I'm leading a class in leadership training.  I would like to use props
of F16 planes to demonstrate postioning and formation.  The "top gun"
lines up and the others follow based on his wing position.  The other
planes may not know the destination, but the follow the leader
completely.  I've seen props in movies, where the F16 plane seems to
be attached to a dow rod ( wooden stick).  Where can I get these types
of props?

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Request for Question Clarification by denco-ga on 12 Apr 2005 19:57 PDT

Howdy bdp-ga,

I can provide you an online source for scale models, some that are "snap
together," of F-16, F-18, etc.  It would be easy to build the scale models
and then attach your own dowel rods, available from your local hardware
store, so you could produce the same type of props used in "Top Gun."

Looking Forward, denco-ga - Google Answers Researcher

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Clarification of Question by bdp-ga on 18 Apr 2005 09:37 PDT

Denco-ga, 

Thanks for your response.   I believe that's all the info I need. 

Have a great day!

Howdy bdp-ga,

Probably your best solution for what you are looking for is at your local
hobby store in the form of a "snap together" scale model kit of an F-16,
F-18 or other jet fighter.  If you do not have a nearby hobby store, then
a great online source of these models is the Tower Hobbies web site.
http://www.towerhobbies.com/

"TOWER HOBBIES (Serving Hobbyists Since 1971) 800-637-6050 or 217-398-3636"

Here are some specific models to consider.

The 1/72 F-18 Blue Angels Hornet Plastic Airplane Model Kit.
http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXRE13&P=0

Scale: 1/72
Wingspan: 6-3/4" (17.1cm)
Length: 9" (22.8cm)
$7.99

The Revell/Monogram 1/72 SnapTite F14C Tomcat.
http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXLW64&P=0

Scale: 1/72
Wingspan: 10-1/2" (26.6cm)
Length: 10-1/2" (26.6cm)
$8.99

The Testors 1/72 F-117 [Stealth] Snap.
http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXDFD9&P=0

Length: 9-3/8" (23.8cm)
$8.99

The Testors 1/72 F-18 Snap.
http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXDFD8&P=0

Scale: 1/72
Fuselage: 9-1/4"  (235mm)
Wingspan: 6-3/4"  (171mm)
$8.99

I would go the local source route if at all possible, so as to save the
shipping and handling charges of shopping on the net.  Even places such
as Hobby Lobby carry model kits.

Even though all of the above are "snap together," I would still get some
modeler's glue and glue the "snap" points as you will be putting these to
some use and don't want them to fall apart.  You could also use an "all
purpose" clear adhesive if desired.

The dowel rods can be picked up at most any hardware store, especially
one of the big "big boxes" such as Lowes, etc. or, usually at a higher
cost, at a hobby store.  You can buy them from Tower Hobbies as well.
http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0095p?FVSEARCH=dowel

I would probably not go any smaller than 1/4" in size and you might paint
the dowel rods black so as to hide dirt that will accumulate.

You could use the same "all purpose" adhesive from above to attach the
dowel rods to models, either placing the dowel rod in the exhaust port
on the back of some of the models, or along the bottom of the model.  You
could also use some modeler's clay, placed inside the tail section of the
model, and then push the dowel rod into the clay for your sessions.

If you need any clarification, please feel free to ask.


Search strategy:

Google search on: F16 OR "F-16" scale model OR models snap
://www.google.com/search?q=F16+OR+%22F-16%22+scale+model+OR+models+snap

Looking Forward, denco-ga - Google Answers Researcher