WHAT’S THE BEST PLANE?

One discussion that has been heard every year throughout Top Gun’s existence has been “What is the best airplane for Top Gun: WW I, warbirds, jets, or civilian?” All these types of aircraft have done well over the years. At this year’s event, the question was perhaps put to rest by Peter Goldsmith. This amazing modeler and pilot won the Pro-Am Prop with his WW I Airco DH.4 biplane. In previous years, he won in the Pro-Am Jet class with his F-104.

The two aircraft couldn’t be more diverse. The Airco DH.4 first flew in 1916; it had 375hp with a top speed of 143mph and a gross weight of 3,472 pounds. The F-104 built by Lockheed first flew in 1956. The interceptor was a capable aircraft with a top speed of 1,500mph and a gross weight of 29,000 pounds. Forty years of technological development separate the two aircraft. The F-104 exceeds the DH.4 in most areas except wingspan. The DH.4 had twice the wingspan of the F-104, and it had two of them. During a weather delay at Top Gun, I had the opportunity to speak with Peter about his two award-winning aircraft.

Both of his models are 1/4 scale, and each took 500 hours to complete. The F-104 is an Airworld kit powered by a KingTech 210, while the DH.4 is a Balsa USA kit powered by a Saito FG-40. For both aircraft, Peter watched many videos of the full-scale aircraft flying, observing their maneuvers and style of flight. For the F-104, he chose to perform mostly rolling maneuvers, noting that many trim flights were needed to get the center of gravity just right in the long fuselage. Similarly, the DH.4 presented challenges. This was a model of an underpowered aircraft with just enough power to execute basic maneuvers. Many practice and trim flights later, the plane and Peter were ready for Top Gun.

Winning at Top Gun isn’t about the aircraft type; it’s about the pilot. You have to put the hours into making the best possible aircraft you can; study and observe how the original aircraft flew; choose your maneuvers carefully to match the aircraft performance; trim your plane properly; and practice, practice, practice. That’s the route to the winners’ circle. —Carl Layden