Radio Control: Scale
IN JANUARY, Southern California hosted two major hobby expositions: The International Modelers Show (IMS) was in Pasadena, and the Endless Horizons Expo was in Long Beach. It was fun for me to attend these shows as a member of the press, and not as an exhibitor locked into a booth, as I had always been. I saw these shows as the consumer saw them. Endless Horizons had a full-line mix of exhibitors; there were airplane, car, boat, train, and plastics manufacturers of every size and description. IMS was more of an airplane modeler's show, although there was a solid cross-section of hobbies. The weather was fantastic, and the Southern California hospitality and dining were first-rate (thanks, Barbara, Roy, and Susan). The only negative aspect was that both shows took place during the same four days, which put a terrific burden on exhibitors and consumers. I spent two days at each event, but that's not convenient for exhibitors, who must either choose to attend one show or bear the costs of participation in both.
Radio Control: Scale
SPITFIRE BUILD-ALONG: If you haven't purchased your Dynaflite Spitfire kit yet, but are planning to join me in the build-along, there's good news. Great Planes purchased Dynaflite last year, and one of the first improvements made to Mark Smith's excellent 81-inch Spitfire was to create a quality construction manual. The original typed and photocopied pages are replaced by 16 pages of clearly written step-by-step instructions and detailed CAD-drawn illustrations. I intended to begin construction of the Spitfire's fuselage in time for this month's installment, but after examining the Great Planes kit I felt that it would be more prudent to see what changes have been made - especially since so many more of you will be working from the new kit than from the original. If you are building the original Dynaflite model, there is nothing to worry about; nothing in the Great Planes version renders the original obsolete. A large number of fine Spitfires have been built from the Dynaflite kit.
Radio Control: Scale
ON MARCH 4, the 43rd Annual Weak Signals Radio Control Expo, Toledo OH, opened its doors to a huge crowd. In an instant, preshow anticipation gave way to an invigorating lightning bolt of activity. The SeaGate Center was bustling, and vendors were busy. Airplanes were alive and well, and the show was off the deck and climbing. There were big crowds and scores of great products. The show gave every indication of brighter aeromodeling skies ahead. Aisle after exciting aisle was packed with modelers who had brilliant designs, clever accessories, labor-saving field-support products, and the most carefully and creatively crafted flying models in the world. Exhibitors met the onslaught of modelers with a barrage of products for specific interests, answers to many questions, and plans for future releases.
Radio Control: Scale
Manufacturers' News: Some of you may be asking yourselves, "Where in the %!*&# is Chuck Gill? The answer is pleasant; after a lengthy medical challenge, Chuck and his kit business, The Aeroplane Works, are back in production and ready to fill your orders. As of mid-July, more than 250 kits for Nick Ziroli and Rich Uravitch designs were in stock and ready to ship. I have three Aeroplane Works kits in my stash, and each is an example of some of the finest craftsmanship and quality wood selection available in the hobby industry. I've jokingly said that the packing materials used in Chuck's kits are probably better than the wood in some of the other kits. For the latest pricing and selection, send $1 to Chuck at The Aeroplane Works, 2134 Gilbride Rd., Martinsville NJ 08836.
Radio Control: Scale
THE NATIONAL AEROMODELING Championships' Radio Control Scale competition was conducted under the expert guidance of RC Director Wayne Yeager and Contest Director Dale Arvin. The contest began with the static judging portion, which took place on Friday, July 11 at the Horizon Convention Center in Muncie. This spacious center is directly opposite the charming Radisson Hotel Roberts, where many of the officials and competitors dug in nightly for the duration of the contest. Four classes of AMA RC Scale competition were available to contestants: Fun Scale, Sportsman, Expert, and Designer. International-class competition, FAI F4C, was also available. Fun Scale is primarily a flying event. Models are very loosely judged on a most general basis, with a five-point do-or-die reward. If a Spitfire wears a set of roundels and looks more like a Spitfire than a B-25, it is awarded five static points. If some model is claimed to be a B-25, but looks more like a Kaos, no points are awarded. "Fun" is the key word in static judging here, but Fun Scale's flight rules are the same as for entries in the other RC Scale AMA events.
