AIR RACER GROUP BUILD BECAUSE WE FEEL THE NEED FOR SPEED

Mind if I get in on this, Randy?

Digging through my heap, I ran across a kit and remembered this group build. I've got the Academy 1/48 Spitfire FR. MK.XIVe. (whew) It's got markings for "CF-GMZ, ex TZ138, Cleveland Air Race 1949". Don't mind me... I'm just reading off the box.

Anyway, she's a beautiful bird and I would love to build her! Whadaya say?

 Actually, fermis had a hand in my idea in a race tricked F-82. Seeing the difficulties he had with the same kit , I thought one could bypass many of those issues by building it as a highly modified air racer. Something that would look cool and different. When I saw this thread , I thought, why not?. 

 Kevin, I agree , a bubbletop Spit in race livery would be interesting . 

 I remember, years  ago, on the old Wide World of Sports in the 70s. They would televise some of the unlimited finals. Very cool to watch. We also had an airshow in Kissime,FL during the fall that would host some Formula One racing. Unfortunatly that annual airshow is no longer held. 

 Looking forward to starting this build and seeing what everyone comes up with . My first GB, YEAAAAAAA!!!!

MIflyer wrote:

For those interested in jets, keep in mind that there was a jet class at the Cleveland races in the post-war years, 1946-49. F-80s, FJ-1s, F-84s, and F-86s participated. Believe it or not, the Air Force actually raced three Sabres at once on a 5-mile closed course. The fastest lap time for a Sabre was 635.4 mph! Kevin

MIflyer Thanks for that info. I was watching the Reno air races from 1996 and I did forget they had a T-28 class in Military markings no race numbers or names on the aircraft. And kevin I cant say IO have ever seen a bubbletop Spit that would be interestin.

Fermis I am gonna start callin you BADfermis ya trouble maker Cant wait to see what you come up with.

Jimz66 Just about any aircraft would fit into the group so jump in the waters great

Someone had asked if the races were going to be on TV to my knowlage no they arent televised and that is something I have never understood because the Reno races draw a much bigger crowd than any NASCAR race does. I was lucky enough to have been to 3 of tham and I am tellin ya you have never been to a race until you have been to Reno !!! Just cant explaine what it feels and sounds like when those Unlimiteds are in the air. I think there is a company still around called Skyfire you can order tapes or dvds of the races.

jimz66 wrote:

That sounds like fun, I wish I had the time and money, plus I don't have anything to fit into this category.

You can make on of the Lance airs or pitts here www.taichiunlimiteddrawings.com/

That would be sweet to see. a completely scratch built lance air in 1/32 now that would be cool and new, I don't think anyone has done that yet from my knowledge.

jimz66 wrote:

That sounds like fun, I wish I had the time and money, plus I don't have anything to fit into this category.

 Make something up, put your name on it!!! That's how I'm rollin!!!

vetteman42 wrote:

...... Kg4kpg Hey guy dont get in too much of a hurry the start date is opening day of the Reno Air Races 2009 the 16th of September. Dont want ya jumpin the gun ya know. However if ya just cant wait and gotta watch the 40% partical build rule . But dont post WIP pictures before the 16th.

Oh okay.  I went ahead and started a Rufe float plane to keep me busy for a couple weeks.  I did open the kit and clean up some flash but nothing else, I promise.   I hope I can catch some of the races on TV, what channel do they use?  Outdoor Life Network?  ESPN?  Would love to see it in persone some day.

 Can I start yet?

Can I start yet?

Can I start yet?

Can I start yet?

 Can't wait!!!

For those interested in jets, keep in mind that there was a jet class at the Cleveland races in the post-war years, 1946-49. F-80s, FJ-1s, F-84s, and F-86s participated. Believe it or not, the Air Force actually raced three Sabres at once on a 5-mile closed course. The fastest lap time for a Sabre was 635.4 mph!

