District I - 2011/02

February 2011 159
THE INTERNATIONAL Miniature
Aircraft Association (IMAA) Mini-Fest is
one great event. I haven’t been able to
attend for the past four years because each
year I am in New Hampshire at a family
reunion.
The event was covered this year by our
new District I Associate Vice President
Andrew Figlar. The following is his report.
“The Wintonbury Flying Club, located
in Bloomfield, Connecticut, was the
hosting club for the Central Connecticut
Scale Squadron IMAA Chapter 392 Giant
Scale Mini-Festival. It was the seventh
time that this club’s spacious flying site,
with both a paved and grass runway,
hosted this popular Labor Day weekend
event. It was a beautiful but windy
weekend as hurricane Earl was passing out
to sea.
“Bill Unghire, who replaced Tim
Adams as the IMAA director for District I,
said this Mini-Festival has become one of
the premier flying events, attracting 70
pilots and more than 100 Giant Scale
aircraft from AMA members of Districts I
and II. The diversity of model aircraft
types included Scale warbirds from all
eras, sport planes and aerobatic models.
“I was impressed by the flying skills of
the pilots and their air show performances,
especially the World War I warbirds, a trio
of World War II Mustangs, and the P-61
Black Widow with two screaming
Magnum .52s shown in the photo.
“Event manager Joan Liska cocoordinated
the flying, organized the
flightline, and provided the spectators with
very colorful and knowledgeable
commentary as the Stunt and Giant Scale
warbirds took to the windy skies.
“Joan’s husband, Ron, builder, pilot,
and co-owner of the Curtis Jenny and a
102-inch-wingspan P-51D Mustang,
decked out in an uncommon blue Royal
Canadian Air Force World War II scheme,
also doubled as event Contest Director.
“The highlight of Sunday’s flying was
the trio of Mustangs flying in combat
formation across the windswept field.
They roared on the deck, one inverted and
the third trailing, turning in formation
several times to the delight of the crowd of
spectators.”
Thanks, Andrew. For members
interested in IMAA Giant Scale, go to
www.fly-imaa.org or contact Bill Unghire
at district1@fly-imaa.org.
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.amadistrict-i.org
D i s t r i c t I
This IMAA associate director flew a Sig Extra
300S with a Saito 1.80 engine.
Build Rite Fly Rite store owner with an SD
model YAK 54 powered by a Zenoah 45 gas
engine.
Joan and Ron Liska, contest coordinator and director respectively, with their scratch-built
150-inch JN-4 Curtis Jenny. Power is a Zenoah gas 45. It has Solartex covering and the
Kelly Field design is in honor of Sergeant Class 1 Mechanic AJ Carmel who was stationed
there.
Ron Nadeau behind his 13-pound 27% Edge
540 T powered by an MLV 28 gas engine.
Miklos Vasmatics flew his beautiful 80-inchwingspan
P-61 with twin Magnum .52s.
District I
Andy Argenio, District I Vice President; imaasanction@aol.com
Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont
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