Top Gun Invitational-2011/08

“BIG,” “BIGGER,” and “huge” describe Top Gun—the models and the
competition, as well as the good times people have, the vendor area, and the flying
site.
The 23rd yearly invitational, which took place from April 27 to May 1, was
held at a new site. It was still at the Lakeland Linder Regional Airport in
Lakeland, Florida, but it took place at the grass Paradise Field. Frank Tiano
Enterprises (FTE) has put a lot of work into the venue, and you can see the
evidence in the turf, smoother surface, built-in irrigation system, and concrete
staging areas for the five flight stations.
Top Gun is an international contest, with competitors traveling from as far as
Germany, Italy, France, Brazil, New Zealand, and Australia. There are models of
aircraft from all eras of aviation, including World War I, World War II, Golden
Age, and the modern jet age.
This event is the best of Scale competition, featuring an air show, Top Gun
Hussies, vendors, hobby supplies, a large Tent City in the pit area, the Red Bull
Girls, motor homes by the score, and some outstanding models. Aircraft werflown, bought, sold, and simply shown off for
spectators and prospective buyers. Top Gun
wears many hats—successfully.
You won’t see 60-size models at this
event. Remember “big,” “bigger,” “huge”!
The airplanes at this contest comprise
carbon-fiber kits, fiberglass, and jets with huge
wingspans. It seems that WW II models are
now almost expected to be 1/4 scale, usually
spanning more than 100 inches, and WW I
models are typically 1/3 scale. The Moki 250cc
radial seems to be the engine of choice for
WW II entries—especially the big P-47s.
There are six competition classes at this
invitational. I’ll go through them and give you
a rundown of the contest, saving the new Mr.
Top Gun for last.
Pro-Am Sportsman: Top Gun competition
starts here. This class gives those who haven’t
won or placed higher than 15th at any Top
Gun class event the opportunity to work up to
Expert or Masters.
Greg Foushi won with his final flight on
Sunday afternoon, flying his 1/3-scale
Lavochkin La-7. The 110-inch-span airplane
was powered by a Moki 250 radial engine,
swinging a Bolly 30 x 16 three-blade
propeller. The model and the retracts were
from a ScaleWings kit.
Reinol Gonzalez finished second with his
MiG-15: an electric-ducted-fan-powered jet
from Bob Violett Models (BVM). Jorge
Escalona flew his Korean War-era F9F-8
Cougar to third place. It was powered with an
Airworld turbine.
Pro-Am Pro: This is the next step up from
Pro-Am Sport, and it features even more
competitors. If you have won the Sport
class, you’re ready for this.
This year’s winner was Curtis Switzer
with his scratch-built Curtiss B-2 Condor.
The 168-inch-wingspan bomber was
powered by two Saito 1.80 four-stroke
engines and featured a bomb drop during the
flight routine. Curtis built the huge airplane in
a two-car garage, and he had to use the whole
structure.
Second place went to Rob Lynch with a
BVM MiG-15 powered by an electric ducted
fan. Retracts and all hardware were BVM
products.
Marco Benincasa earned third place flying
his FeiBao kit of the T-33 jet trainer. The 109-
inch-span, 50-pound aircraft was powered by
an evoJet 160 turbine and had FeiBao retracts.
Unlimited: This division is static-judged
using the same guidelines as Masters and
Expert, but there is no builder-of-themodel
rule.
Each entry consists of a minimum of
three team members or a maximum of six
including the pilot, of which there can be
only one. All members must dress in team
colors.
David Hayes won Unlimited with his
Rockwell Thrush—a former Top Gun
winner. He put on a full show with it,
spraying the fields for lovebugs during the
week.
In second place was Kyle Goodwine
with Goodwine Aerosports, flying his F4F
Wildcat. It was powered by a Moki 150
radial. The top three were rounded out by
the Allied Scale Squadron and Greg Tracey
flying the Hawker Sea Hurricane.
Team: Builder Glenn Torrance and pilot
Tom Kosewski competed with a prototype
kit of a Glenn Torrance Models 1/3-scale
Fokker D.VII, which was extremely realistic
in finish, details, and how it behaved in the
air. It featured Glenn’s printed lozenge
fabric for a realistic look.
Powered by a Desert Aircraft DA-85
engine, the D.VII looked neither too fast in
the wind nor lacking power to get the job
done. Tom used good throttle management!
