Held at the Paradise Field by Frank Tiano in Lakeland, FL Top Gun is the greatest RC scale show in the country and it draws builders and pilots from all over the world. The true best of the best compete annually for the title of “Mr. Top Gun.” And in the process, the event plays host to the biggest collection of scale model aircraft in the world as well.
This Propwash Video Productions coverage of the 2012 competition represents a departure from the way Warner Kopp has presented event in the past. A collaboration with SKS Video Productions, Warner and Scott Stauffer concentrated on many of the airplanes that are new and had not been seen before at Top Gun. “The Planes of Top Gun” with introduction by event director Sam Wright, presents each airplane with the words of the pilots and/or builders of the models.
There are lots of great close up details so you can appreciate the skill and craftsmanship that goes into these flying works of art. Some of the planes I liked the best were, Scott Harris’ beautifully detailed and weathered F-86 Sabre built from a BVM kit, Mike Gross’ 1/3-scale Sopwith Camel and Jack Buckley’s 1/3-scale Clipped Wing Cub built from Bob Nelitz plans powered by an O.S. 300 glow twin. Also noteworthy was Jim Suchy who built and flew his impressive WW1 Gotha C4 twin-engine bomber powered by a pair of pusher Zenoah G-38s.These and many others make you feel like you’re there on the flightline. There’s also lots of great flight footage so you really get a feel for this amazing world-class event. In addition, there is coverage of the noontime entertainment as well as the awards presentations and a closing interview with Mr. Top Gun 2012. With a running time of 92 minutes, “The Planes of Top Gun” is available in both standard DVD ($24.95) and Blu-Ray format ($27.95)
–Gerry Yarrish
PROPWASH VIDEO PRODUCTIONS, 2973 BERMAN STREET, LAS VEGAS, NV 89169; (702) 731-5217 FAX (702) 735-1521 (866)748-0676 (toll-free order line) E-MAIL – propwashvideo@aol.com WEB PAGE – www.propwashvideo.com
SKS VIDEO PRODUCTIONS, 85 PINE ROAD ABBOTTSTOWN, PA 17301; (717-259-7193) FAX (717) 259-6379 (800) 988-6488 (toll-free order line) E-MAIL – scott@sksvideo.com WEB PAGE – www.sksvideo.com
