Scale Squadron Fly-In - 2011/06

by Randy Wilbur
A memorial
event with
a full-scale
tie in
Above: This view of
p i t r ow s h ows
some of the models
i n a t t e n d a n c e .
Eighty-seven pilots
participated in the
weekend event at
the Pomona Valley
Model Airplane Club
field.
Left: Jerry Abel’s
H o b b y P e o p l e
L o c k h e e d C- 1 3 0
Hercules was a hit
with members of the
crowd, who voted for
their favorite models
during the noontime
demonstrations. This
military transport
t o o k h ome t h e
People’ s Choi ce
award.
Squadron
Scale
Fly-In
38 MODEL AVIATION
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June 2011 39
Below: Models line up on the runway after performing a
flyby. Attendees examined them close-up and voted for
their favorites.
Left: Derek Micko’s Wowplanes B-24 Liberator makes a
pass during the World War II flyby that was part of the
noon demos.
Above: Brad Osborne’s Meyer’s Little Toot is based on
the full-scale design of the same name from the 1950s.
Photos by the author
THE SCALE SQUADRON of Southern
California hosted the fourth annual Scale
Fly-In the weekend of June 5-6, 2010. The
venue was the outstanding Pomona Valley
Model Airplane Club field in Chino,
California.
This has become a memorial event to
honor one of the last founding fathers of
the club, Jerry Ortego. Last summer 87
pilots from three states graced us with their
attendance, and they piloted more than 160
Scale models during the weekend.
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40 MODEL AVIATION
The Scale Squadron kicked off the weekend
festivities by entertaining its members and
out-of-town pilots with the Zap Tap Room
Friday-night mixer. The gathering was held
exclusively for registered pilots, crews, and
guests.
Saturday morning began early, with
breakfast at the field, pilot registration, safety
checks, and the customary pilots’ meeting.
Flying began after the national anthem, with
two entry points and five flight boxes in use.
At noon the South West Armor Group, an
RC tank club from Southern California,
demonstrated its models’ capabilities with
prop buildings and vehicles on the opposite
side of the flying field from the pilots while
an exciting World War II model flyby
took place. Simultaneous action on the
Ri g h t : M i k e
Greenshields built
this ASM B-17G
Flying Fortress
“Shoo Shoo Shoo
Baby,” which Larry
Wolfe taxis down
the runway. It took
the Best Overall
Realistic Flight
award.
Be l o w : T h e
Southwest Armor
Group of Southern
C a l i f o r n i a
demonstrated RC
tank and jeep
capabilities, setting
up prop buildings
on the opposite
side of the field
from the flying.
ground and in the air excited the crowd.
After the performance, pilots were asked
to take their aircraft to the middle of the
runway. Then the public was invited onto the
field to see the airplanes up close, meet their
owners, and vote for their favorite models.
After the excitement of the demonstration, the
pilots resumed flying until dusk.
In the evening the Scale Squadron hosted
a barbecue for the pilots and their families at a
Chino Airport hangar that three of the club
members own. It is home to a full-scale P-51
Mustang, AT-6 Texan, and N3N Primary
Trainer. The excitement was heightened even
further when the P-51 was fired up for all to
hear.
The weekend concluded with the
presentation of 15 awards that ranged from
Best Military to People’s Choice. The
pinnacle was the presentation of the
Commander’s Award, which was bestowed to
the pilot who exemplifies the spirit of the
event. Tim Cardin was the lucky recipient.
In addition to a plaque, he received a
Focke-Wulf Fw 190 that honoree Jerry
Ortego kitted. Jerry’s wife, Phyllis Ortego,
was present at the awards presentation. Tim,
who is a member of the Scale Squadron,
wasted no time building and finishing the kit
in Jerry’s competition colors.
The 2011 Scale Fly-In will be held June 4-5
at the same location. To accommodate more
participants, the pit area will be doubled. This
will eliminate the need for pilots to set up
their aircraft so far from the entry gate.
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Scale
Charlie Mitchell’s
Stearman, with wing
walker attached,
drew a lot of
attention at the Fly-
In.
We will again host the Saturday-evening
dinner in the Chino Airport hangar. This year’s
banquet will also feature an auction of various
new large-scale models and radios.
This event is fast becoming the talk of the
West Coast, so make plans now to attend.
Come out and see some great-flying Scale
models! MA
Randy Wilbur
[email protected]
Sources:
Scale Squadron of Southern California
www.scalesquadron.com
South West Armor Group
www.southwestarmorgroup.com
Fly-In Results
June 2011 41
Best Military
Name Model
1. David Pearson Messerschmitt Bf 109
2. Adam Gelbart Sopwith Pup
3. Chris Spangenberg Hawker Typhoon
Best Civilian
1. Dave Lloyd Curtiss Robin
2. Tim Cardin Beechcraft Staggerwing
3. Brad Osborne Meyer’s Little Toot
Best Electric Prop
1. John Bayshore Grumman F8F Bearcat
Best EDF
1. Chris Wolfe Mirage III RS
Best Detailed ARF
1. Rick Powers Republic P-47 Thunderbolt
Best of Show
1. Richard Pandis Focke-Wulf Fw 190
Best Overall Realistic Flight
1. Larry Wolfe/Mike Greenshields Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress
People’s Choice
1. Jerry Abel Lockheed C-130 Hercules
2. David Pearson Messerschmitt Bf 109
3. Larry Wolfe/Mike Greenshields Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress
Commander’s Award
1. Tim Cardin Jerry Ortego’s Focke-Wulf Fw 190
Squadron
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