Finishing second was the familiar team
of builder Mike Selby and pilot Ray Johns.
Their subject was a unique F-111 Aardvark
bomber. The gear gave them problems at
one point, but they managed to bring the
101-inch-span jet in with a close score.
Pilot Bernie Boland and builder Olen
Rutherford teamed up with a great-looking
Beechcraft D-18 twin to come in third. So in
the top three places three eras of aviation
were represented.
Expert: Jack Diaz flew his version of the
BVM F-86 Sabre jet to take home the firstplace
trophy and the $1,000 prize money
that came with it. He was sort of nervous on
Sunday, thinking that he might be in a
position to place high—and that he did.
The F-86 was painted with PPG, and
Jack always scores well with this 80-inchspan
model. It flew with authority powered
by a JetCat P160 turbine.
Lee Rice garnered second place with his
1/5-scale F4U-4 Corsair that spanned 93
inches. He finished the model as a WW II
naval-carrier fighter. Powered by a Fuji 86
twin, the F4U looked great in flight or when
Lee landed it with all of the segmented flaps
out, gear, etc.
In third place was Tom Smith flying his
Jerry Bates-designed Hawker Sea Fury. It
spanned 101 inches and was powered by a
Moki 215 radial.
Masters: This is where modelers draw their
own plans, cut their own wood, or make
molds then build, and then finish their
models. This class features some of the most
unique aircraft.
First place was a squeaker as far as
placing, but former Mr. Top Gun David
Wigley flew his own-design 1/5-scale
Westland Wyvern to take the win. The 100-
inch-span, 51-pound model was powered by
28 MODEL AVIATION
a BME 100 engine swinging a 24 x 12
propeller.
Second place went to longtime competitor,
designer, and BVM owner Bob Violett, flying
his North American F-86 Sabre. The 80-inchspan
jet flew with authority, and all of the
details were there—both inside and outside.
Dave Johnson finished third flying his
familiar WW I Albatros D.Va. The 1/3-scale
German fighter was powered by a Fuji 64
engine and controlled by a Futaba 2.4 GHz
system. Dave uses many techniques including
dust and dirt to weather his vintage models.
Mr. Top Gun was David Wigley with his
Westland Wyvern. The unique counterrotating
propeller works on this model, with
the front propeller freewheeling and the back
propeller providing the thrust for flight.
David has earned this honor before, and
he received the trophy, well wishes, and
cash at the final awards ceremony. The
scoring margin between David and Jack
Diaz was only .255 point—one of the closest
we’ve seen! MA
Stan Alexander
[email protected]
Sponsors:
Primary: Model Airplane News, ZAP Glue,
FTE Inc.
Major: Futaba, JR DSM, Kempinski Hotels,
Red Bull, Mibo Jets, S.O.S. International
Associate: DaVinci Machining, Fly RC
magazine, RC Model World magazine, Nick
Ziroli Plans, Warbirds Over the Rockies
Supporting: Airtronics, CARF-Models, Eflite,
Evolution, EZ Balancer, Glen Torrance
Models, Saito Engines, Sierra Giant Scale,
Ray & Robin’s Hobby Center, Top Gun
Hussies, City of Lakeland, Polk County Sports
Marketing
Sources:
Top Gun
www.franktiano.com/TopGunFrameset.htm
Frank Tiano Enterprises
(863) 607-6611
www.franktiano.com

“BIG,” “BIGGER,” and “huge” describe Top Gun—the models and the
competition, as well as the good times people have, the vendor area, and the flying
site.
The 23rd yearly invitational, which took place from April 27 to May 1, was
held at a new site. It was still at the Lakeland Linder Regional Airport in
Lakeland, Florida, but it took place at the grass Paradise Field. Frank Tiano
Enterprises (FTE) has put a lot of work into the venue, and you can see the
evidence in the turf, smoother surface, built-in irrigation system, and concrete
staging areas for the five flight stations.
Top Gun is an international contest, with competitors traveling from as far as
Germany, Italy, France, Brazil, New Zealand, and Australia. There are models of
aircraft from all eras of aviation, including World War I, World War II, Golden
Age, and the modern jet age.
This event is the best of Scale competition, featuring an air show, Top Gun
Hussies, vendors, hobby supplies, a large Tent City in the pit area, the Red Bull
Girls, motor homes by the score, and some outstanding models. Aircraft werflown, bought, sold, and simply shown off for
spectators and prospective buyers. Top Gun
wears many hats—successfully.
