Future balsa supplies in UK

[Gary Murphy 1]

Don't think it will be much of a problem in the long run. In the UK the hobby is dying anyway,no new blood. the only ones worried about the balsa saga are "true" modellers, what little new blood there is around now certainly are not building. By the time any of this new blood comes of age I presume 3D printing etc will have progressed to lighter and stronger and bigger? Look at IC ,that's seen a dramatic drop and of course the dreaded drones don't need or use balsa.

[Robin Colbourne]

Posted by leccyflyer on 24/09/2020 07:34:22:

Good point about the capabilty to grow balsa anywhere with suitable soil and climate. I can confirm that the UK isn't suitable. I've been planting balsa for many years and it doesn't seem to matter how deep I bury the aeroplane,I never seem to get the cuttings to take.

Leccyflyer, you're not alone! If only we could build models out of brambles and stinging nettles, I would be onto a winner.


Gary Murphy 1, I can't say I share your pessimism. You only need to look at the various Facebook specialist groups to see that traditional construction still has a following.

To be honest, why should models only be built from what was available in the late 1930s? Did modellers at that time bemoan the reducing use of split cane and oiled silk?

We have a vastly increased range of materials and adhesives available to us now, so why not use them? Its great to see the models of the 1930s, '40s and '50s, in the same way the cars and motorbikes of the time have a following, but they aren't the be all and end all.

Flite Test have demonstrated that foamboard can get teenagers building models from scratch. They may not all look great (the models, not the teenagers...) but its the first successful step, which is what matters.

Edited By Robin Colbourne on 24/09/2020 11:46:48

[Nigel R]

Posted by Robin Colbourne on 24/09/2020 11:45:30:

To be honest, why should models only be built from what was available in the late 1930s? Did modellers at that time bemoan the reducing use of split cane and oiled silk?

Flite Test have demonstrated that foamboard can get teenagers building models from scratch. They may not all look great (the models, not the teenagers...) but its the first successful step, which is what matters.

 

In order;

I agree.

Of course they did.

Exactly. Foamboard is brilliant stuff. As a demographic, we've been quite slow to adopt it.

For wood fans, the stuff sold in Hobbycraft is about the weight and strength of 3/32 balsa, but 1/3 of the cost by unit area. Providing you dress the edges with some thin timber, time its covered, you'd never know it was there.

Edited By Nigel R on 24/09/2020 13:10:38

[Peter Miller]

I remember quite a few years ago there were some kits for cardboard models.

We even had one in the club for review a bit over 10 years ago.That one had serious gluing problems.

The way things are cardboard could make a comeback.

Oh and think!!! Cardboard is recyclable! Electric power, models that can go in the recycling bin which foam cannot!

[Former Member]

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[fly boy3]

Is Depron still available in UK, and how does its price compare with balsa and foam board ? Thanks

[John Stainforth]

I don't think Balsa is old hat; it's just that the majority is now being transferred to other more lucrative businesses.

Before we decry balsa, we should remember that it is a highly variable material, which varies greatly in its properties. It has a nine-fold range of densities with greatly varying strength, and the strength can be isotropic or highly anisotropic depending on the cut. Whereas, I imagine that Depron has rather consistent, isotropic properties.

It would be really useful if one of the experts with these new materials could comply a list of suitable substitutes for all the various cuts and weights of balsa wood.

Another concern is that balsa wood is degradable, but many synthetics are not.

[kevin b]

I find that foamies degrade just as quick as balsa models when I fly them.

[Former Member]

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[Former Member]

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[ken anderson.]

apart from the Slec and balsa cabin statements...….does anyone truly have any knowledge about is/isn't balsa wood still going to be available?

ken anderson....ne...1....facts dept.

[Alan Gorham_]

It is a fact that the two biggest importers of balsa into the UK have said that they have no ongoing supply of Balsa. Not sure what more info you need to convince yourself?

