First off – a new kit announcement – the long-awaited (is anyone waiting for this?) PBY NoCal Short Kit. I spent this morning cutting and packing ten of these short kits. This is not a simple model, as it is a twin prop, twin motor NoCal. But I have spent some time engineering in some glue joints and overlaps that should make it a little easier to build and stronger once assembled.
I need to mention that I built and flew this kit prototype back in October/November, but it took some inspiring comments regarding NoCals by Vance Gilbert and Dave Mitchell in a recent issue of the FAC News to get me to finish the drawing and parts layout. By the way, this is cut from 1/32″ balsa, so it’s not as bulk as you might first think. Find it in the Shop for $10 plus shipping, as are most of my short kits.
It is hard to believe that it has been a week already since the WINDY McCook meet down in Muncie. I have barely got anything accomplished since then. I twisted my knee down there and hobbled around for most of the time. Well, it hasn’t got a lot better since then and I am set for an MRI next Thursday. We”ll see what that report is, but I am sure it won’t be easy news.
Because of that, I’ve done little more than try to keep up on incoming orders. In a way, it is fortunate that June orders have slacked off a bit as it takes a little pressure off of me. I have been trying to complete some pending plans and parts layouts for new kits. With the PBY just released, I have the following kits at 85-90%, or maybe even closer in some cases:
Comet Pepper Old Time Fuselage – two prototypes under construction by modelers
Peanut Baby Cyclone Goodyear Racer – needs parts laid out to cut and prototype built
24″ Cessna C-34 – parts cut and on my bench awaiting my construction to start
Denny Starling – a rare 2-Bit – parts cut and awaiting a prototype build
Two “under wraps” designs:
a contest-winning Embryo by a well-known modeler – parts cut, awaiting a prototype build
another 2-Bit with a twin-fin – parts nearly ready to cut
I have any number of model plans at less than this state, anywhere from 75% done to “man, I want to do this one someday”. And new ideas and designs sometimes jump the line, like the twin-fin 2-Bit mentioned above. I enjoy drawing up plans and making them available.
In closing, REMEMBER TO PRE-ORDER for Geneseo and AMA Nats. This will make it easier for both you and me. See you there!