Hi cashrc, I have a small line drawing of full size changes which I was going to do myself but happy to share.

It looks like the update to the class I think it was Nos. 3, 8, and 11. A guess at mid 80s.
The Graupner kit was issued in 1974 and maybe one of the longest continuous runs of the same kit ever.

I can tell you a bit about Bugsier if you are interested as they are now the largest Towing company in the world, all done on English money!
Roy

Hi Roy. Any other pics of that boat? It’s interesting….

Hi cashrc. Look at this photo it is Bugsier 8 a sister ship. Obviously sold out of service but what a choice of colour! Note the changes to Super structure this was also done to Bugsier 3.
Roy

LewZ. And today in South Africa there's still little available but we do have internet. 😀

It's amazing! I started in RC scale boats 50+ years ago when there was little available (and no internet). First boat was scratch built including 3" propeller and the motor was from a car heater. The radio was a Heathkit. Only parts from a hobby shop was the balsa.

Fast forward a few years and all sorts of kits and parts were available.

Now RTRs are common place. Sure, we miss the big manufacturers but if I have to regress back to scratch building my own parts, so be it. That's where my 3D modeling and printing come into play.

If you watched my last video (on board a Springer) most of what you see I 3D created.

Lew
Florida ⛱️, USA 🇺🇸

My buddy was given an old Graupner Bugsier 3 that needs a lot of work. I traded a boat to him, I’m picking up the Bugsier in a couple of weeks. I also have a Systems Cat that needs love. I have most of what I need to get started on it save the decals. Whoever built the poor thing did it in an almost fluorescent orange😝
It’s missing the hatch, but I think I can fabricate that.
I have too many projects 🤣

Ten years ago, I bought out a Hobby Shop which carried a very good stock of Graupner and Robie kits, hardware and fittings.
I havevsold most of the kits, but still carry many Robie hardware items, along with a very extensive Graupner and Robie inventory of fittings.
If anyone is interested, message me with the items you need.

Amen to all our long lost shops and kits. I still have an ancient Sterling King Fish in the stash. A buddy of mine had the super cool Graupner Prinzess with the outboard that I always wanted. There's one on ebay now. Don't like relying on ebay, the hit you take in the wallet can be brutal. It's the luck of stumbling across something on the cheap in the local thrift store, or a basket case worth restoring that has become one of life's little pleasures.
😉

Hi cashrc, I agree in the missing of the past genius of Graupner and Robbe, having built kits from both and they were so complete. Very well thought out planned and described. Amati kits are also nicely done.
Not sure about some others named by you, as my experience is of 25 years ago and they must have improved to have survived. The trouble is you have to pay for the attention to detail.
A few years ago I made an Aeronaut kit up and I think this came up to the standards of G & R, no plan, but good instructions.
I have a Panart kit that looks very good yet to build. A detailed look has revealed no problems and as I also found more detailed instructions on-line I am looking forward to it.

Sarik who have taken over most of the supply of plans these days in the UK, have in a few cases also produced laser cut wood packs and I am just ready to start one, a small scale yacht called Wild Duck.

Otherwise it has been build off plans for me using up accumulated wood and fittings from over the years.

I agree the old shiny coloured catalogues were a nice casual read and I have a few myself and do dip into them. Hobbies here are the only similar ones here now.

nice post
Roy

Michel mon ami, Michael my friend how can such à Young lad Tell so much wisdom?!?!
Your wife Must have had à terrible job to educate you. Otherwise it is impossible 😂😂😂😂
I have à modelshop( for Not saying a Model Supermarkt 10 minutes Walk from my home and i ALWAYS but things there as i don‘t want that hé disappears.
Name of the Shop modelbouw Baillien