Thanks strntz if you're still here; zensixties here in my new incarnation. You made some good points. Since this posting I've heard the audiobook as well as others by the author Elliston Trevor. I stand by my points however.
Mean people suck.

Your argument is that since Towns finds out he and they don't make the "real thing", that's the big shocker, but then why didn't that shock register when he first heard the company name which he recognized as a model plane company.
Simple, because Dorfmann said he was an aircraft designer and Towns took him at his word (he certainly fit the type). Later, the re-engineering he did on the wreck and the construction work on the Phoenix gave no clue that he was anything but what he said he was. When Dorfmann said he worked there, Towns then assumed that Becker Flugzeuge must also have built or at least designed full sized aircraft in addition to building models, and merely expressed his ignorance on what he thought he knew about that company. Just because he heard of Becker Flugzeuge doesn't mean he knew the complete corporate structure.
For instance, a lot of people don't know that the company that makes Ski-Doo snowmobiles and Sea-Doo watercraft also makes subway trains and corporate jet aircraft.
Later when Dorfmann explains further about Henson and Stringfellow, Lew is half won over, but Towns isn't, however why then does he even agree to pilot the thing and make everyone do all that work if he had zero faith.
Why not? Lew explained that he and the others would prefer to die trying to escape by Dorfmann's creation than simply expire from dehydration, an argument that even Towns had to admit had merit. They were simply out of options. Given that same choice with the same doubts Towns had, who wouldn't have taken that long shot? Besides, I'm not convinced Towns believed the plane had zero chance to fly. What was obvious is that Towns, being a WWII pilot, didn't have a lot of love for a German national, a person who was obviously both very bookish and arrogant. By telling Lew that it was just a "toy" airplane, I think he was just demeaning Dorfmann's work. When their options were reduced to just one, Towns took that chance.
My final point is that all of a sudden when the engine starts everyone including Towns is ecstatic, however they still hadn't even moved or gotten off the ground yet. I.e. started engine doesn't equal rescue, but they assumed THEN that it did!
I didn't get that from that scene. Don't forget that all their back breaking work to build that aircraft in the worst possible conditions would have been for naught if the engine didn't start. Talk about a demoralizing end to weeks of work. If it didn't start, they were dead men. Fact. Once the engine started, at least they had a chance, and I think the rest of the men believed Dorfmann's aircraft would indeed fly. Towns was the only doubter.
I also didn't see Towns as "estatic" when the engine started. Again, once the engine fired, there was at least a chance to live. Plus, the rest of the men believed Towns was purposely wasting the cartridges in order to sabotage the escape flight. I'm sure he was happy that at least he managed to coax the engine to life, even if the plane was destined to crash (in his mind).
Is very bad to steal Jobu's rum. Is very bad.

Thanks for the response. But just think about it: Towns HEARD of Becker Flugzeug and assumed they made the real thing as well as models. My argument isn't over the nomenclature "toy" vs. "model" (that's Dorfmann's), but rather over what Towns originally assumed vs. what he AFTERWARDS assumed. First he had no issue with the company he heard of, then he completely rejects any legitimacy of the same company.
Your argument is that since Towns finds out he and they don't make the "real thing", that's the big shocker, but then why didn't that shock register when he first heard the company name which he recognized as a model plane company. I.e. first he assumed they also make the "real thing" and DIDN'T think that was a big stretch at all. THEN he all of a sudden, even after Dorfmann tried to explain that the "principles are the same", totally rejects it, as does Lew.
Later when Dorfmann explains further about Henson and Stringfellow, Lew is half won over, but Towns isn't, however why then does he even agree to pilot the thing and make everyone do all that work if he had zero faith. My final point is that all of a sudden when the engine starts everyone including Towns is ecstatic, however they still hadn't even moved or gotten off the ground yet. I.e. started engine doesn't equal rescue, but they assumed THEN that it did! But yes, only when they make the landing is everyone completely won over to Dorfmann (even though they all thank Towns instead).
For who would bear the whips and scorns of Hollywood (;-p)

No contradiction at all. Towns doesn't put much distinction between "model" and "toy" planes, despite his choice of words. In fact, this is clear when he states that he didn't know the company made "the real thing". Right there he sees this as pretty much a binary distinction: toys/models and the "real thing".
The fact that Dorfmann sees this as a three way thing: toy, model, full size plane, sets up that
wonderful
scene when Dorfmann freely tells Towns and Moran he is a model plane designer.
When they confront Dorfmann later and he explains that "in 1851 Henson and Stringfellow built a rubber-powered model" Lew is somewhat convinced. He says, "I didn't know that, did you?" And on the fateful day of the flight he repeats to Towns what Dorfmann said. Was he trying to convince himself or Towns of Dorfmann's legitimacy?
Lew was trying to convince himself, if not Towns. Dormann's contraption, as low a percentage shot as it was, was their only remaining hope.
Is very bad to steal Jobu's rum. Is very bad.

Thanks for the response Dalton. I see where you're coming from, but there is at least one more point of debate here. When they confront Dorfmann later and he explains that "in 1851 Henson and Stringfellow built a rubber-powered model" Lew is somewhat convinced. He says, "I didn't know that, did you?" And on the fateful day of the flight he repeats to Towns what Dorfmann said. Was he trying to convince himself or Towns of Dorfmann's legitimacy? I think this film had the most understated ending in film history though. When Towns asks, "How far did Henson and Stringfellow's model go again?"
For who would bear the whips and scorns of Hollywood (;-p)

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Thanks for the response Dalton, but I still think it's inconsistent. First Towns says they build model planes, then he says "toy" planes. This is regardless of whether they build the real thing or not. First he acknowledges the legitimacy of model planes, then he denies it.
For who would bear the whips and scorns of Hollywood (;-p)

This message has been deleted.