Daniel Cardona

I already spotted that plan, but I think the one that Peter posted here is far easier to construct, especially the wing which Peter usually use like a flat bottom one which is easier to construct.

Hi peter do you still have the plans of that druine turbulent, I looked through sarikhobbies but that plan is not listed there. kind regards daniel

Nice ?one Peter! Easy to build and semi scale, Now I have another one to do in my list. Now when are going to make the biplane version?? regards Daniel

Posted by dave parnham on 23/10/2020 20:37:11: i loved my D7 also built with the same colour scheme too. I Just watched a flair baronette go on ebay this afternoon my bid of £87 soon sky rocketed to £160 dave Haha I also bid for that same flair baronette , I was at work a bid up to £107 but I was quickly outbidded. I lost interest a saved the money for another opportunity.

Bdw guys, I know it’ out of subject but since there are many of you who love the the Flair brand I couldn’t resist the temptation to share it with you. here is the review of the Flair Fokker D7 from RCME June 1994. the model was very well loved and with a whopping price of £78.95. happy days. regards daniel

Does anyone knows if Igull makes also the fuselage formers etc , apart from the wing ribs? regards Daniel

Posted by Geoff S on 22/10/2020 22:11:56: Neil Gillies, who runs iGull is a good supplier. I've dealt with him for various things over the years (even some software to change the name on my Multiplex 3030) so I'd be quite confident any CNC parts he supplies will be of good quality. I have a set for a competition 2m eglider designed by a club member which I really should build! After reading this it's making me think of refurbishing my own Flair SE5a. It's the 3rd or 4th model I ever built and I fitted an OS52 Surpass. I don't recall the build being very tricky apart from fitting the curved fuselage top between the cabanes. It flies very well but it's years since it took to the air.. If I do start a refurb I'll change a few things. Convert to electric (I have a suitable motor in stock); have separate aileron servos; change the top wing mount to be more like my DB Moths and similarly the interplane strut attachment. The main disadvantage of the Flair SE5a is the long-winded assembly at the field and adopting the DB methods will overcome that. Geoff Edited By Geoff S on 22/10/2020 22:12:45 It all depends what he offers as a Kit, if the wing ribs only for example or a complete kit, will see and decide from there. does every model club in UK is converting to electric nowadays?

Posted by kc on 22/10/2020 17:50:55: A few weeks ago I noticed that iGull laser cutters listed ribs and some parts for one of the Flair kits - either the SE5 or Pupeteer. I think it was described as 'alternative ' or ' replacement ' At the moment the site is shut down until 25th - worth checking next week. Lots of other laser cut parts for well known designs too. Man, I love this Hobby and the Forum! everyone is so helpful. I've just taken a peek at iGull.co.uk and guess what....the flair SE5a is on their list. now i down know what parts are offering but they are out until the 25th Oct. I wait and see. Regards Daniel

Posted by Trevor Crook on 22/10/2020 17:19:20: If it's any encouragement, Daniel, my SE5A was built from the kit plan. I had the kit many years ago and it flew well on an OS40 Surpass. It got sold on but I kept the plan, which was used a few years ago to build an electric version. This flies just as well as the original on a 3s setup. looks magnificent Trevor, my question is, How did you manage to build it with only the Plan? Flair as like other's kit builders usually doesn't draw the formers or ribs for making your own kit of parts. Their plans are more like a guide in order to build the model.

Posted by kevin b on 22/10/2020 12:41:10: We only have ourselves to blame on this one. I agree 100%. Daniel. I am most surprised that Derick hasn't answered your email. He is usually very quick to answer messages. P.M. me with your email address and I will get him to reply to you. P.M Sent, Thanks Kevin

Posted by Doc Marten on 22/10/2020 11:43:30: Posted by Cuban8 on 22/10/2020 10:40:09: I'm a big fan of Flair Models and built quite a few of them back in the Days when Dudley Pattison owned the firm. I wonder who owns the rights to the designs now? In particular the Scout series of which the excellent Puppeteer is but one. Is someone sitting on the designs? I'd have thought someone like Sarik would have plan packs flying out of the doors, when one considers the interest in the designs and how much kits and less than perfect used examples command when advertised. I know we sometimes bemoan the state of the hobby, but I really think that there are healthy signs of building your own models again showing up now. I did actually say all this to Dean (the former owner) just before he wrapped it all up, he basically said that he'd been let down too many times by modelers enthusiastically suggesting producing kits because they would be snapped up only to find that they would sit on the shelves waiting for him to reduce the price down to the point of loss making because they could buy cheaper from China. The irony is that now they have ceased trading his kits are being sold for more than they were new! We only have ourselves to blame on this one. P.s -The Mannock is a good call. Edited By Doc Marten on 22/10/2020 11:45:04 I don't remember very well how much they were when I first started the hobby, it was more than 10 years ago, but I do remember well that a Club Member had a Flair Fokker D7, I remember very fell how it flew gracefully and in a very slow Scale manner, it was fairly detailed but at the same time simple and it looked fairly simple to build. At that time I wasn't very enthusiast to try to build a Biplane as one wing was even enough to make lol I knew they were expensive kits at that time, I remember I always checked into Sussex model center to see how much it would cost me to ship to Malta but unfortunately I had other priorities and couldn't afford to get one. years passed and unfortunately, it happened what it happened, they are no longer produced, But a Year Ago I was lucky to find a Fokker D7 kit on Ebay, I don't remember if it was bidding or buy it now but I sad to myself or now or never it was even complete with the accessory machine guns and wheels, and bought it very close to 300euros. It's still there on the shelf waiting, the first thing I would do for sure make templates of all the parts and I have a laser 75 and an 80 to power it. I didn't start yet because I'm finishing a Sig Smith mini plane at the moment, and I wanted a ww1 era biplane of similar size and the SE5 was also in my mind. They might be expensive but very well made and well-thought designs, buying cheaper from China? never really remembered to see SE5 or Fokker Kits from China, and if they were I'm sure they were awful.

