I'm just completing my first kit model (TF Corsair .60), and have decided I'd like to build a bipe. The Pica YMF 3-5 Waco 1/6 scale really caught my eye. Can anyone give me any feedback on their kits. Quality of wood? Manual good or bad? Plans well laid out? Any help would be great! Also, is 1/6 scale considered Giant or not?

Thanks fella's

Andy

Andy:

Pica used to be "Dave Platt Models" and that should tell you their designs are good. As far as the wood and cutting are concerned, they are switching to laser cutting, if you get one of them they're great. The die-crushed ones are still good, though.

Giant scale? A 1/6 Extra 300 is not. When you get to a 1/3rd scale Extra 300 you're up to 100" span, that's giant. If, however, we are talking about a 1/6 C5a that would be over 37', truly giant scale. Even an L-1049 Constellation would be 21' span in 1/6 scale.

So, you see, Giant scale isn't the scale ratio, it's the size of the scaled plane regardless of the ratio. To me, giant scale starts at 100" wingspan. IMAA requires 80" for a monoplane, or 1/4 scale, whichever is smaller. So, the Extra 300 would be IMAA legal at approx 75" span. Biplanes have a lower minimum size, don't remember what it is.

Hope this helps, at least a little bit.

Giant scale planes,
. Give lifting pains.

Bill.

The IMAA defines giant scale as follows;
80" ws or more for a monoplane-
60" or more for a biplane-
WS plus fuse length for a total of 140" or more for jets-
Any model that measures 1/4 scale of the full scale plane.

Thanks for the info! It was nice of you fellas to respond so quickly

Andy

Andy
I'm currently building the Pica 1/6 scale Waco. I'm at the point where I just finished covering with silkspan and dope and I'm about to start painting with latex. I been building kits for the past 20 years and I found this kit to be somewhere between good and excellent. The laser cut parts fit like a dream, rarely had to sand to make fit. Comes with quality wood. One peeve I have is that the instructions call for say a 12 inch sheet of balsa and in the box you get an exact 12 inch sheet of balsa. The problem is that the edges are frayed and require some light sanding. Now you have a 11 7/8 inch sheet of balsa. The instuctions are very complete (roughly 30 pages) and have diagrams at alsmost every step. However, they are drawn and not actual photos, which at times, make it a little difficult to understand. There are steps where you need to solder landing gear and wing cabanes wire, so being somewhat handy with the soldering iron or mini-torch is a plus. I am very pleased with this kit and am already thinking about the 1/5 scale Waco. Jim

Jim

Thank you for the info. It sounds like it would be fun to build. I assume the other 1/6 bipe they make (Jungmeister) would be comparable in build an quality.

The next time the wife and I make it out to Ojai on a quick vacation, I'll look you up.

Again thanks.

Andy

Andy, I justed finished building a Pica F-82 It is a lazer cut kit and it went togther like a glove!!!!!!!!! several of the parts were missing,actually more of some,and none of the other,I called Pica, and they shipped them right away,I called one Friday to order another cowling after letting my dremel tool go crazy and John Pica answered the phone,He gave me several tips and sent me a new canopy free after i told him I thought one was thicker than the other!!!!! He flys what he kits, !!!!!!! My kit only cost $49.00 and is great!!!!! I think their bigger kits would be a great bargin also like the Waco or Giant P-51 I think Pica is a Kit friendly company. The rewards of building a kit can't be measured. Tom Cade

I'm building the Pica 1/5 P-51 and really enjoying it so far. The wood has been excellent, however I will echo what was said above. Most of the parts are already cut to length and will come up short if you have to trim the edges at all. I find the instructions a little bit lacking, but not horrible. To quote a section from the elevator assembly "Now if you understand all this, go ahead and glue it." I kid you not!!

I had to order some replacement parts due to a mistake (don't ask) and the service was great. I would definitely build another one of their kits.

Terry Fulwider
Nashville, TN