While I enjoy the speed in "building" a foam kit, there is a huge sense of accomplishment earned from building, covering, and flying a balsa kit. The closest most will ever get to building a balsa plane is building a balsa ARF.
It would be nice to see the guys from FliteTest build a balsa kit from a kit, although that would likely require more time than they'd be able to devote unless it were more of a long-term project presented in a series with a new episode every month or so.
Balsa kits are MUCH better now than ever, with most kits including laser-cut pieces which give you a relatively easy build. Granted, kit design and the quality of the cutting will vary from company to company, but there are some which really stand out by providing extremely high quality products. Many kits can be built in a short amount of time.
An interesting twist to the idea of FliteTest doing a balsa build would be to invite viewers to join in and build along with the crew. Find a reliable supplier such as Mountain Models, order the kit, covering, and any extra materials needed ahead of time, and then work step-by-step with FliteTest to build a plane. Maybe start with the wings, next episode the fuselage, then the tail, followed by electronics, covering, etc.
If FliteTest isn't interested in doing something like this maybe somebody else would be willing to lead the charge. It would again be a good way to introduce people to the wonderful world of Balsa Building. Some say that balsa flies better. I don't know if that is necessarily true, but I do fly my balsa planes more often than my foamies.
It would be nice to see the guys from FliteTest build a balsa kit from a kit, although that would likely require more time than they'd be able to devote unless it were more of a long-term project presented in a series with a new episode every month or so.
Balsa kits are MUCH better now than ever, with most kits including laser-cut pieces which give you a relatively easy build. Granted, kit design and the quality of the cutting will vary from company to company, but there are some which really stand out by providing extremely high quality products. Many kits can be built in a short amount of time.
An interesting twist to the idea of FliteTest doing a balsa build would be to invite viewers to join in and build along with the crew. Find a reliable supplier such as Mountain Models, order the kit, covering, and any extra materials needed ahead of time, and then work step-by-step with FliteTest to build a plane. Maybe start with the wings, next episode the fuselage, then the tail, followed by electronics, covering, etc.
If FliteTest isn't interested in doing something like this maybe somebody else would be willing to lead the charge. It would again be a good way to introduce people to the wonderful world of Balsa Building. Some say that balsa flies better. I don't know if that is necessarily true, but I do fly my balsa planes more often than my foamies.