February 2003 151
BOB WALLACE, the Associate Vice
President for Connecticut, sent the following
material to me. There is not enough space
this month so it will be continued next
month.
2002 Dawn Patrol Fly-In: Six years ago,
the Northern Connecticut Radio Control
Club (NCRCC) in Ellington, Connecticut
hosted the first Dawn Patrol Fly-In.
What began as a modest, local fly-in for
Giant Scale World War I and Golden Era
aircraft, has steadily grown and blossomed
into what is now the second largest
gathering of this type in the eastern part of
the United States.
Only the famous Rhinebeck Jamboree
that is held each year at Old Rhinebeck
Airport in Rhinebeck, New York, attracts
more participants and spectators for this type
of event.
Traditionally held in early July, the
Dawn Patrol Fly-In is an International
Miniature Aircraft Association (IMAA) and
AMA-sanctioned event. It is open to any
vintage aircraft from WW I through the
Golden Era, the only requirement being that
the wingspan of the model must be a
minimum of 60 inches for multiwing aircraft
and 80 inches for single wing aircraft.
This was a well managed event, that was
enjoyed by pilots and the many spectators in
attendance.
In past years the Dawn Patrol Fly-In has
been referred to as “Little Rhinebeck,” but
with the number of participants and
spectators steadily increasing each year it
certainly isn’t “little” anymore!
The parking area rapidly filled to
capacity, and by mid morning, it became
necessary to utilize parking areas along the
main entrance road into the flying field.
The NCRCC refreshment stand staff kept
busy, but proved equal to the task of
meeting everyone’s gastronomic needs.
Event Director Paul Savastano was assisted
by Bob Boulais.
Mike Ludlow, Len Marchese, Ken
French, and Art Fischer also pitched in to
assure that this year’s Dawn Patrol Fly-In
would run smoothly. Congratulations to this
hard-working crew for a job well done.
There were 38 pilots registered for this
year’s event and more than 50 beautiful
aircraft were flown. Most of the aircraft
were WW I models, but many were from the
Golden Era. The Sopwith Pup was clearly
the most popular design in several scale
sizes. In the Golden Era category the most
popular aircraft was the de Havilland Tiger
Moth. Quite a few Great Planes 1/5-scale
Moths were present.
Mark Sunday, July 6, 2003 on your
calendar. That’s the date for next year’s
Dawn Patrol Fly-In, an event worth
attending!
Bob Spooner, South Windsor CT, with his
scratch-built 1/4-scale Fokker D.VIII. This
aircraft flies as well as it looks and is
powered by a Zenoah G-38 engine.
Scratch-built 1/4-scale Fokker D.VIII making
a low-level pass. Aircraft is owned and
flown by Bob Spooner.
Ron Brown, New London CT, with his
beautiful 1/4-scale Moraine Saulnier.
Aircraft is an older Balsa USA kit, and is
powered with a Quadra 75 engine that is
equipped with a smoke system.
Event Director Paul Savastano, Vernon
CT, explaining flightline procedures at the
pilot’s meeting.
Jules Greenberger, Stafford CT, with his
beautifully crafted and seldom-modeled
1/4-scale Sopwith Baby. Aircraft is
powered with a Zenoah G-38 engine and
flies great.
Fokker Eindecker (owner unidentified)
takes to the skies.
Bob LaFlamme, Enfield CT, starts his 1/4-
scale S.E.-5 as Dave Johnson, Vernon CT,
assists.
District I Report
Associate Vice Presidents
James M. Semonian, 166 Allen Road, Billerica MA
01821-5240
M.C. McGuffin, 116 Hillview Avenue, Houlton ME
04730-2312
Harry S. Newman, 36 Sherwood Drive, Hooksett
NH 03106-1077
Richard Sherman, 30 High Street, Plymouth NH
03264-1223
Andrew Argenio, 3 Sheila Ave., Smithfield RI
02917
Bob Wallace, 91 Sylvan Street, Avon CT 06001-
2230
Frequency Coordinator
Joel Chappell, 21 Billings Street, Milford NH
03055-3906 Ph. (603) 673-6240
Connecticut / Maine /
Massachusetts /
New Hampshire /
Rhode Island / Vermont
Don Krafft
Vice President
PO Box 1828
Duxbury MA 02331-1828
(781) 934-6248
feb03.qxd 11.20.02 1:34 pm Page 151
Edition: Model Aviation - 2003/02
Page Numbers: 151