Two Heroes Vintage RC

Fun fact: In 1936, the first national RC model plane competition was held in Detroit—decades before RC radios were common! Many planes were flown by rubber band or gas engines with timers

actually, I do have a bag full of CDs and flash drives, that I need to go through. The flash drives were archived issues of an old RC Flight magazine, but I would imagine the CDs could be plans, since two of the discs have manufacturer names written on them, the rest are CD-Rs with nothing labeled.

Hi Robert, that's not a bad idea, I have seen plans sold by themselves on eBay. Due to the large format of the plans, I would have to find the right equipment to scan them. As far as shipping, it was $70.33 to ship a smaller kit to Australia 😮, but that's the only thing I've sent international.

💬 Do you remember your first Goldberg kit? Did you build the Gentle Lady, Falcon, or Electra? Share your stories & photos. These kits inspired generations of RC enthusiasts.

🏭 Built his business in Chicago with heavy family involvement. Emphasis on quality & accessibility. The company later passed through Lanier & Great Planes. Though CG passed in 1985, Vintage Carl Goldberg kits are still beloved treasures.

a photo of the Mirage 550 kit from Hank's collection

a photo of the Falcon 56 kit from Hank's collection

A photo of the Carl Goldberg Gentle Lady from Hank's collection

a photo of the Carl Goldberg Anniversary Edition Piper Cub. This exact kit is in Hank's collection, but I have not photographed it yet. This photo was taken from an old eBay listing

🛠️ Some of Goldberg’s classics: Falcon, Ranger, Gentle Lady, Skylark, Electra, Shoestring, Wizard, Jr. Falcon. Balsa, clean designs, good performance—free flight, control-line, early RC.

Carl Goldberg Sailplane ad from Comet

Top Flite props ad featuring Carl Goldberg

✈️ Goldberg built his first working plane at 15. Worked at Comet, then Top Flite. In 1955 he struck out on his own, focusing on designs that flew well and were affordable.

Carl Goldberg as a young man

Carl Goldberg photo from the Academy of Model Aeronautics

🧵🌟 Spotlight: Carl Goldberg – legendary model kit designer & founder of Carl Goldberg Models. From humble beginnings in the Bronx to shaping the golden age of model airplanes.

🔍 Rarity & Collectibility
Maybe not many still intact, especially with hull, wings, everything unmodified. New or gently used examples are rare.

📜 History & Designer
Berkeley’s Privateer line has long been beloved in the R/C community. With Don McGovern behind the design, the Super “15” stands out as one of the nicer flying boat kits from the golden age of R/C. Limited production = tough to find these days.

⚙️ Specs & Design

60″ wingspan

Amphibious hull (water + land)

N.A.C.A-style flying boat influences

Requires reinforcement for land operations

🌊 Featured Kit: Berkeley Privateer Super "15"
An amphibious flying boat by Berkeley Models—60″ wingspan, .09–.15 engine, hull built for water & land. Designed by Don McGovern. Vintage and rare!

🔧 Build & Fly
Building this taught patience—sand, glue, align. Flying was all about reading the air: gentle launches, carving turns. It was never about speed, more about soaring and grace.

🕰️ History & Rarity
Featured in R.C.M. magazine in 1983. Makes very few appearances NIB (new in box) now. Kits like K-26 show how kit designers focused on simplicity and flying joy back then.

📐 Kit Details

2-channel control (rudder & elevator), 4 ft wingspan (2×4)

Light balsa construction, basic but elegant design
Perfect for parks, slopes, or calm thermal days.

🪶 Featured Kit: K-26 2×4 Sailplane
A rare 4-ft wingspan, 2-channel balsa glider from House of Balsa. Loved the precision of its build & simplicity—classic RC nostalgia.

4/4 📦 Kit Specifications

Sig Manufacturing's 30" wingspan balsa kit offers modelers the opportunity to build a detailed replica of the L-19. The kit includes laser-cut parts and comprehensive instructions, making it suitable for intermediate to advanced builders.

3/4 🛠️ Design Features

The L-19 was known for its short takeoff and landing (STOL) capabilities, allowing it to operate from small, unimproved airstrips. Its rugged design and reliability made it a favorite among pilots in challenging combat environments.

2/4 🎖️ Military Service

The Cessna L-19, later redesignated O-1, was introduced in 1950 and served as a forward air control and artillery spotting aircraft. Over 3,400 units were produced, and it played a crucial role in both the Korean and Vietnam Wars.

🧵1/4 🛩️ Featured Kit: Sig Cessna L-19 Bird Dog

This 30" wingspan balsa kit by Sig Manufacturing is a scale model of the iconic Cessna L-19 Bird Dog, a military liaison and observation aircraft used extensively during the Korean and Vietnam Wars.

3/3 📦 Kit Specifications

The Miss Stik Junior is constructed primarily from stick wood, with a few laser-cut plywood parts to speed construction. The model builds to 7–10 oz, depending on batteries and radio equipment selected. It's designed for direct drive 280–300 motors.

2/3 🎨 About the Designer

The Miss Stik Junior was designed by Tom Hunt in 2005. Known for creating lightweight and efficient RC models, Hunt's designs are celebrated for their craftsmanship and innovation.

🧵1/3🛩️ Featured Kit: Miss Stik Junior

This classic 40" wingspan balsa kit is a direct drive Speed 280/300 sport model, designed for electric power. It's a standout example of vintage American RC modeling.

4/4 📜 A Piece of RC History

Produced in limited quantities, the Parakeet .25 is a rare find today. Its design reflects the golden age of RC modeling, offering a glimpse into the hobby's rich history.

3/4 📦 Kit Specifications

The Parakeet .25 kit is designed for .15–.25 glow engines and features a 42" wingspan. It's known for its lightweight balsa construction and ease of assembly, making it a favorite among vintage RC enthusiasts.

2/4 🎨 About Dave Robelen

Dave Robelen was a prolific RC aircraft designer and co-founder of Tidewater Hobby Enterprises, established in 1970. His designs, including the Parakeet, are celebrated for their craftsmanship and innovation.

🧵1/4🛩️ Pictured Kit: Tidewater Parakeet .25 RC Plane Kit

This rare 42" wingspan balsa kit was designed by Dave Robelen in 1987 and produced by Tidewater Hobby Enterprises. It's a standout example of vintage American RC modeling.

After Hank passed, the collection was handed down to my wife and her sister to be sold as part of their inheritance. We're proud to honor his legacy by sharing these kits with collectors, builders, and aviation enthusiasts.

Kits are available on our ebay page www.ebay.com/usr/two_hero...

unassembled RC, control line, and free flight models from classic brands like Carl Goldberg, Sterling, Top Flite, SIG, Veco, Berkeley, and more.