Hey guys, I'm relatively new to this hobby. I've had a lot of questions answered, but this one still a mystery: Why do many RC pilots enjoy flying scale replica planes? What's the hype?

It's been said many times, there are two hobbies involved here, Modeling and Flying.

If all you've been exposed to is the Flying part, the roots of the Modeling hobby may not be evident. You'll even meet people who don't fly much, and they get someone else to fly their marvelous replicas of actual planes.

Good luck,
Dave Olson

I'm definitely in the "modeling" camp. I honestly doubt I'll enjoy flying my "scale masterpiece" one bit more than any old ARF. Sure it'll be a LOT more photogenic in the air but that's about it.

As far as why I love scale RC modeling to degree that I'm willing to spend close to two years working on one model, well that's harder to say. Part of it is a deep fascination with the history of aircraft and the pilots who flew them. I'm never going to pilot a full-scale airplane but flying a model let's me at least pretend.

Moth to the flame! I'm Hooked...

Right there with ya! If it ain't scale...it's crrrrrrap!

Because I can not own a Saab Draken or a A-10 Warthog. [&o]

Creative outlet and challenge for me. I also enjoy flying scale models is a scale like fashion if possible, maybe a gracefull style of flying if not quite scale. Nothing wrong with 3D, pedal to the metal or yank and bank its just not for me.

That's an easy question, because its too expensive to own the full size airplane! By modeling we give ourselve the ability to own just about any airplane that catches our eyes. I scratch build simply because I love obscure airplanes that will never be kitted or available as an ARF. Lierally by modeling I can own any airplane I can emagine.

Guess who OWNS a GWS A-10 with EDF's...... GWS A-10 with a front prop.......A 80" scratch built blue foam A-10.
A 4 engined flying boat.

Life is good.

Rich

I just BOUGHT 6 .......48" RC round Hydroplane boats.

Can not own or can not afford ?

By the time you get finished (if you ever really finish ) a "scale" model, you could have gone and bought the real thing at surplus. From some articles I have read, some people have MANY THOUSANDS of dollars AND hours invested in a 30% - 50% scale model.

I ALWAYS walk away from ALL my landings. And I am 70 with NO pilots license !

For me it is the enjoyment of building and the craftsmanship that it takes to create a model to scale. Then the reward is being able to fly it and see it in the air. Plus competing with and against a great group of other modelers that share the same interest. I enjoy building a sport model too from time to time but they don't have pitot tubes, panel lines, antennas, rivets, etc. and there is or never was a plane that is represented in full scale. It is a labor of love that not every one will ever have or understand. My 2 cents.

I own a 1918 Dornier D1 only 6 made, mine has a 39" wingspan. I own a 1937 Ryan SC-M prototype, only 1 ever built and it was converted to a production SC-W model, it has a 84" wingspan. I own a 1938 Ryan SC-W total production including prototype mentioned 14. I could go on but you get the idea.

This is a very good point. I often choose to model particular versions of an aircraft than now only exist in old black and white photographs. My model helps bring that particular aircraft back to life.

Because NOTHING else will Do.

All good points. I also think a key factor (at least with me) is, that the last time I imagined myself flying, I wasn't in a plastic drainpipe with a plank of a wing rubber-banded on. If so, the violin score would've come to a screeching halt and I'd be jolted awake in a cold sweaty panic! Hehe

ZZ.

Thanks for the humor.

"Why do we love RC Scale Replicas?" Because Flippin AV Gas is $5 per gallon.............

Glow fuel is $18 a gallon fortunately we burn it in ounces not gallons!

Why do we fly scale?

Two reasons:

1. I can't see me ever being able to afford a Cessna 180 short of me winning the National Lottery and I stand more chance of dying before next Saturday night than I do of winning, so I'll content myself with a miniture replica and enjoy its flying characteristics.

2. If you're into miltary history you can buld a model which appeals to your national heritage. I'm British and there are lots of Spitfire plans and kits I could build should I want to, fewer Hurricanes, but what of all of those poor sods condemned to fly aircraft like the Bristol Blenheim or Fairey Battle, or BE2c from a previous conflict? If I want to remember those unfortunates I can scratch-build my own replica. Americans could chose a Brewster Buffalo, Curtiss Hawk or SB2C perhaps, Germans the Pfalz, Frenchmen the MS406 or Dewoitine you get my drift.

DD

Looks like you have a photo of an RE8 by your address ABUFletcher?

Have you built a replica? If so what does it fly like?

I found out a few years ago that one of von Richtofen's vicitms had the same name as me, (different spelling,) and was brought down while flying a BE2e, the last of his BE2 victories and I've always fancied buiding a replica. I've got two suitable plans but have never got round to building the model.

Happy landings

David Davis

Yep, it's an "Harry Tate" but done decades ago as a 36" wingspan static stick 'n tissue model. I often think about doing a proper RC version at 1/4 scale. I also fancy a Be2. What plans do you have?

David Hurrel's BE2c from RC Scale International (Sept/Oct 2001) and Roy Scott's BE2e. Both of these are 1/6th scale. I plan to use Hurrel's construction techniques on Scott's outline as Hurrel's structure is lighter.

I also have a 1/8th scale rubber power BE2c plan and a 1/12th plans for the BE2e and RE8 all of these are old Aeromodeller plans available from the X List.

Just off to fly my T240 and do some instructing.

Happy Landings

DD

For me, I want to build and fly scale aircraft of those that I have actually flown and/or flown in.
Sort of a 3-D full motion memory seeing the likes of a deHavilland Beaver on floats comming in for an approach.
The more scale it can be piloted the better.
Challeng to build it and a total reward and to see it in the air, just like I remember the real thing.
Dan

I feel a lot like Abufletcher and Oldscaleguy. Some full-scale planes are simply art in motion, and while they may no longer exist, or are waaaaay too expensive to have the real one, or are too few to see very often, the pleasure of building one and flying it, and knowing that you yourself created it is hard to describe. I don't care to compete with others, I appreciate everyone's work, knowing the thought and effort that went into it, and I do the best I know how to make mine as much a miniature of the full-sized one that my skills will allow.

It is fun and very gratifying to fly one of these creations, but the maiden flight will make you gray before your time, and every flight is a study in focused insanity.