You won’t see 60-size models at this
event. Remember “big,” “bigger,” “huge”!
The airplanes at this contest comprise
carbon-fiber kits, fiberglass, and jets with huge
wingspans. It seems that WW II models are
now almost expected to be 1/4 scale, usually
spanning more than 100 inches, and WW I
models are typically 1/3 scale. The Moki 250cc
radial seems to be the engine of choice for
WW II entries—especially the big P-47s.
There are six competition classes at this
invitational. I’ll go through them and give you
a rundown of the contest, saving the new Mr.
Top Gun for last.
Pro-Am Sportsman: Top Gun competition
starts here. This class gives those who haven’t
won or placed higher than 15th at any Top
Gun class event the opportunity to work up to
Expert or Masters.
Greg Foushi won with his final flight on
Sunday afternoon, flying his 1/3-scale
Lavochkin La-7. The 110-inch-span airplane
was powered by a Moki 250 radial engine,
swinging a Bolly 30 x 16 three-blade
propeller. The model and the retracts were
from a ScaleWings kit.
Reinol Gonzalez finished second with his
MiG-15: an electric-ducted-fan-powered jet
from Bob Violett Models (BVM). Jorge
Escalona flew his Korean War-era F9F-8
Cougar to third place. It was powered with an
Airworld turbine.
Pro-Am Pro: This is the next step up from
Pro-Am Sport, and it features even more
competitors. If you have won the Sport
class, you’re ready for this.
This year’s winner was Curtis Switzer
with his scratch-built Curtiss B-2 Condor.
The 168-inch-wingspan bomber was
powered by two Saito 1.80 four-stroke
engines and featured a bomb drop during the
flight routine. Curtis built the huge airplane in
a two-car garage, and he had to use the whole
structure.
Second place went to Rob Lynch with a
BVM MiG-15 powered by an electric ducted
fan. Retracts and all hardware were BVM
products.
Marco Benincasa earned third place flying
his FeiBao kit of the T-33 jet trainer. The 109-
inch-span, 50-pound aircraft was powered by
an evoJet 160 turbine and had FeiBao retracts.
Unlimited: This division is static-judged
using the same guidelines as Masters and
Expert, but there is no builder-of-themodel
rule.
Each entry consists of a minimum of
three team members or a maximum of six
including the pilot, of which there can be
only one. All members must dress in team
colors.
David Hayes won Unlimited with his
Rockwell Thrush—a former Top Gun
winner. He put on a full show with it,
spraying the fields for lovebugs during the
week.
In second place was Kyle Goodwine
with Goodwine Aerosports, flying his F4F
Wildcat. It was powered by a Moki 150
radial. The top three were rounded out by
the Allied Scale Squadron and Greg Tracey
flying the Hawker Sea Hurricane.
Team: Builder Glenn Torrance and pilot
Tom Kosewski competed with a prototype
kit of a Glenn Torrance Models 1/3-scale
Fokker D.VII, which was extremely realistic
in finish, details, and how it behaved in the
air. It featured Glenn’s printed lozenge
fabric for a realistic look.
Powered by a Desert Aircraft DA-85
engine, the D.VII looked neither too fast in
the wind nor lacking power to get the job
done. Tom used good throttle management!
Finishing second was the familiar team
of builder Mike Selby and pilot Ray Johns.
Their subject was a unique F-111 Aardvark
bomber. The gear gave them problems at
one point, but they managed to bring the
101-inch-span jet in with a close score.
Pilot Bernie Boland and builder Olen
Rutherford teamed up with a great-looking
Beechcraft D-18 twin to come in third. So in
the top three places three eras of aviation
were represented.
Expert: Jack Diaz flew his version of the
BVM F-86 Sabre jet to take home the firstplace
trophy and the $1,000 prize money
that came with it. He was sort of nervous on
Sunday, thinking that he might be in a
position to place high—and that he did.
The F-86 was painted with PPG, and
Jack always scores well with this 80-inchspan
model. It flew with authority powered
by a JetCat P160 turbine.
Lee Rice garnered second place with his
1/5-scale F4U-4 Corsair that spanned 93
inches. He finished the model as a WW II
naval-carrier fighter. Powered by a Fuji 86
twin, the F4U looked great in flight or when
Lee landed it with all of the segmented flaps
out, gear, etc.
