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Old 04-10-2012, 10:15 AM
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Swillie Swillie is offline
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Default MRC Concept II Thermal Hawk Glider...

My local shop has four of these kits , $20 each. The packaging looks old, says 1990 on it. Just wondering if anyone knows anything about them, or if that price is reasonable. They have the Estes Tercel for $14 which I will probably pick up, but this old kit looks interesting.
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Old 04-10-2012, 11:33 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Swillie
My local shop has four of these kits , $20 each. The packaging looks old, says 1990 on it. Just wondering if anyone knows anything about them, or if that price is reasonable. They have the Estes Tercel for $14 which I will probably pick up, but this old kit looks interesting.


decent price, and it is a good, fun glider. The only problem I have had with them is the plastic pop pod mount is a bit loosey-goosey and I've had holes burnt through the wing from a momentary direct blast from the motor.

<added a moment later> Yes, it is from 1990. You see them occasionally on eBay. in 2004-2006 they went generally for $10-20. Over the past few years, though, I've seen them go for more. (i originally said, "excellent price" above, but changed it to "decent price")
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Old 04-10-2012, 01:20 PM
Initiator001 Initiator001 is offline
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I built/flew a MRC Thermal Hawk glider many years ago.

I agree with Roy's comment about the pop-pod hook pieces being kinda loose.

It was a decent flier until the boom broke on mine. I don't remember if I still have it.
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Old 04-10-2012, 04:45 PM
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I agree, a good glider! However, I liked the other kits of the Concept II series a little bit more.

BTW, why is the MRC logo missing in the forums header?

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Old 04-12-2012, 09:16 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Oliver
I agree, a good glider! However, I liked the other kits of the Concept II series a little bit more.

BTW, why is the MRC logo missing in the forums header?

Oliver
Here, here! The MRC logo deserves to be immortalized there. I was very pleased with the German-made MRC motors--their performance was very consistent, and their yellow tracking smoke was easy to follow. For anyone who wishes to clone the MRC Thermal Hawk boost-glider, Custom Rocket Company uses its nose cone (Custom's designation for it is PC-20A) in their A.T.W. kit (see: http://www.customrocketcompany.com/store/ ), and they also sell this nose cone separately.
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Old 04-13-2012, 03:18 PM
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I spoke with a store manager today about having some concerns about the age of the kit, in particular the decals. I don't know if older decals like this will still release from the backing paper. The bubble wrap looks undamaged, just old. He let me have one for $15 which was pretty cool. Can't wait to start on this one, this is my first boost glider.
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Old 04-13-2012, 03:29 PM
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The decals on my Thermal Hawk are the crack 'n' peel type, not waterslide. Congrats on your find. Personally, I would use epoxy to attach the boom to the front section of the fuselage. CA is just too brittle for this.
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Old 04-13-2012, 07:27 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mwtoelle
The decals on my Thermal Hawk are the crack 'n' peel type, not waterslide. Congrats on your find. Personally, I would use epoxy to attach the boom to the front section of the fuselage. CA is just too brittle for this.


Ah...., I haven't opened the kit yet. So I might have the opposite problem, the stickers not being sticky enough after 22 years. We'll see, hopefully they are still useable, or I suppose I could spray the design if I had to.

I'll take your advice and use epoxy on the fuselage. Sparingly I would guess so she isn't too front heavy. I have to dig out the instructions tonight and read up on how to trim it and all as this is new for me.
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Old 04-13-2012, 09:39 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Swillie
Ah...., I haven't opened the kit yet. So I might have the opposite problem, the stickers not being sticky enough after 22 years. We'll see, hopefully they are still useable, or I suppose I could spray the design if I had to.

I'll take your advice and use epoxy on the fuselage. Sparingly I would guess so she isn't too front heavy. I have to dig out the instructions tonight and read up on how to trim it and all as this is new for me.
This sounds like a job for...S*A*N*D*M*A*N!!! (see: www.excelsiorrocketry.com ). He could make duplicate water-transfer decals for your MRC Thermal Hawk, using your original "peel 'n stick" decal sheet (or perhaps an e-mailed scan of it) as a pattern.
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Old 04-13-2012, 09:53 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Swillie
I spoke with a store manager today about having some concerns about the age of the kit, in particular the decals. I don't know if older decals like this will still release from the backing paper. The bubble wrap looks undamaged, just old. He let me have one for $15 which was pretty cool. Can't wait to start on this one, this is my first boost glider.
I presume you are talking about Great Lakes Train & Hobby. Best general hobby store, bar none, in the Detroit metro area. They consistently carry everything in the Estes and Quest lineup and often buy closeout lots of Estes stuff. they recently had a horde of Estes E-powered Spaceship Ones for $30 each.

The MRC kits, of which the Thermal Hawks are the last remainders, showed up about 4 years ago when GLT&H purchased a huge amount of 20 year old MRC and Estes stuff found in a warehouse somewhere. Last time I was in they still had an Estes S.W.A.T. or two and a couple of Greyhawks on the shelf.

Great, great, hobby store and like you found out, the owner is very approachable and reasonable. Wonderful store.
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