Author: Stan Alexander
Edition: Model Aviation - 2003/09
Page Numbers: 18,19,20,21,22,23,24,25,26
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Top Gun 2003

Best of the best gather in Florida for the country's premier RC Scale event

Stan Alexander

In its second year at Lakeland Linder Regional Airport in Lakeland, Florida—the same site as the Experimental Aircraft Association’s Sun ’n Fun full-scale fly-in—Top Gun was held April 23–27. Sun ’n Fun was held a few weeks earlier, with many great subjects for scale modelers. Just off runway 9, the Florida Air Museum offers year‑round access to modeling subjects and homebuilt aircraft.

Top Gun has grown in the location at which it’s now held. If you want to take the kids to Disney World or any of the other theme parks in the Orlando area, they are approximately 30 minutes from the field. There are air museums in the area, and Tampa is roughly a 30‑minute drive.

The AMA Delta Dart program was in full swing the week of the contest. Dave Platt held the Scale Free Flight contest again this year, and the daily halftime shows pleased the crowds each day.

As in past Top Guns, contestants came from around the world: Argentina, Canada, Mexico, and Thailand were represented. The modelers who traveled the farthest were builder Mike Selby and pilot Kalvin Lim, Team Scale competitors from Bangkok, Thailand. Mike and Kalvin brought a crew and their Grumman F7F Tigercat. The 1/5‑scale, 122‑inch‑wingspan model dropped unpowered drones that glided to the ground for the next flight. It was sad when the model was lost on Sunday.

Gerardo Galvez came from Naucalpan, Mexico, again this year with his Stearman in a U.S. Navy color scheme. The model was built from the old Sterling kit and flew great.

Field conditions were better this year than last, with a 60‑foot‑wide paved taxiway and the grass area directly next to it. The grass was in much better shape, greener, and smoother; with the asphalt taxiway, the site is excellent for tail‑dragger‑type airplanes.

Florida weather can be unsettled, and it was when we arrived. Weather affected modelers who practiced and those who didn’t. Several pilots chose not to practice; those who did—some with their contest models—scored higher in the event. Overall, the weather was the best I’ve seen at Top Gun in many years.

The big story at Top Gun this year was simple scale airplanes breaking the long‑held notion that a model must have flaps and retracts to win. By “simple” I mean a four‑ or five‑channel model without retracting landing gear, bombs, tanks, etc. An uncomplicated, well‑finished and well‑documented scale aircraft that is flown well can easily place in the top 10 or even win. Examples included Graeme Mears’ Super Cub in Team Scale, Kim Foster’s de Havilland D.H.94 Moth Minor in Expert class, Bud Roane’s Thomas Morse Scout and Lloyd Roberts’ Bowers Fly Baby in Masters.

Kim Foster located the full‑scale Moth Minor in Arlington, Texas, at the Commemorative Air Force. He obtained the name of the airplane’s caretaker and sent him several rolls of film, asking him to shoot photos of every part of the aircraft and its markings. Kim then bought plans and materials and built the model to match the documentation.

Several changes were made for this edition of Top Gun. The scale helicopter event wasn’t held, and the World Scale event flown last year was dropped. Categories at this contest included the Master Class (formerly Designer Scale) for modelers who designed their own plans, built the models from those plans, and flew them; Expert Class for those who built from plans or kits; and Team Scale, in which a builder and pilot paired up.

A new rule added a 2% deduction from flight scores for jet models with a great deal of prefabrication, including wing panels. This regulation will be watched closely over the next several years for its effect on balancing competition between props and turbines. Also beginning this year, as in AMA Scale rules, the 10th maneuver is Realism in Flight. If you would like a copy of the Top Gun rules, check www.franktiano.com.

There were several new models at the event and a few making their last visit. This contest has a three‑year rule: you can only compete with the same model for that period, after which you must completely repaint the aircraft or bring another. After three years, some modelers change color schemes, others bring a different model they haven’t flown in a few years, and the ambitious competitors come with new airplanes. It usually takes at least a year to get the bugs out of a new model and become comfortable with it in flight, especially for landings.

One of the new aircraft debuted this year was a 1/3‑scale clipped‑wing Monocoupe 110 Special that Paul Donofrio built from Vern Clements plans. The red‑and‑white racer spanned 118 inches, weighed 47 pounds, and was finished with Sig Koverall and Randolph dope. It was powered by a 3W‑120 engine. Paul asked Anthony Greco to pilot the Monocoupe in Team Scale, and he did an excellent job.