Hmm, I've been thinking about my entry, and now I'm waffling. I might do a bubbletop Spitfire instead. I'll try to decide in the next couple of day... so many cool choices...

Kevin

Thanks, still working on one right now that was just a quick one. Hey Randy Its a hard choice now between the spirit of Texas and MY NEW project Strega, Ill let you know soon. What would yall think would be better to see? Im down to build either one if not bot of them.

Bret

Buddy, thanks for that link!!!! That is an airplane you see and take your hat off, scratch your head with a big grin and then set the hat back on your head tilted way back and say "BOYYYYYY HOWDY!!!!!!"

Jonny Roscoe, I like the badge!!!

Daddy1,

It isn't.  According to the Warbird Registry, the Hilliard Sea Fury is/was owned by a Joe Thibodeau out of Denver.  It flies/flew with race number 21, registered as N254SF.  Last thing I saw was that he still had it as of 2004, but was unflyable because of engine problems.

Guys almost forgot to ask you to let me know what you will be building, scale kit manufacturer and such for the roster

Daddy1 gald you are gonna do the F-82 I have been looking forward to seeing what you come up with.

Fermis your jets are in so get crazy man :)

lewbud wrote:

Jonny Roscoe, Here's some pics you and anyone else who cares to look at them, might find interesting.  They were taken in Feb this year at the Frontiers of Flight Museum in Dallas.  Unfortunately, I didn't get to see her fly in or out.  http://public.fotki.com/lewbud/aircraft/sea-fury/

 Is this the same bird Charlie Hilliard flipped on its back at the Sun-n Fun fly in a few years back . She's beautifull. 

Hey guys sorry I haven't been around in a couple of days. I had some family matters that needed to be taken care of.

Kg4kpg Hey guy dont get in too much of a hurry the start date is opening day of the Reno Air Races 2009 the 16th of September. Dont want ya jumpin the gun ya know. However if ya just cant wait and gotta watch the 40% partical build rule . But dont post WIP pictures before the 16th.

Red13bar thanks for your input and the title of the new Air Racer Category "Extreme Racers". I have been trying to come up with a catchy name for it for a couple of days now but think yours is perfect.

T_Terrific I am sorry but I dont think a die cast model would work here unless you were planning on doing a lot of work on it, scratch building, painting and such. That way it could be called a multimedia kit bash. If thats what you have in mind let me know and we will see if it will work.

Jonny Roscoe Thanks for the badge idea. I want to try and offer maybe 4 badges for builders to choose from.

So its offical we will have an "EXTREME AIR RACER" Category, should be quite interesting. Thanks to those who planted this idea, and I promise to keep the rules simple ,

I will be getting the roster together over the next couple of days and getting the categories setup. Thought I would leave the thread in aircraft for another week to give more people a chance to see it and maybe join up. This ones gonna be a fun group I think.

T_Terrific wrote:

Would a pre-painted die cast 1/32 scale kit of the Wedell Williams Gilmore Red Lion racer be ok? Tom T

I dont think that would work Tom. I think what randy wants is a pure models. Diecast is easy, you just put it snap it together, unless you are wanting to HIGHLY modifly it and paint it in diff colors, seen it done before.

Randy,

Take a look at this banner maybe more suitable quality wise....

Would a pre-painted die cast 1/32 scale kit of the Wedell Williams Gilmore Red Lion racer be ok?

Tom T

kg4kpg,

I live in Arlington.  If you can manage it, the local CAF wing and the Cold War Air Museum are  holding a fly-in on 5 September and the Alliance show is in October.

lewbud wrote:

Jonny Roscoe, Here's some pics you and anyone else who cares to look at them, might find interesting.  They were taken in Feb this year at the Frontiers of Flight Museum in Dallas.  Unfortunately, I didn't get to see her fly in or out.  http://public.fotki.com/lewbud/aircraft/sea-fury/

Thanks man, I appreciate the link. Ive actually had the honor of meeting this girl at her home hangar a few years back and got about 350-400 photos of her and her all the way around. The only thing I couldnt get was the engine. If anyone wants the pics just PM me and Ill se what I can put together.

