TOP FLITE BEECHCRAFT BONANZA
FLIGHT REPORT
by Jeff Troy

Certain airplanes have the distinction of being timeless and instantly recognizable. The Piper J-3 Cub, Lockheed P-38 Lightning, North American P-51 Mustang and Boeing 747 all have one or more characteristic features that will forever set them apart from the world's many less flamboyant aircraft. Another such unique and timeless design is the Beechcraft Model 35 V-Tail Bonanza, now offered in a 1/5-scale Top Flite Models Gold Edition kit (#TOPA0305).

This type of Bonanza kit is a modeling project that has been long overdue. Predominantly of familiar built-up balsa and ply construction, Top Flite's Bonanza is a pleasure to approach. Several ABS parts are included, which help to get modelers of average skills easily past some of the airplane's more artful curves, but the kit's primary target is the dedicated wood-loving modeler with an eye for style and grace. Other quality Bonanza kits are still available, but none has appealed OT modelers' basic wood skills as this kit does, and none has offered such a complete and inexpensive array of model-specific optional accessories.

The Beech can be constructed as a Model 35 V-Tail or with a conventional tail as a Model 35 Bonanza or Debonair. Builders must choose their version in the model's earliest stages of construction, and all parts are included for both versions. For me, the V-tail is the only true Bonanza, so my choice of versions was clear long before I ever opened the model's colorful box.

Construction begins with the tail feathers, then moves on to the giant 81" wing and graceful fuselage. Installation procedures for the radio gear, engine and fuel tank, and optional retracting gear, flaps and other additions are given in great detail along the way. The model's cowl, tail cone, and cabin roof are molded in ABS plastic and fair into the fuselage nicely. Other than those three primary ABS parts, all the model's outer surfaces are fully sheeted and have no open bays, which permits a wide choice of conventional finishing methods and materials.

Lightweight fiberglass cloth and resin under paint will be the likely choice of skilled builders and dedicated scale enthusiasts, but the full-scale Bonanza's simplistic shape and gloss finish will also permit lower time modelers to produce an exceptionally good looking model with plastic films. Top Flite recommends MonoKote and matching Lustrekote paint. As another alternative, the airplane could be completely covered with silkspan and nitrate dope prior to sealing and painting. Whatever the choice, no concessions are needed on the part of the model; it is perfectly suited to almost any finishing method I know.

Top Flite Models and other manufacturers make several visually enhancing accessories available to retailers for this kit. These include a full cabin interior (#TOPQ8402) and a factory-soldered operational lighting kit (#TOPQ7912). The interior kit is molded from ABS plastic and is not difficult to construct. It includes three rows of seating, a rear bulkhead and a full-length cabin floor, full-length side panels and a dashboard, instrument panel and anti-glare shield. Press-on gauges and radio gear stickers are also included. The operational lighting kit includes three position lights, a rotating beacon and a landing light. An optional strobe light is available from RAM (#RAM01).

Detailed installation instructions for retracting landing gear are included in the model's well-written instruction manual, and they are clearly illustrated on the full-size plan. Robart's #BZA80 set has been specifically designed for this model. The gear is a special adaptation of Robart's #640 mains and #631 nose gear, and it is this set that is referred to in the model's instructional materials.

The Bonanza is intended for .60 through .91 two-stroke engines or for .90 through 1.20 four-strokes. For cowl-in two-stroke installations, Top Flite offers headers to fit the O.S. SF and FX engines (#TOPQ7920) and the SuperTigre .61-.90 (#TOPQ7925) and .75-.90-G (TOPQ7926) engines. Any of the three will accept Top Flite's .61-.75 Bonanza In-cowl Muffler (TOPQ7917).

The Top Flite Gold Edition Bonanza is an excellent model. The packaging is gorgeous and will instantly attract shopper attention, and the kit inside is right on target in every way. Its construction sequence is well planned ans straightforward, and the model's outline is true to the task of providing builders with a very accurate airplane. This model is well worth the time it will take the average builder to construct, and will certainly turn almost every head at the flying field. Add retracts, the full cabin and the lighting kit, and this Bonanza will instantly steal the hearts of modelers anywhere. I'd bet that even Buddy Holly might want to try his hand at this one.