Being a history buff, Gene researches
aircraft and pilots, looking for ideas for
new models. Then he solicits the opinions
of friends and club members about which
airplanes they think will sell well. As a
businessman, Gene realizes that just
because he likes an aircraft doesn’t mean
it will be successful on the market.
Armed with feedback, he often
designs the model and then has an
employee build the prototype. While
Gene tweaks the design, he looks for
feedback on markings or color schemes;
the aircraft are normally available in two
to three colors.
Lately, Gene has been interested in
scale subjects. He is currently working on
a WACO that will use a radial engine and
be available in four color schemes.
Even when he’s not designing his own
models, Gene meticulously pours over
each aircraft he has an interest in selling
and provides feedback on ways to make it
better. If the factory is willing to listen
and incorporate the suggested changes,
TBM will stock the model.
I asked Gene what types of changes
were typical in a design. He said almost
everything, from throttle-servo placement
to structural changes to the airframe.
Today, TBM is one of the largest hobby
shops in the world. It is completely mail
order and sells products at trade shows
and flying events. The company has 21
employees, including Gene’s wife, who
handles invoicing and running the
shipping department. TBM stocks more
than 2,000 products and is always looking
to continue to diversify its lineup.
The company took on the Pilot RC
aircraft product line this year, and it has
been quite popular. The models vary in
size from 30% to 47% and include the
Decathlon, Yak, Extra 260, Extra 300,
and Katana.
For warbird fans, TBM has added
ESM: a new line of models that includes
the Corsair, Ki-84, Dauntless, Spitfire,
Stuka, and Tigercat. Ultimately, TBM
plans to stock upward of 35 ESM aircraft
when they become available.
I had the opportunity to visit TBM in
Sarasota, Florida, before attending the Joe
Nall Giant Scale Fly-In in May. Gene told
me in advance that it’s not too exciting to
look at warehouses and boxes, but I
thought it would be a great opportunity to
meet the people behind the company.
OWNER GENE PAYSON’S goal for
Troy Built Models (TBM) is to be the
“Wal-Mart of the model business,”
providing a large selection of items at a
low cost. To reach this goal, he has
continually added product lines and
purchased smaller companies, allowing
his to amass a wealth of goodies that
encompasses propeller- and turbinepowered
aircraft.
Gene got involved in flying models at a
young age. He started with CL with a
friend in Illinois at age 12, and then he
moved to RC by the age of 15. Later in
life, Gene was ultimately drawn to
International Miniature Aerobatic Club
(IMAC) competition.
Taking advantage of his early
retirement, he put in a lot of time
practicing. That allowed him to quickly
move up from the Basic through the
Unlimited classes.
Gene purchased TBM from Troy
Crowe in 2000, because the company had
one of the best IMAC airplanes at that
time: the One Design. Gene moved TBM
from Michigan to the warmer climate of
Florida in late 2002.
The company slowly began to add
parts, to better support the aircraft line
that it stocked. Gene was happy to take
advantage of the year-round flying, but
as his product lines grew, so did the
demands of running the company, which
kept him from getting his flying fix.
At roughly this time, Gene pioneered
the use of carbon-fiber wing tubes after
he found a good supply from a sail
company. These components became
hugely popular, and more and more sizes
were needed.
“Once they are a joy to fly, it’s time to
move on,” Gene told me about aircraft
design and development.
Drawing from his experience as an
engineer, Gene has developed several
aircraft through the years. From helping
design the first Extra 260 for RC to
pioneering a low-cost trainer jet, this is
what keeps him excited about the
hobby.
Troy Built Models
138 MODEL AVIATION
Gene Payson with the 47% Pilot-RC Decathlon he flies in RC and full-scale air
shows. Spanning 15 feet, the model is easy to mistake for full scale when he pilots it.
11sig5.QXD_00MSTRPG.QXD 9/24/09 3:55 PM Page 138
November 2009 139
Win a 17cc Gas
Engine From MA
and TBM!
To get the opportunity to win
this engine, submit the answer to
the following question.
What are the smallest and
largest sizes of gas engines that
TBM sells? (You can find the
answer on the TBM Web site.)
