Why not a Pica P-40?
#1
Thread Starter
My Feedback: (5)
Why not a Pica P-40?
I know this will probably cause much howling and gnashing of teeth among the 'pure' scale guys, but why should I spend $500 to $700 for a Ziroli or Yellow 1/5th P-40 when I can get a Pica kit for about $250? I know the Pica is not exact scale but 'stand-off' scale is fine with me. Does the Pica really look bad? Or is it a lot harder to fly? I think the picture Pica shows is actually a full-scale P-40. Does anyone have a pic of a Pica that they can post?
Obviously Ziroli and Yellow have built tremendous reputations in this sport, and deservedly so. They look great and I've heard that they fly well. But the price difference is pretty large, and since I am happy with stand-off scale is there any reason to spend the extra bucks? I have been flying my Pica 1/6th (closer to 1/7th) scale Spitfire for about ten years now and still love it. But I am longing to fly a big, impressive P-40! What do you guys think?
Obviously Ziroli and Yellow have built tremendous reputations in this sport, and deservedly so. They look great and I've heard that they fly well. But the price difference is pretty large, and since I am happy with stand-off scale is there any reason to spend the extra bucks? I have been flying my Pica 1/6th (closer to 1/7th) scale Spitfire for about ten years now and still love it. But I am longing to fly a big, impressive P-40! What do you guys think?
#2
My Feedback: (81)
RE: Why not a Pica P-40?
I wouldn;t worry about what anyone else thinks. If you want a Pica P-40, and it best fits your budget, then that is what you should buy/build. I framed one up and then sold it. Went together pretty easy. A guy here is town has one and from what I see it is a nice flyer. Good luck.
#3
My Feedback: (11)
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Spiceland,
IN
Posts: 75
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
RE: Why not a Pica P-40?
If you want an impressive warbird and want to keep down the $$$$$ build Ziroli. I've built 11 of them now and always cut all my own parts etc. If you cut your own stuff you won't spend that much, not near as much as a Yellow kit. Bigger flys better anyway.I'm thinking WHY a pica p-40?
#4
My Feedback: (19)
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: joliet, IL
Posts: 1,596
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
RE: Why not a Pica P-40?
I have built a couple of pica kits and can hear what you're saying about cost on the Ziroli model. Things can add up pretty quickly. However, having built a TF Giant F4U, and a Pica 1/5 Spit, basing my decision vs. the Ziroli on the same factors, I can tell you that if you're careful, other than retracts, cost can be held in check. First, you would have to cut your own parts, time consuming to be sure, but worth the effort. Second, you must find good quality on board equipment for a reasonable price. RCU helps alot here. I outfitted both planes entirely with equipment purchased through the site, good servos, the works. Again, more time to find and wait for the stuff you need. Retracts however will probably get you as these are simply too much of a specialty item. I do think that by the time it's over you'll still spend more on the Ziroli by several hundred dollars, for canopy, spinner, cockpit, cowl, and other items. And, I have yet to see a bad flying Pica model. To me that extra foot just wasnt worth the extra cost and storage/transportaion headache as I don't have a trailer or a big shop.
#5
Thread Starter
My Feedback: (5)
RE: Why not a Pica P-40?
Well, I was basing the cost on buying pre-cut parts for a Ziroli P-40. I can see that if I cut my own parts the cost would not be too bad. Problem is, I am a very slow builder. I spent two years building my Spitfire from a kit! If I was doing the cutting, I'd probably never get done!
I would definately prefer a bigger Ziroli or a quicker Yellow if I had the bucks or a friend who would cut for real cheap.
But if you had a Ziroli and a Pica sitting side by side, would people say "eww, gross!" about one and "ahh, wonderful!" about the other?
I would definately prefer a bigger Ziroli or a quicker Yellow if I had the bucks or a friend who would cut for real cheap.
But if you had a Ziroli and a Pica sitting side by side, would people say "eww, gross!" about one and "ahh, wonderful!" about the other?
