Paul Jones 1 Posted April 29, 2020 Share Posted April 29, 2020 Hi, hoping you can help. It's a long story, and I'll spare you it for now... but could you possibly recommend a good source or two for us to find traditional balsa wood aircraft kits, a place that that stocks options which are time consuming to build, preferably with built up wing ? I'm guessing gliders are more common ? I'm asking for my dad, he's a wood worker, he's bored, and we seriously need something to keep him busy......... I'll be honest, the plane will likely never fly, if it does, it'll be a test flight to prove that it works, then he'll likely take a best offer from someone at the flying field and go buy his next kit ! please share your wisdom, ideas for particular kits, advice on where to buy from any help would be most appreciated !! many thanks Paul Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keith Berriman Posted April 29, 2020 Share Posted April 29, 2020 I have no links with either companies but Pegasus Models Norwich and Pheonixs Models UK have some lovely balsa kits and maybe a look at Sarik Hobbies as advertised on lower right hand page Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christopher Long 1 Posted April 29, 2020 Share Posted April 29, 2020 How about the Vintage Model Company **LINK** lots of balsa models to choose from to build. All traditional balsa builds. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Jones 1 Posted April 29, 2020 Author Share Posted April 29, 2020 You guys are great !! Thank you so much, we’ll check them out thank you for your time paul Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kc Posted April 29, 2020 Share Posted April 29, 2020 DB Sport & Scale are a favourite kit supplier with many forum members, so check out their kits and also plan packs where they supply plan and wing ribs only. Also look at SLEC for kits and also balsa and all the fittings. Build something in the 48 to 60 inch wingspan range as it's less fiddly and will fly better. The small planes of less than 40 inch span will be harder to fly and won't appeal much to buyers who are pilots not builders. If you build a well known design in medium size such as the 52 inch Wot4 balsa KIT ( not ARTF) there will always be a buyer but you won't even get the kit cost back and certainly nothing for the time. It's a labour of love - great fun. Ask here on the forum for further advice as you progress. Edited By kc on 29/04/2020 19:39:43 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kevin b Posted April 29, 2020 Share Posted April 29, 2020 If you aren't particularly bothered about flying, you can pick up some of the Guillows display kits on ebay for not a lot of money. Also they don't take up lots of room and are quite intricate (time consuming) in their build. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Former Member Posted April 29, 2020 Share Posted April 29, 2020 [This posting has been removed] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Walby Posted April 29, 2020 Share Posted April 29, 2020 + 1 for SLEC and don't forget to phone and talk to them as they have lots of plans they don't advertise Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FlyinBrian Posted April 30, 2020 Share Posted April 30, 2020 Alternatively check out the plans on Outerzone or Sarik Hobbies and either have a kit cut or build from the bare balsa cutting your own parts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frank Skilbeck Posted April 30, 2020 Share Posted April 30, 2020 Aeronaut also do a nice range of kits, but maybe they go together a bit too easily not time consuming enough. I built a Vintage Model Company Se5a last year, a very enjoyable build. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Piers Bowlan Posted April 30, 2020 Share Posted April 30, 2020 I took a liking to the Aeronaut Luscombe Silvaire 8 you reviewed in RCM&E last month Frank. I haven't clicked 'buy' yet but I am sorely tempted . A nice simple build here. Available to order from Sussex Model Centre. Edited By Piers Bowlan on 30/04/2020 13:55:13 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geoff S Posted April 30, 2020 Share Posted April 30, 2020 Posted by Bell Ringer on 29/04/2020 19:34:56: D B Sport & Scale. All built up kits with no foam anywhere. All (except the Gringo) designed by David Boddington (and don't say who?) Yes, the original Gringo had a foam wing. I built one about 18 years ago and mentioned to Boddo (he used to attend the RR (Hucknall) MAC scale weekend) that I had and he said then that he hadn't designed it. In fact there's a photo of me and my Gringo on the DB site where the new improved version is illustrated. The new 60" Sopwith Pup is a new design as well but even that has roots in the smaller version designed by Boddo. DB is certainly one of the goto places for balsa kits. Fortunately, there's still a few kit manufacturers out there as indicated by Bell Ringer and apparently doing excellent business as we all self-isolate in sheds across the land. Geoff Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Jones 1 Posted May 3, 2020 Author Share Posted May 3, 2020 thanks for your replies fellas, I've made some notes, so I think we've good some now when we're ready for further kits Paul Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Hazell 1 Posted May 3, 2020 Share Posted May 3, 2020 Posted by Geoff S on 30/04/2020 14:33:39: Posted by Bell Ringer on 29/04/2020 19:34:56: D B Sport & Scale. All built up kits with no foam anywhere. All (except the Gringo) designed by David Boddington (and don't say who?) Yes, the original Gringo had a foam wing. I built one about 18 years ago and mentioned to Boddo (he used to attend the RR (Hucknall) MAC scale weekend) that I had and he said then that he hadn't designed it. In fact there's a photo of me and my Gringo on the DB site where the new improved version is illustrated. Gringo is fully built up wing now. I am going to start building one soon. I bought it a couple of months ago, but decided that I'd build some little traditional build models first. I bought three kits from Vintage Model Company just to get my eye back in. I'll be adding a build thread for the DB gringo when I finally get around to starting the build! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doctor Chinnery Posted September 27, 2020 Share Posted September 27, 2020 Another vote for the Galaxy Models range from Pegasus - except I think most of the wings are veneered foam, so tough as old boots. Another designer, whose models fly even better than they look ( and I love the way they look too ) is anything from Chris Foss. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robin Colbourne Posted September 27, 2020 Share Posted September 27, 2020 How about the Keil Kraft models distributed by Ripmax, such as this Gipsy: There are six models in the series, both rubber powered and glider. Here is the full range plus accessories: Keil Kraft Free Flight Range Sussex Model Centre and Steve Webb Models stock them. Edited By Robin Colbourne on 27/09/2020 01:45:13 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martin Hodgson Posted September 27, 2020 Share Posted September 27, 2020 https://www.rbckits.com/shop/index.php? - various kits Www.hyperflight.co.uk - gliders https://www.hoelleinshop.com/Flugmodelle.htm?shop=hoellein&SessionId=&a=catalog&t=49301&c=40&p=40 - selection of kits Many, Many more kits available in Europe. You just have to search. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
martin collins 1 Posted September 27, 2020 Share Posted September 27, 2020 Would it be an idea in these difficult times for businesses to have a sticky post with a list of current UK kit manufacturers and a link? I for one would welcome that, anyone else think it is a good idea? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kevin b Posted September 27, 2020 Share Posted September 27, 2020 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martin Hodgson Posted September 27, 2020 Share Posted September 27, 2020 http://www.belairkits.com https://www.sarikhobbies.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gervaise Vernon Retail manager StarLoc Posted September 27, 2020 Share Posted September 27, 2020 We have a wide range of balsa model kits available. http://www.miniature-aircraft-factory.co.uk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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