Pioneer-era enthusiasts
revisit a time of chivalry
Billy Thompson’s 1/3-scale Balsa USA Sopwith Pup is up on dawn patrol. The former Nats
winner is powered by a twin-cylinder Fuji BT-86 engine twin and looks great in the air.
THE HOOSIER Dawn Patrol
celebrates a time when aircraft were in
their infancy, pilots believed in chivalry
in the air, and the term “ace” had just
been created. The event features
noncompetitive, mission-style flying
38 MODEL AVIATION
Dave Johnson’s scratch-built, 1/3-scale Albatros D.Va is a past Nats winner and Top Gun
entry. The Fuji BT-64 power plant is enough to fly the D.Va in a scalelike manner.
Not only do the models look great, but so do
the pilots. This Aces of Iron 1/4-scale figure
bailed out of Steve Percifield’s S.E.5a.
Robert Cole built his Sopwith Baby from John Tanzer plans available from Flying Models. A
Zenoah G-62 engine sits up front. Wheels are mounted on the inside of the floats, to aid in
flying from grass.
Steve Percifield (R)—the Hoosier Dawn Patrol’s creator—prepares to tune the ZDZ-40
engine in his Balsa USA 1/4-scale S.E.5a. Matt Kemp stands by for safety.
The “big birds” line up for a picture. Pilots who attended
Hoosier Dawn Patrol.
The “Review of the Threes” is a time to show off the 1/3-sca
the air at once is not easy.
01sig2.QXD 11/21/08 3:29 PM Page 38
2008 Hoosier Dawn Patrol Notables
January 2009 39
A Balsa USA 1/3-scale Fokker D.VII finished in Ernst Udet’s candy-striped
scheme steams skyward on takeoff. The German ace finished World
War I with 62 victories.
The Balsa USA Fokker Dr.I that Guy McIntire built and Willis Lewis now owns
was a nice break from the all-red triplanes. It flew and sounded great with the
four-stroke Fuji BF-25EI.
Michael Bealmear assembles his scratch-built, 1/4-scale German
Siemens Schuckert D.I biplane: a design based on captured
Nieuport 17 aircraft.
Balsa USA
R/C Report
Magazine
PSP Products
Horizon Hobby
Bob’s Aircraft
Documentation
Sig
Manufacturing
Wally Zober
Plans
Nick Ziroli Plans
Academy of
Model
Aeronautics
Hitec
Precision Cut Kits
RTL Fasteners
Propwash Video
Productions
Tower Hobbies
Micro Fasteners
Air Age
Publishing
Hobbico
Lucky Dog
Productions
Special thanks to:
Dave Johnson
Dave Semerero
David Gibson
Ron Pierce
Del Johnson
Stephen Hill-
Harriss
Randy Adams
And all those who contributed to help the Hoosier Dawn
Patrol effort. MA
—Jay Smith
Sponsors
Photos by the author
Pilots who attended entered a total of 18 1/3-scale models in the 2008
o show off the 1/3-scale aircraft in attendance. Photographing four large models in
01sig2.QXD 11/21/08 3:41 PM Page 39
40 MODEL AVIATION
with models of World War I aircraft.
This year’s gathering took place at the
International Aeromodeling Center in
Muncie, Indiana, from August 22 through
the 24th. Steve Percifield started the annual
get-together in 2003, and it grows each time
it is held. In 2008, its third year at the AMA
facility, 43 pilots arrived with nearly 100
war machines.
The Dawn Patrol is an accurate name for
the event, because pilots start flying just
before the day’s first light. A couple of the
pilots keep pushing their takeoff times
earlier and earlier, to have the honor of the
first flight.
The models are works of art, with their
canvaslike-covered airframes, the majority
of which are built from kits. To add to the
realism, most of the airplanes include scalelooking
pilots and cockpit detailing; a few
are even outfitted with paintball guns
shooting CO2, to re-create the sound of
World War I machine guns such as the
Spandau, Vickers, and Lewis.
A section of the pit area includes some of the different types of aircraft at the event. Flags
of all countries involved in The Great War were flown.
The de Havilland D.H.2 fighter that Stephen Hill-Harriss scratch-built is well detailed and modestly powered with an O.S. 1.60 twin
four-stroke engine.
