There are lots of variables between typewriters and machines but my recently acquired FP seems to be skittish rather than sluggish - if you don't mind your technique it skips. The solution is the same as on my last significant skipper (a Super-Riter) - keep your fingers on target and your touch staccato. Compared with the SG-1 the touch is less cushioned, but that's another incentive to type lightly. 

I think purple would be a positive attribute. 

Repartee wrote:

I think purple would be a positive attribute...

It's certainly an indicator that it's been repainted by someone. For some reason the FP seems to be a popular model for the rattle can set. I once passed on a FP (it ended up being bought by another collector that I know) because it had been painted gold. If I was in Beak's shoes and such machines were a rarity in my area, I would probably by the purple FP - providing it was a good deal - and simply repaint it if the purple colour ended up being too garish to tolerate.  
 

I suppose I'll lend my two cents about the FP.

​Right, the Royal FP. What a wonder typewriter, I find its touch to be the best that I have ever used on a standard typewriter. It's light, responsive, and just doesn't seem to want to stop. As for the piling, I have 4 Royal manual standards and this one is about the same as all of the others. If I have an extra cup of coffee that day and am too quick and jittery, the FP will skip a space or pile. But that's only happened a few times.

The style is very contemporary, showing the shift from the 50's to the 60's nicely. The build quality is excellent, a hallmark of Royals. Though for how big it is, it is rather light; I was surprised when I first lifted it up and carried it from a garage to the trunk of my car. I repainted mine baby blue, because I figured I don't have any blue typewriter save for a single Olivetti Lettera 22 (and even that is more akin to a teal). The FP is easy to repaint, for all of the panels that were originally painted, come off rather easily. I even did the side panels because I wanted a little extra pop of color.

​All in all, a wonderful typewriter, and represents the Royal line very nicely.

ztyper wrote:

As for the piling... am too quick and jittery, the FP will skip a space or pile.

S T I L L waiting for someone, anyone, to explain exactly what that is.  And please don't tell me that it has something to do with exceeding the typing speed the machine can work at - no one here types faster than a World Speed Champion.

SoucekFan wrote:

...some the fault of the typist.

How would I replicate this? I honestly can't recall having ever experienced anything like that with any typewriter.