Classic Aircraft's Waco
This article is dedicated to the memory of Ron Sears. Dope, fabric, spruce, glue, balsa. . .sounds like I am talking about model airplanes, doesn't it? Well, I am, but these aircraft happen to be the 12 inches = 1 foot variety. But this doesn't preclude them from being a sort of model, does it? In fact, they are manufactured as a continuation of one of the 1930s' most popular sport and acrobatic aircraft: the Waco YMF-5 (the Waco Classic F-5). If you go to Lansing, Michigan (as Ron Sears and I did), take time to find the local airport. After a few questions at the office, you will be on your way upstairs to the company headquarters of one of today's finest American-built biplanes. It seems that most Scale modelers gather information on aircraft they want to build-I'm no different. Waco aircraft have been dear to my heart for a very long time. This trip was another chance to gather information on a particular aircraft I really like-from the ground up. Now for a little background on Waco aircraft:
Top Gun 1994
Imagine the ideal flying site: there's a taxiway, plenty of overfly area, and a permanent transmitter impound. The two 45 degree, 1/4-inch-cut-grass runways are vacuumed each morning and are as smooth as a golf green. Runway boundaries are clearly marked for the pilots and judges. Colorful shrubs and flowers are behind the pits and line the boundaries, walkways, and fountains.
Top Gun: Terry Nitsch does it again!
ONCE A YEAR, aeromodeling's "best of the best" converge on West Palm Beach, Florida to compete in one of the world's most prestigious Scale events-the Top Gun Invitational. This international competition was held at the Palm Beach Polo Club April 27-30. Hosted by the Palm Beach Aero Club, the meet marked its fifth year at the polo field. It's many different events in one-an air show for the spectators, a world-class championship for the competitor, a great
Top Gun
RC SCALE COMPETITIONS in the US are characterized by different skill levels. In AMA competition, fliers can enter fun Scale or Sportsman class, and work their way up to Expert. With the US Scale Masters series, there are 19 qualifying events around the country-an Expert-class contestant has to finish in the top 30% of the field at that meet to qualify to go to the championships each fall. In the international (F4C) FAI Scale program, a competitor must qualify for one of the positions on a three-person team. The best filers at these events are watched, judged, and picked to compete at the Top Gun Invitational in West Palm Beach, Florida each spring. This event regularly draws more competitors from different parts of the world than any other event except the FAI World Championships. The pilots who are invited try to best each other with the "wow factor"-building large, complicated, unique aircraft that expand the technical envelope of Scale aeromodeling. Giant Scale models with radial engines or turbines are not uncommon, as competitors try to add to their realism score. Aircraft are only eligible for three years.
'96 Scale Masters: Garland Hamilton Takes Top Honors in Mesa, Arizona
Qualification for the US Scale Masters Championships is a thrill for many Scale competitors. This year there were 19 Masters Qualifiers from Alberta, Canada to Long Island to Dallas to King Orange in Florida, the Mint Julep in Kentucky, and Mile Square Park in California. The 1996 Championships was held October 31-November 3 at Mesa, Arizona by the Arizona Model Aviators at the beautiful Spook Hills flying site. The ramrods of the event were veteran Manager Roy Pratt and Contest Director Jeff Demming. This Spook Hills facility, with a 600-foot paved runway, covered pit area, and safety barriers on all flightlines, is another flying site in danger of being closed because of encroaching urban development.
