Red
Very Strong User
As some of you may have figured out, I like to design and build my own planes. I was very active in EF-1 racing for many years, but when I moved south to take a new job I focused on other things. I produced kits of many of my EF-1 (and other) designs over the years, but truthfully with a real job the kit business burnt me out. It was successful enough to warrant doing it, but not enough to be full time. Nights and weekends were spent in the shop feeding the laser cutter, boxing and shipping. Good way to take the fun out of the hobby!
So in come Wayne and crew stepping up to be an OEM kit producer. I love to design, they want to produce kits....seems like a no brainer partnership to me. In addition to my already in production micro gliders, the mini Wanderer will be available soon. Next after that are these two Aloha and Alley Cat.
Both Aloha and Alley Cat are designed to fit into NMPRA's EF-1 pylon racing class. The rules are very specific on motor, battery, prop etc. if you intend to race. If not, they also make fantastic sport airplanes. My Aloha is my go-to plane. It flies very much like an old school ballistic pattern plane from the 80's. Point rolls, coast to coast knife edge and general hooning all at 100+ mph make for great fun.
Some fun trivia, the real Aloha is an Owl OR-71 that was raced at Reno from 1977- 1987 by Gary Wilson of Hilo, HI. It was then sold in 1988 to the famous Ray Cote, who gave it a new wing and tail and renamed it Alley Cat. It raced up until 2007 when it was lost in a mid air crash piloted by Jason Somes. So with a simple wing and tail change, one basic kit can be either airplane.
The kits feature laser cut Balsa/ply fuselage and tail. Fiberglass cowl, canopy and wheel pants& CNC cut foam wing cores. They go together quickly and the 4S power systems won't break the bank. So this is a bit of a preview of what's to come. If you have any questions feel free to ask.
So in come Wayne and crew stepping up to be an OEM kit producer. I love to design, they want to produce kits....seems like a no brainer partnership to me. In addition to my already in production micro gliders, the mini Wanderer will be available soon. Next after that are these two Aloha and Alley Cat.
Both Aloha and Alley Cat are designed to fit into NMPRA's EF-1 pylon racing class. The rules are very specific on motor, battery, prop etc. if you intend to race. If not, they also make fantastic sport airplanes. My Aloha is my go-to plane. It flies very much like an old school ballistic pattern plane from the 80's. Point rolls, coast to coast knife edge and general hooning all at 100+ mph make for great fun.
Some fun trivia, the real Aloha is an Owl OR-71 that was raced at Reno from 1977- 1987 by Gary Wilson of Hilo, HI. It was then sold in 1988 to the famous Ray Cote, who gave it a new wing and tail and renamed it Alley Cat. It raced up until 2007 when it was lost in a mid air crash piloted by Jason Somes. So with a simple wing and tail change, one basic kit can be either airplane.
The kits feature laser cut Balsa/ply fuselage and tail. Fiberglass cowl, canopy and wheel pants& CNC cut foam wing cores. They go together quickly and the 4S power systems won't break the bank. So this is a bit of a preview of what's to come. If you have any questions feel free to ask.
