<DIV>I agree about the Hanson models. </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>I flew a Runaround in Masters at the '93 Nats. An FAI flier who was scribing for one round told me that I would never get the scores I deserved flying an "outdated design". I won that round!</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Which reminds me! I can't remember his name, but I'd also like to really thank that Appalachian Monk that sold me that small can of whoop-ass before I left for the NATS. :-) </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>That Runaround also had a 20 year old set of Violet retracts -- which became B&D as I recall. Bulletproof. As long as you remember to plug in the retract servo. :-( </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Bob R.</DIV>
<DIV><BR><BR><B><I>Ed Miller <edbon85@charter.net></I></B> wrote:</DIV>
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<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>I have to second Dave Lockhart's mention of Dick Hanson Models. The best flying planes I ever owned or flew came from him. I currently own and fly 3 of his designs, a modified EMC per Dave Lockhart, an Elan and a 26% Dalotel. I've had numerous others and they were great flying planes. </FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>I'm happy with my Litco Alpha 4.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>OS makes the best 2 strokes IMHO.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>S&W fuels</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>B&D retracts ( my Elan and Dalotel have retracts )</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Futaba </FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Central Hobbies</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Radio South</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>ES Composites</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>With the exception of 2, they are all US based companies. Hmmm, wonder why</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Ed M.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
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<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial">----- Original Message ----- </DIV>
<DIV style="BACKGROUND: #e4e4e4; FONT: 10pt arial; font-color: black"><B>From:</B> <A title=DaveL322@comcast.net href="mailto:DaveL322@comcast.net">DaveL322@comcast.net</A> </DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>To:</B> <A title=discussion@nsrca.org href="mailto:discussion@nsrca.org">discussion@nsrca.org</A> </DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Sent:</B> Wednesday, February 02, 2005 1:26 PM</DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Subject:</B> Re: Composite-ARF Impact question</DIV>
<DIV><BR></DIV>
<DIV>I always loved the offerings from Hanson (Dick and his son Gy) and probably have more flights and success with Hanson stuff than anything else. The EMC (now available, I think, from Rich Lee) was way ahead of its time, and with a few simple mods will still fly with the current day stuff.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>In almost 20 years of pattern flying, 2004 was the first time my planes were not of US origin. I am currently flying a pair of Vivats - full composite (FG / balsa / FG) with substantial amounts of prefab. I closely inspected 2 before shelling out the dough for mine, and have closely inspected several others since. The entire structure is extremely rigid and the flying weight is 9.75 lbs. The flight performance and craftsmanship are the best I've seen. It is obviously a very well refined design and has proven to be very durable (500 flights and counting). It isn't cheap, but for the level of quality, I wouldn't expect it to be cheap. Independant of cost, I think the value of the plane is good.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Regards,</DIV>
<DIV><BR>Dave Lockhart</DIV>
<DIV><A href="mailto:DaveL322@comcast.net">DaveL322@comcast.net</A></DIV>
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