Anyone up for a BIG A-320 kit?
 

I'm considering kitting the A-320 just to have something really different available. I want to do it in 1/12 scale, which works out to 111.833 inch wingspan by 123 inches long. Is that too big to be attractive to most jet guys, should I think of doing it smaller?

RE: Anyone up for a BIG A-320 kit?
 

112 in wing span could be very attractive in the air. what size turbine do you think it would need? 28 lbs? or larger. If it could be kept to a 28-30lb turbine, it would keep the cost reasonable.


Mark

RE: Anyone up for a BIG A-320 kit?
 

Initial calculations point to 18-20 pound turbines being just right. Of course, since I work in fiberglass it will be a full composite fuse, wings, and tail so that will help keep it light.

RE: Anyone up for a BIG A-320 kit?
 

what kind of a price for the kit are you looking at? as for me. I like the military jets but I would enjoy building a scale passenger airliner. I took a great liking to the L1011 that a friend had. but those kits are no longer available.

mark

RE: Anyone up for a BIG A-320 kit?
 

It's hard to ballpark it at this point, not knowing exactly what it will take materials wise, but I'm going to shoot for $1799- $1999 or less for an all composite kit, with wood formers installed, wing spars installed and the like. I plan to have it mostly ready for paint and final assembly, landing gear will be extra but I have a shop I'm working with now that can make the custom parts for me. That price can be plus or minus a bit of course but if I get enough interested people I'll get the plugs made and get a better number pretty quickly. ;)

RE: Anyone up for a BIG A-320 kit?
 

IMO,it's ugly,made in France,and flies like crap (I have 5000 hours in the real one.)Make a 757.It is by far the sexiest airliner to date,and made right here in the USA.[8D]

RE: Anyone up for a BIG A-320 kit?
 

+1 i'd rather see a 757/767. Would also rather the plane be a bit smaller (14-18lb thrust turbines). Theirs plenty of big jets out there for the 20-28lb thrust turbines. Not all of us can afford one of those (w/o saving forever).

I'd also like to see a nice DC-9 or 727 as well :) As i'd put money on a DC-9 pretty quickly.

RE: Anyone up for a BIG A-320 kit?
 

I would've said do a 9,but didn't want to be called biased.If he makes one,I will definitely buy it.I think I already know the colors.:D

RE: Anyone up for a BIG A-320 kit?
 

Dude I have 8500+ hrs in the bird, most of which are in the left seat and I think it flies awesome..............In fact I'll just be there are at least 155 individuals who are quite satisfied with the Airbus right now!;)

Tailwinds,

John

RE: Anyone up for a BIG A-320 kit?
 

How about offering a float option in US Airways livery

RE: Anyone up for a BIG A-320 kit?
 

OH GOD helPPPPPPPPPP!!!!!, twice in one night is just too muccchhhhh:D:D:D:D:D:D

Sorry can't stop holding my tummy hard enough, i just fell from me bed, laughing so HARD!..hahaha

RE: Anyone up for a BIG A-320 kit?
 

And it would probably still fly better than a Boeing.[:-] OOOOOHHHHH! Did I just type that??? Ha!

RE: Anyone up for a BIG A-320 kit?
 

John,
I'm glad you're happy on it.I,and most of my friends who have flown both,liked the 757 much better.Are you saying you won't bid the 75 when/if you can hold it,and you don't think the 75 is a much better looking airplane?Not sure what seats have to do with it,but I'm a test and ferry qual,check airman on the 9.Only flew the bus in the right seat.I still think it's ugly.

Tailwinds to you.

Erik

RE: Anyone up for a BIG A-320 kit?
 

Ok,
Either you never flew one,or it's drug test time.[8D]

And it would probably still fly better than a Boeing.[:-] OOOOOHHHHH! Did I just type that??? Ha!
[/quote]

RE: Anyone up for a BIG A-320 kit?
 

Erik,

From what I have seen, I think that some operators didn't utilize policies and procedures that made full use of the Airbuses awesome capabilities. That's not the airplanes fault just unfamiliarity with the new way of doing the job. Sure the '75 is a good looking airplane..........but an ugly girl can love you real good too!;) I could have held the '75, left seat three years ago, but I chose to stay on the bus.....It's just too comfortable and quiet to give up.................

