pretty sure that the kit calls for building the cowls out of lots of balsa parts. They have parts for the Hostetler Skymaster, but it is *much* larger than the Marutaka kit. Hmm, they have cowls for the Aviomodelli Skymaster. Still larger though, with an 87" wingspan. I would have to see them in hand - the Pica or the Top Flite 182 cowls may be closer to correct. Have you tried sending them an email? I cannot say when or even if I will get around to building my Skymaster. Seems that when I do it would be a good idea to make a mold for cowls, eh? ;)
Posted on: 8/21/2010 2:40 AM by Author "Klaatu" in the forum "Kit Building"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9949070

RE: Does anybody pay attention to the classifieds anymore!!
From Walking Tall (1973) Luan Paxton: Lookin's for free... What I mean is lookin' don't cost nothin'. I look, which is about all I have the budget for lately. I have noticed some pretty good deals though.
Posted on: 8/19/2010 10:51 PM by Author "Klaatu" in the forum "Questions and Answers"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9946469

RE: Marutaka / Royal Rufe plans
frankonline42, I have seen you post about your Henschel, so I know you are no slouch in the building area. But my recollection of the many Guillows kits I built in my youth is that they were, to be kind, barely suggesting of scale. If the size fits your needs, I would suggest finding plans for both the large Zero slightly smaller Rufe and using some experience and thought into turning them into something the size you want. Whatever you decide, if you do start building one, PLEASE run a build thread here. I would certainly follow it if you do. btw, I just followed up to your P-38 post. Email/PM me if you want to talk further. - Jan
Posted on: 8/18/2010 11:00 PM by Author "Klaatu" in the forum "RC Warbirds and Warplanes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9944033

RE: Royal P-38 Kit
Hullo, is it Frank? I could be talked into trading one of my Corsair kits, since I have a duplicate. The others you mention, I have some of them but no duplicates. I am not sure anyone could talk me out of any of my one-ofs, especially the ones you mention. They are highly sought after, are they not? ;) I do have a weak spot for the the P38. A friend of my dad flew one in the big one. He was a super nice guy. regards, - Jan
Posted on: 8/18/2010 10:47 PM by Author "Klaatu" in the forum "Kit Building"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9944001

RE: 4 Star 40 Build Thread!
That muffler really makes the mods look just right. Shiny!
Posted on: 8/18/2010 8:53 PM by Author "Klaatu" in the forum "Kit Building"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9943738

RE: First real crash in more than 2 years
What other-than-real kind of crashes are there?
Posted on: 8/13/2010 10:13 PM by Author "Klaatu" in the forum "Crash & Rebuild"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9932026

RE: F4 vs F-86
How important is scale accuracy to you? Pilots of real Sabres wax poetically about their aerodynamic joys. Pilots of real Phantoms talk about being strapped into a projectile.
Posted on: 8/13/2010 10:08 PM by Author "Klaatu" in the forum "RC Jets"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9932013

RE: Looking for suggestions on a future twin build
I have wanted to model an AC47 Spooky Gunship ever since seeing one light up the sky and the ground one dark and scary night some decades ago. I see the odd C47 modeled, but I do not recall ever seeing a Spooky one. This may be easier to handle than a scale P61.
Posted on: 8/13/2010 9:23 PM by Author "Klaatu" in the forum "RC Warbirds and Warplanes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9931917

RE: Marutaka / Royal Rufe plans
Marutaka kit number 4, the Sea Fighter, is a 1/8 scale based on the kit number 2, a 1/8 scale Zero Fighter. This is the "medium" size Zero. The "senior" size Zero, kit number 1, is 1/6.9 scale. Zero kit number 3 is a 1/10 scale. There was also a Zero kit number 39 in 1/2 A scale. Do not worry about finding a Template. They are not scale accurate and only good for identifying pre cut parts.
Posted on: 8/13/2010 9:14 PM by Author "Klaatu" in the forum "RC Warbirds and Warplanes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9931899

RE: What LG for TF Spitfire?
Search is your friend. There are many Spitfire build threads here and many discussions about the various retract manufacturers as well. I have only used Robart and would use them again. That is not exactly a recommendation though. If I had the time and money, I would try a few other options before I would be willing to make a recommendation. Other than recommending reading the hundreds, perhaps thousands of comments already here about this topic.
Posted on: 8/13/2010 8:53 PM by Author "Klaatu" in the forum "Kit Building"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9931861

RE: Venture is Here
Welcome to never again being happy with the quality of product from any other kit supplier. Build slow and enjoy it as long as you can. ;) When you can no longer resist the urge to follow it up with a Delta Vortex kit, you will see the most amazing set of ribs ever. Bruce does it right.
Posted on: 8/11/2010 12:37 AM by Author "Klaatu" in the forum "Kit Building"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9925524