Another eye‑catching model was the Airborne Early Warning (AEW) B‑29/Tu‑4 that George Maiorana entered in Team Scale with pilot Dave Pinegar. According to George, two turboprop versions of this airplane were sent to China from the Soviet Union. The model spanned 115 inches, weighed about 30 pounds, and was powered by electric motors. It was covered with an aluminum product called Elite‑Metal. The electric power, homemade four‑blade propellers, and rotating radar dome made this a unique model to watch.

Graeme Mears of Canada built a beautiful 1/3‑scale Piper PA‑18 Super Cub that garnered many awards. Highly detailed, it showed what you can do with a simple subject. Graeme researched the full‑scale PA‑18 for 12 years before building this model, using factory drawings, photos, and full‑scale measurements to draw plans and scratch‑build the airplane—scratch building at its best. The Cub was powered (per technical listing) by a Moki 3.80 twin engine. The judges awarded the model and its pilot Dave Patrick the NASA Flight Achievement Award for the most prototypical flight performance. Graeme and Dave also received cash and awards for Best Civilian Aircraft, Team Scale High Static Score, and Critics' Choice. This was the model's first contest.

A standout jet replica was a scratch‑built turbine‑powered de Havilland Swallow by Sam Snyder. The tailless design looked elegant in flight and required careful handling in turns.

Mike Hipwell built and campaigned a Supermarine Spitfire Mk XIV in a unique photo‑reconnaissance color scheme. He used a Moki 1.80 for power and finished the Spitfire in ordinary latex indoor house paint covered with polyurethane for fuel proofing. The rivets were burned in each panel with a soldering gun.

Team Scale: Last year's winner—Joe Grice with his North American Super Sabre F‑100 "Pretty Penny"—finished second this year. Joe's model also took Best of Show and Best Jet at this year's Toledo expo. Graeme Mears’ 1/3‑scale Piper PA‑18 took first place in Team Scale by less than a point. Dave Patrick flew the Cub to a top score of 97.375 for his fourth flight. Third place went to builder George Maiorana and pilot Dave Pinegar with the Tu‑4.

Top Gun 2003 Technical Information

Master Class

  1. Jeff Foley - Bf 109E-4 - own design - Moki 2.10 - Platt - Moki 20 x 8 - JR - 1/4 - 86 inches - 25 pounds
  2. Bob Violett - F-100 Sabre - own design - AMT - BVM - N/A - JR - 1/3 - 69 inches - 36 pounds
  3. Lloyd Roberts - Fly Baby - own design - Kavan - scratch-built - Dynat. 22 x 8 - JR - 1/3 - 108 inches - 32 pounds
  4. David Hayes - Rockwell - own design - Saito 1.80 - scratch-built - APC 18 x 6 - JR - 1/5 - 107 inches - 27 pounds
  5. Pat McCurry - Me 109G-10 - own design - 3W-70 - PCM Models - Moki 22 x 12 - JR - 1/5 - 101 inches - 40 pounds
  6. Hal Parenti - Ryan Fireball - own design - YS 120 - Robart - APC 16 x 8 - Airtronics - 1/3 - 72 inches - 19 pounds
  7. Rich Feroldi - Albatros D.V - own design - Sachs 5.80 - scratch-built - Moki 26 x 10 - Futaba - 1/3 - 118 inches - 35 pounds
  8. Bud Roane - Sopwith 1½-Strutter - own design - (engine not listed) - (landing gear not listed) - (propeller not listed) - (radio not listed) - 1/3 - (span not listed) - (weight not listed)
  9. Bob Patton - T-28 Trojan - own design - 3W-100 - Robart - 3W 28 x 10 - Futaba - 1/4 - 114 inches - 52 pounds
  10. Nick Ziroli Sr. - Stearman - own design - Robart radial - scratch-built - Zinger 26 x 12 - Airtronics - 1/5 - 87 inches - 32 pounds

Expert Class

  1. Joe Rafalowski - F-100 - BVM - JetCat 160 - BVM - N/A - JR - 1/4 - 70 inches - 30 pounds
  2. Kim Foster - Moth Minor - Jerry Bates Plans - Laser 150 - Robart - Zinger 18 x 5 - Futaba - 1/4 - 110 inches - 15 pounds
  3. Dennis Crooks - P-38 - Nick Ziroli Plans - Husky 3.3 - Robart - Zinger 22 x 10 - Futaba - 1/4 - 114 inches - 45 pounds
  4. Tommy Wood - F-18C Hornet - Yellow Aircraft - Two RAM 1000s - Yellow Aircraft - N/A - JR - 1/6 - 72 inches - 45 pounds
  5. Gustavo Campana - Aero L-159 - Walter Godez - T-1000 - Franz Waldi - N/A - Futaba - 1/5 - 68 inches - 30 pounds
  6. Tim Redelman - F-4 Phantom - BVM - JetCat - BVM - N/A - JR - 1/6 - 68 inches - 25 pounds
  7. Martin Hendrickson - T-34 - own design - GT-80 - Robart - Bolly 24 x 10 - JR - 1/4 - 109 inches - 25 pounds
  8. Al Kretz - Spitfire Mk XVI - Yellow Aircraft - Moki 1.80 - Yellow Aircraft - Zinger 18 x 8 - Futaba - 1/4 - 88 inches - 25 pounds
  9. Joe Rice - F4U Corsair - Hoban/Royal - OS 1.08 - Earl Aune - APC 15 x 6 - Airtronics - 1/5 - 76 inches - 22 pounds
  10. Bill McCallie - Fw 190A-3 - Vailly Aviation - D&B 3.7 - Vailly Aviation - Mejzlik 22 x 10 - JR - 1/5 - 94 inches - 33 pounds

