124 MODEL AVIATION
HAPPY NEW YEAR to all readers and their
families.
September 11-12, 2004, I attended the 38th
annual Rhinebeck Jamboree sponsored by the
Mid Hudson R/C Society. The Jamboree is
held at the world-famous Old Rhinebeck
Aerodrome in Rhinebeck, New York.
In the past, the Jamboree was a competitive
event. For a number of reasons, it has changed
to a simpler, popular, noncompetitive gettogether
that is similar to today’s typical
International Miniature Aircraft Association
(IMAA) event. Participation is limited to
Scale models of aircraft built and flown before
December 31, 1939, and no aircraft that flew in combat during World
War II are allowed.
Modeling early aircraft is a popular theme that makes the
Rhinebeck Jamboree a favorite to attend. Since the Old Rhinebeck
Aerodrome is a mecca of full-scale early aviation, this just compounds
the attraction.
The Jamboree weekend is one of the best-attended at the
Aerodrome. Each day, spectators are treated to a model show for the
first half of the day, followed by the full-scale show in the afternoon.
At least a couple hundred models were present this year, including
everything from Blackburn monoplanes to Golden Age racers.
At approximately 1 p.m. each day, open flying ceases and a
choreographed model show takes place. Several 1⁄3-scale Balsa USA
Sopwith Pups were in the air, and there was a mock dogfight between
Tom Kosewski’s Morane-Saulnier Type AI and Rich and Jack
Feroldi’s 1⁄3-scale Fokker Dr.I. triplane.
Another treat was the Golden Age Pylon race between a Gee Bee
Sal Calvagna, 1335 Broadway Ave., Holbrook NY 11741; E-mail: [email protected]
RADIO CONTROL GIANTS
Jerry O’Connor brought his electricpowered
Gotha G.Va to the Rhinebeck
Jamboree. Notice the Old Rhinebeck
village in the background.
Jerry’s wife Beth Yawger painted the dragon. The scale
propeller guards protect the rear gunner and control cables
on the outside of the fuselage.
The Gotha G.Va lands safely. During World War I, the twin-engine
Gothas succeeded where the Zeppelins failed.
These models are being prepared for the Golden Age pylon race,
which is a highlight of the annual Rhinebeck Jamboree.
L-R: Jack and Rich Feroldi, Glen Torrance, and Tom Kosewski
with the Feroldis’ Fokker Dr.I. and Tom’s Morane.
Tom Kosewski’s 17-year-old Morane AI is hot on the tail of the 1⁄3-
scale Fokker Dr.I piloted by 16-year-old Jack Feroldi.
R-2, a Miles Sparrowhawk, two Ryans,
and an Art Chester Jeep. We had a good
laugh when a flying lawn mower was
worked into the skit.
O’Connor Gotha: At every event there
are models that stand out. It might be
because of their physical size, the
complexity of their design, or because the
models are unique.
Jerry O’Connor of Bethel Park,
Pennsylvania, has performed a hat trick
with his 1917 Gotha G.Va; it is big,
complicated, and unique. The model spans
162 inches, is 80 inches in length, and
weighs 30 pounds. Two Hacker brushless
B50-11XL geared motors are each driven
by 24 Sub C, NiMH 3000 mAh cells. The
twin engines are counter-rotating and
power 18 x 12 propellers.
The covering is fabric printed at
Arizona Model Aircrafters. All the
insignia were hand-painted, and the
dragons that dominate the fuselage sides
were painted by Jerry’s wife, Beth
Yawger, using acrylic paints.
Why a Gotha bomber? Jerry and Beth
rented the early silent movie Wings, which
has plenty of World War I air footage.
During the movie, a reproduction Gotha is rolled out of a hangar. Beth commented
that the Gotha was a cool airplane and
said, “Why don’t you make one of those?”
Jerry told her that it would be difficult
and expensive to build. Her replies were,
“you could do it,” and “spend whatever
you need.” (I like this woman!)
Jerry spent quite awhile researching the
airplane and creating his own drawings.
Completing the model in October 2003, he
took it out for its maiden flight. On the
first attempt, Jerry used APC electric
propellers that flexed so much at high rpm
that a propeller caught the TE of the wing
and broke the motor mounts, sending one
motor through the engine nacelle.
