JGrc

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Back from Lakeland and getting ready for the big move, I'd like to say it was great flying with all you Lucky *******s during the last two years and last weekend was a great way to part away. At least for a little while.
Some people said the warbird show was the best part of Top Gun. That's hard to say, but where in the world would you see 14 warbirds taking off one after the one, P47's chasing Stukas and Zeros while Spits escorting B25's?? While at the same time low level strafing fighters zooming by a B17 attempting to land on one wheel ???? Man Oh man, RC flying doesn't get any more exiting than that!!
Did anybody take any pictures? post them here.
Looking forward to the next time!

Jose G.
JGrc
http://mywebpage.netscape.com/warbirdscale/

-JC-

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Jose and the rest of the Lucky *******s......

THANK YOU for taking the time to come to Top Gun this year. The sound of all those big gas engines in the air at the same time was incredible.

Looking forward to flying with you in the future

mfranke

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Gentlemen
as a first time visitor to Top Gun I can say I was truly impressed. I arrived in Lakeland Thursday and was able to see great flying before the crosswinds that developed throughout the weekend.
I had the pleasure to see some of the top planes and pilots from around the US and abroad.

I was able to meet several icons from this forum including Pat Mccurry and Jeff Foley. I also had the privilege to meet others including" Mr scale" Dave Platt. All of the pilots were gracious and patient with my questions. I have never met a nicer bunch of guys. With the $25 pit pass( suggested on the forum) I was able to walk around and talk and take photos the entire weekend.

There were far to many great planes to take photos of them all. A 1/3 Cub and DIII Albatross were truly impressive. As soon as I can I'll post with Prof Looney as the files are to big to post.

To top things off with in 45min of Lakeland, Fla there are 3 warbird Restoration sites.


The Fantasy of Flight flew a Fiesler Storch while I was there.
White One has a Fw 190 in parts to See.
Tom Reilly Flying tiger museum had a B17 under restoration with
easy access.

All in all a great weekend. I highly recommend the trip.
Will have photos soon
Mark Franke
fairfax, Va

Nickrc3

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Witnessing the level of craftsmanship at Top Gun was an incredible learning experience for me. All those techniques used are invaluable.


Nick Capone

thunderbolt-RCU

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I flew my Tony in both the competition and in the Warbird scramble on Saturday.
I flew my Zirolli P-40 Sunday in the scramble. What a gas chasing the big Zero.
The Lucky *******s are just that. A bunch or Warbird guys who love to fly. I will fly with you guys any time.
Brian

Rocketeer10

The warbird mass formation fly was indeed the best part of the Top Gun 1/2-time show by far! We had a really great time watching and of course taking photos of the Lucky *******s and their guests strafing the active! Dean DiGeorgio did a great job flying Doug Smith's B-17! Right on the deck with one gear down and smoke! Just like Tora Tora Tora! Pretty slick!


FYI, In the August 2003 issue of MAN, we'll have the Top Gun article and of course a nice sidebar on the Warbirds at Top Gun!

Lackland airport is so much friendlier for the pilots than was the Polo grounds!

GY

Walter D

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Half time, really good show! It was thrilling to see eleven warbirds flying together, one very close almost midair, I barely catched it. The B-29 defied logic!

But $ 25 bucks to get barely close to some of the models, come on Tiano! Even at the Polo Club, at first, one was able to take a close look at the airplanes, then only at the half time, which is OK, and it is a great opportunity to walk around all the models and talk to their builders and pilots, I believe it's best to go during the weekdays to take a look at the models and then during the weekend if you want to spend $ 25 plus $ 10 (entry ticket), be forwarned and take some seats with you to park your behind as close to the fence as possible so no one gets on your field of view, at least this way your expense would be better served!

First time I went to a scale meet and left without seeing the models from up close, bummer!

It wasn't just the $ 25, but I had 4 more people with me, and it wouldn't be fair for me to go by myself, but 5 people, $ 125 plus
$ 50 for tickets, plus about $ 60 for lunch and some goodies at the vendors tent's, it would have given my wife a heart attack!!

Great models though!! Had to get it off my chest, sorry.

