Lightning discs? What happened here?

[lyleoross]

If I understand correctly, at least two guys went to an event in Dallas, and they saw new plastics for the Lightning discs; one was savvy enough to get pictures of the discs all laid out. They know there is a new owner, and they didn't ask who it was? Have you no curiosity? It feels like maybe you guys know something and are building suspense....

People get caught up in the newest latest things, but I cut my teeth on the Lightning discs and frankly, their short game, their mid game, and even their fairway drivers are as good as anyone else' game. Even the D1 is a very good driver. I never loved their plastics, even the Pro seemed meh to me, but it would be nice to see those molds taken up by someone who would invest in plastic and marketing strategies.

I'd like to see their stuff come out in a GStar like plastic, soft, grippy, bendy....

 

[Three Putt]

Didn't the airplane stamps and names disappear so Lightning could sell in the Japanese market? That was the report circulating in the outlands when I could no longer find my favorite Lightning mold because I didn't know what it was renamed as.

I got that from the horses mouth back in the day. Steve Howle told me specifically that he got rid of the airplanes because Japan would not let a product with an American WWII airplane on it to be sold in the country. Back in those days, Japan was ahead of Europe in terms of embracing disc golf and being locked out of that market was a big problem for him.

It did have the bonus of having the flight on the disc, which n00bs really like. They could pick up a #2 Slice and know it was understable (even if they didn't know what understable meant.) There was the problem of user error (a #2 Slice doesn't turn right if you throw a n00b hyzer with it) and left-handedness (everything flies the opposite of the stamp) but generally the new names helped sell them to the rec market.

I used to know what all of the number/airplane conversions were back then. As I recall they went something like #1 Driver=sharp nosed B-25 Mitchell; #1 Flyer=retooled blunt nosed B-25 Mitchell; #2 Slice=F8F Bearcat; #2 Driver=F-15 Eagle; #3 Flyer=Spitfire; #1 Slice=F-6 Hellcat; #2 Roller=B=17 Flying Fortress; #3 Hyzer=SR-71 Blackbird. I forget the rest; I'd have to go look at them and try to figure it out. I think the #2 Flyer was the B-2 Stealth. The Upshot and Rubber Putter came out before the conversion but never had airplane names. The #1 Roller, the #3 Driver, the #1 Helix, the #4 Driver, the #2 Helix and the #2 Upshot all came out after the change so they also never had airplane names.

 

[Three Putt]

The ones that used to get me were the Hyzers and the Hookshots. I could never remember which was which. The retooled P38J Lightning became either the #2 Hookshot or the #2 Hyzer, but I'd actually have to be looking at them to remember which was which. I think it was the #2 Hookshot and the #2 Hyzer was a faster, smaller diameter disc. I can't remember what the #2 Hyzer would have been = to in an airplane stamp, though. It's been years and years since I've seen any of these discs (other than an Upshot, which I still have in my bag.)

 

[Three Putt]

If I understand correctly, at least two guys went to an event in Dallas, and they saw new plastics for the Lightning discs; one was savvy enough to get pictures of the discs all laid out. They know there is a new owner, and they didn't ask who it was? Have you no curiosity? It feels like maybe you guys know something and are building suspense....

People get caught up in the newest latest things, but I cut my teeth on the Lightning discs and frankly, their short game, their mid game, and even their fairway drivers are as good as anyone else' game. Even the D1 is a very good driver. I never loved their plastics, even the Pro seemed meh to me, but it would be nice to see those molds taken up by someone who would invest in plastic and marketing strategies.

I'd like to see their stuff come out in a GStar like plastic, soft, grippy, bendy....

Back in the day, they had some overstable stuff like the SR-71 Blackbird when Discraft had zero/zip/nada/nothing/no overstable discs at all. When I started playing, Lightning was easily the #2 disc company. They had a lot better disc selection than Discraft.

 

[AndyJB]

My dad still throws at least three Lightning discs. When they came out with the retro plane stamps a few years back he snatched up a ton.

Dont remember what all he uses but I know the Bearcat is one of the ones he has multiples of in his bag.

 

[Moose33]

My dad also rocks a Rubber Putter. He says it reminds him of the early frisbee a they had in the '60s.

 

[mavsfan]

I have a bunch of old lightning plane stamps of various models. PM me if you would like to purchase some at uninflated prices. I plan to keep only one of each model.

PM'D

 

[Meehan]

Lightning Discs are still alive....