RE: BTE Venture 60 questions
Do you like to fly planes or fly props? You know - do you actually like to fly the aero-plane or do you like a big prop on a big engine to muscle a box around the pattern? Do your builds come out light or heavy? Flying a light plane with a good .61, no problem - adjust as necessary. A prop on a heavy brick may need more power. ;)
Posted on: 8/5/2010 6:16 PM by Author "Klaatu" in the forum "Kit Building"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9913573

RE: Royal Kits
What a FANTASTIC looking plane. Well done. - Jan
Posted on: 7/24/2008 1:17 AM by Author "Klaatu" in the forum "RC Scale Aircraft"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=7765823

RE: We need more guys like BTE in the hobby!
Bruce Tharpe is the Real Dealâ„¢. I recommend his products without reservation. And as you discovered, his service is even better. - Jan
Posted on: 7/1/2008 1:22 AM by Author "Klaatu" in the forum "Kit Building"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=7680675

RE: Royal Kits
Bill, please consider starting a build thread for your Oscar adventures. I for one would really appreciated it. I hope to get my Oscar on the build bench some time next year or so. Having data for a more flyable wing would be extra nice, indeed. If you have pictures but need a host for them, I can provide that. - Jan
Posted on: 1/29/2008 11:34 PM by Author "Klaatu" in the forum "RC Scale Aircraft"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=6994061

RE: any active duty army here
For this to be on-topic, Tim needs to post some pictures of RC warbirds, preferably of some currently in service wearing Army colors. I'm just saying... :-) - Jan
Posted on: 1/28/2008 6:12 PM by Author "Klaatu" in the forum "RC Warbirds and Warplanes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=6985871

RE: 1/8 scale functional Hamilton Standard hub for RCV SP engines.
I wonder what the MTBF of these hubs and props are. I especially wonder how they will hold up on a RCV SP engine which has vibrational modes entirely different than other engines. - Jan
Posted on: 1/27/2008 4:25 PM by Author "Klaatu" in the forum "RC Warbirds and Warplanes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=6979235

RE: 1/8 scale functional Hamilton Standard hub for RCV SP engines.
I am truly intrigued by RCV SP engines but their price per power seems extravagant. Add a $500+ hub and all the other necessary bits and you are nearing turbine land money for fairly low powered system that only displays its real coolness when parked in the grass. The coolness factor is high, for sure. It is just way too expensive for me. Even using Solo's off the shelf parts, it seems easy to have more money in the prop than the engine. Very cool, but beyond my reality check. I wish you luck. I will chime back in with a potential order if the price gets under $200 (way under). :-) - Jan
Posted on: 1/27/2008 3:04 AM by Author "Klaatu" in the forum "RC Warbirds and Warplanes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=6976592

RE: any active duty army here
Timothy, I volunteered and enlisted back in the '70s. During AIT I was offered a ticket to USMAPS (US Military Academy Prep School) which is a free ticket to West Point. I turned it down. I was 18, tired of school and looking for the thrills of being a Ranger. I have often considered how my life would have gone had I taken the offer. I did my tour and got out and then went on to get degrees in physics and math. I came close many times to seeing if I could turn my degrees into a commission. I think I could have done 20 as an officer but I knew I did not want to make it a career as enlisted. My window is long closed now and that's okay. My service was and still is a deeply personal issue, no real regrets about that. I have two recommendations for you and I cannot stress them enough. First, get it in writing and if you know a lawyer you trust, review it with them. Get *everything* in writing. At your age, going with the flow when things change (and they will) is a much bigger deal than it would have been 20 or 30 years ago. No matter what you have in writing, once you raise your right hand you are honor bound to the call of the commander and chief. We live in interesting times. Second, visit the base in Maryland. Look around, talk to people, talk to people at the lab if you can. What base and where is it? Parts of Maryland are way too crowded for me. I know, I lived there for 3 years back in the '80s; two years in upper Baltimore county a few miles from Pennsylvania (beautiful farm country) and a year down in Rockville (crowded urban hell). Of course it depends on what kind of life style you want, but anywhere near DC is utterly ex$pensive. If it is out on the Eastern Shore side, lovely country but still expensive. Hm, you may be talking about the base in Frederick. I have not been there in twenty years. It was almost country then, but you could see the urban sprawl coming fast. Follow your bliss, man. Life is too short to do otherwise. I commend you. Service at 18 was a cake walk for me, even though it was in the "Vietnam era". Service now (I am approaching 52) would be too disruptive to imagine. I have never felt like I have done enough to pay for the bounty of being a US citizen. I do not mean to presume, but I have considerable empathy for what may be driving you. You have my respect and gratitude for even considering this path, especially at your age. Thank you. Keep both eyes wide open and follow your bliss. Good luck. If they offer you a special version of basic with others in our advanced years, take it. - Jan
Posted on: 1/27/2008 2:18 AM by Author "Klaatu" in the forum "RC Warbirds and Warplanes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=6976485