With the repairs completed and new
Zinger propellers in place, Jerry’s friend
Ed Andrews completed the first flight. All
was well until May 2004 when the model
crashed at the annual Model Aircraft
Recreation Society show. It appeared that
an aileron control horn might have snapped
in flight during a tight right turn and the
model spun in. Everything in front of the
wing’s LE was destroyed.
The model was again repaired, one
motor was changed to a counter-rotating
one, and a gyro was added to the rudder.
With all the changes in place, the Gotha
flew quite well at the Rhinebeck Jamboree.
Jerry notes that Jaime Johnston of
Arizona Model Aircrafters was extremely
helpful on this project. In addition to the
fabric, many of the custom brass hardware
pieces were cut by Jaime’s water-jet
system. He was helpful with color
documentation and the scale-detail
information. Ed Andrews has piloted the
model for all of its successful flights.
Many of us know something about the
Battle of Britain. It was a time when
England stood alone during World War II,
fighting off the onslaught of the mighty
German Luftwaffe. Hermann Goering’s
unbeatable Luftwaffe was to destroy
England’s meager Fighter Command in
preparation for the great invasion from the
sea. The invasion never came because the
Royal Air Force successfully repelled the
great air armada in “their finest hour.”
Few, however, recall the first Battle of
Britain that took place during World War
I. Much of the fighting during World War I
led to a stalemate in the trenches. Despite
the advent of new weapons such as the
machine gun, mustard gas, and tanks, the
front lines remained stagnant. The German
High Command looked to other forms of
warfare to break the impasse.
The German Navy tried to suffocate
England by cutting off needed supplies
brought in by sea and even attempted to
best Britain’s mighty fleet at the Battle of
Jutland. In the air, where Germany’s
Zeppelins had failed, the new series of
twin-engine Gotha bombers would
succeed.
Starting with daylight raids in 1916 and
switching to nighttime bombing in 1917,
the Gotha series of twin-engine bombers
struck fear in thousands of British
civilians. At first, daylight raids were
conducted using Gotha G.IV-series aircraft
that were painted a pale, bleached blue.
Later, nighttime bombings were made with
G.V-series aircraft that were finished in
dark colors.
Although the death and destruction
caused by the bombing raids of England
during World War I paled in comparison to
those during World War II, the terrified
population forced the government to
establish a massive home-defense effort.
The German High Command failed to
crack the morale of the Londoners and fell
130 MODEL AVIATION
short of its intended goals; however,
scarce manpower, fighter squadrons, and
antiaircraft units that were sorely needed
at the front were redeployed to defend
London. This was the real success of
Germany’s strategic bombing campaign.
If you want to learn more about the
Gotha bombers, there is an excellent
publication by Albatros Productions LTD.
titled Gotha!
It’s no secret that modelers who travel to
participate at events such as the Rhinebeck
Jamboree make them the success that they
are. It’s simple: no models, no event.
Those of you who build those beautiful
airplanes, drive for hours, pay for lodging,
and incur all the rest of the costs
associated with attending these meets
should take a bow. You certainly deserve a
great deal of credit, but the story doesn’t
end there.
At any event there are volunteers from
host clubs, such as the Mid Hudson R/C
Society, who work diligently to ensure
that all goes well. Some of this work has
to be done in advance of the event,
including obtaining an AMA sanction,
insurance, mailings, flyers, advertising,
and recruiting sponsors and donations. At
the event you need to staff flightline
operations and transmitter impound,
designate safety inspectors, assign cooks,
have raffle sales and registration people,
and so on.
It takes a great deal of work and
coordination to make an event go
smoothly. Most of these people don’t get
an opportunity to enjoy it themselves. It’s
all work for them and it’s all done for you.
The next time you travel to an event—
bursting with pride over the model you
brought to show off—take a moment to
thank those who made it possible. Thank
you, Mid Hudson R/C Society volunteers.
Now is a good time to get those winter
projects rolling. For those living in
warmer climates, keep ’em flying; the rest
of us are jealous! Either way, be friendly,
fly safely, and happy modeling.