Jim Suchy scratch-built his Hannover CL.III in quarter scale and powered it with a Zenoah G-38 engine. The camouflage of the blue
lozenge pattern is very effective.
01sig2.QXD 11/21/08 3:43 PM Page 40
The Great War were common this year in
park flyer size. When the airplanes became
larger, the power plant of choice switched to
gas or glow engines.
This year, a Hoosier Dawn Patrol
participant proclaimed that one of the most
satisfying things about World War I
models—the sound of the engine—is lost
with electric power. There is something
pleasing about when the pilot works the
throttle stick to get that rising and falling
hum that we hear in World War I films.
A couple of the most exciting parts of
the event, apart from seeing all the great
aircraft, were the mock dogfighting and the
Review of the Threes. The former provides
a nice aerial display of pilots who try to
better their opponents’ aircraft and show
off a few of the maneuvers pioneered by
German World War I flying aces Max
Immelmann and Oswald Bölke.
Don’t let these models’ slower flying
speeds fool you. A pilot must be proficient
with both thumbs to make the airplane look
as good in the air as it does on the ground.
In the Review of the Threes, all the 1/3-
scale aircraft take the field for review and
pictures. As many of the RC pilots as
possible take to the air with their creations
and fly in loose formations.
This year, the Germans had the British
outnumbered six to three. The large size of
the airplanes and their high level of detailing
make it easy to believe that you have been
transported back to Flanders Fields in
southern Belgium and northwest France
during The Great War.
Balsa USA was at the Hoosier Dawn
Patrol to show off its latest releases: the 1/6-
scale Nieuport and Sopwith Pup.
Representatives from the company flew
several of its models and had kits and
supplies for sale.
Billy Thompson won Best of Show with
his modified Balsa USA 1/3-scale Fokker
D.VII. He finished his airplane in the
markings of German flying ace Ernst Udet
and was one of two pilots at the event
wearing Udet’s candy-striped colors.
Attending an event such as the Hoosier
Dawn Patrol brings back the excitement of
early aviation, when knights of the sky ruled
the air in their canvas warplanes. It provides
you with a rare opportunity to see several
“wind-in-the-wires” warbirds gathered in one
place and spend time with a great group of
people while they share their passion. If you
are looking for a front-row seat to see
modeling or flying World War I aircraft, the
Hoosier Dawn Patrol is your ticket.
To obtain more information about the
gathering, see additional pictures, or get
dates for World War I RC-related events,
visit the event Web site. MA
Jay Smith
[email protected]
Sources:
Hoosier Dawn Patrol
www.hoosierdawnpatrol.com
Edition: Model Aviation - 2009/01
Page Numbers: 37,38,39,40,42
Edition: Model Aviation - 2009/01
Page Numbers: 37,38,39,40,42
Pioneer-era enthusiasts
revisit a time of chivalry
Billy Thompson’s 1/3-scale Balsa USA Sopwith Pup is up on dawn patrol. The former Nats
winner is powered by a twin-cylinder Fuji BT-86 engine twin and looks great in the air.
THE HOOSIER Dawn Patrol
celebrates a time when aircraft were in
their infancy, pilots believed in chivalry
in the air, and the term “ace” had just
been created. The event features
noncompetitive, mission-style flying
38 MODEL AVIATION
Dave Johnson’s scratch-built, 1/3-scale Albatros D.Va is a past Nats winner and Top Gun
entry. The Fuji BT-64 power plant is enough to fly the D.Va in a scalelike manner.
Not only do the models look great, but so do
the pilots. This Aces of Iron 1/4-scale figure
bailed out of Steve Percifield’s S.E.5a.
Robert Cole built his Sopwith Baby from John Tanzer plans available from Flying Models. A
Zenoah G-62 engine sits up front. Wheels are mounted on the inside of the floats, to aid in
flying from grass.
Steve Percifield (R)—the Hoosier Dawn Patrol’s creator—prepares to tune the ZDZ-40
engine in his Balsa USA 1/4-scale S.E.5a. Matt Kemp stands by for safety.
The “big birds” line up for a picture. Pilots who attended
Hoosier Dawn Patrol.
The “Review of the Threes” is a time to show off the 1/3-sca
the air at once is not easy.
01sig2.QXD 11/21/08 3:29 PM Page 38
2008 Hoosier Dawn Patrol Notables
January 2009 39
A Balsa USA 1/3-scale Fokker D.VII finished in Ernst Udet’s candy-striped
scheme steams skyward on takeoff. The German ace finished World
War I with 62 victories.