John

RE: Anyone up for a BIG A-320 kit?
 

757 is my favorite of all time, but I here the 767 is more fun to fly!!

RE: Anyone up for a BIG A-320 kit?
 

Sean, u build it and they will come! :D lol

RE: Anyone up for a BIG A-320 kit?
 

I know where plugs, moulds, plans and templates are for the 757-200 , along with a RTF version that would give Sean a quick jump start on a turbine version.

RE: Anyone up for a BIG A-320 kit?
 

The 320 is a nice looking plane.

pics from the Nobert Rauch kit.
Great kits, but way too much building time for the avarage ARF builder :D


And a video of en EDF powered kit.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2KBAC-dLBkc

RE: Anyone up for a BIG A-320 kit?
 

I would vote for large scale model of B767-200 or 300 series as this type has not been modeled as yet in production. A320, A319 and A321 are all same family with different fuselage lengths, but with slightly different wing on A321 and have been done by Norbert Rouch as we can see in ^^ post. Our Peter/Eicas also built and flew A321 from Norbert's models in Air Canada's livery. There have been some scratchbuilt B757s models also but none for B767 series as yet. I would think 1:16th scale would be great size and comparable to Norbert's scale powered by twin turbines or large EDFs as power plants.

If you do B767-200 then 300 is just the stretched version of it with fuselage plug in front and behind the wing, wing would remain exactly same and same goes for the whole tailplane, engines and landing gears.

Posting picture of C-GAUN Fin# 604 aka Gilmi Glider on it's last ferry flight to MHV airport plus few pictures of Peter Eicas's A321s...

RE: Anyone up for a BIG A-320 kit?
 

I know where plugs, moulds, plans and templates are for the 757-200 , along with a RTF version that would give Sean a quick jump start on a turbine version.



[/quote]

I'm always up for building something everyone wants. Shoot me a PM about the info above if you would be so kind.

RE: Anyone up for a BIG A-320 kit?
 

I just checked out Norbert Rouch's site and those are awesome planes, but he uses fiberglass nose and tail cones, the rest of the plane including the body appear to be from foam. I'm talking about a full composite airplane, wings, tail, body, nacelles, all of it that is practical. So, while my kit won't technically be an ARF, it will be a complete airframe ready for engine, radio, retracts and final assembly and paint. So who knows, maybe I can convert a few ARF guys.

RE: Anyone up for a BIG A-320 kit?
 

Actually, IMHO the 757 is more fun to fly. Light on the controls and a real hot rod on a cold day and light load. One the best thrust to weight ratio airliners out there.

The early 767 (-200) on the other hand, was not so nimble and at my old airline we referred to it as the "dump truck". The later -300, -400 and ER's were better but flew like most jumbos, smooth and solid but certainly not exciting.

I also prefer the look of the 757.

Craig

RE: Anyone up for a BIG A-320 kit?
 

hawt.....

RE: Anyone up for a BIG A-320 kit?
 

Ok guys, is the general consensus that no one wants a big A-320 and I should do a Boeing product instead? Or do I have a bunch of Airbus lovers out there not chiming in yet?

RE: Anyone up for a BIG A-320 kit?
 

If it's not Boeing then i am not going!!...

Bring on B767-200/300ERs or even 400ERs Pence, if you do half decent job and price is right, i'll be one of the first ones to purchase it from you....

RE: Anyone up for a BIG A-320 kit?
 

I would appreciate a Airbus...but a bigger one like the A330 or 340. But the A320 is fine too. You make one I buy one.

By the way...a friend of mine is looking for a Canadair Jet CRJ 700 or 900. Is there a kit available???


Best regards

Jochen

RE: Anyone up for a BIG A-320 kit?
 

Shipping to Germany would be real expensive, but it can be done. I don't have plans to make a Canadair right now but I have looked at it.

RE: Anyone up for a BIG A-320 kit?
 

A320, A319, B757, B767 etc. ..... whatever, ...... I would buy one.

Bob

RE: Anyone up for a BIG A-320 kit?
 

That man just wants a nice airliner folks! :D

I'll put you on the list Bob, thanks!

RE: Anyone up for a BIG A-320 kit?
 