To enter via e-mail, send your
answer, full name, postal mail
address, and telephone number to
MA’s assistant editor, Jay Smith.
Please put “About Us” in the
subject line. To enter via postal
mail, send the preceding
information to MA, Attn: Jay
Smith, 5161 E. Memorial Dr.,
Muncie IN 47302.
Entries will be accepted through
November 30. Winners will be
selected on or before December 11.
One entry per person is allowed.
Those that are lost, late,
misdirected, garbled, or incomplete
for any reason will be ineligible.
This contest is open to legal
residents of the 50 states, District
of Columbia, and US military
members with APO/FPO
addresses. AMA employees are not
eligible to win.
A winner will be selected in a
random drawing, from among all
eligible entries with the correct
answer, by an Academy employee
or employees. The person whose
name is drawn will be notified by
telephone or e-mail. His or her
name and state of residence will be
published in a future issue of MA
and on the AMA Web site. MA
Sources:
AMA
www.modelaircraft.org
Gene’s passion for the hobby
definitely came through in our
conversation as he showed me around
and introduced me to his staff. I knew he
was as hooked on aviation as I am, when
his wife proudly showed me a picture of
the family dog sitting in an airplane pedal
car!
If you are looking for one-stop shopping
with a company that supports everything
it sells, including Giant Scale aerobatic
models, warbirds, jets, and everything
that goes with them, look into TBM. MA
Jay Smith
[email protected]
Sources:
Troy Built Models
1650 Honore Ave.
Sarasota FL 34232
(941) 342-8685
www.troybuiltmodels.com
Gene proudly displays the MF Models ShockJet,
which TMB sells. It was designed to be an easy-to-fly
turbine trainer that wouldn’t break the bank.
Gene exhibited RC Showcase’s radial engines at the Joe Nall Fly-In. Troy Built Models will
soon carry a WACO biplane designed around the power plant.
11sig5.QXD_00MSTRPG.QXD 9/24/09 3:55 PM Page 139
Edition: Model Aviation - 2009/11
Page Numbers: 138,139
Edition: Model Aviation - 2009/11
Page Numbers: 138,139
Being a history buff, Gene researches
aircraft and pilots, looking for ideas for
new models. Then he solicits the opinions
of friends and club members about which
airplanes they think will sell well. As a
businessman, Gene realizes that just
because he likes an aircraft doesn’t mean
it will be successful on the market.
Armed with feedback, he often
designs the model and then has an
employee build the prototype. While
Gene tweaks the design, he looks for
feedback on markings or color schemes;
the aircraft are normally available in two
to three colors.
Lately, Gene has been interested in
scale subjects. He is currently working on
a WACO that will use a radial engine and
be available in four color schemes.
Even when he’s not designing his own
models, Gene meticulously pours over
each aircraft he has an interest in selling
and provides feedback on ways to make it
better. If the factory is willing to listen
and incorporate the suggested changes,
TBM will stock the model.
I asked Gene what types of changes
were typical in a design. He said almost
everything, from throttle-servo placement
to structural changes to the airframe.
Today, TBM is one of the largest hobby
shops in the world. It is completely mail
order and sells products at trade shows
and flying events. The company has 21
employees, including Gene’s wife, who
handles invoicing and running the
shipping department. TBM stocks more
than 2,000 products and is always looking
to continue to diversify its lineup.
The company took on the Pilot RC
aircraft product line this year, and it has
been quite popular. The models vary in
size from 30% to 47% and include the
Decathlon, Yak, Extra 260, Extra 300,
and Katana.
For warbird fans, TBM has added
ESM: a new line of models that includes
the Corsair, Ki-84, Dauntless, Spitfire,
Stuka, and Tigercat. Ultimately, TBM
plans to stock upward of 35 ESM aircraft
when they become available.
I had the opportunity to visit TBM in
Sarasota, Florida, before attending the Joe
Nall Giant Scale Fly-In in May. Gene told
me in advance that it’s not too exciting to
look at warehouses and boxes, but I
thought it would be a great opportunity to
meet the people behind the company.