The Balsa USA Fokker Dr.I that Guy McIntire built and Willis Lewis now owns
was a nice break from the all-red triplanes. It flew and sounded great with the
four-stroke Fuji BF-25EI.
Michael Bealmear assembles his scratch-built, 1/4-scale German
Siemens Schuckert D.I biplane: a design based on captured
Nieuport 17 aircraft.
Balsa USA
R/C Report
Magazine
PSP Products
Horizon Hobby
Bob’s Aircraft
Documentation
Sig
Manufacturing
Wally Zober
Plans
Nick Ziroli Plans
Academy of
Model
Aeronautics
Hitec
Precision Cut Kits
RTL Fasteners
Propwash Video
Productions
Tower Hobbies
Micro Fasteners
Air Age
Publishing
Hobbico
Lucky Dog
Productions
Special thanks to:
Dave Johnson
Dave Semerero
David Gibson
Ron Pierce
Del Johnson
Stephen Hill-
Harriss
Randy Adams
And all those who contributed to help the Hoosier Dawn
Patrol effort. MA
—Jay Smith
Sponsors
Photos by the author
Pilots who attended entered a total of 18 1/3-scale models in the 2008
o show off the 1/3-scale aircraft in attendance. Photographing four large models in
01sig2.QXD 11/21/08 3:41 PM Page 39
40 MODEL AVIATION
with models of World War I aircraft.
This year’s gathering took place at the
International Aeromodeling Center in
Muncie, Indiana, from August 22 through
the 24th. Steve Percifield started the annual
get-together in 2003, and it grows each time
it is held. In 2008, its third year at the AMA
facility, 43 pilots arrived with nearly 100
war machines.
The Dawn Patrol is an accurate name for
the event, because pilots start flying just
before the day’s first light. A couple of the
pilots keep pushing their takeoff times
earlier and earlier, to have the honor of the
first flight.
The models are works of art, with their
canvaslike-covered airframes, the majority
of which are built from kits. To add to the
realism, most of the airplanes include scalelooking
pilots and cockpit detailing; a few
are even outfitted with paintball guns
shooting CO2, to re-create the sound of
World War I machine guns such as the
Spandau, Vickers, and Lewis.
A section of the pit area includes some of the different types of aircraft at the event. Flags
of all countries involved in The Great War were flown.
The de Havilland D.H.2 fighter that Stephen Hill-Harriss scratch-built is well detailed and modestly powered with an O.S. 1.60 twin
four-stroke engine.
Jim Suchy scratch-built his Hannover CL.III in quarter scale and powered it with a Zenoah G-38 engine. The camouflage of the blue
lozenge pattern is very effective.
01sig2.QXD 11/21/08 3:43 PM Page 40
The Great War were common this year in
park flyer size. When the airplanes became
larger, the power plant of choice switched to
gas or glow engines.
This year, a Hoosier Dawn Patrol
participant proclaimed that one of the most
satisfying things about World War I
models—the sound of the engine—is lost
with electric power. There is something
pleasing about when the pilot works the
throttle stick to get that rising and falling
hum that we hear in World War I films.
A couple of the most exciting parts of
the event, apart from seeing all the great
aircraft, were the mock dogfighting and the
Review of the Threes. The former provides
a nice aerial display of pilots who try to
better their opponents’ aircraft and show
off a few of the maneuvers pioneered by
German World War I flying aces Max
Immelmann and Oswald Bölke.
Don’t let these models’ slower flying
speeds fool you. A pilot must be proficient
with both thumbs to make the airplane look
as good in the air as it does on the ground.
In the Review of the Threes, all the 1/3-
scale aircraft take the field for review and
pictures. As many of the RC pilots as
possible take to the air with their creations
and fly in loose formations.
This year, the Germans had the British
outnumbered six to three. The large size of
the airplanes and their high level of detailing
make it easy to believe that you have been
transported back to Flanders Fields in
southern Belgium and northwest France
during The Great War.
Balsa USA was at the Hoosier Dawn
Patrol to show off its latest releases: the 1/6-
scale Nieuport and Sopwith Pup.
Representatives from the company flew
several of its models and had kits and
supplies for sale.