#7
My Feedback: (13)
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: Bremen,
IN
Posts: 366
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
RE: Why not a Pica P-40?
ho2zoo,
I too was curious about this same subject a year or two ago. While I was waiting for the Yellow P-40 to come out I found a good deal on Picas 1/5 scale kit. Looking back, a Ziroli P-40 would have been a better starting point for a scale ship, however with a little extra work (see pic) the Pica is not that bad. The outline is very close (not as good as Yellows or Brian Taylors but as close as Ziroli's is). Anyways, It is a good flyer and taught me many new thngs about building and detailing. Isn't this way we build model airplanes? I will build a Yellow or Ziroli or Bates P-40 in the future. Just my two cents.
Chuck
I too was curious about this same subject a year or two ago. While I was waiting for the Yellow P-40 to come out I found a good deal on Picas 1/5 scale kit. Looking back, a Ziroli P-40 would have been a better starting point for a scale ship, however with a little extra work (see pic) the Pica is not that bad. The outline is very close (not as good as Yellows or Brian Taylors but as close as Ziroli's is). Anyways, It is a good flyer and taught me many new thngs about building and detailing. Isn't this way we build model airplanes? I will build a Yellow or Ziroli or Bates P-40 in the future. Just my two cents.
Chuck
#8
Senior Member
My Feedback: (5)
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: An Iceburg in, ANTARCTICA
Posts: 6,747
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
RE: Why not a Pica P-40?
ORIGINAL: F4u5
H2...it is a fact that you will get "icks" when someone sees a Pica P-40 sitting next to a Ziroli or Yellow
H2...it is a fact that you will get "icks" when someone sees a Pica P-40 sitting next to a Ziroli or Yellow
#9
My Feedback: (81)
RE: Why not a Pica P-40?
P-51B....don't need your attack.....if you read my first reply post, you will see that I am indifferent as to what other people think. I was simply stating that in the flying circuit out there, it is a fact you will get statements....rest assured, nit from me. I don't practice that. MAybe you should have a better knowing of the person before you slam them. Nuff said.
Would you like to see my 80 inch Zero, or my 85 inch Gee Bee? Maye my trainer?
Would you like to see my 80 inch Zero, or my 85 inch Gee Bee? Maye my trainer?
#10
Senior Member
My Feedback: (5)
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: An Iceburg in, ANTARCTICA
Posts: 6,747
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
RE: Why not a Pica P-40?
ORIGINAL: F4u5
P-51B....don't need your attack.....if you read my first reply post, you will see that I am indifferent as to what other people think. I was simply stating that in the flying circuit out there, it is a fact you will get statements....rest assured, nit from me. I don't practice that. MAybe you should have a better knowing of the person before you slam them. Nuff said.
P-51B....don't need your attack.....if you read my first reply post, you will see that I am indifferent as to what other people think. I was simply stating that in the flying circuit out there, it is a fact you will get statements....rest assured, nit from me. I don't practice that. MAybe you should have a better knowing of the person before you slam them. Nuff said.
Don't be so touchy!
It wasn't an "attack", it was merely a comment on your comment. Generally people who will make dispariging comments at the field about the plane make those comments based on "why didn't you just build the Ziroli, it's bigger", rather than any scale merit.
#12
Senior Member
My Feedback: (5)
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: An Iceburg in, ANTARCTICA
Posts: 6,747
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
RE: Why not a Pica P-40?
F4u5,
Your entitled to your opinion, however, before summarily dismissing someone else as wrong, you may consider other views:
Your entitled to your opinion, however, before summarily dismissing someone else as wrong, you may consider other views:
ORIGINAL: Ham639
The outline is very close (not as good as Yellows or Brian Taylors but as close as Ziroli's is). Anyways, It is a good flyer and taught me many new thngs about building and detailing. Isn't this way we build model airplanes? I will build a Yellow or Ziroli or Bates P-40 in the future. Just my two cents.
Chuck
The outline is very close (not as good as Yellows or Brian Taylors but as close as Ziroli's is). Anyways, It is a good flyer and taught me many new thngs about building and detailing. Isn't this way we build model airplanes? I will build a Yellow or Ziroli or Bates P-40 in the future. Just my two cents.
Chuck
#13
Senior Member
My Feedback: (40)
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Vincennes,
IN
Posts: 245
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
RE: Why not a Pica P-40?
While we're talking about P-4o's all I see are Warhawks does anyonehave a Kittyhawk? I think it is the best looking P4o and the most common version used by the AVG.
