Colin Leighfield Posted November 16, 2015 Share Posted November 16, 2015 I was amazed to see that John Lewis were selling Vintage Model co. kits of the Hurricane and Spitfire in their large Tamworth store. These are of course proper balsa strip and sheet, tissue covered rubber powered models, similar to the KeilKraft range. There was even a Hurricane that had been built and covered suspended on a thread hanging above the kit boxes on display, even if it was covered in red tissue! I'm not sure if this is the beginning of enthusing a new generation or putting them off for life. But what a pleasure to see. Well done John Lewis, let's hope that it leads to bigger things! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Monz Posted November 16, 2015 Share Posted November 16, 2015 Nothing wrong with a red Hurricane: These kits are laser cut, have great wood and accessories and are designed and tested to actually fly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Biggles' Elder Brother - Moderator Posted November 16, 2015 Share Posted November 16, 2015 Indeed - well done John Lewis - more power to your elbow! BEB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colin Leighfield Posted November 16, 2015 Author Share Posted November 16, 2015 Good eh Monz? Vintage also list the Replikit stuff and I've got a KeilKraft Snipe, Mercury Marauder and Mercury Martin to build, I've already done a KeilKraft Cadet to replace the one that my horrid little brother jumped on in 1957. Great news BEB, just like the old days. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kc Posted November 16, 2015 Share Posted November 16, 2015 I bet there will be loads of disappointed kids on Christmas Day when they open the box and find they have to build it for themselves! Worse still they find it isn't even radio controlled! Let's hope some have grandfathers who can assist. Why was that Hurricane red? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Bran Posted November 16, 2015 Share Posted November 16, 2015 Posted by kc on 16/11/2015 18:49:08: Why was that Hurricane red? The planes were used for Radar Calibration, no doubt it was useful for the ground radar staff to be sure the plane they were measuring against was the right one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Former Member Posted November 16, 2015 Share Posted November 16, 2015 [This posting has been removed] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colin Leighfield Posted November 16, 2015 Author Share Posted November 16, 2015 Tom, I was in Maplins on Saturday and I saw these super professional quads, as well as a decent looking one with camera for £79. It looks as if they take these things seriously. Not really my cup of tea to be honest, what fascinated me about Lewis's offerings was their going back to selling traditional design model aeroplanes of the same sort that were common when I was a kid. I wonder how well they are going to sell, some buyer has stuck his/her neck out and taken a flyer, excuse the pun, I wish them all the best and hope it's a successful venture. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Biggles' Elder Brother - Moderator Posted November 16, 2015 Share Posted November 16, 2015 I wouldn't describe the Phantom as a "top end professional quad" - very expensive (over priced in my view) toy - yes maybe. You can get exactly the same capability at a fraction of the cost. And for the same cost you can buy a much higher spec quad. In my experience the Phantom tends to be "professionally used" by people with very little knowledge about quads. Its ability to operate straight out of the box appeals to them and they have to learn little or nothing to use it. Like Colin what impressed me here is that this is a "real" model aeroplane. Building is definitely on the up and this might be an early indicator. It would make a great father/son project. BEB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Former Member Posted November 16, 2015 Share Posted November 16, 2015 [This posting has been removed] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PatMc Posted November 16, 2015 Share Posted November 16, 2015 There's also a couple of Spitfires. **LINK** Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.