Billy Thompson won Best of Show with
his modified Balsa USA 1/3-scale Fokker
D.VII. He finished his airplane in the
markings of German flying ace Ernst Udet
and was one of two pilots at the event
wearing Udet’s candy-striped colors.
Attending an event such as the Hoosier
Dawn Patrol brings back the excitement of
early aviation, when knights of the sky ruled
the air in their canvas warplanes. It provides
you with a rare opportunity to see several
“wind-in-the-wires” warbirds gathered in one
place and spend time with a great group of
people while they share their passion. If you
are looking for a front-row seat to see
modeling or flying World War I aircraft, the
Hoosier Dawn Patrol is your ticket.
To obtain more information about the
gathering, see additional pictures, or get
dates for World War I RC-related events,
visit the event Web site. MA
Jay Smith
[email protected]
Sources:
Hoosier Dawn Patrol
www.hoosierdawnpatrol.com
Edition: Model Aviation - 2009/01
Page Numbers: 37,38,39,40,42
Pioneer-era enthusiasts
revisit a time of chivalry
Billy Thompson’s 1/3-scale Balsa USA Sopwith Pup is up on dawn patrol. The former Nats
winner is powered by a twin-cylinder Fuji BT-86 engine twin and looks great in the air.
THE HOOSIER Dawn Patrol
celebrates a time when aircraft were in
their infancy, pilots believed in chivalry
in the air, and the term “ace” had just
been created. The event features
noncompetitive, mission-style flying
38 MODEL AVIATION
Dave Johnson’s scratch-built, 1/3-scale Albatros D.Va is a past Nats winner and Top Gun
entry. The Fuji BT-64 power plant is enough to fly the D.Va in a scalelike manner.
Not only do the models look great, but so do
the pilots. This Aces of Iron 1/4-scale figure
bailed out of Steve Percifield’s S.E.5a.
Robert Cole built his Sopwith Baby from John Tanzer plans available from Flying Models. A
Zenoah G-62 engine sits up front. Wheels are mounted on the inside of the floats, to aid in
flying from grass.
Steve Percifield (R)—the Hoosier Dawn Patrol’s creator—prepares to tune the ZDZ-40
engine in his Balsa USA 1/4-scale S.E.5a. Matt Kemp stands by for safety.
The “big birds” line up for a picture. Pilots who attended
Hoosier Dawn Patrol.
The “Review of the Threes” is a time to show off the 1/3-sca
the air at once is not easy.
01sig2.QXD 11/21/08 3:29 PM Page 38
2008 Hoosier Dawn Patrol Notables
January 2009 39
A Balsa USA 1/3-scale Fokker D.VII finished in Ernst Udet’s candy-striped
scheme steams skyward on takeoff. The German ace finished World
War I with 62 victories.
The Balsa USA Fokker Dr.I that Guy McIntire built and Willis Lewis now owns
was a nice break from the all-red triplanes. It flew and sounded great with the
four-stroke Fuji BF-25EI.
Michael Bealmear assembles his scratch-built, 1/4-scale German
Siemens Schuckert D.I biplane: a design based on captured
Nieuport 17 aircraft.
Balsa USA
R/C Report
Magazine
PSP Products
Horizon Hobby
Bob’s Aircraft
Documentation
Sig
Manufacturing
Wally Zober
Plans
Nick Ziroli Plans
Academy of
Model
Aeronautics
Hitec
Precision Cut Kits
RTL Fasteners
Propwash Video
Productions
Tower Hobbies
Micro Fasteners
Air Age
Publishing
Hobbico
Lucky Dog
Productions
Special thanks to:
Dave Johnson
Dave Semerero
David Gibson
Ron Pierce
Del Johnson
Stephen Hill-
Harriss
Randy Adams
And all those who contributed to help the Hoosier Dawn
Patrol effort. MA
—Jay Smith
Sponsors
Photos by the author
Pilots who attended entered a total of 18 1/3-scale models in the 2008
o show off the 1/3-scale aircraft in attendance. Photographing four large models in
01sig2.QXD 11/21/08 3:41 PM Page 39
40 MODEL AVIATION
with models of World War I aircraft.
This year’s gathering took place at the
International Aeromodeling Center in
Muncie, Indiana, from August 22 through
the 24th. Steve Percifield started the annual
get-together in 2003, and it grows each time
it is held. In 2008, its third year at the AMA
facility, 43 pilots arrived with nearly 100
war machines.