In third place was Tom Smith flying his
Jerry Bates-designed Hawker Sea Fury. It
spanned 101 inches and was powered by a
Moki 215 radial.
Masters: This is where modelers draw their
own plans, cut their own wood, or make
molds then build, and then finish their
models. This class features some of the most
unique aircraft.
First place was a squeaker as far as
placing, but former Mr. Top Gun David
Wigley flew his own-design 1/5-scale
Westland Wyvern to take the win. The 100-
inch-span, 51-pound model was powered by
28 MODEL AVIATION
a BME 100 engine swinging a 24 x 12
propeller.
Second place went to longtime competitor,
designer, and BVM owner Bob Violett, flying
his North American F-86 Sabre. The 80-inchspan
jet flew with authority, and all of the
details were there—both inside and outside.
Dave Johnson finished third flying his
familiar WW I Albatros D.Va. The 1/3-scale
German fighter was powered by a Fuji 64
engine and controlled by a Futaba 2.4 GHz
system. Dave uses many techniques including
dust and dirt to weather his vintage models.
Mr. Top Gun was David Wigley with his
Westland Wyvern. The unique counterrotating
propeller works on this model, with
the front propeller freewheeling and the back
propeller providing the thrust for flight.
David has earned this honor before, and
he received the trophy, well wishes, and
cash at the final awards ceremony. The
scoring margin between David and Jack
Diaz was only .255 point—one of the closest
we’ve seen! MA
Stan Alexander
[email protected]
Sponsors:
Primary: Model Airplane News, ZAP Glue,
FTE Inc.
Major: Futaba, JR DSM, Kempinski Hotels,
Red Bull, Mibo Jets, S.O.S. International
Associate: DaVinci Machining, Fly RC
magazine, RC Model World magazine, Nick
Ziroli Plans, Warbirds Over the Rockies
Supporting: Airtronics, CARF-Models, Eflite,
Evolution, EZ Balancer, Glen Torrance
Models, Saito Engines, Sierra Giant Scale,
Ray & Robin’s Hobby Center, Top Gun
Hussies, City of Lakeland, Polk County Sports
Marketing
Sources:
Top Gun
www.franktiano.com/TopGunFrameset.htm
Frank Tiano Enterprises
(863) 607-6611
www.franktiano.com

“BIG,” “BIGGER,” and “huge” describe Top Gun—the models and the
competition, as well as the good times people have, the vendor area, and the flying
site.
The 23rd yearly invitational, which took place from April 27 to May 1, was
held at a new site. It was still at the Lakeland Linder Regional Airport in
Lakeland, Florida, but it took place at the grass Paradise Field. Frank Tiano
Enterprises (FTE) has put a lot of work into the venue, and you can see the
evidence in the turf, smoother surface, built-in irrigation system, and concrete
staging areas for the five flight stations.
Top Gun is an international contest, with competitors traveling from as far as
Germany, Italy, France, Brazil, New Zealand, and Australia. There are models of
aircraft from all eras of aviation, including World War I, World War II, Golden
Age, and the modern jet age.
This event is the best of Scale competition, featuring an air show, Top Gun
Hussies, vendors, hobby supplies, a large Tent City in the pit area, the Red Bull
Girls, motor homes by the score, and some outstanding models. Aircraft werflown, bought, sold, and simply shown off for
spectators and prospective buyers. Top Gun
wears many hats—successfully.
You won’t see 60-size models at this
event. Remember “big,” “bigger,” “huge”!
The airplanes at this contest comprise
carbon-fiber kits, fiberglass, and jets with huge
wingspans. It seems that WW II models are
now almost expected to be 1/4 scale, usually
spanning more than 100 inches, and WW I
models are typically 1/3 scale. The Moki 250cc
radial seems to be the engine of choice for
WW II entries—especially the big P-47s.
There are six competition classes at this
invitational. I’ll go through them and give you
a rundown of the contest, saving the new Mr.
Top Gun for last.
Pro-Am Sportsman: Top Gun competition
starts here. This class gives those who haven’t
won or placed higher than 15th at any Top
Gun class event the opportunity to work up to
Expert or Masters.
Greg Foushi won with his final flight on
Sunday afternoon, flying his 1/3-scale
Lavochkin La-7. The 110-inch-span airplane
was powered by a Moki 250 radial engine,
swinging a Bolly 30 x 16 three-blade
propeller. The model and the retracts were
from a ScaleWings kit.