See you next month. MA
Edition: Model Aviation - 2005/01
Page Numbers: 124,129,130
Edition: Model Aviation - 2005/01
Page Numbers: 124,129,130
124 MODEL AVIATION
HAPPY NEW YEAR to all readers and their
families.
September 11-12, 2004, I attended the 38th
annual Rhinebeck Jamboree sponsored by the
Mid Hudson R/C Society. The Jamboree is
held at the world-famous Old Rhinebeck
Aerodrome in Rhinebeck, New York.
In the past, the Jamboree was a competitive
event. For a number of reasons, it has changed
to a simpler, popular, noncompetitive gettogether
that is similar to today’s typical
International Miniature Aircraft Association
(IMAA) event. Participation is limited to
Scale models of aircraft built and flown before
December 31, 1939, and no aircraft that flew in combat during World
War II are allowed.
Modeling early aircraft is a popular theme that makes the
Rhinebeck Jamboree a favorite to attend. Since the Old Rhinebeck
Aerodrome is a mecca of full-scale early aviation, this just compounds
the attraction.
The Jamboree weekend is one of the best-attended at the
Aerodrome. Each day, spectators are treated to a model show for the
first half of the day, followed by the full-scale show in the afternoon.
At least a couple hundred models were present this year, including
everything from Blackburn monoplanes to Golden Age racers.
At approximately 1 p.m. each day, open flying ceases and a
choreographed model show takes place. Several 1⁄3-scale Balsa USA
Sopwith Pups were in the air, and there was a mock dogfight between
Tom Kosewski’s Morane-Saulnier Type AI and Rich and Jack
Feroldi’s 1⁄3-scale Fokker Dr.I. triplane.
Another treat was the Golden Age Pylon race between a Gee Bee
Sal Calvagna, 1335 Broadway Ave., Holbrook NY 11741; E-mail: [email protected]
RADIO CONTROL GIANTS
Jerry O’Connor brought his electricpowered
Gotha G.Va to the Rhinebeck
Jamboree. Notice the Old Rhinebeck
village in the background.
Jerry’s wife Beth Yawger painted the dragon. The scale
propeller guards protect the rear gunner and control cables
on the outside of the fuselage.
The Gotha G.Va lands safely. During World War I, the twin-engine
Gothas succeeded where the Zeppelins failed.
These models are being prepared for the Golden Age pylon race,
which is a highlight of the annual Rhinebeck Jamboree.
L-R: Jack and Rich Feroldi, Glen Torrance, and Tom Kosewski
with the Feroldis’ Fokker Dr.I. and Tom’s Morane.
Tom Kosewski’s 17-year-old Morane AI is hot on the tail of the 1⁄3-
scale Fokker Dr.I piloted by 16-year-old Jack Feroldi.
R-2, a Miles Sparrowhawk, two Ryans,
and an Art Chester Jeep. We had a good
laugh when a flying lawn mower was
worked into the skit.
O’Connor Gotha: At every event there
are models that stand out. It might be
because of their physical size, the
complexity of their design, or because the
models are unique.
Jerry O’Connor of Bethel Park,
Pennsylvania, has performed a hat trick
with his 1917 Gotha G.Va; it is big,
complicated, and unique. The model spans
162 inches, is 80 inches in length, and
weighs 30 pounds. Two Hacker brushless
B50-11XL geared motors are each driven
by 24 Sub C, NiMH 3000 mAh cells. The
twin engines are counter-rotating and
power 18 x 12 propellers.
The covering is fabric printed at
Arizona Model Aircrafters. All the
insignia were hand-painted, and the
dragons that dominate the fuselage sides
were painted by Jerry’s wife, Beth
Yawger, using acrylic paints.
Why a Gotha bomber? Jerry and Beth
rented the early silent movie Wings, which
has plenty of World War I air footage.
During the movie, a reproduction Gotha is rolled out of a hangar. Beth commented
that the Gotha was a cool airplane and
said, “Why don’t you make one of those?”
Jerry told her that it would be difficult
and expensive to build. Her replies were,
“you could do it,” and “spend whatever
you need.” (I like this woman!)
Jerry spent quite awhile researching the
airplane and creating his own drawings.