The Dawn Patrol is an accurate name for
the event, because pilots start flying just
before the day’s first light. A couple of the
pilots keep pushing their takeoff times
earlier and earlier, to have the honor of the
first flight.
The models are works of art, with their
canvaslike-covered airframes, the majority
of which are built from kits. To add to the
realism, most of the airplanes include scalelooking
pilots and cockpit detailing; a few
are even outfitted with paintball guns
shooting CO2, to re-create the sound of
World War I machine guns such as the
Spandau, Vickers, and Lewis.
A section of the pit area includes some of the different types of aircraft at the event. Flags
of all countries involved in The Great War were flown.
The de Havilland D.H.2 fighter that Stephen Hill-Harriss scratch-built is well detailed and modestly powered with an O.S. 1.60 twin
four-stroke engine.
Jim Suchy scratch-built his Hannover CL.III in quarter scale and powered it with a Zenoah G-38 engine. The camouflage of the blue
lozenge pattern is very effective.
01sig2.QXD 11/21/08 3:43 PM Page 40
The Great War were common this year in
park flyer size. When the airplanes became
larger, the power plant of choice switched to
gas or glow engines.
This year, a Hoosier Dawn Patrol
participant proclaimed that one of the most
satisfying things about World War I
models—the sound of the engine—is lost
with electric power. There is something
pleasing about when the pilot works the
throttle stick to get that rising and falling
hum that we hear in World War I films.
A couple of the most exciting parts of
the event, apart from seeing all the great
aircraft, were the mock dogfighting and the
Review of the Threes. The former provides
a nice aerial display of pilots who try to
better their opponents’ aircraft and show
off a few of the maneuvers pioneered by
German World War I flying aces Max
Immelmann and Oswald Bölke.
Don’t let these models’ slower flying
speeds fool you. A pilot must be proficient
with both thumbs to make the airplane look
as good in the air as it does on the ground.
In the Review of the Threes, all the 1/3-
scale aircraft take the field for review and
pictures. As many of the RC pilots as
possible take to the air with their creations
and fly in loose formations.
This year, the Germans had the British
outnumbered six to three. The large size of
the airplanes and their high level of detailing
make it easy to believe that you have been
transported back to Flanders Fields in
southern Belgium and northwest France
during The Great War.
Balsa USA was at the Hoosier Dawn
Patrol to show off its latest releases: the 1/6-
scale Nieuport and Sopwith Pup.
Representatives from the company flew
several of its models and had kits and
supplies for sale.
Billy Thompson won Best of Show with
his modified Balsa USA 1/3-scale Fokker
D.VII. He finished his airplane in the
markings of German flying ace Ernst Udet
and was one of two pilots at the event
wearing Udet’s candy-striped colors.
Attending an event such as the Hoosier
Dawn Patrol brings back the excitement of
early aviation, when knights of the sky ruled
the air in their canvas warplanes. It provides
you with a rare opportunity to see several
“wind-in-the-wires” warbirds gathered in one
place and spend time with a great group of
people while they share their passion. If you
are looking for a front-row seat to see
modeling or flying World War I aircraft, the
Hoosier Dawn Patrol is your ticket.
To obtain more information about the
gathering, see additional pictures, or get
dates for World War I RC-related events,
visit the event Web site. MA
Jay Smith
[email protected]
Sources:
Hoosier Dawn Patrol
www.hoosierdawnpatrol.com
Edition: Model Aviation - 2009/01
Page Numbers: 37,38,39,40,42
Pioneer-era enthusiasts
revisit a time of chivalry
Billy Thompson’s 1/3-scale Balsa USA Sopwith Pup is up on dawn patrol. The former Nats
winner is powered by a twin-cylinder Fuji BT-86 engine twin and looks great in the air.
THE HOOSIER Dawn Patrol
celebrates a time when aircraft were in
their infancy, pilots believed in chivalry
in the air, and the term “ace” had just
been created. The event features
noncompetitive, mission-style flying
38 MODEL AVIATION
Dave Johnson’s scratch-built, 1/3-scale Albatros D.Va is a past Nats winner and Top Gun
entry. The Fuji BT-64 power plant is enough to fly the D.Va in a scalelike manner.
