Author: Sal Calvagna
Edition: Model Aviation - 2010/10
Page Numbers: 104,105,106
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Radio Control Giants — 2010/10

The action at Warbirds Over Delaware

Byline

Sal Calvagna ([email protected])

The Delaware R/C Club held its 18th annual Warbirds Over Delaware event July 7–10. This is the largest International Miniature Aircraft Association (IMAA)-legal military model show on the East Coast. It draws participants from along the eastern seaboard, from Massachusetts to Florida, and as far west as Wisconsin and as far east as England.

This year approximately 200 pilots brought more than 300 models to display and fly. Although World War II–era aircraft clearly outnumbered earlier and later designs, WWI airplanes ruled the skies during the midday shows on Thursday and Friday. More than 25 WWI models were flown simultaneously on Friday without mishap, a feat made possible largely by pilots’ use of 2.4 GHz radio technology.

To participate in this event, aircraft must meet IMAA specifications: 60-inch wingspan for a biplane, 80-inch wingspan for a monoplane, or be at least true 1/4 scale. Several RC giants at the fly-in were of immense proportions.

Mac Hodges of Andersonville, Georgia, flew his enormous B-29 Superfortress during the Friday midday show. He has been wowing crowds at major events with his B-29 and Bell X-1 for many years. The current model is Mac’s third incarnation and is 25% larger than the previous version. It spans 20 feet and is powered by four ZDZ 80RV gas engines. The massive Superfortress contains 16 onboard batteries, 20 servos, and seven receivers.

In addition to dropping the Bell X-1, the B-29 features smoke systems and a parachute drop. The X-1 is powered by an Aerotech G-64 rocket motor. The flight performance of the B-29 is astounding: inside loops, outside loops, flat spins, inverted high-speed passes — Mac really puts on a show. Who knew a Superfortress could perform all those maneuvers? I took many photos of the model in flight; the best caption for the shot of the crew bailing out would be, “This pilot has got to be nuts!” Thanks for the show, Mac.

Carl Bachhuber of Mayville, Wisconsin, debuted his newly completed Fairchild C-119 Flying Boxcar. At only 13% of full scale, it spans 177 inches and is powered by two Zenoah GT-80 twin-cylinder gas engines. As with all of Carl’s models, the C-119 is magnificently built; he constructed it from an enlarged set of Palmer plans, and his good friend Bob Walker made the landing gear.

The C-119 was used extensively during the Korean War for troop and equipment transport. Reports say its greatest feat during the conflict was aiding retreating Marines from Chosin: Boxcars dropped eight 2,500-pound sections of bridging so soldiers could cross a deep ravine and escape encirclement. The Fairchild also made history as the first aircraft to execute a midair recovery of a capsule returning from orbit — in August 1960 it snagged Discoverer XIV at 8,000 feet as the satellite descended by parachute southwest of Honolulu. The last C-119 was retired in 1975.

Jerry McCollum of Owings Mills, Maryland, flew his beautiful 1/2-scale Piper L-4 Grasshopper. This three-year project started with enlarged Balsa USA plans. The 211-inch-span model is powered by a ZDZ 210 gas engine. It performed flawlessly and, other than the lack of a pilot figure, could have been mistaken for full scale while airborne. Jerry used the Stits covering and paint system to finish his L-4, and it is even autographed by W.T. Piper’s son. Great job, Jerry!

As the story goes, the last dogfight in Europe during WWII took place on April 11, 1945, and involved a Piper L-4 Grasshopper and a German Fieseler Fi 156 Storch. The Storch was artillery spotting at close to 700 feet, about 100 miles west of Berlin, when it was attacked. Two lieutenants in the L-4, Duane Francis and Bill Martin, opened fire on the Fieseler with .45-caliber pistols while in a dive. They shot out the side doors, emptied their guns into the windshield and fuel tanks of the Storch, which made a low-altitude turn; when the right wing hit the ground, the Fi 156 cartwheeled to a stop in a pasture. The American officers landed nearby and captured the pilot and observer. This is the only known instance of an enemy aircraft being downed by handgun fire.

One of the most refreshing sights of the weekend was 11-year-old T.J. Emanuel of Cinnaminson, New Jersey, flying a World Models P-51 Mustang. It was powered by an O.S. 2.00 four-stroke glow engine and finished with Krylon Olive Drab paint. T.J. flew his model beautifully from takeoff to landing; he mixed it up in the sky with all of the old hands and showed he is the future of model aviation. Congrats, T.J. — you’re welcome to fly my models anytime!

AMA President Dave Mathewson flew my Fokker D.VII during the event. He piloted and landed it with aplomb, showing he’s not only a politician and administrator but also a modeler. Nice going, Dave!

Those who travel near and far to attend make Warbirds Over Delaware worthwhile, but the continued success of this wonderful affair falls squarely on the shoulders of the Delaware R/C Club members who work so hard to ensure a safe and fun time. From impound to flightline operations, the Delaware R/C staff kept all facets of this large event running smoothly. Thank you for making all of us welcome at Lums Pond.

Sources

Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.