Micro RC models have been a part of the Northeast Electric Aircraft Technology (NEAT) Fair, held in Downsville, New York, since the first one took place more than 14 years ago. Back then, it was only a few of us flying our tiny airplanes for everyone to see.
People seemed amazed at what we were doing, so we began holding seminars about our latest projects. This led to even more people showing up at NEAT with their latest micro RC designs.
Soon, we were flying indoors at the Downsville gym on the Saturday night of the NEAT Fair. The night event became popular with many attendees, and remains a highlight!
The 2013 Indoor Night became “indoor nights,” and were held September 13 and 14. They reminded me of the old days of NEAT—with some really inspiring models that pushed the limits. Both nights were fun with friendly competition.
Martin Newell returned to NEAT this year with some amazing models. His four-channel, 1:100-scale Supermarine Spitfire has a 4.42-inch wingspan and weighs 1.7 grams. Martin taxied out and flew this aircraft during the halftime show. His Spitfire was something to see, but his eight-channel, 1:96-scale P-51D Mustang was a showstopper!
His P-51D has a 4.63-inch wingspan and yes, eight channels! It features retracts, flaps, lights, and even working machine gun lights with sound coming from his transmitter. Martin received the Best Micro aircraft award for his outstanding effort.
Adam Woodworth arrived with some cool Cartoon Scale jets that he designed. His Cartoon Scale SR-71 Blackbird and his Cartoon Scale F-35 Lightning II flew beautifully. He also flew his incredible, 1/37-scale Daedalus 88 with a 36-inch wingspan, and his 72-inch wingspan 1/18-scale version. Both flew majestically.
Jin Choe flew his beautiful, new 1/24-scale Avro 504K World War I trainer and several other outstanding models at the event. Jin has a new website where he sells his 1/24-scale Avro and his 1/24-scale Sopwith triplane designs as laser-cut kits. His website is listed in “Sources.”
I flew the new 4.5-inch version of my A-10 design for the first time at the event.
Friendly Competition
Bob Selman of Bob Selman Designs (BSD) Micro RC organized and sponsored a micro RC Pylon race for the event. Participants had to build a model that used a 6mm motor for power.
Bob and several others began testing motors and building up some prototypes, trying to find the best motor and the right size model that would fly in the small gym. The models were all fast and it became a challenge to keep them flying without cutting or crashing!
The results of the official race were as follows:
1. Joe Malinchak
2. Adam Woodworth
3. Matt Keennon
At the time of the NEAT Fair, the great-flying ParkZone Mini Vapor was on sale for $30 for the BNF version, so we decided to hold a Mini Vapor race. The winners were:
1. Adam Woodworth
2. Anthony Sole
3. James Bhasin
We also decided to hold Mini Vapor Combat after the halftime show. This was really something to see. We had approximately 22 Mini Vapors simultaneously in the air. It was like a starburst of colors with all of them flying. Sam Johnson won the event!
SKS NEAT Fair Video
If you would like to see some of the indoor event action, SKS Video Productions filmed many of the highlights. Scott Stauffer does an amazing job of covering the NEAT Fair and our indoor event.
Martin’s Spitfire and P-51D, Adam’s Cartoon Scale jets and Daedalus 88s, Jin’s Avro 504K, and my 4.5-inch A-10 are all featured, plus several more. See the SKS Video Productions website for more information.
Thank You!
Cindy and I would like to thank everyone who helped make this year’s Indoor Night events at NEAT a success, including our wonderful sponsors:
• BSD Micro RC for sponsoring the 6mm race. Bob Selman and Gary Jones created some beautiful awards for the 6mm race and a Best Micro Aircraft award.
• Luke’s RC Planes, SKS Video Productions, and RC Plane Wear for donating merchandise for the Mini Vapor race and Mini Vapor Combat event.
• The Bergen County Silent Fliers for help with our event insurance.
We hope to see everyone at next year’s Indoor Night events at NEAT Fair!