Not only do the models look great, but so do
the pilots. This Aces of Iron 1/4-scale figure
bailed out of Steve Percifield’s S.E.5a.
Robert Cole built his Sopwith Baby from John Tanzer plans available from Flying Models. A
Zenoah G-62 engine sits up front. Wheels are mounted on the inside of the floats, to aid in
flying from grass.
Steve Percifield (R)—the Hoosier Dawn Patrol’s creator—prepares to tune the ZDZ-40
engine in his Balsa USA 1/4-scale S.E.5a. Matt Kemp stands by for safety.
The “big birds” line up for a picture. Pilots who attended
Hoosier Dawn Patrol.
The “Review of the Threes” is a time to show off the 1/3-sca
the air at once is not easy.
01sig2.QXD 11/21/08 3:29 PM Page 38
2008 Hoosier Dawn Patrol Notables
January 2009 39
A Balsa USA 1/3-scale Fokker D.VII finished in Ernst Udet’s candy-striped
scheme steams skyward on takeoff. The German ace finished World
War I with 62 victories.
The Balsa USA Fokker Dr.I that Guy McIntire built and Willis Lewis now owns
was a nice break from the all-red triplanes. It flew and sounded great with the
four-stroke Fuji BF-25EI.
Michael Bealmear assembles his scratch-built, 1/4-scale German
Siemens Schuckert D.I biplane: a design based on captured
Nieuport 17 aircraft.
Balsa USA
R/C Report
Magazine
PSP Products
Horizon Hobby
Bob’s Aircraft
Documentation
Sig
Manufacturing
Wally Zober
Plans
Nick Ziroli Plans
Academy of
Model
Aeronautics
Hitec
Precision Cut Kits
RTL Fasteners
Propwash Video
Productions
Tower Hobbies
Micro Fasteners
Air Age
Publishing
Hobbico
Lucky Dog
Productions
Special thanks to:
Dave Johnson
Dave Semerero
David Gibson
Ron Pierce
Del Johnson
Stephen Hill-
Harriss
Randy Adams
And all those who contributed to help the Hoosier Dawn
Patrol effort. MA
—Jay Smith
Sponsors
Photos by the author
Pilots who attended entered a total of 18 1/3-scale models in the 2008
o show off the 1/3-scale aircraft in attendance. Photographing four large models in
01sig2.QXD 11/21/08 3:41 PM Page 39
40 MODEL AVIATION
with models of World War I aircraft.
This year’s gathering took place at the
International Aeromodeling Center in
Muncie, Indiana, from August 22 through
the 24th. Steve Percifield started the annual
get-together in 2003, and it grows each time
it is held. In 2008, its third year at the AMA
facility, 43 pilots arrived with nearly 100
war machines.
The Dawn Patrol is an accurate name for
the event, because pilots start flying just
before the day’s first light. A couple of the
pilots keep pushing their takeoff times
earlier and earlier, to have the honor of the
first flight.
The models are works of art, with their
canvaslike-covered airframes, the majority
of which are built from kits. To add to the
realism, most of the airplanes include scalelooking
pilots and cockpit detailing; a few
are even outfitted with paintball guns
shooting CO2, to re-create the sound of
World War I machine guns such as the
Spandau, Vickers, and Lewis.
A section of the pit area includes some of the different types of aircraft at the event. Flags
of all countries involved in The Great War were flown.
The de Havilland D.H.2 fighter that Stephen Hill-Harriss scratch-built is well detailed and modestly powered with an O.S. 1.60 twin
four-stroke engine.
Jim Suchy scratch-built his Hannover CL.III in quarter scale and powered it with a Zenoah G-38 engine. The camouflage of the blue
lozenge pattern is very effective.
01sig2.QXD 11/21/08 3:43 PM Page 40
The Great War were common this year in
park flyer size. When the airplanes became
larger, the power plant of choice switched to
gas or glow engines.
This year, a Hoosier Dawn Patrol
participant proclaimed that one of the most
satisfying things about World War I
models—the sound of the engine—is lost
with electric power. There is something
pleasing about when the pilot works the
throttle stick to get that rising and falling
hum that we hear in World War I films.
A couple of the most exciting parts of
the event, apart from seeing all the great
aircraft, were the mock dogfighting and the
Review of the Threes. The former provides
a nice aerial display of pilots who try to
better their opponents’ aircraft and show
off a few of the maneuvers pioneered by
German World War I flying aces Max
Immelmann and Oswald Bölke.