#14
My Feedback: (2)
RE: Why not a Pica P-40?
acobra, Jerry Bates has plans for the early P-40's. I think they are super looking with the slim front end and the shark scheme. It really does look like a shark! lol. No a good front end for hiding an engine thought but thats ok. I saw one fly at the 1989 nats and it looked and flew pretty good. BobH.
#16
My Feedback: (19)
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: joliet, IL
Posts: 1,596
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
RE: Why not a Pica P-40?
Jeff, just to help you out here, I scaled out a Pica 190 to look pretty good, summoned advice from my new clubs' local 190 pro's who all fly either Holman's or Vailly's, and "the icks" was exactly what I got---hey thats not scale, this isn't right, etc-- I didn't build the plane for contests, only for my own pleasure to make it look nice. I hadn't experienced anything like this before at other flying clubs. I found their comments off-putting enough to mostly stay away from these members of the club, and to try to understand what the problem was. I remember thinking to myself, "Man, if this is what my hobby would come to when I choose to build planes like these guys, then I either don't want the planes, or I want a new hobby." It's just so not about what anyone else thinks. I found the Pica to be a great flying plane that I loved to look at every time I went down to the shop. I don't think that building a Ziroli versus a Pica would change things at all for me in the satisfaction I get out of completing and flying a plane. I love to experience the flying characteristics of any of them, or appreciate how the different designers approach the design of the airframe. I also have the Bates P40 plans, and would agree that these are the best designed scale plans for the plane, VERY complete and well laid out. Different versions are buildable from the one set of plans.
#19
Senior Member
My Feedback: (3)
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Brick, NJ
Posts: 182
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
RE: Why not a Pica P-40?
I built a Pica P-40 and liked the way it went together. All ya gotta do is READ the booklet. It is a good place to start if you haven't built one. Ziroli doesn't come with the booklet. I have a Ziroli P-40 kit cut by Mace and the plans seem straight forward. Neither are really scale. Jerry Bates has drawn up new plans for the P-40 that are SCALE as opposed to FUZZY SCALE ( please no FUZZY WUZZY jokes again) or so I have been told, I have not seen the plans or the products of said plans, but they have been touted as scale at 96" WS.
#21
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Martinsville, NJ
Posts: 413
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
RE: Why not a Pica P-40?
I have not seen the plans for Jerry's P-40, but if his other plans are any indication then it is probably a great design with great scale accuracy.
Mace Gill
The Aeroplane Works
http://www.theaeroplaneworks.com
Mace Gill
The Aeroplane Works
http://www.theaeroplaneworks.com
#23
Senior Member
My Feedback: (5)
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: An Iceburg in, ANTARCTICA
Posts: 6,747
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
RE: Why not a Pica P-40?
ORIGINAL: US185Damiani
Acobra,
The D and E models are the Kitty hawks. your're referring to the Tomahawk. The
P-40B and C.
Acobra,
The D and E models are the Kitty hawks. your're referring to the Tomahawk. The
P-40B and C.
So, what does Warhawk refer to then? I thought that was the P-40E?
#24
Senior Member
My Feedback: (3)
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Brick, NJ
Posts: 182
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
RE: Why not a Pica P-40?
Warhawk refers to P-40 D thru N
Tomahawk is P-40 B and C
Kittyhawk was the Brittish designation of this aircraft, P-40 B-N were all designated Kittyhawk Mark something or ever.
Tomahawk is P-40 B and C
Kittyhawk was the Brittish designation of this aircraft, P-40 B-N were all designated Kittyhawk Mark something or ever.
#25
Senior Member
My Feedback: (5)
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: An Iceburg in, ANTARCTICA
Posts: 6,747
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
RE: Why not a Pica P-40?
ORIGINAL: barnyard
Warhawk refers to P-40 D thru N
Tomahawk is P-40 B and C
Kittyhawk was the Brittish designation of this aircraft, P-40 B-N were all designated Kittyhawk Mark something or ever.
Warhawk refers to P-40 D thru N
Tomahawk is P-40 B and C
Kittyhawk was the Brittish designation of this aircraft, P-40 B-N were all designated Kittyhawk Mark something or ever.