'80 Pay N Pak Turbine Restoration Project

[Mike Luszcz]

Well, I finally got the 80 Pay N Pak 1/8th scale I have always wanted. I have, for some time now, wanted to build one of these with my frame kits, but never seemed to find the time. So during a visit with my good friend Dick Loeb, who purchased this hull on ebay about a year ago, I finally had something to trade him to get his kung foo grip off this Pak.haha. This was a nitro hull, and whoever built it, did a really fine job. It was built off Newton plans and the sponsons were very nicely done. When I got home with the hull, I had to make a decision did I just want to convert this to FE and leave it be, or take on a full restoration. Being me, I decided it was a great candidate to get a makeover. Structurally the hull is in great shape, with zero wood rot, but it had some scars here and there, and judging by the "2008 Impba Internats" decal that was on the transom, I knew it competed at some big events and was worthy of the restoration. So below, you will see some pics of the hull before, and as I have begun working on the hull. I added carbon to the cowling as it was really thin, modified the inside to allow for 4s1p batteries, spent a day sanding and doing stress crack repairs, and this morning I got the hatch bracing installed, altho the pics for that will be later as I forgot to take them before I came inside. I also have Mike Mcknight getting a decal set ready as well. Enjoy the pics and restoration. There is something really cool about the turbine Paks which is why I had to have it! Mike

 

[Mike Luszcz]

 

[Buddy Lowe]

looks like someone is looking back down to earth again neck hurting instead of up in the sky looks good ,buddy :lol:

 

[Buddy Benedict]

Hey, that was my old boat. It was built from a Dumas Atlas kit. Most of the frames were replaced and modified so the sponsons would not be so deep. Also the break in the bottom was moved back to the second frame. Spoon, do yourself a favor and remove the extra air trap that's right behind the sponsons. The boat still packed too much air and at speed it liked to sponson walk. If you need new decals, get a holed of Wes Ellet(Wesleys Custom Graphics). I took the boat to his shop and he made the decals for it. It was built using West Systems 105/205.

Good luck with it,

Buddy

 

[SayMikey]

Hey, that was my old boat. It was built from a Dumas Atlas kit. Most of the frames were replaced and modified so the sponsons would not be so deep. Also the break in the bottom was moved back to the second frame. Spoon, do yourself a favor and remove the extra air trap that's right behind the sponsons. The boat still packed too much air and at speed it liked to sponson walk. If you need new decals, get a holed of Wes Ellet(Wesleys Custom Graphics). I took the boat to his shop and he made the decals for it. It was built using West Systems 105/205.

Good luck with it,

Buddy

SCARS EH I ran over that boat at the 2008 IMPBA NATS .....

 

[Mike Luszcz]

Buddy Lowe, I flew planes this afternoon actually! haha. I am enjoying it all man!!!

Buddy Benedict, Thanks for letting me know it was your boat. Thats cool! You did some major sponson work to it. I would have never figured it was a dumas frame under there. You actually got the hull pretty correct to the 80 Pak. I will work on those air traps and thanks for the heads up on that. It will be FE powered, so its going to need air reduction on the underside for sure. I am revealed to know that its coated in west systems as that is also a plus. How did the boat run for you? Get many wins with it?

Thanks for the info guys! Mike

 

[Buddy Benedict]

Truth is that I never gave that boat a chance. The 2008 nats was only the 2nd or 3rd race for that boat. After Saymikey ran me over in the first heat I never raced the boat again. I had to replace the strut,rudder, turn fin, and stuffing tube then it just sat on the shelf until I sold it to Kenny Hildreth. I don't think Kenny ever raced it and I know he was the one to sell it on ebay.

Buddy

 

[Mike Luszcz]

Resurrecting this thread...

 

[Mike Luszcz]

Finally got this thing finished up. It was my Birthday last Sunday, so after working on everyone elses builds over the last 3 months, I decided to do something for myself. So I got it painted. Here are the pics.

 

[P THOMAS]

That is a real nice fleet there Mike.

 

[Doug Smock]

Awesome job as usual Mr. Luszcz!

Doug

 

[Mike Luszcz]

Thanks Phil and Doug. Thanks for the call and concern today Doug. Always great to hear from a good friend!

 

[RonShaw]

Mike,

Those are three awesome looking scales. I saw the Dominos Pizza Scale when I came by your house but I didn't see the Winston or Pay n Pak you were working on. You better be glad I did not see that Winston. I have always said If I ever build a scale that would be the one. If you ever decide to part with that one one day my hands are waving in the air!!!!!!!!!!.................

 

[Mike Luszcz]

Thanks Ron, but I sold the Winston Lobster and mailed it out today! Wait till you see the Miss Rock KISW I just finally finished for Buddy Lowe, it looks awesome! Mike