Don’t let these models’ slower flying
speeds fool you. A pilot must be proficient
with both thumbs to make the airplane look
as good in the air as it does on the ground.
In the Review of the Threes, all the 1/3-
scale aircraft take the field for review and
pictures. As many of the RC pilots as
possible take to the air with their creations
and fly in loose formations.
This year, the Germans had the British
outnumbered six to three. The large size of
the airplanes and their high level of detailing
make it easy to believe that you have been
transported back to Flanders Fields in
southern Belgium and northwest France
during The Great War.
Balsa USA was at the Hoosier Dawn
Patrol to show off its latest releases: the 1/6-
scale Nieuport and Sopwith Pup.
Representatives from the company flew
several of its models and had kits and
supplies for sale.
Billy Thompson won Best of Show with
his modified Balsa USA 1/3-scale Fokker
D.VII. He finished his airplane in the
markings of German flying ace Ernst Udet
and was one of two pilots at the event
wearing Udet’s candy-striped colors.
Attending an event such as the Hoosier
Dawn Patrol brings back the excitement of
early aviation, when knights of the sky ruled
the air in their canvas warplanes. It provides
you with a rare opportunity to see several
“wind-in-the-wires” warbirds gathered in one
place and spend time with a great group of
people while they share their passion. If you
are looking for a front-row seat to see
modeling or flying World War I aircraft, the
Hoosier Dawn Patrol is your ticket.
To obtain more information about the
gathering, see additional pictures, or get
dates for World War I RC-related events,
visit the event Web site. MA
Jay Smith
[email protected]
Sources:
Hoosier Dawn Patrol
www.hoosierdawnpatrol.com
Edition: Model Aviation - 2009/01
Page Numbers: 37,38,39,40,42
Pioneer-era enthusiasts
revisit a time of chivalry
Billy Thompson’s 1/3-scale Balsa USA Sopwith Pup is up on dawn patrol. The former Nats
winner is powered by a twin-cylinder Fuji BT-86 engine twin and looks great in the air.
THE HOOSIER Dawn Patrol
celebrates a time when aircraft were in
their infancy, pilots believed in chivalry
in the air, and the term “ace” had just
been created. The event features
noncompetitive, mission-style flying
38 MODEL AVIATION
Dave Johnson’s scratch-built, 1/3-scale Albatros D.Va is a past Nats winner and Top Gun
entry. The Fuji BT-64 power plant is enough to fly the D.Va in a scalelike manner.
Not only do the models look great, but so do
the pilots. This Aces of Iron 1/4-scale figure
bailed out of Steve Percifield’s S.E.5a.
Robert Cole built his Sopwith Baby from John Tanzer plans available from Flying Models. A
Zenoah G-62 engine sits up front. Wheels are mounted on the inside of the floats, to aid in
flying from grass.
Steve Percifield (R)—the Hoosier Dawn Patrol’s creator—prepares to tune the ZDZ-40
engine in his Balsa USA 1/4-scale S.E.5a. Matt Kemp stands by for safety.
The “big birds” line up for a picture. Pilots who attended
Hoosier Dawn Patrol.
The “Review of the Threes” is a time to show off the 1/3-sca
the air at once is not easy.
01sig2.QXD 11/21/08 3:29 PM Page 38
2008 Hoosier Dawn Patrol Notables
January 2009 39
A Balsa USA 1/3-scale Fokker D.VII finished in Ernst Udet’s candy-striped
scheme steams skyward on takeoff. The German ace finished World
War I with 62 victories.
The Balsa USA Fokker Dr.I that Guy McIntire built and Willis Lewis now owns
was a nice break from the all-red triplanes. It flew and sounded great with the
four-stroke Fuji BF-25EI.
Michael Bealmear assembles his scratch-built, 1/4-scale German
Siemens Schuckert D.I biplane: a design based on captured
Nieuport 17 aircraft.