*whistle*  That's one nice Airplane! 

A little input on the subject of fighter jets as air racers:  absolutely! I think it would be awesome to have an "Extreme Racers" category for the high-preformance craft. 

BTW, anybody thinking of a Dornier or Me-163 for this build?  The 163 could be a can of worms...

Cheers,

-Chris

lewbud wrote:

Jonny Roscoe,Here's some pics you and anyone else who cares to look at them, might find interesting.  They were taken in Feb this year at the Frontiers of Flight Museum in Dallas.  Unfortunately, I didn't get to see her fly in or out.  http://public.fotki.com/lewbud/aircraft/sea-fury/

Now that's a purdy air plane!  lewbud, what part of the metroplex are you from?  All my family is in DFW except me.  I was going to order the decals for this plane for a Sea Fury kit I have but not for the GB.  Maybe later.  Sept. 1 needs to hurry, I'm ready to start.

Jonny Roscoe,

Here's some pics you and anyone else who cares to look at them, might find interesting.  They were taken in Feb this year at the Frontiers of Flight Museum in Dallas.  Unfortunately, I didn't get to see her fly in or out. 

http://public.fotki.com/lewbud/aircraft/sea-fury/

A 1/32 Trumpeter Rare Bear... now that, I gotta see. Awesome idea!

I'm in with an Accurate Miniatures A-36 as a post-war Bendix Trophy racer. Race #2 in 1949 with white wings and NMF fuselage and green trim. I also have a Verlinden engine I may bust out for this build.

I'll add a vote of confidence in Keith at Red Pegasus Decals, I've ordered stuff from him a few times. He's very helpful and the decals are great - just be aware that they're ALPS printed. He's even printed a sheet for me that was OOP and not listed in his site anymore; I just sent him an email he got it to me in about a week. Great guy.

At this point, with the build starting in a couple of weeks, should we get an "official" thread started in the Group Builds area? Just a thought.

Kevin

Jonny Roscoe wrote:

simpilot34 wrote: Bret thank you very much for posting those links, especially th elast one!! That will come in REALLY handy!! No problem! Thats what we are here for right? to help eachother!! BTW are you currently an Active LtCMDR?

lol ummm in the FAA GB yes, we have ranks there. I was in the USAF and only reached E-3.

simpilot34 wrote:

Bret thank you very much for posting those links, especially th elast one!! That will come in REALLY handy!!

No problem! Thats what we are here for right? to help eachother!! BTW are you currently an Active LtCMDR?

SEMPER FI,

Bret

Hey that pic looks pretty cool. what about the one of rare bear over the final pylon? Any way hers a few likes I found a while back when I was researching for the Spirit of Texas Fury.....

 Warebird aero press: http://www.warbirdaeropress.com/PhGal/nfpicturepro/index.php?cat=2

Vector Resin: http://www.neomega-resin.com/vector/american.htm

Red pegasus decals:  http://www.redpegasusdecals.com/

A scale converter (very very handy): http://jbwid.com/scalcalc.htm

SEMPER FI,

Bret

kg4kpg wrote:

vetteman42 wrote: Kg4kpg Your T-6 is in and thanks for joining us Guess I had better start getting a builder list togeather.   Okay, found the kit.  The Revell 1/48 "Miss Behavin" T-6 Reno Air Racer.  I looked for pic of the real plane but no luck and only found one built kit so this must either be sitting on collectors shelves or built with other markings.  Idea for badge photo, just add text.

Kg4kpg Hey thanks for the picture for the badge I will play with it and see what I can come up with. I was poking around on the net tonight and ran across a site you might like for you build. Its a modeling refferance page but does have some good pictures of Miss Behavin heres the link. Hope it helps out.

 http://www.geocities.com/t6modeling/renoracer.html#Real race #44