Reinol Gonzalez finished second with his
MiG-15: an electric-ducted-fan-powered jet
from Bob Violett Models (BVM). Jorge
Escalona flew his Korean War-era F9F-8
Cougar to third place. It was powered with an
Airworld turbine.
Pro-Am Pro: This is the next step up from
Pro-Am Sport, and it features even more
competitors. If you have won the Sport
class, you’re ready for this.
This year’s winner was Curtis Switzer
with his scratch-built Curtiss B-2 Condor.
The 168-inch-wingspan bomber was
powered by two Saito 1.80 four-stroke
engines and featured a bomb drop during the
flight routine. Curtis built the huge airplane in
a two-car garage, and he had to use the whole
structure.
Second place went to Rob Lynch with a
BVM MiG-15 powered by an electric ducted
fan. Retracts and all hardware were BVM
products.
Marco Benincasa earned third place flying
his FeiBao kit of the T-33 jet trainer. The 109-
inch-span, 50-pound aircraft was powered by
an evoJet 160 turbine and had FeiBao retracts.
Unlimited: This division is static-judged
using the same guidelines as Masters and
Expert, but there is no builder-of-themodel
rule.
Each entry consists of a minimum of
three team members or a maximum of six
including the pilot, of which there can be
only one. All members must dress in team
colors.
David Hayes won Unlimited with his
Rockwell Thrush—a former Top Gun
winner. He put on a full show with it,
spraying the fields for lovebugs during the
week.
In second place was Kyle Goodwine
with Goodwine Aerosports, flying his F4F
Wildcat. It was powered by a Moki 150
radial. The top three were rounded out by
the Allied Scale Squadron and Greg Tracey
flying the Hawker Sea Hurricane.
Team: Builder Glenn Torrance and pilot
Tom Kosewski competed with a prototype
kit of a Glenn Torrance Models 1/3-scale
Fokker D.VII, which was extremely realistic
in finish, details, and how it behaved in the
air. It featured Glenn’s printed lozenge
fabric for a realistic look.
Powered by a Desert Aircraft DA-85
engine, the D.VII looked neither too fast in
the wind nor lacking power to get the job
done. Tom used good throttle management!
Finishing second was the familiar team
of builder Mike Selby and pilot Ray Johns.
Their subject was a unique F-111 Aardvark
bomber. The gear gave them problems at
one point, but they managed to bring the
101-inch-span jet in with a close score.
Pilot Bernie Boland and builder Olen
Rutherford teamed up with a great-looking
Beechcraft D-18 twin to come in third. So in
the top three places three eras of aviation
were represented.
Expert: Jack Diaz flew his version of the
BVM F-86 Sabre jet to take home the firstplace
trophy and the $1,000 prize money
that came with it. He was sort of nervous on
Sunday, thinking that he might be in a
position to place high—and that he did.
The F-86 was painted with PPG, and
Jack always scores well with this 80-inchspan
model. It flew with authority powered
by a JetCat P160 turbine.
Lee Rice garnered second place with his
1/5-scale F4U-4 Corsair that spanned 93
inches. He finished the model as a WW II
naval-carrier fighter. Powered by a Fuji 86
twin, the F4U looked great in flight or when
Lee landed it with all of the segmented flaps
out, gear, etc.
In third place was Tom Smith flying his
Jerry Bates-designed Hawker Sea Fury. It
spanned 101 inches and was powered by a
Moki 215 radial.
Masters: This is where modelers draw their
own plans, cut their own wood, or make
molds then build, and then finish their
models. This class features some of the most
unique aircraft.
First place was a squeaker as far as
placing, but former Mr. Top Gun David
Wigley flew his own-design 1/5-scale
Westland Wyvern to take the win. The 100-
inch-span, 51-pound model was powered by
28 MODEL AVIATION
a BME 100 engine swinging a 24 x 12
propeller.
Second place went to longtime competitor,
designer, and BVM owner Bob Violett, flying
his North American F-86 Sabre. The 80-inchspan
jet flew with authority, and all of the
details were there—both inside and outside.
Dave Johnson finished third flying his
familiar WW I Albatros D.Va. The 1/3-scale
German fighter was powered by a Fuji 64
engine and controlled by a Futaba 2.4 GHz
system. Dave uses many techniques including
dust and dirt to weather his vintage models.
Mr. Top Gun was David Wigley with his
Westland Wyvern. The unique counterrotating
propeller works on this model, with
the front propeller freewheeling and the back
propeller providing the thrust for flight.
