Chicago Expo
Overview
The 1979 Annual Greater Chicago Radio Controlled Model Show — the seventh annual Chicago Expo — was a lively mix of commercial exhibitors, competition entries in 20 categories, an electric RC car track, a swap shop, and tables for assembling Delta Darts. The Dart program proved popular, with as many girls as boys among the winners.
A cooperative effort of 26 RC groups, the Association of Greater Chicago Radio Control Clubs provided strong sponsorship and support. The organization maintains 17 flying sites, seven areas for RC boat operation, and two for cars.
Exhibits and facilities
- Location: DuPage County Fair Grounds, near Wheaton.
- Venue: Two large buildings housing:
- 43 commercial exhibitors
- About 100 planes, boats, and cars in 20 categories
- Electric RC car race track
- Two concession areas
- Swap shop
- Tables for assembling Delta Darts
- Outdoors adjacent to the buildings:
- Large field for flight demonstrations
- Small lake for boat demonstrations
This combination of facilities made Chicago Expo unique among radio-control shows.
New products and exhibits
New products first seen at Chicago Expo included:
- Du-Bro Products:
- New hand-crank-operated fuel pump that clamps to the top edge of a one-gallon can; available in two types (one for glow fuel, one for gasoline). A rubber-like paddle impeller makes the pump self-priming.
- Bolt-on spring-steel wheel axles in 1/8", 5/32" and 3/16" diameters.
- Robart:
- New scale landing gear struts for P-51s in two sizes.
- Two new Super Pumpers (one with auto-mix).
- Two control bellcranks, differential and feed-through types.
- Royal Electronics:
- Latest Omega and Classic programmable transmitters.
- Nelson Model Products:
- New two-cylinder Damo 4-cycle engine with ignition modification by Otto Bernhardt.
- B&D Engine exhibit:
- Eye-catching 2-cycle .60 twin developed from Ben Shereshaw's twin design.
Competition and awards
Scale planes, boats, and cars dominated the competitive display area. Visitors were asked to vote for their choice of all models present.
Winners included:
- Popularity ballot: Fritz Lindgren — Grumman F7F-1 Tigercat
- Built from Grumman plans over five years; 78" span, 28 lb.; machined retract landing gear, air-operated.
- WWI Scale: Bob Pound — de Havilland 2
- Fiberglass-molded fuselage; Williams Brothers LeRhone cylinders modified to simulate the earlier engine.
- WWII Military: Joe Spallone — F4U Corsair
- Narrowly edged out Hal Parenti’s Bearcat.
- Non-military (repeat winner from Toledo): Stan James — Pietenpol Air Camper
- Best finish and Best Pattern: Owen Wysong — Diamond Cobra
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
