RCSCALEBUILDER.COM - Williams Bros.??

Home>Forums>Gossip>Williams Bros.??

Post Reply New Topic

Forum Jump

4 Pages 1 2 3 4

Author / Post

	LBJ Lifetime Site Supporter	Joined: August/21/2012 United States Posts: 5125 IP Logged
Posted: March/26/2023 at 11:11am		Quote

I think it's really the same as decades ago in that there are builders and there are flyers. Yesterday, flyers had to find planes built by someone else, but today they have the ARF's, no building just assembly. Builders have always been builders because they enjoy creating something from a pile of balsa and plans. Hard-core builders are still called scratch builders. Me, I got hooked on building control line and balsa and tissue jobs in the 60's because I loved the aroma of Ambroid and Butyrate. Ha. Lane

__________________
LBJ Fort Worth, TEXAS
Ziroli Hellcat
Top Flite FW-190A
BUSA SE5a
Top RC Zero
BUSA 1/4 DVII
BUSA 1/3 DVII
Troy Built P-40E
TF P-47D
TF Hellcat
EMD F4U Corsair
World Models Chiricahua
Top RC

	Slowflight Site Supporter	Joined: December/02/2010 United States Posts: 2468 IP Logged
Posted: March/26/2023 at 11:12am		Quote

Quote: Alan

I think that part of the reason for the change, is the current need for instant gratification.

That, I believe is a big reason for the ARF products.

Those of us that have been building models for a long time, understand that the Journey is just as important as the Destination.

Having the space to build is also something that is not always available.

My current club has close to 100 members ,but to the best of my knowledge there is only one other builder.

There are several members that assemble and fly Turbine jets.

JMTC.

Alan

So similar to my club, we have I think at the moment 300 members , maybe 6 are builders, I always laugh when the jet guys are assembling a jet and call it “I started a new build” . We have about 25-30 turbine fliers the rest ARFs and Foamies.

__________________
Roger
South Florida
____________
Hangar:
1/4 Piper Navy Replica Piper J3, Travel Air D4D, NA50
On the bench. 1/3 L4 Piper
Waiting 1/3 Cessna OA2, 1/3 Bucker Jungmann 1/3 Spacewalker

	Alan Site Supporter	Joined: December/10/2003 United States Posts: 14421 IP Logged
Posted: March/26/2023 at 12:04pm		Quote

Yeah!

It used to be "The Builder of the Model", now it's "The Assembler of the Model"

__________________
Please engage Brain before operating tongue or machinery.
"Scale Detail equals Weight"
Alan
Woodway, TX

	Sparky Lifetime Site Supporter Head Curmudgeon	Joined: February/10/2004 United States Posts: 7093 IP Logged
Posted: March/26/2023 at 12:14pm		Quote

In talking with those non-builders I always make it a point to say "assemble" vs "build" in my discussions.
As a builder I have been offered numerous minor crashed ARF airframes that could have easily been salvaged and returned to flight status.
Sparky

__________________
Brown County, Indiana
TopRC FW-190, Zenoah GT-80
Bates F6F Hellcat, Saito FG60-R3
Gamma RIP

	Admin Admin Group RCSB Owner/Founder	Joined: July/22/2003 United States Posts: 5282 IP Logged
Posted: March/26/2023 at 12:23pm		Quote

OK folks, the discussion has wandered off topic. Let's get back on the original topic.

Thank you!
Mike

__________________
Mike Chilson,
RCSB Owner/Founder
--------------------
Update Your Browser!

	PeterOZ Site Supporter	Joined: April/04/2009 Australia Posts: 2383 IP Logged
Posted: May/01/2023 at 6:02pm		Quote

last conversation I had with Daniel was as others pointed out lack of raw materials but also he was having major issues with his machines and they needed serious work and cash to get them sorted.

Even with raw materials he may struggle to produce.

When you add in the proliferation of people getting 3D printed parts such as the MGs, pilots etc his market will be shrinking a lot.

End of the day he has to see if their is a viable ROI and he can make a quid out of it.

Lets hope he can. Here in Oz there is a very large WWI flying & building community where there is constant demand for those speciality items.

Most are now turning to suppliers of 3D parts.

__________________
FlairAstrohog PICA 65" spitfire Mk IX JMI P51 82" TF P47 85" Vailly Seafury 90" SIG 1/4 Cub H9 1/4 Tiger Moth H9 1/3 Pawnee H9 RV-4 H9 Fokker DVII
TopRC FW-190A7 35% Cessna 182T Yellow Spitfire MkXIV

	Alan Site Supporter	Joined: December/10/2003 United States Posts: 14421 IP Logged
Posted: May/01/2023 at 6:37pm		Quote

I think the only way Dan could compete today, would be to produce his inventory as 3D printed parts.

That is also an expensive start -up

His machinery, as you say,is outdated and would need a lot of expensive upgrades to be productive again

I am doubtful we shall see Williams re-started.

Hope I am wrong, but I think that is the reality today.

__________________
Please engage Brain before operating tongue or machinery.
"Scale Detail equals Weight"
Alan
Woodway, TX

	jollyroger Site Supporter	Joined: April/29/2006 United States Posts: 293 IP Logged
Posted: May/13/2023 at 6:38pm		Quote

Sorry to hear that Dan is having such problems trying to keep the business alive. Seems like a failing endeavor. Too bad, Williams bros. offered up a good selection of items that any modeler whether scale or not could use. Now sadly, it looks like this one may be doomed to history. At least for now other such companies like I Fly Tailies has a good inventory.

__________________
Jollyroger
Central lake, Mi.
AMA 563510

Forum Jump

4 Pages 1 2 3 4

Post Reply New Topic

Similar topics you might be interested in...

Williams Bros?

Williams Bros Wheels

Williams Wasp

Williams Brothers wheels.

You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot create polls in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum

Portal Home Forum Icon

Forum Home Forum Icon

Your Privacy