After being retired for a few years, Top Flite is bringing back their AT-6 kit! After hearing so many good things about this kit, I was surprised it was ever discontinued in the first place. I wonder what changes they may have made.

http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...?&I=LXHU84&P=7

I can't believe it! Top Flight discontinued this kit about 6 years and replaced it with a BARF. Now they are bringing it back, could this be a new trend? Its strange they had the TF Robart AT-6 retracts on sale for $55 a couple months ago, but now are back to the regular price of $75. Glad I picked up a set on sale.
IMHO, this is one of the best flying Gold Edition kits (I've built 5 of their warbirds). The T-6 I fly now is about 10 years old and still going strong. Have another on built and ready for covering "just in case".
Hints: CG shown on plans is to far forward, best to fly it at the aft CG location otherwise its difficult to flair on landing. Beef up the landing gear blocks and ribs. (I replaced the ply landing gear blocks with hardwood)
DON'T overpower this kit with a 120. It becomes a missile and a lead sled all at the same time. Seen this combination with a 10 lb+ ready to fly wieght. Then the pilot complains about tip stalls and bad landings. Wonder why.
Kit can be built at 8 1/2 lbs with a 90 4C and retracts. And probably less with a smaller engine but you may have to add nose weight.
I've flown this kit with and without flaps and I don't think they are worth the extra wieght. I do use flaps on other warbirds.
Didn't mean to make this a kit review, just happy TF is bring back a kit and not a new BARF

Thanks for the tips. I have one of the last edition kit in the box. I bought a Super Tigre .75 with the in-cowl muffler/header to put in it, and was hoping it would be enough power for it (sounds like it will be). I got the Robart Robo-strut retracts, but was undecided on the flaps option. Based on your tip, maybe I will leave that option off.

FP

For the record, Top Flite never sold the AT-6 as an ARF kit. In fact, the only Top Flite ARF kits currently for sale are the control-line Flite Streak and Nobler.

The AT-6 in a .40-size has been released by Kyosho and Great Planes.

Bax,
Thanks for the clarification (most of us knew what kit and ARF he was refering to). I think the TF AT-6 kit offers much greater scale potential than does the Great Planes ARF that is refered to, and I prefer to build my own, even if it does take longer and cost more. If you know, can you advise what changes or improvements might have been made to the TF AT-6 kit? (just curious).

FP

As far as I know, it's just a re-release of the original.