David has earned this honor before, and
he received the trophy, well wishes, and
cash at the final awards ceremony. The
scoring margin between David and Jack
Diaz was only .255 point—one of the closest
we’ve seen! MA
Stan Alexander
[email protected]
Sponsors:
Primary: Model Airplane News, ZAP Glue,
FTE Inc.
Major: Futaba, JR DSM, Kempinski Hotels,
Red Bull, Mibo Jets, S.O.S. International
Associate: DaVinci Machining, Fly RC
magazine, RC Model World magazine, Nick
Ziroli Plans, Warbirds Over the Rockies
Supporting: Airtronics, CARF-Models, Eflite,
Evolution, EZ Balancer, Glen Torrance
Models, Saito Engines, Sierra Giant Scale,
Ray & Robin’s Hobby Center, Top Gun
Hussies, City of Lakeland, Polk County Sports
Marketing
Sources:
Top Gun
www.franktiano.com/TopGunFrameset.htm
Frank Tiano Enterprises
(863) 607-6611
www.franktiano.com

“BIG,” “BIGGER,” and “huge” describe Top Gun—the models and the
competition, as well as the good times people have, the vendor area, and the flying
site.
The 23rd yearly invitational, which took place from April 27 to May 1, was
held at a new site. It was still at the Lakeland Linder Regional Airport in
Lakeland, Florida, but it took place at the grass Paradise Field. Frank Tiano
Enterprises (FTE) has put a lot of work into the venue, and you can see the
evidence in the turf, smoother surface, built-in irrigation system, and concrete
staging areas for the five flight stations.
Top Gun is an international contest, with competitors traveling from as far as
Germany, Italy, France, Brazil, New Zealand, and Australia. There are models of
aircraft from all eras of aviation, including World War I, World War II, Golden
Age, and the modern jet age.
This event is the best of Scale competition, featuring an air show, Top Gun
Hussies, vendors, hobby supplies, a large Tent City in the pit area, the Red Bull
Girls, motor homes by the score, and some outstanding models. Aircraft werflown, bought, sold, and simply shown off for
spectators and prospective buyers. Top Gun
wears many hats—successfully.
You won’t see 60-size models at this
event. Remember “big,” “bigger,” “huge”!
The airplanes at this contest comprise
carbon-fiber kits, fiberglass, and jets with huge
wingspans. It seems that WW II models are
now almost expected to be 1/4 scale, usually
spanning more than 100 inches, and WW I
models are typically 1/3 scale. The Moki 250cc
radial seems to be the engine of choice for
WW II entries—especially the big P-47s.
There are six competition classes at this
invitational. I’ll go through them and give you
a rundown of the contest, saving the new Mr.
Top Gun for last.
Pro-Am Sportsman: Top Gun competition
starts here. This class gives those who haven’t
won or placed higher than 15th at any Top
Gun class event the opportunity to work up to
Expert or Masters.
Greg Foushi won with his final flight on
Sunday afternoon, flying his 1/3-scale
Lavochkin La-7. The 110-inch-span airplane
was powered by a Moki 250 radial engine,
swinging a Bolly 30 x 16 three-blade
propeller. The model and the retracts were
from a ScaleWings kit.
Reinol Gonzalez finished second with his
MiG-15: an electric-ducted-fan-powered jet
from Bob Violett Models (BVM). Jorge
Escalona flew his Korean War-era F9F-8
Cougar to third place. It was powered with an
Airworld turbine.
Pro-Am Pro: This is the next step up from
Pro-Am Sport, and it features even more
competitors. If you have won the Sport
class, you’re ready for this.
This year’s winner was Curtis Switzer
with his scratch-built Curtiss B-2 Condor.
The 168-inch-wingspan bomber was
powered by two Saito 1.80 four-stroke
engines and featured a bomb drop during the
flight routine. Curtis built the huge airplane in
a two-car garage, and he had to use the whole
structure.
Second place went to Rob Lynch with a
BVM MiG-15 powered by an electric ducted
fan. Retracts and all hardware were BVM
products.
Marco Benincasa earned third place flying
his FeiBao kit of the T-33 jet trainer. The 109-
inch-span, 50-pound aircraft was powered by
an evoJet 160 turbine and had FeiBao retracts.
Unlimited: This division is static-judged
using the same guidelines as Masters and
Expert, but there is no builder-of-themodel
rule.