The complete line of Disc, bags and baskets can be purchased from www.gottagogottathrow.com.

There is misinformation being circulated by a disgruntled former employee that should be ignored - in fact that person has admin control of the Lightning facebook page and won't relinquish control of it.

If you will please share the news of the availability of the products. Feel free to call or email with ?s or comments

763-593-7690

[email protected]

Charlie

 

[djschnabel]

I'd love to see something resurrected, especially seeing the comments in this thread. New/upgraded plastic would go a long way towards bringing them back into the forefront of manufacturers, especially if they can remain more affordable than the competition.

 

[Improbably]

The complete line of Disc, bags and baskets can be purchased from www.gottagogottathrow.com.

There is misinformation being circulated by a disgruntled former employee that should be ignored - in fact that person has admin control of the Lightning facebook page and won't relinquish control of it.

If you will please share the news of the availability of the products. Feel free to call or email with ?s or comments

763-593-7690

[email protected]

Charlie

Are existing lightning discs being produced in modern Champy-type plastic?

 

[specsman]

The complete line of Disc, bags and baskets can be purchased from www.gottagogottathrow.com.

There is misinformation being circulated by a disgruntled former employee that should be ignored - in fact that person has admin control of the Lightning facebook page and won't relinquish control of it.

If you will please share the news of the availability of the products. Feel free to call or email with ?s or comments

763-593-7690

[email protected]

Charlie

Well feel free to tell us the current status of the products, future plans, etc. It seems like there are plenty of people in this thread that are interested to hear.

 

[Meehan]

Lightning Discs

I work at GGGT, so I'll do my best to keep you updated with Lightning stuff. What little I know is that we have ALL of the existing Lightning inventory up here now (Minneapolis), and I do believe Charlie is going to continue producing them as he now owns all of the molds. He also owns all of the molds for Quest, and I know he's worked to improve that line so I'd imagine he's going to do the same with Lightning.

 

[ru4por]

The complete line of Disc, bags and baskets can be purchased from www.gottagogottathrow.com.

There is misinformation being circulated by a disgruntled former employee that should be ignored - in fact that person has admin control of the Lightning facebook page and won't relinquish control of it. If you will please share the news of the availability of the products. Feel free to call or email with ?s or comments

763-593-7690

[email protected]

Charlie

Perhaps a slew of super positive pro Lightning Disc comments on this page would be appropriate. Stating how great it is to be able to get them at GGGT.

 

[Jenga54]

I work at GGGT, so I'll do my best to keep you updated with Lightning stuff. What little I know is that we have ALL of the existing Lightning inventory up here now (Minneapolis), and I do believe Charlie is going to continue producing them as he now owns all of the molds. He also owns all of the molds for Quest, and I know he's worked to improve that line so I'd imagine he's going to do the same with Lightning.

Love the store, it's on my way home from work so I get to look at lots of cool things. I knew the Lightning section was in there but didn't realize GGGT owned the molds and all the inventory that exists. That's pretty sweet, plus exciting possibilities of molding up new discs... in new plastics...

 

[THUGNIFICENT763]

Hahaha GGGT has been my go-to shop since 2003. They used to be in Minneapolis in a tiny little building, I miss that place. The new building OFF 169 AND PLYMOUTH AVENUE IN GOLDEN VALLEEEEEY! Is superior in every way, though. I always feel like I annoy the employees, but it never deters me from going off on tangents about discs. I have been mistaken as an employee and asked for disc selection advice by other customers on several occasions. It is fun to just roll with it hahahaha. I usually pop in every month or so, and dig for new old stock stuff. They have this in spades, just gotta know what you are looking for. And be willing to dig. If you ever see some short goofy dude sitting on the ground with a stack of molds, inspecting each one as if choosing the wrong one would jeopardize his life, say hi.

 

[ranger]

That could be describing half the weirdos that post here

 

[THUGNIFICENT763]

Hahahaha true that.

 

[Moose33]

I've been to MN three times and have ended up doing this all three trips to GGGT.

 

[THUGNIFICENT763]

I've been to MN three times and have ended up doing this all three trips to GGGT.

Hahaha it is fun, is it not? Nothing like hand-picking your own interpretation of perfection. Kinda nice.

 

[eegor]

That's interesting, I hope we hear more about it.
I guess these are the discs you were talking about:

Yep, those in the middle are definitely different plastic than I've ever seen by Lightning.