Great Planes Model Manufacturing
Encyclopedia
Great Planes Model Manufacturing of Champaign, Illinois
, USA, is among the world's second largest radio-controlled model
manufacturers and distributors as part of Hobbico
, Incorporated.
The company was founded in 1982 by mechanical engineer Don Anderson in response to what were, at the time, poorly made radio control aircraft kits.
Prior to the company's founding, no machinery specifically for cutting model aircraft parts had ever been designed. Great Planes became the first company of its type to create such machines which utilized computer-aided drafting to create airframe
s with interlocked construction.
Fully framed and sheeted almost ready-to-fly models were now possible. One of Great Planes' recent offerings, a scale
Ryan
STA sheeted in their Monokote
covering, is flight ready after only fifteen hours of assembly.
Further assisting the company in their product development is Great Planes' in-house research and development team, composed of active hobbyists, experienced builders and champion RC pilots.
In addition to a line of aircraft kits, Great Planes also markets a line of hardware and accessories (e.g., battery chargers) for radio controlled models in general.
Until the later part of the 1990s, they were Kyosho
's sole US distributor until they decided to start their own distribution network.
Champaign, Illinois
Champaign is a city in Champaign County, Illinois, in the United States. The city is located south of Chicago, west of Indianapolis, Indiana, and 178 miles northeast of St. Louis, Missouri. Though surrounded by farm communities, Champaign is notable for sharing the campus of the University of...
, USA, is among the world's second largest radio-controlled model
Radio-controlled model
A radio-controlled model is a model that is steerable with the use of radio control. All types of vehicles imaginable have had RC systems installed in them, including cars, boats, planes, and even helicopters and scale railway locomotives....
manufacturers and distributors as part of Hobbico
Hobbico
Hobbico, Inc. is located in Champaign, Illinois and is a manufacturer and distributor of hobby products including radio control airplanes, boats, cars and helicopters. Other products include plastic model kits, model rockets, model trains, slot cars, crafts, jigsaw puzzles and games...
, Incorporated.
The company was founded in 1982 by mechanical engineer Don Anderson in response to what were, at the time, poorly made radio control aircraft kits.
Prior to the company's founding, no machinery specifically for cutting model aircraft parts had ever been designed. Great Planes became the first company of its type to create such machines which utilized computer-aided drafting to create airframe
Airframe
The airframe of an aircraft is its mechanical structure. It is typically considered to include fuselage, wings and undercarriage and exclude the propulsion system...
s with interlocked construction.
Fully framed and sheeted almost ready-to-fly models were now possible. One of Great Planes' recent offerings, a scale
Scale model
A scale model is a physical model, a representation or copy of an object that is larger or smaller than the actual size of the object, which seeks to maintain the relative proportions of the physical size of the original object. Very often the scale model is used as a guide to making the object in...
Ryan
Ryan Airlines
Ryan Airline Company was an airline company founded by T. Claude Ryan and Benjamin Franklin "Frank" Mahoney at San Diego, California on April 19, 1925. They had earlier established a scheduled service between San Diego and Los Angeles with a fare of $14.50 one-way and $22.50 round-trip...
STA sheeted in their Monokote
Monokote
MonoKote is commercially available light weight plastic shrink wrap film available in various color schemes with an adhesive on one side, used to cover and form the surfaces of a model aircraft. The material is cut to size and applied to the airframe surfaces using a hobby iron or heat gun...
covering, is flight ready after only fifteen hours of assembly.
Further assisting the company in their product development is Great Planes' in-house research and development team, composed of active hobbyists, experienced builders and champion RC pilots.
In addition to a line of aircraft kits, Great Planes also markets a line of hardware and accessories (e.g., battery chargers) for radio controlled models in general.
Until the later part of the 1990s, they were Kyosho
Kyosho
is a model car company based in Tokyo, Japan. The brand operates internationally under the name KYOSHO. The company's main office is located in Chiyoda, Tokyo, and the production headquarters are located in Atsugi, Kanagawa....
's sole US distributor until they decided to start their own distribution network.