acdii

Say farewell to the Goldberg and GP kits. Got a notice from Tower that the Cub kit on my wish list has been removed.

JNorton

My Feedback: (2)

rats.

Lee Taylor

I personally cannot draw that conclusion. I have many kits on my wish-list as well and at the moment they have not been removed. I think most long time modelers know the quality of the Goldberg and GP products. They also realize there is a value to the copyrights, designs, and hard tooling. There are decisions being made daily. Obviously some model plane kits will not be included in the offer to purchase. Sellers always get cash and buyers often go in debt so the contractual offer to purchase will spell out precisely what the buyer wants and what he does not want. Eventually Goldberg and GP will sell and the new owner will start marketing and manufacturing using the steel-rule-dies, plastic molding tools, and other item in his new purchase.

acdii

It is what it is. Unless BUSA or SIG pick it up, kiss them good bye.

Lee Taylor

I have already kissed them goodbye. I hold out no hope. But we do have over 10 million Americans with a personal financial worth over 1 million. Some may be modelers and interested in investments. I imagine the big issue will be resolving the debt prior to title transfer. The other questions for the buyer will be the degree of demand for the product and the duration of the return on investment. By no means will one or two sales put him into the zone of financial gain. If Goldberg and GP can clear their debt, show demand for the product, show supplier agreements, and show a short ROI, offers will float in. Sadly what happens to many corporations is they lose their smart people

fliers1

Apparently some people in our hobby just don't get it. Demand has been down for many years now, especially for RC airplane kits. I've been given dozens of RC airplanes, engines and related items because the original owners have passed away or just got just too old to be able to fly. They couldn't find anyone to buy what they had so it was either give their stuff away or throw everything in the trash. I had to turn down many others who wanted to give me many more airplanes and equipment because I didn't have any more room in my basement. I was lucky enough to eventually find someone who would take some 20 airplanes and other equipment off my hands for free.
I know some who have large clubs with many members find this hard to believe, but there are many small clubs, with 10 or less active members who might have a different opinion.

FlyerInOKC

My Feedback: (6)

I have picked up some unfinished projects that way too. They were all in the .29 to .40 engine size range. I traded a CG Cub kit and ST .40 for a partially built Top Flite Corsair with 4 servos and Robart gear already installed because he couldn't sell it for over 1 1/2 years. They guy I traded with sold the Cub kit immediately. I have been buying 2 cycle engines fairly cheap because no one else wanted them. The hobby is changing it seems the big gassers or the electric airplanes are what's in demand right now. I think most builders prefer unbuilt projects kits, etc rather take over someone else's project built in a different style. The last several years most of the kits I have bought were all short kits from kit cutters for plans I acquired or for plans I bought at the same time. There hve been a few exceptions but they were twin engine electric kits one had been discontinued for over a decade.

TomCrump

I agree. The reason fewer kits are on the market is because of reduced demand.

Like you, I get a lot of free stuff, because the owners can not sell it. It's a sad situation, but it's a reality of the hobby.

Telemaster Sales UK

Why don't we all just accept that the majority of us, who are interested in building radio controlled model aircraft from kits or even plans, are over retirement age and that after us nobody will be interested in the sort of models we are interested in! There will be the odd few modellers who are forty years younger than us who will continue to build balsa and ply models from kits or plans, but they will be seen as an eccentric minority.

Those who would have built model aeroplanes had they been born in the Thirties, Forties, Fifties or even Sixties, will have other hobbies to interest them.

P. S. I have just sold a Super Tigre 25cc engine for 40€. I gave away a Merco 35 with Quiet Silencer and I "sold" a K&B 65 and a Meteor 61 for two bottles of Beaujolais Villages. Let's just enjoy the hobby while we are still alive and fairly fit. After us, no-one will be interested.

FlyerInOKC

My Feedback: (6)

I will have you know I can't retire for another 6.5 years! :P


























But I am counting the days!

Telemaster Sales UK

The majority of us flyer, the majority.

ETpilot

ramboy

If this is the case, why do so many kits sell quickly on Ebay, Craigslist, RCU and RGGroups classifieds?

Telemaster Sales UK

Niche market. There's not a mass demand for builders' kits.

Lee Taylor

I have no problem with scratch building. I think I still have some plans in storage. These days I am leaning more towards the ARF for flying. Scratch building takes so long that I would want to preserve the model. I would not want to wreck it, so if and when it goes into the air it would be basic maneuvers. In other words, no attempts at any bizarre twists and turns. I am the type model flyer that does not have the concept that he is never going to crash. In my model flying world, mishaps are inevitable. Building is one thing but I like the idea of always having something ready to go to the field. At the moment I am thinking and electric foamy, a glow ARF, complete the kit-build I have a 85%, and something else. I don't know what the something else will be yet

Love the Sbach

mkjohnston

My Feedback: (2)

Hi,
I have two ARFS and compared to the kits they are junk! the build is nice but the covering is the worst and someone said why dont you strip and I said no way. Yes I am lazy to the tee but I started collect kits last year and now I have about 10 plus some short kits that I bought from a local cutter who is pretty good.
Thanks
Michael

FlyerInOKC

My Feedback: (6)

Michael who did you short kits? Was it Limey Bob over at LDS?

Mike

mkjohnston

My Feedback: (2)

Hi Mike, No I had Eddie Taylor down here in Wichita Falls at Action Hobbies down on 9th street cut them for me. He also cut me two fuse kits for my Train Aire 20 that I wrecked at the first of the year.
Thank You
Michael

FlyerInOKC

My Feedback: (6)

Does Eddie have a website? I like to keep an eye out for independent laser cutters so I know who is cutting what. I have been using Limey Bob at LDS and Rob at Balsa Workbench for cutting of late. Both have done excellent work for me and I highly recommend them both. I think its the cutters like Eddie, Bob, and Rob who will keep this hobby alive.

mkjohnston

My Feedback: (2)

Hi Mike, check out this website, Lazer Works - Engraving & Design, this is Eddie Taylors site and has his contact information on it. He has a few parts packs available.
let me know what you think about it.
Enjoy
Michael Johnston

FlyerInOKC

My Feedback: (6)

Thanks Michael! I checked out the site and something caught my eye so I have already shot a couple of questions to Eddie.

mkjohnston

My Feedback: (2)

Mike, Thats great I hope you find what you want on his site.
Michael

FlyerInOKC

My Feedback: (6)

That's the problem I did!

mkjohnston

My Feedback: (2)

Mike,I know what you mean some one showed up at our club field here a few months back with a skytiger jr and I was told that Eddie cut the kit out and assemble it for the gentlemen. It was very neat to say the least. I asked Eddie about it and he showed me the parts pack on his website. I asked if he had the plans available and he said no but he could find them on line and then I would have to print them up. right now I have too many kits but I need to get that kit cut and build it in the next 3 to five years. Its a 25 size airplane which is my favorite size.
Michael

scottrc

Interesting in that I am planning on ordering the Skytiger Jr short kit for a winter project. I got the plans from Outerzone and printed them on six 11x17 sheets on my own printer and it worked out well.