Excuse me for clipping part of the original post, but I felt that only the part where you asked me a question needed to be included. Have you ever taken a composite kit out of the box? For the most part, they are very rough. While it's true that most of the surface detail is there, the internals are not. Did you read what I said about the composite models having to take a point penalty for a composite fuselage? Did you see where I told about a model with composite wings having to take additional penalty points? I suppose not. In order for a composite model to win at Top Gun, it must have scored high in static (remember, it has lost points to overcome) and then it must be flown better than virtually anything else there. How would you like to compete against guys like Frank Noll, Wayne Seifert, Nick Ziroli Sr., Dennis Crooks, or Bob Violett, even if you were all flying ARF Thunderturds? Exactly where do you think you would finish? Does Dead Last ring any bells? You are talking about the best of the best here. Add to that that they are among the best builders, is kind of like you challenging the Redskins to a sand lot football game with you and 10 of your busd. You are still going to get your clock cleaned. You can download the Top Gun rule book on line and check and see what is allowed and what is not. You should still attend at least once in your life. It is truly a humbling experience. I don't care if you have won every scale contest at Podunk R/C Flying club, you ain't gonna believe what you will see at the Top Gun. It is somthing that you will remember for the rest of your life. Oh, by the way, the competitors are as nice as they can be. Not a snob in the bunch.

Bill, AMA 4720
WACO Brotherhood #1

ps....The difference between first and third place at this year's Top Gun was measured in thousands of a point. Not even a full point. That should tell you of the caliber of plane and pilot in attendance.