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How Big is "Big"?

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How Big is "Big"?

Old 09-28-2016, 11:25 AM
  #26  
sensei
 
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Thank you for the kind words Scott.

Bob
Old 10-03-2016, 03:30 PM
  #27  
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Well I don't know about all that stuff above but all the planes I have now are 25 to 46 powered but I do have a 52, 60 and 72 FS in storage. I doubt I will ever have a bigger model again. I did in the early 1980s have a Balsa USA 1/4 scale cub. It was a blast to fly and looked cool in the air. But I just don't have room for a model of that size any more.

We have some pretty big planes at the club. I like the way they fly. But I can't justify $5000+ for a model airplane. There are other things I would like to own for that amount of money. Plus I have been gravitating back to smaller models. No electrics yet though. I like to hear the engine run.

I do remember a plane shown in a RCModler magazine back in the early 1980s that was a scaled up Senior Kadet with a 16ft wingspan. I don't remember what the power plant was. I can't even find a picture of it with googlefoo. I have asked if anyone remembers this plane but so far no one has every responded back. But I think that model would fall into the "Big" catagory with no problems.
Old 10-03-2016, 07:25 PM
  #28  
born2build
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The original purpose of this thread was to get a sense of the attitudes of some of the people in the hobby. With replies from fellows like Sensei and Pylonracr, I feel like my work here is done. But please, feel free to comment further on this subject, if only to confirm my suspicions.
Old 10-04-2016, 03:48 AM
  #29  
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Originally Posted by ratshooter
Well I don't know about all that stuff above but all the planes I have now are 25 to 46 powered but I do have a 52, 60 and 72 FS in storage. I doubt I will ever have a bigger model again. I did in the early 1980s have a Balsa USA 1/4 scale cub. It was a blast to fly and looked cool in the air. But I just don't have room for a model of that size any more.

We have some pretty big planes at the club. I like the way they fly. But I can't justify $5000+ for a model airplane. There are other things I would like to own for that amount of money. Plus I have been gravitating back to smaller models. No electrics yet though. I like to hear the engine run.

I do remember a plane shown in a RCModler magazine back in the early 1980s that was a scaled up Senior Kadet with a 16ft wingspan. I don't remember what the power plant was. I can't even find a picture of it with googlefoo. I have asked if anyone remembers this plane but so far no one has every responded back. But I think that model would fall into the "Big" catagory with no problems.
I know of two very large Kadets over the years, one with a 14' wingspan, and one that sold on RCU with a 13' wingspan. Both were a long time ago. If a 16' Kadet was scratch built really light today, I believe this type of airplane could be built for around $1500.00 dollars ready to fly, maybe even a little. less...

Bob
Old 10-04-2016, 05:04 AM
  #30  
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Originally Posted by born2build
The original purpose of this thread was to get a sense of the attitudes of some of the people in the hobby. With replies from fellows like Sensei and Pylonracr, I feel like my work here is done. But please, feel free to comment further on this subject, if only to confirm my suspicions.
"With replies from fellows like Sensei and Pylonracr I feel like my work here is done."

I think it is time you go back and read from the beginning pal. You asked a generalized question, and I gave a generalized answer, nothing more and definitely not aimed at you or anyone. The fact is a 78" span aerobatic aircraft is tiny by today's standards. Then you felt it necessary to attack those who fly IMAC as being the most offensive folks around simply because they fly large aircraft to compete with in the higher classes. Allow me to let you in on a little known fact...They are competing, and larger aircraft fly better and the overall presentation is far superior when being Judged in competition. If you wish to fly IMAC basic, you could literally take something like a tiny Kadet Jr. and have a blast doing so, but you would first need to loose that chip on your shoulder, and/or remove that stick deeply planted in order to do that. Your work is done here, the only real thing you have done here is prove that you are a horses backside with a tiny something syndrome going on as well.

Bob
Old 10-04-2016, 08:56 AM
  #31  
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Hi Bob. I don't know if you remember Johhny Cashburn. He made some of the first sorta prebuilt plane kits you could buy back in the 1980s and before. His shop was about 2 miles from my house. I bought my first radio, a Kraft KP-4A from him. He always made the point that little airplanes flit. Big airplanes fly..

While I doubt I will ever have a really large airplane again I don't think I will ever have one of those little bird sized models some fly at the field.

One thing I have noticed about the guys that fly the very large IMAC planes is that everyone of them are excellent pilots. I feel safer with them in the air than some of the guys with the super small planes that just seem to buzz around over the end of the runway.
Old 10-04-2016, 10:49 AM
  #32  
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Originally Posted by ratshooter
Hi Bob. I don't know if you remember Johhny Cashburn. He made some of the first sorta prebuilt plane kits you could buy back in the 1980s and before. His shop was about 2 miles from my house. I bought my first radio, a Kraft KP-4A from him. He always made the point that little airplanes flit. Big airplanes fly..

While I doubt I will ever have a really large airplane again I don't think I will ever have one of those little bird sized models some fly at the field.

One thing I have noticed about the guys that fly the very large IMAC planes is that everyone of them are excellent pilots. I feel safer with them in the air than some of the guys with the super small planes that just seem to buzz around over the end of the runway.
I don't know Johnny Cashburn but I do understand his point of view that little airplanes flit. Big airplanes fly. That is so true...

Most guys that fly IMAC, especially in the upper classes spend thousands of dollars each year on their aircraft, equipment, gas, food, lodging, and countless hours burning gas while practicing something as structured as the aresti pattern in their class. That said you can rest assured that in most all cases when these guys fly, you as a bystander are much safer than a wildcard rebel pilot banging the sticks around. As I stated in this thread earlier I don't compete in IMAC, but what I didn't say was I have sponsored IMAC pilots and events over the years, I have also practiced the patterns along with XA and 3D style flying for the last nearly 20 years. So I see myself today as a seasoned sport pilot that enjoys all types and sizes of airplanes, and nothing more.

Bob

Last edited by sensei; 10-04-2016 at 10:51 AM.
Old 03-02-2017, 05:31 AM
  #33  
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What the guys are doing in Europe is insane. Super huge models, 1/2 scale plus. Crew of 6, specialist transport required, hours of assembly and break down. Special operating licences. And... they still look and sound like models! Go figure
Old 03-14-2017, 12:24 PM
  #34  
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You mean kinda like this?



Bob
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Old 03-17-2017, 07:51 PM
  #35  
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That is a cute little plane you have there Bob. An ARF I presume.............


I know , but I couldn't resist.

Scott
Old 03-22-2017, 09:08 AM
  #36  
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Being just slightly crazy around the edges is the spice of life. Associating with normal folks is dull as hell.

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