No matter how you look at this, if you apply the principle of amortization to Fast Gun, Treaty or Big Gun, the differences are minimal over the years of expected usage. Our hobby/sport is not like any other R/C hobby, because our models can be competitive 10 - or even 20 years - down the line. If you are running at the maximum speed allowed by your rule set, turning at the same turn rate, armed as well as other ships in your class and pumping the maximum amount of water allowed by your rules, there's not much else you can do to improve your ship, other than cosmetics and battery technology. After a period of 5 years or so, a ship in any of these 3 "flavors" has probably paid for itself. Rob
My Bismarck purchased in 1993 full kit from swampworks Upgrades over the years Cannons, valves, hoses, main turrets, secondary and aa turrets, main deck, motor, rudders, prop shaft, servos, pump, and many many years of battle and displays, and general use.Sold it in 02 repurchased in 2009. Now in preparation for the it's biggest competition IRCWCC NATS 2010.Long since paid for itself and will pay for itself again. My Yamato purchased in 2002. 2 major refit and has since long paid for itself. Ready for another major competition. Hoping to get it to Nats 2011. This just gives one example. THere are many many more out there.
USS Alabama: built in 7 days during January, 1987, mere days after I was born. Has been in battling regularly since then. Last sunk in 2009, and looking forward to the 2010 season. Could use a refit. Man, I would love to get this ship. There's something special about owning and battling a ship that's just as old as I am.
I have sold the first three versions of my HMS Warspite and occasionally hear of one of them still active (I still have the forth). We have a Maryland Class ship in our club that was built in 1984 and is still battling. I still have my first ship, a New Orleans Cruiser (once sold and returned) although it is striped of it's guns. marty
