If I had the chance to produce a line of high quality ARF propjets, what would you guys be interested in and in what sizes, 40 or 60?

I would like .60 size. If you do it, make sure retracts are an option. I'm still kicking myself for passing up a chance to buy a Cermark F-20 in .60 size. Planes I would be interested in include Saber Jet, Panther, F-4, F-20, F-104, F-15. Others, too, I'm sure. This doesn't mean I would do all of these but probably a couple.

ME 262 The first prototype flew on a prop so its scale too (very hard to find good pics of the with prop configuration... I have a book showing a front view of it with some covers off for the nose engine installation.)

Definitely .60 size... but keep them relatively light, so they don't end up being take-off-&-stall specials.

The .60 size F-20 tigershark will always be a good bet. Yes, of course the
looks is a sure winner....but the flying qualities are outstanding as well.

They fly like pattern planes....no tip stalling, no snapping, no crackle or pop.

They really need a decent of air retracts, with a nosewheel unit that steers
properly....there is an abundance of room inside the fuse.

Get out there with a pretty F-20, with a Jett .90, and some good retracts....

....you got youself an airplane....[8D]

How do you guys feel about a T-38 Talon?

The whole thing will take quite an investment and I am talking to several companies now to produce it. I would need sell about 100 kits to start breaking even.

If I can squeeze my Jett 90 in the nose, can I place my order now??

If your thinking of a "jet" type plane, you'd almost have to design it around exsting high performance motors....ie Jet 90, OS 91 DF, etc..

A 40 OR 60 size would probably sell well, if it was reasonably priced. The only jet type plane that hauls the mail (175 mph +) is the Magnum, but that thing is TINY.

Something along the lines of an F-20 with some major mods would be ideal.

For example:

Eliminate the "fake" intakes.
Streamline the fuse and tail feathers slightly.
Taper all leading edges, and reduce wing thickness.
Retracts on the main wing only. (tail tragger) This alone would take some homework. This would reduce the weight of one front nose gear/servo.

....you get the idea....

....get busy....LOL

Gary

Well... if the point is a stand-off scale ARF... then a lot of the suggested mods wouldn't be good for it.

If the point is SPEED... then just design something unique around the engine with a jet-like appearance and to heck with looking like some specific full-scale aircraft.

The T-38 wouldn't be a bad plane to model. Lots of color shcemes used on the things over the years... some were quite striking. (some were totally boring... grey with greyed markings and such.)

The T-38 would dissapoint the speed freaks... but it would be easy to get a good flying model without deviating far from true scale outlines. (of course the wing ribs wouldn't be scale..)

It really depends on the target market for the kit as to what way you want to go... Something that looks SHARP but is manageable to the average sundy flyer would probably sell better than something that needed a guy with Pylon racing experience to fly it.

Everybody is always clammering for something like a Patriot to put a
Jett .50 in or something like it. Lets face it....the speed freaks are the
prop jet lovers. Make a plane just for the Jett .50....of course a Guy could
stick a .60 or something in it, but the Jett might still kick his butt....( oh well )

Make something new....it's gotta be fast....like a cross between a Patriot,
and an F-20. Take the best parts of both....the swept back wing of the Patriot,
for instance. Pull out all the stops....thinned out semi-symetrical wing for speed
....no air scoops....(decals instead) ....retracts optional for simplicity....and so
the newer Guys who don't want to have to hastle with retracts will buy it.

Make the size...."in between" as well....attract everyone !! Size doesn't matter....

....well....wait up on that one....[X(]

Dream up something exciting....something new....

Dave.

good idea, and one I'm also thinking about.

The plane I imagine would have more sweep in the wing than the patriot.
Maybe a smaller prop version of the BVM Viper kinda in looks

Ok, NOW yer talkin'!!

Love the Viper, however, I'd think you'd have to make it a trike.... []

FH,

Just about every "Jet" has been scaled to R/C, right? Who cares if it "kinda" resembles one? It wouldn't be "scale" anywhoo....swingin' lumber on the front.

Gary

Something along the lines of a Viper would be great---built for speed, not scale

If they were scale...F-20, F-5, T-38, F16, F-18 or F-22 would look cool

Also like to see ARFS of an SU-27, MIG-29 or SU-37....Never seen a prop Berkut

Eh--When can I buy one?

I got to get plans drawn up first, anyone that does that?

If you are unable to draw up the plans... how do you expect to produce an ARF?

you think i will be building these in my garage?

no way man, I'm talking mass production foreign child labor

j/k

foreign labor anyway

Take a look at the AK models MIG 29 or SU 27 . I have two of the MIG 29.

This one is coming in a few months. (epoxyglass fuselage, sheeted foam flying surfaces, etc.) ( http://www.nextcraft.com/j47_sportjet01.html )

I'm down like four flats on the Viper idea, but... aaahh... I'm not too hip on the idea of asking for help and looking for a sale at the same time.[sm=greedy.gif][sm=frown.gif]

Make a propjet that looks like a BVM Bandit and I am in! BTW- Trike gear is preferred by me...

[sm=thumbup.gif]....excellant idea, James....a place to hang the DF .90's....

....and over a buck fifty, with something that looks good !!!

Dave.