Shui

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I've gotta hand it to all the warbird pilots and the Lucky *******s! AWESOME display of airplanes and flying. Seeing that many scaled out warbirds in the air was excellent.

I think all of the competitors enjoyed watching it also, I know I did!

See ya,
David Shulman

seafurymike

C'mon guys,

Its bad enuf I'm stuck in Aus and can't get to such and event, but WHERE ARE THE PICTURES. C'mon, send them to joe..... I've made the great shot of the F18 taxiing my back ground, what a great detail job on that beast.

SNAKE STUKA

Gentlemen, I really enjoyed flying in the gaggle at TOP GUN.I believe that the spectators loved it and that we put on a hell of a show.Thanks again for all of the efforts every Lucky ******* put into making it a success.I will try to post some pict.

Rocketeer10

We sent several digital photos to FTE yesterday and they should be posted on their site by this weekend!
GY

ProfLooney

I posted several pics for Mfranke on my site the other day what I am wanting to see is pics of Vailly's new Firefly I cant wait for them plans to come out and his 109

Joe

JGrc

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GY, do you have a link?

JG

dorjes

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I spoke to Roy at Top Gun about the 109 plan and he said it's three plans away , unfortunately.

Dorin Luck

ProfLooney

Hmm thats strange I been working with Roy on putting his plans in cad format and enlarging them to 1/4 scale for him and everything he has told me about future planes was that as soon as top gun was over and he had flown his Firefly then he wanted to get started on his 109 plans. Maybe he isnt going to totally do a new set of plans but wants to work on the text etc for the enlargements first as he doesnt want me to put text in the drawings so he could put it on by hand.

Joe

hhilandscaper

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Here's a decent pic of the B-17 flyby and I believe the Zero in close.

hhilandscaper

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Here's a small lineup of the warbirds after the show. Snake Stuka, nice plane and I really like how you had the ground crew come out to help with the celebration. The P-47 in the back had a gear go out so it's not sitting as pretty as the others.

hhilandscaper

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Here's a great shot of the imfamous B-29 inverted. Pretty amazing what you can do with 20' of airplane and no one inside it.

MR WARBIRD

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Here is Dean with the B-17 one wheel touch and go. The wheel dose touch, not just once but three times that weekend.

Misfit Gadget

We all had a great time at the Halftime Gaggle. What a hoot flying with all of that Heavy Metal in the air. :thumbup:

Icemanjr92

My Feedback: (73)

Many thanks to Doug Smith for letting me fly his B-17 this year at Top Gun. The ironic thing is Doug was unaware of the routine during the show. This was not rehearsed whatsoever. I think that made it even better. The best part was showing the video to my father, Dino for the last time. Dad passed away a few days after seeing the "Gaggle" show.
His words were "You guys are awesome... WARBIRDS FOREVER!!"
Those words will remain with me for all eternity. Thanks again to everyone who participated in the event. If there is a next year, it will be better!
If you are in the area of Gilbertsville, NY on July 18-20th, Please join us for the WMWA Dino Di Giorgio memorial event!
Go to WWW.WMWA.ORG for details

As dad would say, GOD BLESS!

Dean Di Giorgio, President
World Miniature Warbird Assoc.

Icemanjr92

My Feedback: (73)

Special thanks to Tony Urbano for his first time entering into Top Gun and placing 5th in Team Scale! Not shabby for a newbie at TG. He would have placed higher if his pilot (me) had his mind focused better under the conditions. Watch out for this guy!

Thanks again Tony for another outstanding warbird.

Dean Di Giorgio, President
World Miniature Warbird Assoc.

MR WARBIRD

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Thanks Dean for the nice words. But truth is you had the third highest flight score I should have done a better job on the static score.

Tony

smchale

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Congrats Tony and Dean on your showing at Top Gun!! Are we going to get to see this beauty at the Warbird Scale Classic!?
I'm hoping to make it up there for at least a day and meet some of you guys!!

Icemanjr92

My Feedback: (73)

Here is another great shot of Tony's Corsair on takeoff.
Simply Sweet!

Dino, Jr.