More praise for Walter Umland!

I sure wish this BBS had a Smiley icon to use as a topic icon. With a great big grin!

Got home today after a VERY hard day at work, to find a little box on the kitchen table. My first thought was maybe this is the two tanks I ordered back in mid-August (still haven't got 'em), but no, this one said Ty Marcucci on it, so I'm wondering... now what would Ty be sending me???

Turns out, it's a nice plastic canopy for the Cobra I bought last spring!! FANTASTIC!!

Truth is, when I got the kit, and noticed there was no canopy, I was somewhat confused, because I was SURE he'd said there would be one included. But nobody else said anything, so I decided I had either assumed it, or misunderstood, and this plane looks plenty boss with a painted canopy anyway, so I was in NO WAY disappointed.

However, to say I am now VERY impressed is the understatement of the century! I am truly looking forward to building this plane, but for me, this will be a labor of love, and I'm going to take my time over it. Not gonna rush it. I want this one to be the best I've ever done, and I may take a year or so just over the finish. Meantime I'll build and fly other planes, and crash 'em, so maybe when the Cobra is done, it'll live a nice long life...

Tim

I don't get how Ty Marcucci fits in.

Sorry.. Ty is one of Walter's helpers, I guess. He's prototyped a number of Walter's kits (at least 2 or 3 that I know of, maybe all of them), proofs the plans, and he has also helped out by sending out the updated decal and now the canopy for Cobra owners. A big round of thanks to him, as well. This is my second Umland kit, and the more I see, the more I realize these are truly special, even among "special" kits. No mystery why he's becoming a legend...

Tim

Tim,
Like yourself, my big labour of love will be an "Accentor" kit that I am in the process of buying from "Bill" (CTM). Yes it may take a year or so to build but hey, thats the nature of this hobby, and thats why we all keep coming back regardless of age or experience.
I look forward to flying with Dave, Eric and yourself again in the spring, and yes,"Auger", RSM Mustang,Akromaster and Combat special will all be ready to make their debut. As for Walter, yes he is first rate, a true inspiration and gentleman.

Regards as always, Geoff....Torham

Whoa. I am not one of Walters helpers. We are friends, not in business. Walter does his kits without my help. Long ago Walter came on this board and asked what kits we would like for him to develop. At the time I was admiring the Cobra and Bill Groman was also doing one on line. I had started one from plans and when Walter asked, I bugged the holy heck out of him to do the Cobra. I mentioned I had made a mold for the canopy, but he wanted them done elsewhere and had ordered them. They didn't come in on time so I offered to make some and mailed them out. The others have since come in and will be used for the next batch of 30 plus Cobra kits in the future. As to the decals I mentioned I was playing with my computer making reproductions of some kit decals and he asked if I could make some for his Cobra kit. I did, but was not happy with them. Then Dennis Saydak and his wife did a much, much better cobra, emailed it to me and I remade and sent out those decals. Walter repaid me by selling me two kits, one at cost. So it has not been a free ride for either of us. Ask anyone that does limited kits how much time and effort and money goes into them. I'll stick to building them. I beamers forever.

Tim, I have not prototyped any of Walters kits. I have seen only two before they went out. He has Expert and Advanced flyers do the prototyping. I just wreck things Ha. As to his plans, they are done by Pat Johnston. I only made two suggestions on one set. Walter has put two of my planes on his box labels, which is nice for my ego, but a little embarassing too. I just happend to send them to him as he was making up new labels and he asked if he could use them. I said sure, figuring he wouldn't.

Neither does Ty Marcucci.

Ty, thanks for setting me straight... I hope I didn't embarass you. I've seen Walter's pics of your planes (one of which was on the label of the All-American Senior he sent me) - you do good work. I also appreciate the help you've given me when I need it by answering questions. I'm amazed at how much I learn each year. One of these days I'll probably know enough to be able to "build it right"...

Tim

I had the same experience but placed my comments in the "Product Review" forum. GO WALTER!

Hey, guys. Hold on. You are gonna give Walter the big head and then we won't be able to put up with him down here in Florida.

Seriously, Walter's kits are second to none. I am building one of his El Diablos right now and the quality of this kit is top drawer all the way.

Did I mention that I live only ten minutes from Walter? Could come in real handy when I "just gotta have" that next Umland kit.

Bill Hodges
X47 Flyers
OTS Rulz!!!

Have you ever noticed (at least in CLPA) that many of the guys most entitled to get "big head", don't? And some of the least worthy, do? I don't even need to name "names"! (I certainly don't dare . . .)

>I sure wish this BBS had a Smiley icon to use as a topic
>icon. With a great big grin!
>
>Got home today after a VERY hard day at work, to find a
>little box on the kitchen table. My first thought was maybe
>this is the two tanks I ordered back in mid-August (still
>haven't got 'em), but no, this one said Ty Marcucci on it,
>so I'm wondering... now what would Ty be sending me???
>
>Turns out, it's a nice plastic canopy for the Cobra I bought
>last spring!! FANTASTIC!!
>
>Truth is, when I got the kit, and noticed there was no
>canopy, I was somewhat confused, because I was SURE he'd
>said there would be one included. But nobody else said
>anything, so I decided I had either assumed it, or
>misunderstood, and this plane looks plenty boss with a
>painted canopy anyway, so I was in NO WAY disappointed.
>
>However, to say I am now VERY impressed is the
>understatement of the century! I am truly looking forward
>to building this plane, but for me, this will be a labor of
>love, and I'm going to take my time over it. Not gonna rush
>it. I want this one to be the best I've ever done, and I
>may take a year or so just over the finish. Meantime I'll
>build and fly other planes, and crash 'em, so maybe when the
>Cobra is done, it'll live a nice long life...

I would like to take the time to personaly thank Walter Umland for the 2 short movies he sent me of my P47 being built. Way to go Walter. Thank You

I've never bought one of his kits but he still is helpful.
I guess nows a good a time as any. Thank you again Walter for the CD to help me build my Magnum. Grins

I am building a Shark 15 from one of Walter's kits and I found a TERRIBLE MISTAKE! There are four little triangular gussets for the wingtip ribs, and they are cut WITH THE GRAIN IN THE WRONG DIRECTION!

Actually, the kit is really good and I am enjoying the hound out of building it. It has always been my practice, in writing letters of reference, to include a small criticism. I think this makes the letter more convincing, and my students have fared pretty well. I recommend Walter's kits without reservation, and you understand that I am kidding around in the first paragraph.