Team Scale

  1. Dave Patrick / Graeme Mears - Super Cub - scratch-built - Moki 3.80 - scratch - Mejzlik 24 x 10 - Futaba - 1/3 - 144 inches - 45 pounds
  2. David Shulman / Joe Grice - F-100 - BVM - AMT 450 - BVM - N/A - JR - 1/6 - 69 inches - 34 pounds
  3. Joe Grice / George Maiorana - AEW/Tu-4 - scratch-built - electric/MaxCim - scratch - scratch - Futaba - 1/5 - 115 inches - 30 pounds
  4. Scott Russell / George Maiorana - P-47 - Aerotech Models - Brison 4.2 - Robart - Zinger 22 x 10 - Futaba - 1/6 - 82 inches - 32 pounds
  5. Dean DiGiorgio - F4U Corsair - Nick Ziroli Plans - G-62 - Robart - 22 x 8 - JR - 1/5 - 92 inches - 35 pounds
  6. Tony Urbano - de Havilland Swallow - scratch-built - JetCat 120 - scratch-built - N/A - JR - 1/5 - 98 inches - 32 pounds
  7. Anthony Greco / Paul Donofrio - Monocoupe 110 - Vern Clements - 3W-120 - scratch-built - Zinger 32 x 10 - JR - 1/2.5 - 118 inches - 47 pounds
  8. Paul Bageman / Mark Taylor - F-100 - BVM - JetCat 120 - BVM - N/A - JR - 1/6 - 69 inches - 32 pounds
  9. Dorin Luck / Gary Allen - Bucker Bu.133 - scratch-built - G-62 - scratch-built - 3W 24 x 10 - Futaba - 1/3 - 86 inches - 23 pounds
  10. Brian O'Meara / Jim Hammond - Ki-61 - Don Smith - Webra 1.20 - Gene Barton - Moki 16 x 8 - Airtronics - 1/5 - 86 inches - 17 pounds

Top Gun 2003 Static and Flight Awards

  • Master High Static - Lloyd Roberts - Fly Baby
  • Expert High Static - Gustavo Campana - Aero L-159
  • tied - Joe Rafalowski - F-100
  • Team High Static - Graeme Mears - Super Cub
  • Best Civilian Aircraft - Graeme Mears - Super Cub
  • Best Military Aircraft - Joe Grice - F-100D
  • Best Biplane - Rich Feroldi - Albatros D.V
  • Best Pre-WW II Aircraft - Paul Donofrio - Monocoupe
  • Best Jet - Joe Grice - F-100D
  • Engineering Excellence - George Maiorana - Tu-4
  • Best Cockpit Interior - Patrick McCurry - Me 109G
  • Charlie Chambers Craftsmanship Award - Lloyd Roberts - Fly Baby
  • Grey Eagle Award - Nick Ziroli Sr.
  • Critics' Choice (Runner-Up) - Patrick McCurry - Me 109G
  • Critics' Choice - Graeme Mears - Super Cub
  • Best Two-Stroke Performance - Jeff Foley - Bf 109E
  • Best Four-Stroke Performance - Hal Parenti - Ryan Fireball
  • Best Gas Performance - Dennis Crooks - P-38
  • Best Multi-Engine Performance - Dave Voglund - Me 110
  • Best Jet Performance - David Shulman - F-100
  • Mass Launch Awards - Wayne Siewert - Found 100

Top Gun 2003 Results

Expert

  1. Joe Rafalowski - North American F-100 - Static: 96.083 - Total: 187.878
  2. Kim Foster - de Havilland Moth Minor - Static: 95.000 - Total: 187.625
  3. Dennis Crooks - P-38 Lightning - Static: 94.333 - Total: 186.458
  4. Tommy Wood - F-18C - Static: 92.667 - Total: 186.125
  5. Gustavo Campana - L-159 - Static: 96.083 - Total: 185.794
  6. Tim Redelman - F-4 Phantom - Static: 93.000 - Total: 183.528
  7. Martin Hendrickson - Beechcraft T-34A Mentor - Static: 92.750 - Total: 181.708
  8. Al Kretz - Spitfire Mk XVI - Static: 91.000 - Total: 181.000
  9. Joe Rice - F4U-1D Corsair - Static: 93.750 - Total: 180.625
  10. Bill McCallie - Fw 190A-3 - Static: 91.833 - Total: 180.416

