Walter Umland's

Jim Van Loo

I have been a little hestant in reveiwing my Chipmunk that Walter Umaland is producing. Changed my mind as I am really reviewing Walter's ability of producing kits. I have heard nothing but compliments on his kits. So here goes.

I received the first kit to build to check out to see how the parts fit. The laser cut parts were not available so the fuselage formers were cut by me. Would have probably been better if Walter had done it.

The balsa was absolutely perfect in weight and as I wanted different for flaps and elevators. The top fuselage block is so light that I hated to put it on cut and shape it for the fuselage.

The foam wing panels are the best I have ever had for any model. (I used to manufacture R/C aircraft and cut the foam wings, (while they were good Walter's out shined mine.)

The parts included in the kit are all first class including many Brodak accessorries. Adjustable leadouts, removeable wing weight box, great control horns, pushrod, removeable tail wheel and the list goes on.

God bless Walter he managed to get me a new Brodak 40 and it is in the Chipmunk, not run yet but this month I hope.

I completed the airplane with Harold Krier's paint scheme that I flew for so many years. It is covered in Ultracote (because of allergies can't paint right now(yes all the checkers are cut out by hand as well as the rest of the trim. All up weight is 48 ounces.

I have not flown the airplane as I had a total knee replacement a couple of months back and Doc says one more month before I try anything like spinning around in a circle.

Take a look at Walter's web page and check out his fine line.
Jim Van Loo AMA 822

I also received one of Walter's kits. The EXCALIBUR! I have only a couple of things to say. When I ordered the kit, I was wondering how good can it be? As many of you know, I too make kits, all hand cut. I will have a hard time competing with his line of kits! I do not have laser cutting to help me out as the expense is really up there, however, Walter takes the time to make sure all is at least next to perfect! You can't go wrong with one of Walter's kits. And, YES I will build the Excalibur after I move to the new house in Sparks, Nv. I really miss building airplanes, so His is the next plane I'll build.

Hi all you guys

thanks for your support

send me some pictures when they're done so I can post them on my website

LAST EDITED ON Jul-17-03 AT 02:40 AM (CDT)
 
here's Jim's current model of the newly built prototype #3 that he did

Walter, I built your Barnstormer this past spring and tryed my hand at Old Time at the FCM contest with a third place finish. It preformed very well. Very nice kit (I don't usually build kits)and the end product was two thumbs up. Great, keep up the good work.

Allen

>Walter, I built your Barnstormer this past spring and tryed
>my hand at Old Time at the FCM contest with a third place
>finish. It preformed very well. Very nice kit (I don't
>usually build kits)and the end product was two thumbs up.
>Great, keep up the good work.
>
>Allen

Here you go Allen,

I thought you'd like them to see your new baby