Informal Poll: Who would want a 1/72 Spruce Goose?

Modeling Subjects Aircraft
1

If you may allow me a bit of a rant…

My personal preferece for aircraft models is 1/72, for a number of reasons. One of the main ones is the excellent variety of selection- if you see an aircraft, there’s a good chance there’s a kit of it. More often than not (especially is the subject is rare) you can find it in 1/72. Anyway, enough about why I like to do what I do.

As I said, selection is my favorite part. But, in my opinion, there is one glaring ommision in the wonderful world of this scale. I think you can guess what it is.

(Maybe because I just saw the Aviator) The Spruce Goose is one of my favorite aircraft, because it represents a benchmark in avaition- the largest airplane ever. And it’s my opinion (humble though it may be) that a good kit of it should be made in 1/72. True, the kit would be huge. I’ve seen a styrofoam representation in 1/72, and the wingspan is over 4 feet. But the trend has been toward larger kits…

Now, there’s… problems with this. I know there is a kit of it out there (Minicraft, 1/200), but if you’re like me, I don’t like oddball scales. (I don’t know why, I just do.) And I could see if you like other scales better (1/48, 1/32, etc, etc, etc) you wouldn’t give much of a hoot either way. But again, this is just my opinon.

So, now that I’m done, I’d like to conduct a very informal poll: who here would like to see a good 1/72 Spruce Goose kit on the shelves? (For sake of the question, don’t worry about price or storing or any of those logistics. Just the kit)

And who thinks I’m just crazy, and use too many parentheses? [8-][tup]

2

I guess I would. And no I dont think you used to many parenthesis.

3

Parenthesis make you look smart! haha. That would be a great undertaking. not quite sure how the wings would stay straight (warpage) but you said not to worry sooo. I vote YES

4

I just saw that movie and I would be interested. I would also be interested in a kit of the speed record a/c he flew and crashed in the beet field or the big spy plane that looked like a p-38 that he REALLY crashed. I could be tempted to try NMF on the former if inebriated enough and bets were flying.

On another subject, before watching this movie, I thought I heard the film critics say “it doesn’t focus on his really disturbing periods, like when he wore the kleenex boxes on his feet and stored his own urine in milk jugs.” Were they watching the same film I did? I was pretty sure that they covered all the craziest behavior of Hughes. And I thought I was obsessive-compulsive.

5

Spruce Goose…er, I mean Hercules, Mr. Hughes (good flick the Aviator is)…Sure why should there not be a kit of this type at that level of magnitude…one question…would it be injection molded or the fiberglass a Bf109 in 1/8th scale as recently on offer from Squadron. 4 feet is huge, what type of media could support that?

To mpatric…I think there is a kit of the Hughes racer out there…check Squadron…

6

Well, at least for now, I’d be happy with a 1/144 scale kit. I saw one, I think by Academy, at my local hobby shop.

In fact, Academy has a pretty nice line of 1/144 scale larger planes. I’ve seen a 1/72 scale B-52 in person, and I’m glad the kit I have is 1/144 scale!

Otherwise, I agree that 1/72 scale is a fun scale to work in, and I’d love to see a model of the Spruce Goose. I’m just not sure I’d want to build it.

Regards,

7

I too work primarily in 1/72 and would love to see a Spruce Goose in that scale. Price and storage area would probably keep me from buying it, but it would be nice.

Darwin, O.F. [alien]

8

My house isn’t big enough for the Spruce Goose in 1/72nd scale, but 1/72nd is my favorite scale as well.

9

It would be great to see a 1/72 scale Spruce Goose, but I dont think I’d ever build it (probably buy it though) I would much rather see a company put effort into producing a new 72 scale kits such as- B-26, Halifax, A-26 Invader, Boston, Avro Anson, Lockheed Constellation… I could go on all day, but I;m stoked about the Hasegawa Lancaster and Trumpeter Westland Wyvern , bring it on!

10

Isn’t the Antonov An-225 the largest aircraft ever?

There is an vac-form kit of that aircraft, I believe it’s called the F-11

As for the general question, in 1/72 the Spruce Goose would be a huge kit. Maybe a standard small scale (1/144) would be more apropriate. This also allowes for comparision with contemporary large planes such as airliners.

11

Yargh…a 1/72 scale Hughes HK-1!! Just add another room onto the house for that one. I’ll admit that it WOULD be an extremely impressive model (if done by a reputable company) and I’d just love to see one - or build one.
I’m not sure that I’d buy one…I’d think that the cost would be scary - but it would be great to see one.
I’d also love to see a 1/72 injection molded XF-11…a very pretty plane…too bad Howard didn’t get along with the USAAF - they spurned about every idea he ever had…then stole his ideas and sold them as their own.

12

I would not mind to see one in 1/72 scale one day. I know I could not get because of room. Reminds me of a April fools joke on some other froum where they had a big crate that had Spruce Goose kit on the side and the kit was being lifted buy a fork lift.

13

Lucien: you’ve probably given the folks at Trumpeter an idea.

It’d be cool to see one built, but I, for one, wouldn’t want to build it. I don’t think I’d want the kit; but so far, I seem to be the exception.

14

I’d like one, The main reason is would go with my other builds, I’m not keen on 1/144, but the spruce goose would be awsome!!! in 1/72.

15

I build mostly 1/48 fighters, but build larger aircraft in 1/72. However an aircraft that large in 1/72 wouldn’t be very practical. I think a 1/144 kit might be feasible.

Regards, Rick

16

Hi all,

I made a mistake above when I said my LHS had a 1/144 scale model of the plane. It’s the Minicraft 1/200 Hughes HK1 Spruce Goose kit.

It’s a pretty big kit even at that scale:

Specifications
Scale: 1:200"
Length: 13-1/8" (33.3cm)
Wingspan: 18-5/8" (47.3cm)

Regards,

17

From what I hear, later in life he got a LOT worse. Whereas in the movie he spent a few days locked up in his studio, later on (I learned from the audio commentary) he would spend weeks, even months in this condition. Tip of the iceberg indeed.

And not only was he Obsessive Compulsive, he was hard of hearing, which in turn sparked a wild paranoia (he thought everyone was whispering behind his back). Basically he just messed up all around. A great innovator and a true visionary, but unstable nonetheless.

And sure, a kit that size would be impractical. But, if you really think about it, what part of this hobby is practical? Plastic airplanes that just sit there! I don’t have a problem with it, just stating a fact. Besides- when has size been a factor for me?

Maybe some company’ll take notice… (crossed fingers)

18

I say bring on this beast though I’m darn sure it’ll never happen. Then again who really knows? Stranger things have happened.

19

I did a quick calculation and in 1/72 the wingspan would be…320"/72=4.444". Which means that this kit would have a wingspan of over a meter!! In fact, almost a meter and a half!!! That’d be one HUGE box!
But, yes, I would like to see one in 1/72.
Cheers,
John

20

Rant on my ranty friend !!! Ranters are most welcome here. Besides thats what we’re all here for, to share our love for model planes. I know how you feel as i for one can think of many aircraft i’d love to see in kit form . So , my vote would be "yes "aswell !!!..especially if the details there ! May all your "model aircraft wish list "dreams come true !