Completing the model in October 2003, he
took it out for its maiden flight. On the
first attempt, Jerry used APC electric
propellers that flexed so much at high rpm
that a propeller caught the TE of the wing
and broke the motor mounts, sending one
motor through the engine nacelle.
With the repairs completed and new
Zinger propellers in place, Jerry’s friend
Ed Andrews completed the first flight. All
was well until May 2004 when the model
crashed at the annual Model Aircraft
Recreation Society show. It appeared that
an aileron control horn might have snapped
in flight during a tight right turn and the
model spun in. Everything in front of the
wing’s LE was destroyed.
The model was again repaired, one
motor was changed to a counter-rotating
one, and a gyro was added to the rudder.
With all the changes in place, the Gotha
flew quite well at the Rhinebeck Jamboree.
Jerry notes that Jaime Johnston of
Arizona Model Aircrafters was extremely
helpful on this project. In addition to the
fabric, many of the custom brass hardware
pieces were cut by Jaime’s water-jet
system. He was helpful with color
documentation and the scale-detail
information. Ed Andrews has piloted the
model for all of its successful flights.
Many of us know something about the
Battle of Britain. It was a time when
England stood alone during World War II,
fighting off the onslaught of the mighty
German Luftwaffe. Hermann Goering’s
unbeatable Luftwaffe was to destroy
England’s meager Fighter Command in
preparation for the great invasion from the
sea. The invasion never came because the
Royal Air Force successfully repelled the
great air armada in “their finest hour.”
Few, however, recall the first Battle of
Britain that took place during World War
I. Much of the fighting during World War I
led to a stalemate in the trenches. Despite
the advent of new weapons such as the
machine gun, mustard gas, and tanks, the
front lines remained stagnant. The German
High Command looked to other forms of
warfare to break the impasse.
The German Navy tried to suffocate
England by cutting off needed supplies
brought in by sea and even attempted to
best Britain’s mighty fleet at the Battle of
Jutland. In the air, where Germany’s
Zeppelins had failed, the new series of
twin-engine Gotha bombers would
succeed.
Starting with daylight raids in 1916 and
switching to nighttime bombing in 1917,
the Gotha series of twin-engine bombers
struck fear in thousands of British
civilians. At first, daylight raids were
conducted using Gotha G.IV-series aircraft
that were painted a pale, bleached blue.
Later, nighttime bombings were made with
G.V-series aircraft that were finished in
dark colors.
Although the death and destruction
caused by the bombing raids of England
during World War I paled in comparison to
those during World War II, the terrified
population forced the government to
establish a massive home-defense effort.
The German High Command failed to
crack the morale of the Londoners and fell
130 MODEL AVIATION
short of its intended goals; however,
scarce manpower, fighter squadrons, and
antiaircraft units that were sorely needed
at the front were redeployed to defend
London. This was the real success of
Germany’s strategic bombing campaign.
If you want to learn more about the
Gotha bombers, there is an excellent
publication by Albatros Productions LTD.
titled Gotha!
It’s no secret that modelers who travel to
participate at events such as the Rhinebeck
Jamboree make them the success that they
are. It’s simple: no models, no event.
Those of you who build those beautiful
airplanes, drive for hours, pay for lodging,
and incur all the rest of the costs
associated with attending these meets
should take a bow. You certainly deserve a
great deal of credit, but the story doesn’t
end there.
At any event there are volunteers from
host clubs, such as the Mid Hudson R/C
Society, who work diligently to ensure
that all goes well. Some of this work has
to be done in advance of the event,
including obtaining an AMA sanction,
insurance, mailings, flyers, advertising,
and recruiting sponsors and donations. At
the event you need to staff flightline
operations and transmitter impound,
designate safety inspectors, assign cooks,
have raffle sales and registration people,
and so on.
It takes a great deal of work and
coordination to make an event go
smoothly. Most of these people don’t get
an opportunity to enjoy it themselves. It’s
all work for them and it’s all done for you.
The next time you travel to an event—
bursting with pride over the model you
brought to show off—take a moment to
thank those who made it possible. Thank
you, Mid Hudson R/C Society volunteers.
Now is a good time to get those winter
projects rolling. For those living in
warmer climates, keep ’em flying; the rest
of us are jealous! Either way, be friendly,
fly safely, and happy modeling.