Here's one humble little request for anyone who builds a nice turbine airliner (not talking about those foamy ones). Please fly it like an airliner and avoid the loops and rolls. Nothing ruins the coolness of a scale airliner flight than totally un-scale aerobatics. Just my humble opinion.

Craig

RE: Anyone up for a BIG A-320 kit?
 

I agree 100%. I get turned off when I see a scaled aircraft do unrealistic manuvers. I know we are to have fun flying but I do enjoy it more when it looks so real. Just my 2cents. No ill feelings intended.

RE: Anyone up for a BIG A-320 kit?
 

Put a mental block on the prop engines and envision twin turbines. Video of the 757-200 I posted pics of earlier
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e92H2VJbJ5s
Yes, he fudged the landing, but I have seen him grease it in also. The landing is a testament that the c/f flex plates on the mains do their job...no damage to the airframe occured although a few passengers did suffer spinal compression. :)

Also note that the nose has more positive angle of attack right before takeoff than it does on taxi out. The nose retract is height adjustable from the transmitter.

RE: Anyone up for a BIG A-320 kit?
 

Nice looking 757! Notwithstanding the slightly less than scale sound, it looked good flying around. That's what I'm talking about!

RE: Anyone up for a BIG A-320 kit?
 

The big advantage of Norbert Rauch's planes is the lower weight of the fuselages. The foam/balsa center sections with fiberglass noses and tails are much lighter than a full fiberglass fuselage. Also, you can choose (for example) either to build a 117'' long 757-200 or a 134'' 757-300 only by changing the center fuselage's length.
Both turbines or EDFs can be used for his planes. IMHO the weight penalty of a full composite airliner with small wings like a 757 would make the use of EDFs impossible. But also a turbine powered plane flies slower and therefore more scale-like if it has a lower weight.

RE: Anyone up for a BIG A-320 kit?
 

Those are some interesting points, but the type of foam most guys would use for that is at least 1.5 pounds per square foot, so just ballparking it I'm pretty sure I would come out better than that or close to that. As for making different variants, if I went the Boeing route it would be molded in pieces anyway to help with shipping so it wouldn't be a huge deal to make a few extra pieces to lengthen the bird.

Another option I'm considering is a hybrid method I have been testing using 2 layers of thin, light cloth to mold the part and 1.5 pound pour foam to hold the shape and add strength, poured in after the layup. It's strong, and will be every bit as light as someone else glassing their own foam and painting it. The key benefit is it makes a quicker building, more desirable kit.

Still working on all that though.[8D]

P.S. since I'm a smaller company, electric guys (or anyone else) can always ask me for a lighter layup, changes they want etc, and I'll always be glad to help.

RE: Anyone up for a BIG A-320 kit?
 

How bout some scale control surfaces as well.. Nothign ruins it (for me) than to see a Great looking scale project w/ un-realistic control surfaces. IE, i mean, lets have some double/trip slotted flaps and tru fowler flaps. Along w/ scale style landing gear "trucks" and spoiler-ons.

RE: Anyone up for a BIG A-320 kit?
 

I'll probably do a couple things to appeal to the masses and keep the plane priced right. There will be sport flyers that don't care about scale flaps, scale landing gear etc. That kit may be separate and lower priced than a kit with more detail, or I may make a detail add on package with more scale features. So far, with my SR-71 kit I have 2 types of buyers, the guys who just want the semi scale landing gear, and the guys driving me to develop fully scale landing gear with lights, brakes etc. The price difference will be about $500 just on the landing gear and that is not for everyone (since that represents half the price of the kit itself).... So I'll probably make the A320 upgradeable to more detail and more scale features and sell that stuff as a separate or optional package. I have invested tons of time, money and energy in making local contacts with CNC metalworking, show quality painting, and CNC foam cutting capabilities so anything is possible.

I love this stuff.
:)

RE: Anyone up for a BIG A-320 kit?
 

So Shannon you are still going for A320 and not the Boeings as seems from your last post?

I like thrust to weight ratio on B757s but i can't stand seeing them or didn't liked working on them!.
To me B757 is a half sliced version of beautiful and well designed B767!. I understand your view point as business also....

RE: Anyone up for a BIG A-320 kit?
 

How about my all time favorite, a nice 727? Single engine would make the price right.