District X - 2006/08
Gillespie Air Show — Santee, California (April 22–23)
April 22–23, members of the First Weedwacker Aero Squadron organized an exceptional aeromodeling display at the Gillespie Air Show in Santee, California.
Event organizer Don Madison reported, "This was the best grouping of scale models we've ever displayed. Club members staffing the display passed out copies of MA and other model magazines to interested adults and kids, and spent nearly the entire two days describing the hobby and answering visitors' questions. The highlight of the display was a bare-bones, 14-foot P-38 constructed by Jim Luster.
"This was the club's 10th year supporting the air show and it is one of the club's Gold Leader Club events."
Hemet Model Masters — Scale Masters Qualifier (Hemet, California; May 19–21, 2006)
City councilman Roger Meadows welcomed the crowd to the Hemet Model Masters' first Scale Masters Qualifier, held May 19–21, 2006.
Adam Gelbart, model builder for the movie The Aviator, earned first place in Expert. Mel Santmyers placed second in Expert and won People's Choice with his Stinson Reliant. Bill Hart of Westminster, California, served as the contest director (CD) and supplied the following report:
"The Hemet Model Masters Club of Hemet, California, led by president Jay Turner, hosted its first Scale qualifier on May 19–21. The Southern California Scale Masters Qualifier was the second contest in a series of three meets held in California which will determine who will be qualified to attend the Scale Masters Championship to be held in Muncie, Indiana, next October.
"The Hemet Model Masters Club is a well-established group of modelers with a flying site second to none. With at least 800 feet of runway, nearly unlimited flying space, and near-perfect flying weather, it is no wonder this Inland Empire flying site will soon become a modelers' mecca for all of Southern California.
"Rick Powers won first place in the Open class in front of his son R.J., who placed second.
"The site is maintained by the city of Hemet and the city council was represented on Saturday by councilman Roger Meadows. Mr. Meadows acknowledged that the city's support was directly related to the Model Masters' extensive involvement with the Hemet schools, and stated, 'The least we can do is help them in return.' Perhaps there's a message here for all clubs.
"Static and flight judges were selected from club members who were then teamed with experienced scale judges from the area. An intensive training session was held one week prior to the contest which paid off in close scores being given throughout the meet.
"Adam Gelbart (leader of the model-building team for the movie The Aviator) took first place in Expert with his beautiful CAP 10. Rick Powers of Phoenix won the Open event followed closely (less than two points) by his son R.J., both flying Mustangs. All three of them qualified for the Masters and will do exceptionally well.
"The meet was attended by reporters representing three local newspapers and a camera crew filming a documentary for the Outdoor Channel. The film production should appear on television in the early fall but no official date has yet been determined.
"As the CD for this event, I would like to express my appreciation for the enthusiastic multi-club support. The contest ran smoothly and discussions are already in the works for putting together an even larger Scale contest next year."
Winners and notable results:
- Expert: 1st — Adam Gelbart (CAP 10); 2nd — Mel Santmyers (Stinson Reliant, People's Choice)
- Open: 1st — Rick Powers; 2nd — R.J. Powers (both flying Mustangs)
- All three qualified for the Scale Masters Championship in Muncie, Indiana.
Till next time, keep 'em safe and keep 'em fly'n.
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