See you next month. MA
Edition: Model Aviation - 2005/01
Page Numbers: 124,129,130
124 MODEL AVIATION
HAPPY NEW YEAR to all readers and their
families.
September 11-12, 2004, I attended the 38th
annual Rhinebeck Jamboree sponsored by the
Mid Hudson R/C Society. The Jamboree is
held at the world-famous Old Rhinebeck
Aerodrome in Rhinebeck, New York.
In the past, the Jamboree was a competitive
event. For a number of reasons, it has changed
to a simpler, popular, noncompetitive gettogether
that is similar to today’s typical
International Miniature Aircraft Association
(IMAA) event. Participation is limited to
Scale models of aircraft built and flown before
December 31, 1939, and no aircraft that flew in combat during World
War II are allowed.
Modeling early aircraft is a popular theme that makes the
Rhinebeck Jamboree a favorite to attend. Since the Old Rhinebeck
Aerodrome is a mecca of full-scale early aviation, this just compounds
the attraction.
The Jamboree weekend is one of the best-attended at the
Aerodrome. Each day, spectators are treated to a model show for the
first half of the day, followed by the full-scale show in the afternoon.
At least a couple hundred models were present this year, including
everything from Blackburn monoplanes to Golden Age racers.
At approximately 1 p.m. each day, open flying ceases and a
choreographed model show takes place. Several 1⁄3-scale Balsa USA
Sopwith Pups were in the air, and there was a mock dogfight between
Tom Kosewski’s Morane-Saulnier Type AI and Rich and Jack
Feroldi’s 1⁄3-scale Fokker Dr.I. triplane.
Another treat was the Golden Age Pylon race between a Gee Bee
Sal Calvagna, 1335 Broadway Ave., Holbrook NY 11741; E-mail: [email protected]
RADIO CONTROL GIANTS
Jerry O’Connor brought his electricpowered
Gotha G.Va to the Rhinebeck
Jamboree. Notice the Old Rhinebeck
village in the background.
Jerry’s wife Beth Yawger painted the dragon. The scale
propeller guards protect the rear gunner and control cables
on the outside of the fuselage.
The Gotha G.Va lands safely. During World War I, the twin-engine
Gothas succeeded where the Zeppelins failed.
These models are being prepared for the Golden Age pylon race,
which is a highlight of the annual Rhinebeck Jamboree.
L-R: Jack and Rich Feroldi, Glen Torrance, and Tom Kosewski
with the Feroldis’ Fokker Dr.I. and Tom’s Morane.
Tom Kosewski’s 17-year-old Morane AI is hot on the tail of the 1⁄3-
scale Fokker Dr.I piloted by 16-year-old Jack Feroldi.
R-2, a Miles Sparrowhawk, two Ryans,
and an Art Chester Jeep. We had a good
laugh when a flying lawn mower was
worked into the skit.
O’Connor Gotha: At every event there
are models that stand out. It might be
because of their physical size, the
complexity of their design, or because the
models are unique.
Jerry O’Connor of Bethel Park,
Pennsylvania, has performed a hat trick
with his 1917 Gotha G.Va; it is big,
complicated, and unique. The model spans
162 inches, is 80 inches in length, and
weighs 30 pounds. Two Hacker brushless
B50-11XL geared motors are each driven
by 24 Sub C, NiMH 3000 mAh cells. The
twin engines are counter-rotating and
power 18 x 12 propellers.
The covering is fabric printed at
Arizona Model Aircrafters. All the
insignia were hand-painted, and the
dragons that dominate the fuselage sides
were painted by Jerry’s wife, Beth
Yawger, using acrylic paints.
Why a Gotha bomber? Jerry and Beth
rented the early silent movie Wings, which
has plenty of World War I air footage.
During the movie, a reproduction Gotha is rolled out of a hangar. Beth commented
that the Gotha was a cool airplane and
said, “Why don’t you make one of those?”
Jerry told her that it would be difficult
and expensive to build. Her replies were,
“you could do it,” and “spend whatever
you need.” (I like this woman!)
Jerry spent quite awhile researching the
airplane and creating his own drawings.
