This winter's build,Gangster 63

[jeff2wings]

Well I couldn't wait any longer, although I have three builds in the finishing off stage I've  been itching to start on this after buying an original MR kit last year. 

This is a real nostalgia build for me, my first was made in '76 Horizon radio and a HP 61 FS up front, this will also have a HP 61 but the earlier ons same as on the kit box.This won't be a blow by blow as it's a very straight forward model to  build 

a few hours in and the wing is looking good 

 

Aileron horns, careful with that glue!

The fuselage is a basic box construction and went together quickly, in fact I probably spent more time waiting for glue to dry.This has been modified from the kit instructions by having the tank hatch on top rather than underneath and the wing is a bolt on fixing 

 

[kc]

Was this an old kit or a new kit of the old foam wing design?   I see that Mick Reeves website offers the 'old' type Gangster 63 Classic  - made in small batches for keen builders-as well as the Gangster 63 Lite.    I note that the 2022 price for the foam wing Classic 63 is much higher than the 63 Lite version!   Presumably less balsa in the Lite means lower cost and foam wings cost more to produce than wing rib versions.

 

Also I note that the Gangster 52 Classic is available as a foam wing kit although  as the website mentions 2022 prices i wonder if this is still currently available?

Edited September 24, 2024 by kc

[jeff2wings]

It is as far as I know from the seller a 30+ year old kit ,amazingly the wing veneer is in perfect condition unlike some other vintage kits I have brought! This is a model deserving of the title 'classic ' in design that has its roots in Mick's dictator c/l stunt model,and its construction so typical of the 70's as 'solid' in order to take the rough and tumble of the average club flyer but capable of performing well enough to get people into competition aerobatics. 

As for availability and prices, a quick call to MR wil give you the answer, maybe I will get a 52 as I have a box full of vintage 40's! 😄 

[kc]

As I am not a serious buyer at the moment I didn't phone Mick and waste his time but if anyone else is a buyer then let us all know whether they are actually available.    Maybe a Gangster 52 Lite would be the thing nowadays too.......

 

Loads of other goodies on the Mick Reeves site which are worth a look.

[Andy Stephenson]

Back in the 1970s, I built a Gangster 63 with an HP61. It wasn't overpowered by any measure but more recently I put together a G63 Lite with an Irvine 53. The Lite's all built-up structure transforms to performance, even with strengthening modifications like all sheet tail surfaces and the replacement of the inset ailerons with strip ailerons as per the original. I find It's the perfect model for practising aerobatics with the CG back at 120mm and laterally balanced.

[malmaz]

14 hours ago, kc said:

As I am not a serious buyer at the moment I didn't phone Mick and waste his time but if anyone else is a buyer then let us all know whether they are actually available.    Maybe a Gangster 52 Lite would be the thing nowadays too.......

 

Loads of other goodies on the Mick Reeves site which are worth a look.

Hi Kc   I bought the gangster 63 classic about 3 weeks ago, ordered from Mick Reeves was in stock and delivered very quickly.

This is my winter build, it will be IC powered looking like the brand new OS 55ax I have sitting in the shed.

Regards

[jeff2wings]

So spent the last couple of evenings doing one of the jobs I least like doing, G/F the wing joint and sanding it down although since I have been using epoxy finishing resin it's a lot less tedious. 

Well thats the tank bay fuel proofed!

 

Servos and wing  mounting blocks in place, l did drop the throttle servo down  as it was a bit close to the aileron servo plenty of clearance now

[jeff2wings]

With the wing bolted on it's time to check the incidence  before mounting the tailplane 

with the tailplane checked for square it's out with the glue and clamps 

Once the fin is glued in place the rear decking is added

final bit today building up the cowling so I can look forward to some therapeutic carving and sanding 👍

 

[Jonathan M]

Interesting to see the original 63 kit go together, much simpler and faster to build than the 63 Lite (my one at any rate)!

[Stuart Z]

Great to see this build.  I tried the “Lite” one and definitely did not like it.  Somehow building a built up wing without a plan to pin down to was not a pleasure! I had the “older” version in the 80’s - it was brilliant. 

[jeff2wings]

Well it does quite literally say it's a kwikbult kit! This was the industry standard in the late 60's & 70's, Chris Foss is still selling his Wot  series models using the same formula, a pair of quality foam wings, precut parts and an instruction book!

And models back then needed to be able to hand less than ideal conditions.  Hopefully I've done this right!

 https://youtu.be/BNSFX9RP5_g?si=vEUkETHGZKbZ6zcV

Last bit glued on

Cowl and forward part of fuselage carved and sanded to shape, just need to decide on which HP 61 I will use?

[Peter Jenkins]

Just reading through your thread reminded me of how alike my Gangster 75 build was to yours.  If you are interested, you'll find it here 

 

[jeff2wings]

I did follow your thread at the time,for anyone interested MR has a 75 kit in stock from a recent run of kits and still makes short runs of the classic range,I'm waiting for a 52 kit.

Fuselage now sanded and final cowling blocks added only things left is replacement of one of the ailerons as the wood is far to soft and making a decision on the kind of finish and the dreaded colour scheme 😬 !

[GrumpyGnome]

Very neat job there.......

[Nigel R]

Crikey, i wish my build projects were this quick. I can't knock out a tailplane in the time it's taken you to do the entire airframe. 

Nice work!

[jeff2wings]

Thanks, I will probably let it mature for a month or two while I decide on the finishing details, until then I have these two onthe bench 

9

 

[Keith Evans 3]

Am I right in thinking the top one is a Super Tauri.

I,v made a number of these .some with flaps and one as a high wing trainer in creased by 40% .

A great plane .