RE: Royal kit Cessna 310
I have dealt with two people who sell Royal plans on ebay. I have a 310 kit, but honestly the hassle factor of making copies of these big sheets and shipping them is more than what these guys are charging. I have quite a few Royal kits, some with frail yellow plans that clearly would not survive the building process. I have bought 4 sets of plans from these guys; Bearcat, Lightning, Oscar and Tony. I am satisfied enough with the quality of plans from either of these guys that I will almost certainly buy an extra set of plans for the rest of my Royal kits to be sure I have the ability to do repairs and scratch (okay, plan not scratch) build more in the future. http://myworld.ebay.com/u.s.wing/ http://myworld.ebay.com/wflawson/ If you do not see what you want on ebay, email me and I will give you their email address. *edit - By the way, the Royal Cessna kit is of the 310Q model. 72-7/8 inch wingspan and 52-1/2 inch fuselage. - Jan
Posted on: 1/27/2008 12:09 AM by Author "Klaatu" in the forum "Twin & Multi Engine RC Aircraft"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=6976104

RE: Royal Kits
The Ki-43 kit seems to be significantly rarer than the P-38 kit. I already have one of each (and a total of 16 Marutaka/Royal kits ) so I am not really in the market for more. My post was intended to be a public service to those folks who looking for a rare Japanese Warbird. - Jan
Posted on: 1/22/2008 6:14 PM by Author "Klaatu" in the forum "RC Scale Aircraft"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=6951861

RE: a moment of silence please
Bummer! Flying inverted is over rated. - Jan
Posted on: 1/21/2008 4:25 AM by Author "Klaatu" in the forum "Crash & Rebuild"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=6942883

RE: Royal Kits
[...disclaimer...] It is neither my ad nor do I know who's ad it is. There is a Ki-43 Oscar kit ad in the RCU marketplace. The asking price is much less than I paid for my Oscar kit found on ebay last year. If it sits there much longer at that price, it might become mine, even though I already have one (one is never enough) and I am way, way over my hobby budget. I often notice people lamenting over not being able to find Royal kits of the Japanese fighters and this one has sat unclaimed for over a week... - Jan
Posted on: 1/21/2008 12:55 AM by Author "Klaatu" in the forum "RC Scale Aircraft"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=6942501

RE: VQ Models Kawasaki Ki-61 Hein
The Ki-61 was never a plane I considered much until I had the opportunity to get a Royal kit of it. I got a couple of books on the Hein and the more I looked the more I liked the design. I liked it so much I found another kit and bought a new set of plans on ebay. If you are like me and would rather build, I think a competent builder would have little trouble starting with a copy of the plans and a box of balsa. - Jan
Posted on: 1/20/2008 12:33 AM by Author "Klaatu" in the forum "RC Warbirds and Warplanes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=6936785

RE: Needing a home for Os 91Fx
How about something different, like a BTE Delta Vortex? I have two of these kits waiting for my building attention. I think flying wing type planes are fascinating. http://www.btemodels.com/vortex.html
Posted on: 1/13/2008 10:41 PM by Author "Klaatu" in the forum "Sport Flying"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=6903361

RE: Get out of here cat!!!
Words matter. Words about harming small animals for sport are not acceptable in any company of civilized folk. Some thought they were joking. It was not funny. Some were not joking. There is a special place in hell for them. The cat is simply young and enjoying life, being a cat. You just need to exercise some access control and discipline yourself. If you have the space and the means, a cat play pen (with roof) with a litter box, toys and water will let the cat do what cats do while you are playing with your no-cats-allowed stuff. A large cat play pen, thoroughly equipped, costs much less than the average flying model. - Jan
Posted on: 1/8/2008 12:44 AM by Author "Klaatu" in the forum "Beginners"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=6872571

RE: Royal Kits
Most Japanese fighters appear to have the landing gear mount practically on the leading edge. Getting very scale on my preferred size (the average Royal kit) is probably going to be difficult at best. But hey, if it were easy, then everyone could do it and the average scale junkie would be looking for something more challenging to do, wouldn't we? - Jan
Posted on: 1/4/2008 2:02 AM by Author "Klaatu" in the forum "RC Scale Aircraft"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=6851249