174 MODEL AVIATION
THE DISTRICT officers and I have had a
busy flying season sponsoring and
directing four AMA District I fun-fly and
air show events. Finding host clubs,
choosing non-conflicting dates, sanctioning
and advertising, preparing and setting up
flying sites, and organizing and directing
the air show events involves the work of
many AMA members.
All of the clubs and workers and those
who attended and participated in this
year’s district events are to be commended
and congratulated for providing something
that brings AMA members together for
what it’s all about: friendship, flying, and
fun!
As I write this, we still have the
September District Fun-Fly in Gardner,
Massachusetts, to attend. In future MA
columns, I will write about and include
photos of each of the AMA District Isponsored
events for 2007.
This month I have an event report and
photos that were sent to me by Tony
DiFinizio, an AMA club officer from the
495th R/C Squadron. You will recall me
featuring the 495th R/C Squadron in this
column before. This AMA Gold Leader
Club is one of the district’s larger clubs
with more than 200 members who fly at
the Captain John A. Ogonowski Memorial
Flying Field in Tewksbury, Massachusetts.
“It is my pleasure to pass along this
event report and photographs from the Art
Alfano Annual Invitational Scale Show.
Art Alfano, Scale aficionado, has been
doing this static Scale show for 18 years
and because of Art’s many friends within
the New England Scale community you can
be sure to expect to see some of the best
scale model builders in the world and the
finest in scale aircraft on display.
“This year the show was held on
Wednesday, April 4, at the Tewksbury
Congregational Church. It started at 5 p.m.
and despite the rain, there was a large
turnout. Model aviation enthusiasts young
and old came from throughout the district
to view the many superbly crafted model
airplanes.
“The show provided an excellent
opportunity for those in attendance to talk
with the scale builders about their aircraft,
building, and finishing techniques. One of
the many nice things about our hobby is the
willingness of the enthusiasts to share the
knowledge they have to help others achieve
the same level of success.
“Thanks to all who came early to set up
and stayed late to break down. Special
thanks to all the craftsmen and to Ralph
Dionne who donated all the food and drinks
and ran the canteen.”
I have attended Art’s shows in the past
and recommend that you mark your
calendars and don’t miss this awesome
Scale show next year. The club’s Web site
history page reads: “The success of any
club is totally dependent on the efforts
made by individual members to enhance
the club for the membership. In the 30-year
history of the 495th R/C Squadron, the club
has benefited from the efforts of many fine
individuals who have given generously of
their time and energy. In those 30 years, the
club has given special recognition to a
number of individuals, in the form of life
memberships, for exemplary service to the
495th R/C Squadron.”
Three members have reached that status
to date and they are Ralph Dionne, Ed
Westbrook, and Art Alfano.
The future of our clubs continues to rest
in the hands of members such as this who
step up to the plate and find the time that
others can’t to do the work those others
won’t. Visit the club’s Web site at
www.495thsquadron.org to see these
aircraft and others at the show in color.
District I
Andy Argenio, District I Vice President; [email protected]
Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont
Andy Argenio
3 Sheila Ln.,
Smithfield RI
02917;
Home: (401) 231-
6901; Work: (401)
231-5380
For a complete listing of
district officers and volunteers,
please visit the District 1 Web site
at www.amadistrict1.com.
D i s t r i c t I
Art Alfano (L) puts on the 18th Annual Art
Alfano Invitational Scale Show in Tewksbury,
Massachusetts. Bob Trueworthy (R) is the
builder of the ½-scale Pitts 12 that was on
display.
This beauty is Bill Copp’s Giant Spacewalker
powered by a four-cylinder glow engine.
District I Scale Contest Board member Irv
Searle with his perfectly built Proctor Jenny.
Joe Morrone with his gorgeous, detailed
Giant Scale Proctor D-7.
Mark Paterson displayed his beautiful Pfalz
D.XII.
Edition: Model Aviation - 2007/10
Page Numbers: 174