ORIGINAL: flycatch
I went to the Meister web site and found out the wing loading for the 102'' WS P-47 version is between 46.5-55 oz/sq ft. They do not list the specifications for the smaller version however IMO I would bet it is in the low forties. This being the case the smaller version would not fly as well as the larger version due to its high wing loading. The larger aircraft is flown faster due to its high wing loading and appears to be flying in a more scale like profile. This is an illusion due to its shear size. Watch a full scale C-5A land. It looks like a glider making its approach but in reality its real landing speed is hidden by its shear mass. When RC pilots make the statement that they are landing with additional airspeed or hot is to say they are keeping the wing from stalling. If the overall weight of the aircraft was decreased this would not be a problem. Structual damage especially to the landing gear is normally the result of an overweght airframe. I see the time coming when the pilots are saying why did I build/purchase such a heavy airframe. Battery technology is a case in point. We went from Nicads to poloy cells all to save weight.
I agree with what you say about the illusion of speed, and would add that speed is one of the hardest things to judge in RC flying. However, I don't agree with most of the rest of this post. Much of an aircraft's flight characteristics can be attributed to it's design. The more scale in shape a war bird is, the more it takes on the characteristics of the full scale. Simply making it lighter, often does not counter these forces of aerodynamics IMO. Take the WM AT-6. A lightly designed ARF, yet with pretty good lines. Try gliding it in to an Extra-like landing. You will wind up on the canopy.
Also, we have everything we need right now to build light. No need to wait to some future 'time'. And I use it all when building aerobatic planes. War birds are not flown for that purpose, unless you are into thrashing around the sky all the time, and sometimes just want the plane to look military. I see it, and I have no problem with it. But that is not my thing in scale war bird flying.
You made this statement as well. "When RC pilots make the statement that they are landing with additional airspeed or hot is to say they are keeping the wing from stalling. If the overall weight of the aircraft was decreased this would not be a problem." Well. I had an Extra 300, with aerobatic-type wing loading, that I needed to equip with an 8" prop and spoilerons just so I could get it slowed down, And almost every landing was a tail first stall landing.
Now consider the full scale war bird being landed by a new pilot who misjudges the flair and slams it in from 6'. The abrupt arrival will likely cause some damage, would it not? Does the pilot say to his commander, "but Sir, the plane was too heavy"? Not a chance!!!!! It matters not how heavy it is, you fly and land accordingly.