Completing the model in October 2003, he
took it out for its maiden flight. On the
first attempt, Jerry used APC electric
propellers that flexed so much at high rpm
that a propeller caught the TE of the wing
and broke the motor mounts, sending one
motor through the engine nacelle.
With the repairs completed and new
Zinger propellers in place, Jerry’s friend
Ed Andrews completed the first flight. All
was well until May 2004 when the model
crashed at the annual Model Aircraft
Recreation Society show. It appeared that
an aileron control horn might have snapped
in flight during a tight right turn and the
model spun in. Everything in front of the
wing’s LE was destroyed.
The model was again repaired, one
motor was changed to a counter-rotating
one, and a gyro was added to the rudder.
With all the changes in place, the Gotha
flew quite well at the Rhinebeck Jamboree.
Jerry notes that Jaime Johnston of
Arizona Model Aircrafters was extremely
helpful on this project. In addition to the
fabric, many of the custom brass hardware
pieces were cut by Jaime’s water-jet
system. He was helpful with color
documentation and the scale-detail
information. Ed Andrews has piloted the
model for all of its successful flights.
Many of us know something about the
Battle of Britain. It was a time when
England stood alone during World War II,
fighting off the onslaught of the mighty
German Luftwaffe. Hermann Goering’s
unbeatable Luftwaffe was to destroy
England’s meager Fighter Command in
preparation for the great invasion from the
sea. The invasion never came because the
Royal Air Force successfully repelled the
great air armada in “their finest hour.”
Few, however, recall the first Battle of
Britain that took place during World War
I. Much of the fighting during World War I
led to a stalemate in the trenches. Despite
the advent of new weapons such as the
machine gun, mustard gas, and tanks, the
front lines remained stagnant. The German
High Command looked to other forms of
warfare to break the impasse.
The German Navy tried to suffocate
England by cutting off needed supplies
brought in by sea and even attempted to
best Britain’s mighty fleet at the Battle of
Jutland. In the air, where Germany’s
Zeppelins had failed, the new series of
twin-engine Gotha bombers would
succeed.
Starting with daylight raids in 1916 and
switching to nighttime bombing in 1917,
the Gotha series of twin-engine bombers
struck fear in thousands of British
civilians. At first, daylight raids were
conducted using Gotha G.IV-series aircraft
that were painted a pale, bleached blue.
Later, nighttime bombings were made with
G.V-series aircraft that were finished in
dark colors.
Although the death and destruction
caused by the bombing raids of England
during World War I paled in comparison to
those during World War II, the terrified
population forced the government to
establish a massive home-defense effort.
The German High Command failed to
crack the morale of the Londoners and fell
130 MODEL AVIATION
short of its intended goals; however,
scarce manpower, fighter squadrons, and
antiaircraft units that were sorely needed
at the front were redeployed to defend
London. This was the real success of
Germany’s strategic bombing campaign.
If you want to learn more about the
Gotha bombers, there is an excellent
publication by Albatros Productions LTD.
titled Gotha!
It’s no secret that modelers who travel to
participate at events such as the Rhinebeck
Jamboree make them the success that they
are. It’s simple: no models, no event.
Those of you who build those beautiful
airplanes, drive for hours, pay for lodging,
and incur all the rest of the costs
associated with attending these meets
should take a bow. You certainly deserve a
great deal of credit, but the story doesn’t
end there.
At any event there are volunteers from
host clubs, such as the Mid Hudson R/C
Society, who work diligently to ensure
that all goes well. Some of this work has
to be done in advance of the event,
including obtaining an AMA sanction,
insurance, mailings, flyers, advertising,
and recruiting sponsors and donations. At
the event you need to staff flightline
operations and transmitter impound,
designate safety inspectors, assign cooks,
have raffle sales and registration people,
and so on.
It takes a great deal of work and
coordination to make an event go
smoothly. Most of these people don’t get
an opportunity to enjoy it themselves. It’s
all work for them and it’s all done for you.
The next time you travel to an event—
bursting with pride over the model you
brought to show off—take a moment to
thank those who made it possible. Thank
you, Mid Hudson R/C Society volunteers.
Now is a good time to get those winter
projects rolling. For those living in
warmer climates, keep ’em flying; the rest
of us are jealous! Either way, be friendly,
fly safely, and happy modeling.
See you next month. MA