Posted by cymaz on 22/10/2020 06:47:30: DB Giant Mannock The Scout from D.B Sport and Scale doesn't look that bad, its the Longish Nose that spoils a bit Model But I admit it looks nice if some effort is put into it, after a close look at the picture I also noticed that there's a Laser Engine powering this model and judging from the carb needle sticking at the back it must be an old one with a super Tigre carb. What I don't know is what size it is, if it's a 75 or maybe a 62.

Posted by Cuban8 on 22/10/2020 10:40:09: I'm a big fan of Flair Models and built quite a few of them back in the Days when Dudley Pattison owned the firm. I wonder who owns the rights to the designs now? In particular the Scout series of which the excellent Puppeteer is but one. Is someone sitting on the designs? I'd have thought someone like Sarik would have plan packs flying out of the doors, when one considers the interest in the designs and how much kits and less than perfect used examples command when advertised. I know we sometimes bemoan the state of the hobby, but I really think that there are healthy signs of building your own models again showing up now. I don't know how old are you but speaking for myself ( age 39) build was always a part of this hobby. ARTF surely pushed the popularity of this Hobby are there are so many nice options out there, but still, every time I see an ARTF for sale and think about it I always end up building one instead. For example just recently i was thinking to get another Wot4 for an OS46 AX that I have, I always fancied the MK3 whit the tapered wing, and as far as I know, the ARTF is with the parallel wing. I know that it might take a lot of time to build the model or I might take a huge risk wasting all those man hrs and then destroying the plane in seconds on a test flight but I just can not resist building one myself a feeling that great satisfaction. unfortunately, the younger generation is more into getting in the air as quickly as possible and not very keen on getting their hands dirty with balsa dust. a real pity since there are many great designers making wonderful subjects and plans for the RCME magazine. so many to choose from and so little time. And about the Flair models, yeah I still cannot understand why companies like Sarik and Slec didn't take over and reproduce the kits with maybe some little mods or upgrades. another great British design going down the drain. I remember I was feeling almost sick when I heard that myhobbystore was closing doors and all the brian Taylor designs would be going lost, fortunately, Sarik took over the business. Regards Daniel

Posted by Sheepish on 22/10/2020 08:07:08: Hi Daniel Have you seen this site: http://model-plans.co.uk/ He lists plans for the Fair SE5. I have successfully given him and bought plans from him in the past. Yes I did send them an email about 3 days ago, but no reply.

Posted by kc on 21/10/2020 18:56:07: You could always get the Boddington SE5 plan from Outerzone and build it at 32 inch span or enlarge it before printing. If enlarged to 150 percent making 48 inch span the mainly 1/8 construction would come to a handy 3/16 (5mm approx ) If a look alike SE5 suits you then Boddington did a 60 inch Mannock, 77 inchMajor Mannock and 56 inch Scout all available as plans with optional wing ribs from DB Sport & Scale. At 20 pounds for a set of Mannock or Scout wing ribs it's a bargain. There is an even larger version at 95 inch called Giant. Edited By kc on 21/10/2020 18:57:54 Edited By kc on 21/10/2020 19:03:32 Good Call for the Boddington Scout! looks promising and I think it's the same size as the Flair Kit. Only the Nose looks a bit longer, I wonder if it can be arranged with minor alterations without upsetting the flying qualities.

Posted by Capt Kremen on 21/10/2020 18:58:27: Daniel 'PM' sent PM replied

Posted by Capt Kremen on 21/10/2020 18:30:55: There was until fairly recently (? a year or two back), a 'side-line business' offering legitimate original Flair items e.g. Plans, Decals, Vac-Form Mouldings and partial wood kits. (I know because I refurbished a second hand e-bay bought SE5a by this means ! ). I understood the manager of the concern was using the project to train apprentices in various aspects of production etc.. It was hoped that if enough interest and/or the project successful, further Flair items including a limited run of kits might be produced. I noticed some of these items were up for sale on ebay. As nothing further seems to have been announced, one might assume the project has now sadly ceased, all the more unfortunate given current times. I was at least hoping to find the plans and maybe a set of templates for the ribs formers, etc. but no hope for that too.

Posted by Jon - Laser Engines on 21/10/2020 15:54:55: Flair kits are pretty rare these days and usually sell for silly prices, far more than they are worth. Although its a tiny bit smaller the super flying model se5a is a good alternative and well priced. Fit a small 4 stroke (a 40 would be plenty) or equivalent 2 stroke/electric and you would have a really nice little model. I tempted myself as i have a nieuport 17, pup, and fokker DR1 so the se5a would complete my set! I took a look at the super flying models SE5a but I'm not entirely convinced. it looks a bit fiddly to my liking, plus I don't know they say that it's good for a.60 four-stroke right on their box. I agree with you that a .40 to 45 would be plenty, maybe a 52 max. it looks that it's designed more for electric. another alternative would be a Balsa USA kit but a 1/4 scale is too much, you would need a big engine for that size.

Such a shame, I wonder how nobody took over with there kits, like slec or belair kits for example.