Matty

Does anyone have any info on the Sterling Spitfire kit. I think the model # is FF14. The kit is for sale for $115.

pittsdriver

My Feedback: (7)

Sterling kits were just kinda sorta scale. The die cutting is terrible, heavy wood, parts don't fit and kits were done in the late 60s so no retract detail or much detail at all. Do yourself a favor and get a Top Flite or Pica kit. Altho they are not perfectly scale they are close and you could actually have a good chance of making a nice flying airplane. Don

Steve Collins

My Feedback: (8)

Before I knew any better, I once bought a Sterling P-51 kit at an auction. Launched into building it only to get so frustrated with the antique buildoing methods that it was never finished. I would stay away from any Sterling kit.

WS

They may not have built very well, but I flew the Spitfire model and it flew beautifully, better than the TF model, imo. The Pica flies nice too, but you gotta put flaps on them! Generally, I'm a huge TF fan, but there's something about their Spitfire that just isn't right, wing too narrow? canopy too far back? I dunno, can't quite put my finger on it.

smchale

My Feedback: (67)

Wells,

I think one thing that makes in look out of sorts is that the retracts are in the wrong place...too wide for scale. I'm not sure but i think that is one thing that struck me.

F106A

My Feedback: (2)

Hi,
The Sterling P-51 was based on a design by Phil Brietling in the '60's. It was the 1st low wing "scale" r/c model, and I use that term loosely. I think that it was originally flown on reeds then he switched to proportional. I remember seeing the original fly and everyone was amazed that a low wing "scale" model could fly so well.
I heard, but can't confirm, that he used the moments of the Astro Hog, the 1st low wing muli model, and changed the outline to make it into a "Mustang". The Spitfire was in the same category.
Sterling kits were OK back then and their models flew OK, but unless you're building for an old timer R/C event, you're really wasting your time and money building one of these kits.
Regards,
Jon

Matty

Thanks for the info on the Spit. Seems like I'll have to go with a TF kit, but not the Mk IX. I would like an earlier version but TF dosen't make one. Perhaps the Corsair? Thanks to everyone again.