Each entry consists of a minimum of
three team members or a maximum of six
including the pilot, of which there can be
only one. All members must dress in team
colors.
David Hayes won Unlimited with his
Rockwell Thrush—a former Top Gun
winner. He put on a full show with it,
spraying the fields for lovebugs during the
week.
In second place was Kyle Goodwine
with Goodwine Aerosports, flying his F4F
Wildcat. It was powered by a Moki 150
radial. The top three were rounded out by
the Allied Scale Squadron and Greg Tracey
flying the Hawker Sea Hurricane.
Team: Builder Glenn Torrance and pilot
Tom Kosewski competed with a prototype
kit of a Glenn Torrance Models 1/3-scale
Fokker D.VII, which was extremely realistic
in finish, details, and how it behaved in the
air. It featured Glenn’s printed lozenge
fabric for a realistic look.
Powered by a Desert Aircraft DA-85
engine, the D.VII looked neither too fast in
the wind nor lacking power to get the job
done. Tom used good throttle management!
Finishing second was the familiar team
of builder Mike Selby and pilot Ray Johns.
Their subject was a unique F-111 Aardvark
bomber. The gear gave them problems at
one point, but they managed to bring the
101-inch-span jet in with a close score.
Pilot Bernie Boland and builder Olen
Rutherford teamed up with a great-looking
Beechcraft D-18 twin to come in third. So in
the top three places three eras of aviation
were represented.
Expert: Jack Diaz flew his version of the
BVM F-86 Sabre jet to take home the firstplace
trophy and the $1,000 prize money
that came with it. He was sort of nervous on
Sunday, thinking that he might be in a
position to place high—and that he did.
The F-86 was painted with PPG, and
Jack always scores well with this 80-inchspan
model. It flew with authority powered
by a JetCat P160 turbine.
Lee Rice garnered second place with his
1/5-scale F4U-4 Corsair that spanned 93
inches. He finished the model as a WW II
naval-carrier fighter. Powered by a Fuji 86
twin, the F4U looked great in flight or when
Lee landed it with all of the segmented flaps
out, gear, etc.
In third place was Tom Smith flying his
Jerry Bates-designed Hawker Sea Fury. It
spanned 101 inches and was powered by a
Moki 215 radial.
Masters: This is where modelers draw their
own plans, cut their own wood, or make
molds then build, and then finish their
models. This class features some of the most
unique aircraft.
First place was a squeaker as far as
placing, but former Mr. Top Gun David
Wigley flew his own-design 1/5-scale
Westland Wyvern to take the win. The 100-
inch-span, 51-pound model was powered by
28 MODEL AVIATION
a BME 100 engine swinging a 24 x 12
propeller.
Second place went to longtime competitor,
designer, and BVM owner Bob Violett, flying
his North American F-86 Sabre. The 80-inchspan
jet flew with authority, and all of the
details were there—both inside and outside.
Dave Johnson finished third flying his
familiar WW I Albatros D.Va. The 1/3-scale
German fighter was powered by a Fuji 64
engine and controlled by a Futaba 2.4 GHz
system. Dave uses many techniques including
dust and dirt to weather his vintage models.
Mr. Top Gun was David Wigley with his
Westland Wyvern. The unique counterrotating
propeller works on this model, with
the front propeller freewheeling and the back
propeller providing the thrust for flight.
David has earned this honor before, and
he received the trophy, well wishes, and
cash at the final awards ceremony. The
scoring margin between David and Jack
Diaz was only .255 point—one of the closest
we’ve seen! MA
Stan Alexander
[email protected]
Sponsors:
Primary: Model Airplane News, ZAP Glue,
FTE Inc.
Major: Futaba, JR DSM, Kempinski Hotels,
Red Bull, Mibo Jets, S.O.S. International
Associate: DaVinci Machining, Fly RC
magazine, RC Model World magazine, Nick
Ziroli Plans, Warbirds Over the Rockies
Supporting: Airtronics, CARF-Models, Eflite,
Evolution, EZ Balancer, Glen Torrance
Models, Saito Engines, Sierra Giant Scale,
Ray & Robin’s Hobby Center, Top Gun
Hussies, City of Lakeland, Polk County Sports
Marketing
Sources:
Top Gun
www.franktiano.com/TopGunFrameset.htm
Frank Tiano Enterprises
(863) 607-6611
www.franktiano.com