OWNER GENE PAYSON’S goal for
Troy Built Models (TBM) is to be the
“Wal-Mart of the model business,”
providing a large selection of items at a
low cost. To reach this goal, he has
continually added product lines and
purchased smaller companies, allowing
his to amass a wealth of goodies that
encompasses propeller- and turbinepowered
aircraft.
Gene got involved in flying models at a
young age. He started with CL with a
friend in Illinois at age 12, and then he
moved to RC by the age of 15. Later in
life, Gene was ultimately drawn to
International Miniature Aerobatic Club
(IMAC) competition.
Taking advantage of his early
retirement, he put in a lot of time
practicing. That allowed him to quickly
move up from the Basic through the
Unlimited classes.
Gene purchased TBM from Troy
Crowe in 2000, because the company had
one of the best IMAC airplanes at that
time: the One Design. Gene moved TBM
from Michigan to the warmer climate of
Florida in late 2002.
The company slowly began to add
parts, to better support the aircraft line
that it stocked. Gene was happy to take
advantage of the year-round flying, but
as his product lines grew, so did the
demands of running the company, which
kept him from getting his flying fix.
At roughly this time, Gene pioneered
the use of carbon-fiber wing tubes after
he found a good supply from a sail
company. These components became
hugely popular, and more and more sizes
were needed.
“Once they are a joy to fly, it’s time to
move on,” Gene told me about aircraft
design and development.
Drawing from his experience as an
engineer, Gene has developed several
aircraft through the years. From helping
design the first Extra 260 for RC to
pioneering a low-cost trainer jet, this is
what keeps him excited about the
hobby.
Troy Built Models
138 MODEL AVIATION
Gene Payson with the 47% Pilot-RC Decathlon he flies in RC and full-scale air
shows. Spanning 15 feet, the model is easy to mistake for full scale when he pilots it.
11sig5.QXD_00MSTRPG.QXD 9/24/09 3:55 PM Page 138
November 2009 139
Win a 17cc Gas
Engine From MA
and TBM!
To get the opportunity to win
this engine, submit the answer to
the following question.
What are the smallest and
largest sizes of gas engines that
TBM sells? (You can find the
answer on the TBM Web site.)
To enter via e-mail, send your
answer, full name, postal mail
address, and telephone number to
MA’s assistant editor, Jay Smith.
Please put “About Us” in the
subject line. To enter via postal
mail, send the preceding
information to MA, Attn: Jay
Smith, 5161 E. Memorial Dr.,
Muncie IN 47302.
Entries will be accepted through
November 30. Winners will be
selected on or before December 11.
One entry per person is allowed.
Those that are lost, late,
misdirected, garbled, or incomplete
for any reason will be ineligible.
This contest is open to legal
residents of the 50 states, District
of Columbia, and US military
members with APO/FPO
addresses. AMA employees are not
eligible to win.
A winner will be selected in a
random drawing, from among all
eligible entries with the correct
answer, by an Academy employee
or employees. The person whose
name is drawn will be notified by
telephone or e-mail. His or her
name and state of residence will be
published in a future issue of MA
and on the AMA Web site. MA
Sources:
AMA
www.modelaircraft.org
Gene’s passion for the hobby
definitely came through in our
conversation as he showed me around
and introduced me to his staff. I knew he
was as hooked on aviation as I am, when
his wife proudly showed me a picture of
the family dog sitting in an airplane pedal
car!
If you are looking for one-stop shopping
with a company that supports everything
it sells, including Giant Scale aerobatic
models, warbirds, jets, and everything
that goes with them, look into TBM. MA
Jay Smith
[email protected]
Sources:
Troy Built Models
1650 Honore Ave.
Sarasota FL 34232
(941) 342-8685
www.troybuiltmodels.com
Gene proudly displays the MF Models ShockJet,
which TMB sells. It was designed to be an easy-to-fly
turbine trainer that wouldn’t break the bank.
Gene exhibited RC Showcase’s radial engines at the Joe Nall Fly-In. Troy Built Models will
soon carry a WACO biplane designed around the power plant.
11sig5.QXD_00MSTRPG.QXD 9/24/09 3:55 PM Page 139
