|
|
Post by JohnC on Dec 7, 2004 15:58:33 GMT -7
I just happened to be surfing my "favorites" and clicked onto Hobby Barn dot com (located in Tucson, AZ). Almost got zapped by their big, red-lettered statement that Marutaka (old Royal Models) was closing, When I called, they told me that as of today, it doesn't look like anybody is talking about picking up the line... seems that the ARFs are making it hard for the kit makers.
I have been lusting over their Cessna Skymaster kit for a couple of years, so it wasn't very hard to part with the money; should have it by Friday.
My main reason for posting was to give all of you scale modelers a heads up (if you haven't heard about this). I know there's more than one distributor and hobby shop carrying the Marutaka line, but once the word gets out.... JohnC
|
|
|
|
Post by Grug - American Neanderthal on Dec 9, 2004 13:02:42 GMT -7
Well they were not exactly builder freindly, but they had a lot of kits that are not out by anyone else. They will be missed.
|
|
|
|
Post by JohnC on Dec 9, 2004 13:36:19 GMT -7
You're right there, Eric, they aren't builder friendly. But the first model I built was a lot harder - I built it directly over the plans in the M.A.N. magazine (circa 1948-49). I can still remeber cutting those 2" wing ribs and gluing all those tiny pieces... It looked pretty good in the bones, but the covering was tissue paper wrapped around and around - well, you get the picture, right?
The Skymaster actually got here yesterday, so I've already taken a look at it. "Three pages of instructions" are just that - three 8.5" x 11" pages of typewritten (copied ten thousand times, it looks like) Blueline drawings, and LOTS of balsa, most of it pre cut and stamped by P/N, so it shouldn't prove to be too hard. (I HOPE)! JohnC
|
|
|
|
Post by Grug - American Neanderthal on Dec 9, 2004 20:33:31 GMT -7
I have heard that if you keep weight in mind while building them, they turn out to be good fliers, which is always good thing on scale planes. I have been tempted a few times, but have always seemed to find kits from someone else to build.
|
|
|
|
Post by JohnC on Dec 10, 2004 14:57:34 GMT -7
I've hear that, also, Eric... that's why I bought one with two engines, and if I'm really lucky, since they're basically in-line with each other, maybe I won't have to worry about the dreaded "one engine out" effect that two on the wings seem to have on us! ;D JohnC
|
|
|
|
Post by Cardinal40 on Jan 2, 2005 12:50:39 GMT -7
I have seen the Skymaster fly and it seemed very nice.It landed fairly slow and looked stable.The fellow had done a beautiful job on it also.Nice and unique plane.Good luck building and hope yours flys great also.I have there 1/4 scale PA18 Super Cub and there long gone 25 size PT19 kits. Dennis
|
|
