Jason Rowlands 1 Posted January 12, 2016 Share Posted January 12, 2016 Hi All, Is seems that I'm not the only nostalgic one who has fond memories of this kit range. So to that end I thought it would be a good idea to scan the images from the original catalogue. I'm always interested in collecting any Cambria models having found quite a few so far. I'm still looking for a Slingsby Eagle, Skylark and Kadet gliders, oh and a Scimitar if possible...(rare as rocking horse doo-doo)!!! If anyone has any of these that they wish to sell then let's talk. I hope you enjoy the post, Cheers, Jason Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jason Rowlands 1 Posted January 13, 2016 Author Share Posted January 13, 2016 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Area 51 Posted January 13, 2016 Share Posted January 13, 2016 Thanks for this, super to see them again.. As a lad I needed a new canopy for my Capstan.. unbeknown to me my father contacted Cambria in Llanidloes to get a new one.. we then called in enroute to a caravan holiday near New Quay in Wales.. I got a factory tour, new canopy, catalogue and some decals ! I was made up and silent in the back of the car for the rest of the trip. I bagged a Merlin at Aberystwyth models back in the 70's, built it on the upturn dining table in the caravan.. Happy days indeed.. Thanks Jason! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martyn K Posted January 13, 2016 Share Posted January 13, 2016 The Slingsby Eagle was the first R/C glider I built. Superb flier. Lost into cloud while slope soaring at Blackstone Edge. It was found 4 miles downwind having landed in a reservoir. Got it back and it had flying again 2 days later with an extended centre section Thanks for this, I had forgotten which model it was. Really appreciated Martyn Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GeeW Posted January 13, 2016 Share Posted January 13, 2016 I was always taken with the Fauvette, still have a Miri 100 and a Diamant. Sadly Santa did not bring me a Fauvette for xmas this year <sigh> Gordon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Capt Kremen Posted January 13, 2016 Share Posted January 13, 2016 I have a Cambria 'Instructor' under construction / refurbishment at the moment for electric power. (Managed to find it as an almost complete assembled uncovered kit on the 'bay'. This was for the 'built-up' wing version, though I have had a 'foam' wing cut which I intend using first. Full size two-sheet plans, original instructions & copy of 'RM' review were available on the 'bay' too. Also, I noticed a Canadian forum member had recently advertised a un-built kit . In the 70s had several Cambria models including: FW190, Me109, Capstan (a bit of a brick IMO) and a low wing intermediate aileron trainer, the name of which escapes me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Hargreaves - Moderator Posted January 13, 2016 Share Posted January 13, 2016 My second model was an Instructor....powered by an OS15 it flew very well indeed... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
john stones 1 - Moderator Posted January 13, 2016 Share Posted January 13, 2016 I had the Grumman Traveller in the early 80's, sold it a club mate n he's still got it...should have asked for more money John Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jason Rowlands 1 Posted January 14, 2016 Author Share Posted January 14, 2016 The intermediate trainer you mentioned may have been the CFI, or chief flying instructor. I will post a pic shortly. Cheers, Jason Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IanN Posted January 14, 2016 Share Posted January 14, 2016 Thanks for posting, Jason, it's always good to see and remember these old ranges However, I had no recollection at all of the three Cambria C/L models shown, which is odd as C/L was my main interest "back in the day" when these ads would have been current. Interesting stuff! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frank Skilbeck Posted January 14, 2016 Share Posted January 14, 2016 I had a 3 channel Instructor to learn on, great flyer, when to a HiBoy for 4 channels, but then went back to the Instructor and added the aileron wing. The aileron wing was quite nice as it was semi symmetrical at the tips and changed to flat bottom at the centre where it met the fuselage. Also had an Eagle which flew very nice too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colin Leighfield Posted January 14, 2016 Share Posted January 14, 2016 I still have my Slingsby Eagle, with the box, plan, spare cockpit moulding and transfer set. I think I built it around 1978. I used to bungee it and also slope soared it as a member of Malvern Soarers Association. Good flyer, but you have to be careful on the bungee not to pull too much elevator too soon because it can snap stall very sharply. Look out for that and it is fine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Owdlad Posted January 14, 2016 Share Posted January 14, 2016 I have a Gnat kit that was given by a friend of a friend who discovered I flew models. