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The next Top Flite Giant Scale Warbird - 3/11/2003 10:57:06 PM   
Chad Veich



Posts: 2853
Joined: 12/13/2001
From: Litchfield Park, AZ, USA
Status: online 		[QUOTE]Originally posted by G.F. Reid
Old Mill, you've got a good list there but if you want to talk historically important planes, you have to include the Hellcat. It's 19 to 1 kill ratio was unequalled by any other fighter aircraft of the war on any side of any front.
Over 5000 air to air kills in the Pacific accounting for 75% of all enemy aircraft destroyed by the U.S. Navy in WWII! [/QUOTE]

Not to mention that the Hellcat has near perfect proportions for a good flying model. Lots of wing, huge tail surfaces, scale down thrust, good moments. I've never seen a bad flying Hellcat, even at extreme weights.

(in reply to JDHammer)
       Post #: 51

Re: Chances R - 3/11/2003 11:00:14 PM   
hattend



Posts: 2059
Joined: 11/29/2001
From: Redding, CA, USA
Status: offline 		[QUOTE]Originally posted by G-man
Chances of TF doing a twin are pretty slim....unless it were to be a limited run kit. [/QUOTE]

There was a Top Flite Red Box P-38 way back when.

I vote for an F8F Bearcat. They also had a red box one of those a long time ago.

Don

(in reply to JDHammer)
       Post #: 52

The next Top Flite Giant Scale Warbird - 3/11/2003 11:06:54 PM   
Old Mill


 

Posts: 178
Joined: 10/9/2002
From: Vermont
Status: offline 		Been reading up some on Hellcat, indeed it was a capable fighter. I guess my ignorance was just because I do not like the looks and I am partial to german aircraft.

Mill

(in reply to JDHammer)
       Post #: 53

The next Top Flite Giant Scale Warbird - 3/11/2003 11:21:03 PM   
Charlie P.



Posts: 2285
Joined: 2/25/2003
From: High Above Upstate, NY, USA
Status: offline 		How about a nice small biplane? Say, a Nieuport 17 (in liberated German livery of course, say Unteroffizier Bäumer's of Fliegeranteilung 7). Even better, a Thomas Morse Scout S4C. No retracts OR canpoy to complicate life; just a mile of interplane wires.

http://www.cradleofaviation.org/exhibits/ww1/scout/

_____________________________

Charlie P.
"Gravity is weak but it is persistant" AMA 747089/IMAA 30723

Oh Lord, your earth is so hard and my planes are so frail.

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       Post #: 54

The next Top Flite Giant Scale Warbird - 3/12/2003 12:11:35 AM   
G.F. Reid



Posts: 741
Joined: 12/5/2001
From: Palmetto, GA, USA
Status: offline 		Mill, I think a little bit of both. Attrition hurt the Japanese a lot but if you're looking at 75% of their losses (to the US Navy) attributed to one type of plane, there had to be a significant number of seasoned pilots in that group. It can't be coincedence that 75% of their losses to the Navy showed up after the Hellcat came on line.
The F6F was a fine frontline fighter and there was virtually nothing that it didn't do well. Was it the very best at anything? Probably not but so very good at so many things.
Ace David McCampbell, pilot of Minsi III summed up his feelings about it when he said "I love this airplane so much, if it could cook, I'd marry it..."

< Message edited by G.F. Reid -- Mar 11 2003 7:18PM >

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The next Top Flite Giant Scale Warbird - 3/12/2003 12:24:10 AM   
Big Sasquatch



Posts: 237
Joined: 4/18/2002
From: Westbrook, ME, USA
Status: offline 		I have to put my vote in for the FW-190A. The TF FW190D is a great kit, but I think the A version looks better, and has more significance when it comes to WWII history than the D version.

#1=FW-190A
#2= Hellcat
#3=Zero
#4=TA-152

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       Post #: 56

The next Top Flite Giant Scale Warbird - 3/12/2003 12:25:03 AM   
Old Mill


 

Posts: 178
Joined: 10/9/2002
From: Vermont
Status: offline 		I also didn't realize the Helcat came out as early as it did. 1942 wasn't it? I thought it was a late war fighter and didn't see much action, boy was I wrong.

mill

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       Post #: 57

The next Top Flite Giant Scale Warbird - 3/12/2003 12:30:04 AM   
G.F. Reid



Posts: 741
Joined: 12/5/2001
From: Palmetto, GA, USA
Status: offline 		November '43 Old Mill. Still plenty of fighting to be done though.

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       Post #: 58

The next Top Flite Giant Scale Warbird - 3/12/2003 12:32:58 AM   
Ham639



Posts: 230
Joined: 2/22/2002
From: Buchanan, MI, USA
Status: offline 		Gentlemen,
I sure hope Top Flite is taking note here. From a marketng point of view (that's what I do for a living), Top Flite is on the verge of losing it's foot hold in their market place. Reasons:
1. Too heavy for todays standards
2. Too conserative in aircraft selection.
3. The market has pushed to the Giant Scale arena.
4. Arf's
5. See above

Sad, but true. Don't get me wrong, I love Top Flite kits, however other companies have stepped-up or became more commonplace because of the Internet. Personally I can't believe as large as Top Flite is (Hobbico) they haven't done this type of survey already. IF I had to bet what Top Flite would release next it would be:
1. Hellcat F6F
2. Zero
3. Bearcat
I would love to see a Hurricane, a Bf 109E or an Oscar. But, you never will with the same management they have now. Too risky of a business advanture.

