Can I can get a kit without the balsa, but with plans?

From : Don Stackhouse

Well, I don't think that's a good idea, and not just because we want to sell kits. The plans that we include with the kits will show you how to assemble the kit (and they are VERY detailed, in a very similar style to the pictorial instructions in a good plastic model kit), but do not have anywhere near enough info to scratch build a copy.

Trust me, trying to scratch build one of these is NOT a good idea. I hand-built a number of the prototypes. Even though I had the computer patterns for the complete design, printed to scale (and a scratch builder would have neither those, nor the design to generate them from), it still took me on average about 2.5 to 3 DAYS of very tedious and painstaking work per model to cut out all the parts by hand, before I could even begin assembling them. Starting with the laser parts, I can build the basic airframe (not including radio installation) in about an hour and a half.

Also, if you have to start from scratch on the design of your scratch-built model, better figure on several iterations (and probably at least several weeks of work) to get one that flies well (guess how I know!).

There's a surprising amount of very intense engineering work that goes into these deceptively simple-looking models. This is one case where it's definitely easier to just buy the kit.

Don Stackhouse
DJ Aerotech