Belair kits have issued a statement too:

"Hello all, Just an update on the current situation regarding production and wood. Many of you have seen the statement from SLEC - **LINK** and indeed other model balsa wood suppliers across the globe. The Chinese state funded wind turbine industry is buying almost all the available balsa from Equador to Australia. This leaves very little (almost nothing) for the modelling industry, so I am afraid shortages and extended delivery times may be the norm. We have ready, since June, had to contend with 4 periods of not having balsa. In addition, the price of wood will increase by 150%, taking your sheet of 1/16th balsa from about £1.40 to nearly £3.50. Obviously, we will see a massive increase in the cost of everything.

Currently, we have a reasonable supply and all orders are being completed with lead-times of around 2-4 weeks. So hopefully we are keeping everyone happy. Plywood supplies are excellent, both Birch and liteply.

As we mentioned back in March we are operating solely online without an office. This has helped us concentrate on maintaining a safe work environment and to continue production even during lockdown. With the possibility of new extended measures, we will continue to operate online only. Please email us at [email protected], via our website - www.belairkits.com or via this page. I am trying to answer enquiries between 5.30 am and 11pm, 7 days a week.

Let me know via email or comments here if I can help.

Finally, I wish that you, your families and friends all stay safe during these times. Regards, Leon - Belair"

As have NJR Modelling, who kit some of the old SAS gliders plus the KDS Mirus:

"As a small U.K. producer of model kits, I really enjoy the fact that I can add a personal touch to the products that go out the door. It also means that I can have a closer relationship with the customers, give direct help and support where needed, and generally make them happy.

I also like to keep all of the new and existing customers informed as much as I can with what is happening with orders and new kit releases. It is with heavy heart that this piece of news isn’t great.

I’m sure we are all aware of the current situation that is happening all around the world. This pandemic is having a massive knock on effect to millions of people, and many economies. Our little worldwide modelling community is also suffering, and as what could be a result of the pandemic, material costs are increasing drastically. I also believe that the direct cost of balsa is being driven up due to demand for land in the Far East for wind turbine locations.

The effect of these material increases is that the end products that arrive to you will go up in price to put it very simply and honestly. When this will happen and by how much the increase will be I don’t know, but when it does happen I will let you all know. I just wanted to give you all the heads up"

[Former Member]

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[Ron Gray]

If that doesn't drive panic buying..........................................

[Ray Wood 4]

Yes absolutely 😀 I know where there is some so I'm picking it up tomorrow !!

Regards Ray

[Former Member]

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[Former Member]

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[Former Member]

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[Kevin Wilson]

Somebody needs to show the Chinese how to hot wire foam cores. Or would that just push up the cost of styrofoam.

[kevin b]

Posted by Doc Marten on 25/09/2020 15:50:04:

I've heard from an employee at managerial level of a major UK distributor that it's unlikely that SLEC will see any new balsa this year.

The worlds economies are going into recession but the Chinese are expanding theirs.

Read the wall people.

Would that be The Great Wall ?

On the plus side, we will benefit from lots of cheap balsa when the wind turbine bubble bursts (well those of us under a certain age anyway).

[Former Member]

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[Peter Miller]

One can always hope that the next Chinese virus wipes out......

No, I mustn't be evil!!

I mentioned on a another thread the Asian Flu pandemic from 57-8. That was also started in China.

If they don't stop sending out these pandemics they won't have a market for their wind farm blades because we will no longer have enough people to cause global warming.

Roll on Armageddon

[Ben B]

It likely did but the "big one" Spanish Flu likely started in the U.S. so........

[Eric Robson]

Posted by fly boy3 on 24/09/2020 15:50:16:

Is Depron still available in UK, and how does its price compare with balsa and foam board ? Thanks

Hi fly boy 3, at the nationals last year I bought some Depron from SLEC. I was told it was no longer available after their current stock run out , I have not found an alternative apart from foam board. Looks like we will have to find something soon if we want to carry on making model aeroplanes. Peter Miller mentioned a cardboard kit which came out in the 80's I think it was the Stanley trainer made from corrogated cardboard. Popular joke at the time was you threw the kit away and built the box. I think it may work better with electric power which was not available at the time. Graupner Vector board seemed like a good alternative but that is no longer available as far as I know.

Eric r.

Edited By Eric Robson on 26/09/2020 09:00:18

[Doug Campbell]

There was the Regal Eagle by paper aviation. I am not sure of the materials but it involved some paper or carboard.

Doug