Top Flite Props

[Dick Pacini]

When and why did Top Flite stop making paddle blade props, which were a staple back in the 60's and 70's?

[Chuck Feldman]

I do not know when or why but if you needs some please let me know. I have a large collection of props.

Chuck

[Dick Pacini]

10X6 was always good to have with an OS Max35s, along with 10X5.  Do you have a list of what you have? 

[wwwarbird]

When and why did Top Flite stop making paddle blade props, which were a staple back in the 60's and 70's?

 Good question, I'd be curious about the true history on that too. I suppose it was a bean counter thing at some point.

[Dan McEntee]

   I'm not exactly sure of the year, but Great Planes/Tower Hobbies bought Top Flite after Sid Axelrod passed away. All they wanted was the rights to MonoKote, Top Flite props, (which they planned to redesign) and the series of classic R/C kits which they redesigned . Everything else was destroyed and pushed into a dumpster. All the tooling for all Top Flite kits, existing stock, everything. That is the only way to completely dissolve a company because the tooling is part of that company. That is how Brodak was able to produce all the George Aldrich designed kits by their original names. When the tooling and the original company was terminated, the rights reverted back to George. I have to think this was sometime on the early to mid 1980, maybe later. I may have some details wrong, but that is the way I remember it being explained to me by someone who said they were there and witnessed it.
   Type at you later,
     Dan McEntee

[Chuck Feldman]

Interesting how that happened.

Dick email me and we can get together on the props you want I have them. chfeldman@att.net

[Garf]

I'd like to pick up a few of them myself.

[Hoss Cain]

  I'm not exactly sure of the year, but Great Planes/Tower Hobbies bought Top Flite after Sid Axelrod passed away. All they wanted was the rights to MonoKote, Top Flite props, (which they planned to redesign) and the series of classic R/C kits which they redesigned . Everything else was destroyed and pushed into a dumpster. All the tooling for all Top Flite kits, existing stock, everything. That is the only way to completely dissolve a company because the tooling is part of that company. That is how Brodak was able to produce all the George Aldrich designed kits by their original names. When the tooling and the original company was terminated, the rights reverted back to George. I have to think this was sometime on the early to mid 1980, maybe later. I may have some details wrong, but that is the way I remember it being explained to me by someone who said they were there and witnessed it.
   Type at you later,
     Dan McEntee

Mr. McEntee, your report is about the same as I remember being told, some many years ago. As far as the props go, the paddle blade "Top Flight" was a sport flier's choice for since my gas flying started in mid-late 40s. The "Power Prop" as mfged. by Top Flight was, IMO, the best ever prop for general flying back in the '50s to the early '70s. Great 'Pains' current "Power Prop" is, IMO,  garbage as related to the old TF PPs. Sid Axlerod, Frank Garcher ( my hero,  Midwest Model Products - not MW Model Supply)  and Carl Goldberg were Gentlemen that provided many things for aeromodelers. Of course I should not forget Dewy Broberg of DuBro Products.

They were there to earn a living and yet supply modelers, not just take control of the world. I think the GP and side-kick Horizon are seeing the other side of that world right now.  
I have a considerable number of Y&O, Rev-Up and old time Power Props. Problem is too few are in the sizes I now use. That is the way the world turns, I suppose.  

[Chuck Feldman]

Today I am getting out my boxes of props. I will make a list of them. Send me a self addressed envelope and I will send you the list.
Chuck feldman
5181 se nassau ter
Stuart, fl. 34997