Balsa USA
R/C Report
Magazine
PSP Products
Horizon Hobby
Bob’s Aircraft
Documentation
Sig
Manufacturing
Wally Zober
Plans
Nick Ziroli Plans
Academy of
Model
Aeronautics
Hitec
Precision Cut Kits
RTL Fasteners
Propwash Video
Productions
Tower Hobbies
Micro Fasteners
Air Age
Publishing
Hobbico
Lucky Dog
Productions
Special thanks to:
Dave Johnson
Dave Semerero
David Gibson
Ron Pierce
Del Johnson
Stephen Hill-
Harriss
Randy Adams
And all those who contributed to help the Hoosier Dawn
Patrol effort. MA
—Jay Smith
Sponsors
Photos by the author
Pilots who attended entered a total of 18 1/3-scale models in the 2008
o show off the 1/3-scale aircraft in attendance. Photographing four large models in
01sig2.QXD 11/21/08 3:41 PM Page 39
40 MODEL AVIATION
with models of World War I aircraft.
This year’s gathering took place at the
International Aeromodeling Center in
Muncie, Indiana, from August 22 through
the 24th. Steve Percifield started the annual
get-together in 2003, and it grows each time
it is held. In 2008, its third year at the AMA
facility, 43 pilots arrived with nearly 100
war machines.
The Dawn Patrol is an accurate name for
the event, because pilots start flying just
before the day’s first light. A couple of the
pilots keep pushing their takeoff times
earlier and earlier, to have the honor of the
first flight.
The models are works of art, with their
canvaslike-covered airframes, the majority
of which are built from kits. To add to the
realism, most of the airplanes include scalelooking
pilots and cockpit detailing; a few
are even outfitted with paintball guns
shooting CO2, to re-create the sound of
World War I machine guns such as the
Spandau, Vickers, and Lewis.
A section of the pit area includes some of the different types of aircraft at the event. Flags
of all countries involved in The Great War were flown.
The de Havilland D.H.2 fighter that Stephen Hill-Harriss scratch-built is well detailed and modestly powered with an O.S. 1.60 twin
four-stroke engine.
Jim Suchy scratch-built his Hannover CL.III in quarter scale and powered it with a Zenoah G-38 engine. The camouflage of the blue
lozenge pattern is very effective.
01sig2.QXD 11/21/08 3:43 PM Page 40
The Great War were common this year in
park flyer size. When the airplanes became
larger, the power plant of choice switched to
gas or glow engines.
This year, a Hoosier Dawn Patrol
participant proclaimed that one of the most
satisfying things about World War I
models—the sound of the engine—is lost
with electric power. There is something
pleasing about when the pilot works the
throttle stick to get that rising and falling
hum that we hear in World War I films.
A couple of the most exciting parts of
the event, apart from seeing all the great
aircraft, were the mock dogfighting and the
Review of the Threes. The former provides
a nice aerial display of pilots who try to
better their opponents’ aircraft and show
off a few of the maneuvers pioneered by
German World War I flying aces Max
Immelmann and Oswald Bölke.
Don’t let these models’ slower flying
speeds fool you. A pilot must be proficient
with both thumbs to make the airplane look
as good in the air as it does on the ground.
In the Review of the Threes, all the 1/3-
scale aircraft take the field for review and
pictures. As many of the RC pilots as
possible take to the air with their creations
and fly in loose formations.
This year, the Germans had the British
outnumbered six to three. The large size of
the airplanes and their high level of detailing
make it easy to believe that you have been
transported back to Flanders Fields in
southern Belgium and northwest France
during The Great War.
Balsa USA was at the Hoosier Dawn
Patrol to show off its latest releases: the 1/6-
scale Nieuport and Sopwith Pup.
Representatives from the company flew
several of its models and had kits and
supplies for sale.
Billy Thompson won Best of Show with
his modified Balsa USA 1/3-scale Fokker
D.VII. He finished his airplane in the
markings of German flying ace Ernst Udet
and was one of two pilots at the event
wearing Udet’s candy-striped colors.
Attending an event such as the Hoosier
Dawn Patrol brings back the excitement of
early aviation, when knights of the sky ruled
the air in their canvas warplanes. It provides
you with a rare opportunity to see several
“wind-in-the-wires” warbirds gathered in one
place and spend time with a great group of
people while they share their passion. If you
are looking for a front-row seat to see
modeling or flying World War I aircraft, the
Hoosier Dawn Patrol is your ticket.
To obtain more information about the
gathering, see additional pictures, or get
dates for World War I RC-related events,
visit the event Web site. MA
Jay Smith
[email protected]
Sources:
Hoosier Dawn Patrol
www.hoosierdawnpatrol.com