topgun600

My Feedback: (41)

If you could buy a scale all composite B17G kit that’s over 100” wing span how much would one be willing to spend?

fockewulf37

My Feedback: (102)

To get to the right size it would have to be at least 120"-130" anything else is too small. Smaller ones look squirrley in the air..

That my opinion.

topgun600

My Feedback: (41)

I totally agree! Would 121"wing be the right size?

fockewulf37

My Feedback: (102)

Well Don Smith has one about 138" wing span:
http://www.donsmithplans.com/

and American Eagle has one at 132" wing span and thay both look good at that size.

American eagle has a glass fuse and a foam wing. There is alot of work in both to get them to flying condition. If you are a manufacturer what size are you considering and what price are you needing to make it work?

Ty

topgun600

My Feedback: (41)

Im not at liberty to say, Im just testing the water to see what the RC community is looking for and what they be willing to pay for a qaulity composite scale model, the B17G is one model being consider.

shanksow

My Feedback: (2)

Don't count out the 100" wingspan size model. I have the plans to the WingSpanModels 1/12th B-17G and they are at 103" wingspan for (4) .70 size 4-strokes. There are other things to consider aside from how big it appears in the sky. One is logistics. As in a workshop larger enough to handle the model and the means of transporting it to and from the flying field. Thats why I went witht he 1/12th scale version instead of the 1/9th even though I already had a set of Robart LG for the bigger size model. I even Have a Don Smith B-17 fuse and in my particular situation, the larger model would not work for me. (Workshop is in a rear bedroom with two 90 degree turns to make. That big ole fuse wouldn't fit. But I figured the smaller size WSM B-17 would just be able to make it).

My economic situation is such right now I would not be able to afford any composite anything, but I hope you are able to go to market with your composite B-17G kit. Just look at the prices that model jets are selling for right now. For a B-17G in the 120 to 130" wingspan range, you might be able to retail it for in the $1500.00 range. The closer to $1000.00 to can get the overall cost to, the better off this project will be is what I'm guessing.

Again, good luck with it.

heli_Rod

I like the idea of a 100" B-17. Anything bigger (which is also already available) becomes too large for me to transport and then you are also getting into more expensive engine combinations. I would have to say $1000 would be an upper limit for me personally and It would have to be a very nice kit to get my money at that price. I'm not opposed to a composite fuselage/nacelle short kit that incorporates a built-up wood wing, using builder supplied wing materials. I do like a kit that contains all hardware that's needed.

Just my opinion

Rod

evan-RCU

Of course no more than $400 and that's if you supply it with retracts....

I am kidding but there would be very limited demand so I think the price would be out of my, and many others, range...

Edwin

My Feedback: (2)

100" is appealing to me also for all the reasons listed already. There are lots of B-17s in the larger size. I'm not sure about it being composite though. So far, every small plane I've delt with that has a glass fuse seems to be kinda heavy. I could go either way, flight characteristics being one of the most important items.
Edwin

edit- I should add that I've never spent over $400 for a kit or arf, so I'm probably not your target audience.

topgun600

My Feedback: (41)

the model we are looking to produce will be a master scale composite kit not an ARF, scale features like a detailed lower ball turret, cockpit kit, hidden control surface's, 4 piece wing for ease of trans port. torque tubes in the wing for flaps and aileron control.

heli_Rod

CHA-CHING!$$$$$$$$$$$ I think it just went out of my class! [&o]

Rod

fockewulf37

My Feedback: (102)

It would be nice. But you are now talking out of most peoples price range. You may sell 10 a year at the most. There are too many ARF's comming out of china. There was even a post of an B-24 Arf comming from china made by CC Lee. Model Flight out of Australia( I can't spell) had it posted on thier website at one time.....about 130" range. I would have bought one of those in a heart beat.
Just my opinion

Ty

Scar

My Feedback: (3)

I'm guessing your prototype will cost you about $25k out of pocket, getting to production another $25k, and you'll be able to turn out maybe 2 a week. If you could sell them all for something like $4k each (not including anything but the composites) that would pay off your initial out-of-pocket with 100% for the first year. Maybe.

Now, to make it a kit, with a box and an inventory, etc. I'm thinking you'll be looking at $5k per. If all 100 of the first year's production sell.

I'm not getting in line for one, here, just making wild guesstimates. And, I'm guessing the people who are interested in the kind of detail you're speaking of are real capable modelers, perhaps enamored of the Don Smith offering, and thinking of building one. I speculate there would not be a hundred of them, lining up to order.

What's your market analysis? Mine says a hundred the first year would be about minimal (unless you make it a labor of love, not profit).

Of course, I could be full of crap,
Dave Olson

fockewulf37

My Feedback: (102)

Dave,
I am sorry, but if you ask the top kit makers out there that sell the big warbird kits. None of them sale 100 kits of any "one" type. They are lucky to sale that many in 3-4 years. There are not enough of us builders out there of these type planes. Just look at Bomber field meet. You never see a 100 B-17's at that meet. There is just not the market for a single type.

But you build a nice all composite B-17 ARF kit that sells for $800-$1000 ( closer to $800) and you may sell 50 the first year. You can't make them for that here in the states, your price will be doubled due to labor and material cost...

Thats my opinion
Ty

topgun600

My Feedback: (41)

Dave, the start up cost is not going to be anywhere close to 50k more like 10k we may even offer a glass and foam wing design but I'm pushing for a all composite model, if the cost per kit is in the range the market will bare,yes the import arf are cheap and plenty full, but thats going to change soon the importer will have to increase there price do to shipping cost.I have no plans of a import company sell my kits out the back door, they will be American made.

Connery

If you are going to go to the effort to have the detail as you say, it would be best to go with either the 1/12th or 1/9th size since there is already scale landing gear and wheels available for those sizes.

Scar

My Feedback: (3)

Topgun, have you ever done anything like this before? Or been involved in it?

Best wishes,
Dave Olson

doom

My Feedback: (4)

Those 130 inch models are really impressive,I took plans from a well known b-17 kit and blew them up to 96 inches.Cut it out myself,Built it and its a sweet flier.Not squrrilly or has any bad habits.You made a point about transport.96" fits right in my truck and the size is still impressive.The good thing about that size is the engines,retracts for that size are still affordable.I know a guy who is building a big b-25 and the retracts alone costs more than my completed and flying b-17.

warks62

My Feedback: (140)

I would be willing to spend $800-$1000 With the $1000 if it was of good quality and full hardware package. Also making sure that there is a manufactuer that will have landing gear available. It would be next project for me at that price.

Randy

topgun600

My Feedback: (41)

I can now let the cat out of the bag ATTN: builders Im the new owner of what was wescraft models and will be soon producing the complete line of kits including the B17G, hughes H-1 racer,A20 havoc, F82 mustang, PBY catalina,P51 mustang,B24, ARVO Lancaster among other models in the wescraft line. The new models will be built using west system epoxy with updates to the kit line, new features and building video, plans,and full hardwere kit.

Primodus

My Feedback: (56)

Any initial specs on the PBY?

topgun600

My Feedback: (41)

Primodus, PBY spec;wing 150 inch set for two 35 to 45 cc eng, fuse length 96 inches, retract will be available, foam sheeted wing, glass fuse. price not set at this point to be annouce at a later time

shanksow

My Feedback: (2)

Wescraft made a A-20 and a PBY???? Well, let us know if you are going to set up a website and post the link for us here.

topgun600

My Feedback: (41)

Soon as we get everything up and going and finish the web site I wil post the link here for all to see.

thunderbolt-RCU

My Feedback: (14)

I think the Don Smith size is the way to go.
@ $1500 for a composite kit.
Brian