District X Report - 2004/05
Don Gulihur, District X associate vice president, reports on an event sponsored by the San Diego Association of Model Clubs.
Veterans' Day Warbird and Scale Model Fly-in (November 8, 2003)
On November 8, 2003, the San Diego Association of Model Clubs held its annual Veterans' Day Warbird and Scale Model Fly-in at the Weedwackers Aero Squadron field in Lakeside, California, 17 miles northeast of San Diego.
The event was well attended, with approximately 150–200 modelers and spectators present. There were awards for both static and flying models, but entries had to be scale replicas. Frank Gagliardi served as event/contest director and was assisted by Leroy Brooks.
The Weedwackers provided a terrific lunch, and it's safe to say that no one went home hungry. All monies collected during the event were donated to the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps Relief Society.
Event winners
- Best World War II aircraft: Ray Manegus — Dornier 335
- Best Static and People's Choice: Don Madison (San Diego) — F8F Bearcat
Hawaii — Paradise Flyers RC Club
Peter Davidson and Woody Hopler from Hawaii sent a letter welcoming visiting modelers to fly with them.
Oahu has three active RC clubs, only one of which has access to a paved operating area, located on Kaneohe Marine Corps Base Hawaii (MCBH). The club with MCBH access is the Paradise Flyers RC Club.
The goal of the Paradise Flyers is to give Marines, sailors, and all military personnel on the island a place to learn to fly RC and to practice the hobby. The club has several trainers and instructors available to teach newcomers. Lessons and membership are free.
The club is proud to have started numerous young and old servicemen on their way to a rewarding lifelong hobby.
The Hawaii Jet gang (photo taken January 11, 2004, at K-Bay):
- Kneeling: Duke Chung (AirPac)
- Back row (left to right): Larry DeRego; Glenn Alemania; Alvin Honbo; Eric Wu (AirPac); Woody Hopler; Peter Davidson (Paradise Flyers founder and vice president); Bill DeRego
Hawaii has seen a surge in turbine interest recently. AirPac Models, distributor of Skymaster ARF jets for the United States, Canada, and Mexico, has contributed significantly to this growth. The Paradise Flyers hope to keep their turbine ranks growing and will provide updates.
Anyone visiting Hawaii on business or vacation is cordially invited to come fly with the Paradise Flyers. Contact Peter Davidson at [email protected] for details.
Thank you and Aloha to all the Hawaiian modelers. I hope to get out there soon! Till next time ... keep 'em safe and keep 'em fly'n.
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