Master

  1. Jeff Foley - Bf 109E - Static: 96.500 - Total: 189.750
  2. Bob Violett - F-100F - Static: 95.667 - Total: 188.767
  3. Lloyd Roberts - Fly Baby - Static: 98.583 - Total: 187.458
  4. David Hayes - Rockwell Thrush - Static: 93.917 - Total: 186.500
  5. Pat McCurry - Me 109G-10 - Static: 94.500 - Total: 186.125
  6. Hal Parenti - Ryan FR-1 Fireball - Static: 92.917 - Total: 183.792
  7. Rich Feroldi - Albatros D.V - Static: 97.333 - Total: 182.416
  8. Bud Roane - Sopwith 1½-Strutter - Static: 92.083 - Total: 182.333
  9. Bob Patton - T-28C - Static: 92.000 - Total: 181.458
  10. Nick Ziroli Sr. - Stearman - Static: 90.500 - Total: 180.708

Team

  1. Dave Patrick, Graeme Mears - Super Cub PA-18 - Static: 98.583 - Total: 193.208
  2. David Shulman, Joe Grice - F-100D - Static: 98.417 - Total: 193.110
  3. David Pinegar, George Maiorana - Tu-4 - Static: 96.750 - Total: 188.667
  4. Scott Russell, Wayne Siewert - P-47 Thunderbolt - Static: 97.500 - Total: 185.417
  5. Dean DiGiorgio, Tony Urbano - Corsair F4U - Static: 92.750 - Total: 185.042
  6. Tom Dodgen, Sam Snyder - de Havilland Swallow - Static: 94.500 - Total: 184.792
  7. Anthony Greco, Paul Donofrio - Monocoupe 110 - Static: 94.750 - Total: 184.583
  8. Paul Bageman, Mark Taylor - F-100 - Static: 92.667 - Total: 179.642
  9. Dorin Luck, Gary Allen - Bucker Bü.133 - Static: 93.083 - Total: 179.625
  10. Brian O'Meara, Jim Hammond - Ki-61 Tony - Static: 92.167 - Total: 176.917

Event Summary

Expert Class: Dennis Crooks built one of the hardest scale subjects to fly, the Lockheed P-38 Lightning, from Nick Ziroli plans. He flew the 114‑inch‑span model with Husky 3.3 engines and Robart landing gear to a third‑place finish. Kim Foster flew his D.H.94 Moth Minor consistently all week; his excellent documentation and flying earned him a 95.00 static score and second place, missing first by only 0.253 point. Joe Rafalowski flew a Bob Violett Models F-100 with a JetCat 160 turbine and JR PCM 10 radio to win Expert for the second year in a row.

Master Class: The Master division produced tight competition, with winners separated by less than a point. Lloyd Roberts finished third with his scratch‑built 1/5‑scale Bowers Fly Baby. Bob Violett took second with an F-100 Super Sabre; several of his kits were flown throughout the week, and a new North American F-86 Sabre kit is coming soon. Jeff Foley won the Master title (Mr. Top Gun) flying his familiar Bf 109E‑4, taking the title for the second time. Despite mechanical trouble (a ruptured air tank for the retracts forced a gear‑up landing on Saturday), Jeff recovered and performed strongly Sunday. His well‑documented model and consistent scores secured the win.

Sponsors and Thanks: With the spectator and contestant turnout that Top Gun attracts, sponsors are eager to participate. Primary sponsors were Model Airplane News and Pacer Technology. Other major sponsors included Airtronics, O.S./Futaba, Robart Manufacturing, FTE Turbine Works, JR Radios, The Gunner's Mate, Bob Violett Models, Nick Ziroli Plans, Aircraft International, Aero Tech Models, Dave Platt Models, Dixie Cutrone, Gerard Enterprises, Pro Mark, RC Report, Saito Engines, RC Scale International, Sheraton 4 Points Hotel, Top Gun Hussies, Van Dell Jewelers, and Tamiya.

It takes a small army of workers, judges, and volunteers to run an international contest such as this. The local Imperial RC Club provided many of the workers. Special thanks to Rosie and to Frank Tatino for putting together one of the best scale championships, air shows, and trade events anywhere.

Hope to see you next year!

Stan Alexander 3709 Valley Ridge Dr Nashville, TN 37211 [email protected]

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