Off to Russia! What do I buy?

Wow! Things worked out so my wife and I leave for two weeks in Russia on 16 June. We will spend about a week in Moscow and then a week in Nichneyev Novgorod---or something like that. It is the 3rd largest city in Russia and was what was called "Space City" back in Russia's technology heyday.

So.... What should I buy while in Russia? What engines would be good stunt engines? What diesels? Any airplanes of any kind that I should try and pick up? Anything else? I am not knowledgeable about the Russian motors other than knowing that they have some really good ones and some really bad ones... Any particular model shops I should look for? Any help appreciated?
Nick Vanmatre

Er uh, be carefull over there or the Yiddish Mafia and other Ex bulshovics just might want to---Whoops, wrong forum! Go for the Vodka!!!< Pithy Paul

Believe it or not, the son-in-law of our host is a bodyguard for some politicians and "businessmen". We will be well protected... And, I AM going for the vodka! But I still would like to get a couple of cool engines--- My wife speaks Russian; I speak...err...well I try.
Nick Vanmatre

>Er uh, be carefull over there or the Yiddish Mafia and other
>Ex bulshovics just might want to---Whoops, wrong forum! Go

Oy, comarade!

Nick,

Don't bother looking for modeling stuff, you won't find much unless you know someone whoe does it or plan to stay there for a year. The most important advice is this: go on the night out with your brother-in-law. Let him take you places, you won't be sorry! Oh yeah, take out a second mortgage: Moscow is THE most expensive city in Europe. Small coffee will run you 6 bucks easy.

EDIT: brother-in-law, son-in-law. Same thing...
Steven Yampolsky
Webmaster for www.control-line.org

Yep,

And one night at the Marriot Grand Aurora will be about 9,000 Rubles or $300.00 bucks US based on a 30-1 exchange ratio. Sure is nice to have Uncle Sam to pay that kind of a bill! The Moscow Hard Rock Cafe is now open again. Hopefully, they can keep the bullet holes to a minimum this time around!

Uncle Sam isn't paying anything on this trip. It's all on me, though I am using frequent flyer miles to get a free airplane ticket from Sandy Eggo, CA to Moscow and back. So what diesel engine should I get? If I can find a hobby shop...on the way to the vodka store...
Nick Vanmatre

Nikyvee,

The KMD 2.5 (.15) is a fine engine, they have been out of production for a while, but new ones are plentiful, I understand. It is based on a 1980's TR engine, rear drum valve. Mine is powerful, instant starting & easy to set. It was designed as a "training" TR engine & makes a fine sports engine. Comes with several venturies & a tool kit, all in a clear plastic presentation box. I paid USD 40.00, 2 years ago.

Most of the good engines from that part of the world are made in the Ukraine, not Russia.

On the other hand, if you want engines to run, rather than collect, you might be better off buying a MVVS from the US distributor.

Ian Russell (Rustler) should have all the answers you need, he deals with Russian and Ukrainian manufacturers a lot. He should know whats available and whats worth having. He probably has one of everything in his collection.

For a small diesel the MK-17 (.09) is a nice runner but I don't even know if they're made anymore. Carlson is still listing them for $40. I had a friend who picked one up in the early 90's and it came on a plastic RTF Il-2 Stormovik.

Particular thanks to Dave and Elywn for the pointers to a couple of engines. I am going to email Rustler and see what he has to say. BTW, I plan to let the Stuka Forum know how my trip turnsout. That is, what I find in the way of engines, of course.
Nick

Mejzlik Modellbau Company
Mejzlik Modellbau
Jurkovicova 19
638 00 Brno
Czech Republic
tel + fax 42-5-52

Alerxander Yuvenko
17, Shevchenko Side Street,
Nosivka, Chernihiv Region
Ukraine 17100
tel + fax 046-4 2

The Russians are into control line flying big time. Call Mejzlik Modellbau he speeks a little english. Stop it and check out his place its amazing from what I here. They will send you a video tape showing the control line assembly line they build about 100 airplanes a day. They have a flying field to test fly all the new designs. Mejzlik Modellbau can tell you what engine you need.

>Mejzlik Modellbau Company
>Mejzlik Modellbau
>Jurkovicova 19
>638 00 Brno
>Czech Republic
>tel + fax 42-5-52
>
>Alerxander Yuvenko
>17, Shevchenko Side Street,
>Nosivka, Chernihiv Region
>Ukraine 17100
>tel + fax 046-4 2

I don't think either is anywhere near Moscow..

Anyhow, I wonder where they make Norvel engines..

Give Mejzlik Modellbau a phone call. I was told Mejzlik Modellbau has a web page now and you can order online. You can call by phone and order airplanes. The price use to be $35.00 each american money thats about $300.00 russian money. Airplanes come with NO engine. Postage is reasonable.

There is a company in the United States that buys from Mejzlik Modellbau in quantity then resells. Price is marked up only about 10% which is not bad at all. Here is the first page of their online catalog.

Phone number 1-504-443-4640

Nick,
You might want to check Carlson's prices for a few engines so you will know whether it's a deal or not. Last price I have for the a KMD is $65.00 and the Mk-17 @ $40.00 (as mentioned previously). His site would have current prices and availability.

Enjoy the Vodka!

A round trip ticket, BEFORE YOU LEAVE HERE!!

.49 GFS/R U-Control engines and a couple of those mail order brides for your single friends.

Iskandar,

I believe Norvel engines are still made in St. Pete.

The slavic people are not stupid nor ignorant, in any stretch of the imagination!! Just keep that in mind, and you should make out OK over there.--Stupid Paul-

If you would have wed a "Yiddish Princes" with a hint of Portugese extraction, well this hullaballoo about going to Russia, would not be such a great attraction!!--Still crazy, Paul

John,
I am not at all familiar with the GFS/R engines? Can you give me any more info, please? As for the Russian mail-order bride, err..... I don't think my French-speaking, personal-ads wife, would help me out with that task. She speaks French and Russian, and Italian, Spanish, German, and is almost fluent in LATIN! And English, of course. As you might guess, she is a language professor--my luck. Unfortunately, she doesn't have much interest in model airplanes, although that might be a good thing....
Nick Vanmatre