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Geezer Posted January 14, 2016 Share Posted January 14, 2016 Heavens! That takes me back. Like Martyn K - my very first RC plane was the Slingsby Eagle, 2nd (or 3rd) hand 27meg Skyleader set complete with those luverly red servos and deac button cells, nary a glitch as I remember either. Smashing flyer, taught me lots, including about the dreaded tip stall - ( Looking at the catalogue again after all these years, always hankered after the Pioneer and the Pinto too. I'll bet either would be great converted to leccy power. If someone decided to market some of these Vintage, in the real sense of the word, kits I'm sure they would sell well to trad' builders. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robin Colbourne Posted January 15, 2016 Share Posted January 15, 2016 The Cambria Instructor 20 is a lovely model. Mine has an OS20 four stroke in it, and is great fun in a flat calm doing circuits and bumps, with the downwind leg at about 15ft off the ground. It also does wonders for your throttle control and spot landings. There is a Cambria Eagle hanging in the clubhouse at our gliding club. Quite apt, as there is a full-size one which got the two seater cross country record many years ago, in the hangar. Our Cambria Merlin was lost out of sight from a hand launch off a small slope. Hopefully someone found it and got some more use out of it. We had a Cambria Capstan (full size one of those in the hangar too) but the fuselage was very heavy and I don't recall flying it myself. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Owdlad Posted January 17, 2016 Share Posted January 17, 2016 I remember my dad had 2 Grumman Travelers both fuselages broke behind the trailing edge ! also he built a Pinto with if I remember correctly powered by an OS 25 FSR. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Former Member Posted January 17, 2016 Share Posted January 17, 2016 [This posting has been removed] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cuban8 Posted January 17, 2016 Share Posted January 17, 2016 A crazy mate of mine in the early 1980s used to play 'beat the bungee down' with his Cambria Capstan. He'd catapult the model up to height and when released from the line, half roll the model and race the parachute on to the deck. Sometimes he'd win, sometimes the parachute would. Mad really. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robin Colbourne Posted January 25, 2016 Share Posted January 25, 2016 Just in case anyone's feeling nostalgic and looking for a Cambria Instructor: **LINK** Judging by the engine, its probably the 20 size. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dave windymiller Posted October 12, 2016 Share Posted October 12, 2016 My mistral at last years Nats Photo by Pete Dunkly Edited By dave windymiller on 12/10/2016 22:04:16 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IAN Bargh Posted June 27, 2017 Share Posted June 27, 2017 Ah yes the Dragonfly. What a lovely first model back then. Built mine whilst on 12 hour night shifts in huge local engineering company ( good old days ) Tried the first flight on my own with no real idea and yes , smashed it to bits. Oh well still good memories. I still have the engine so would like to buy a Dragonfly and get it off the ground just because lol. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nightflyer Posted June 27, 2017 Share Posted June 27, 2017 I have always had a soft spot for Cambria models right the way back as an 11 yo first getting into rc modelling in the 70's. I always wanted to get a Grumman Traveller but never did. However my first kit was the FW190D followed by the P51. The latter had quite a long life into the end of the 90's!. Having built those I then had a Capstan which I enjoyed a lot. I cracked the canopy and had replacement sent to me very quickly along with decals and catalogue. I also remember fondly two Instructor kits being built during both of the weeks at the National Modelmakers Festival at Brean Sands when it was a 2 week event (really miss those festivals they were such great fun). It was great seeing Cambrian at Wings and Wheels and has refuelled my interest in their models - now my 14 yo son wants a Spitfire! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lindsay Todd Posted June 27, 2017 Share Posted June 27, 2017 I had a Grumman Traveller for years and the CFI was my second model, happy days. My Dad also had a CFI and flew it for years until it became horribly fuel soaked, one afternoon while flying he saw something fall off it, the engine cut and he glided down safely walked over to pick the model up and found that the engine had actually fallen out mid flight hence the engine cut! We found it but I don't recall him fixing it, shame, great flyer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Former Member Posted June 27, 2017 Share Posted June 27, 2017 [This posting has been removed] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Philip Brown 1 Posted June 27, 2018 Share Posted June 27, 2018 Hi All, I realise this thread hasn't been visited for a year but I'm hoping some one can help me out. Took my Cambria Instructor for a flight the other day to celebrate its 40th birthday but all didn't go as planned. Anybody got a copy of the plan to help with the rebuild? Thanks, Phil. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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