The Hellcat would be perfect. Gear is available, Great flying moments (like Chad said) and it's an Allied aircraft.

The Zero would be good too. Same as the Hellcat (gear available and a good model). Plus you see these aircraft all over the place. This translates into a "safe" marketing decision.

Bearcat. What more can I say. I great flying airplane if kept light. (I don't think TF could do this). Nobody makes the right gear for it for "Sportscale use", so a P-51 style gear would do.

If I build scale (which I do) I will build a Ziroli, Bates or Taylor design first. If I'm building a everyday flyer (which Top Flite does) I'll build a Top Flite or Heritage (a great kit, just too small) kit. That's what these kits are intended for. Great instructions, descent flying and relatively durable.

Guys, I hope TF is paying attention because the market place is there. Your input here has proven that. Keep this thread alive and maybe they'll take notice.

Just my .02¢ worth.

Chuck

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       Post #: 59

The next Top Flite Giant Scale Warbird - 3/12/2003 12:36:15 AM   
Old Mill


 

Posts: 178
Joined: 10/9/2002
From: Vermont
Status: offline 		My bad, yet again, read was delivered to USAF in october 42, might have been test models or something.

I focus so much on europe I tend to neglect the air war in the pacific, funny too because of how truly vital it was.


Mill

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       Post #: 60

The next Top Flite Giant Scale Warbird - 3/12/2003 12:37:01 AM   
Uncle Heinkel


 

Posts: 172
Joined: 10/15/2002
From: Honolulu, HI, USA
Status: offline 		I would pull the plastic out of my wallet in a heartbeat for:

Hawker Hurricane
Ju-88
Heinkel 111
Sopwith Camel
Me 108 Taifun
Wildcat ( with reasonably priced LG)
B-24- larger than Stafford but not huge.

I build from plans all the time, it's my preferred way of building and usually the only way I can get what I want....but I appreciate building a scale KIT every now and then for the speed and ease of it.

One more wish/pet peeve: if Top Flite wants me to buy one of their kits, they must at least give us the OPTION of scale landing gear location. I understand some sport pilots need the compromise but please allow us to easily put the LG in the right place if we want it there.

I hope Top Flite reads this forum.

H.

< Message edited by Uncle Heinkel -- Mar 11 2003 8:05PM >

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       Post #: 61

The next Top Flite Giant Scale Warbird - 3/12/2003 12:49:04 AM   
dorjes


 

Posts: 103
Joined: 1/16/2002
From: henderson, KY, USA
Status: online 		WHATEVER it is - please -

1. Make it accurate to outline to a good three view and enclose the three view. The Hellcat and Zero could be accurate to outline without stretching anything. Take the time to make it right. The T/F Focke wulf is an example of how not to do it.

2. Make sure the wheels retract into the wing in the correct spot. The Giant P47 Wheel/ gear sticking out fiasco - 'nuff said.

3. Charge an extra $50 and include a good fiberglass cowl.

4. Do a correct static prop and spinner - they'll sell, I promise.

Top Flite , you are close to getting it right - and I know you can get it done.

You'll sell a bunch of 'em. (as long as they're not French designs.)

I'll buy one.

Dorin Luck

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       Post #: 62

The next Top Flite Giant Scale Warbird - 3/12/2003 1:03:27 AM   
grahamd1



Posts: 934
Joined: 7/8/2002
From: East of England, UNITED KINGDOM
Status: offline 		Still think the Mossie would be one mean machine.

Uncle Heinkel I'm visiting Hawaii in May/June from the UK, any good Hobby Stores ?

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       Post #: 63

The next Top Flite Giant Scale Warbird - 3/12/2003 1:08:55 AM   
ryanvu


 

Posts: 155
Joined: 11/4/2002
From: Sparks, NV, USA
Status: offline 		I agree with DORJES 100%...well may be 99%

If you're going to produce a scale kit, then make it SCALE.

Definitely include the 3-views drawing so builder doesn't have to search everywhere for one.

We'll pay more for the good quality fiberglass parts...skip the ABS plastic stuff. Make the parts SCALE.

As to the French thing...Come on now, leave that one alone.

How about a Mig 3, Yak 9...something Russian.
Or how about Hurricane, Typhoon...for the British Fan.

You don't have to always produce something popular like Mustang, Thunderbolt all the time...You produce something nice, great quality then you'll make it popular - be original.

Thanks

_____________________________

[link=http://www.vrxtreme.com]VRXtreme[/link]

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A Big Hellcat - 3/12/2003 1:16:20 AM   
budcop



Posts: 237
Joined: 12/10/2001
From: Gray, TN, USA
Status: offline 		I would love to see a gold edition "big" Hellcat ! !

{seems like somebody should have an idea of what T.F. is going to do !}

_____________________________

Bud Williams
AMA 1651

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The next Top Flite Giant Scale Warbird - 3/12/2003 1:17:12 AM   
Uncle Heinkel


 

Posts: 172
Joined: 10/15/2002
From: Honolulu, HI, USA
Status: offline 		Aloha Graham!

We have only one major RC hobby shop on Oahu, not sure about the outer islands.

In Honolulu it's the "Hobbietat".

FYI, here's our club website: [url]www.asrcc.org[/url]

The site has directions to our field....hope you can drop by....Sunday afternoons are the best for scale.

Hope you have a great visit!

H.

(in reply to JDHammer)
       Post #: 66