Model Airplane Extravaganza
A bare parking area dotted only with light standards, a cavernous mall echoing footsteps on stark walls; tables, bare and uninviting standing like soldiers; all these showed little promise of the things to come at Crestwood Plaza in St. Louis. Yet two hours later a "Model Extravaganza" was well under way.
A year ago the Greater St. Louis Modeling Association considered a special event for 1976. Many ideas were formulated and a concept began to gel through connections formed some years ago. A real friend to St. Louis modelers, Ruth Jacobson of the Fleishman-Hillard Public Relations firm, provided the impetus and the connections to bring the project to fruition. Twice over the last five years projects have been accomplished with her help. These included an air show and display at the famous Gateway Arch and an equally impressive program at the Marriott Motor Hotel.
This time a meeting was held with Morris Sternbeck and Judith Moyer representing the management of the two largest shopping centers in the St. Louis area. There was an immediate rapport established between the groups and the first meeting soon developed into a series of planning sessions. Ideas bounced in brainstorm fashion and soon the basic concepts emerged. May 22 and 23 climaxed the months of planning.
The event was advertised as a Model Extravaganza but covered more area. It realistically proved the compatibility of many commercial and civic groups. The indoor mall of Crestwood Plaza was punctuated with display areas including three model displays. Each of these areas included free-flight, control-line and radio-control airplanes as well as R/C cars. There were old engines, early radio gear in ground-based transmitters, sailplane films on a rear-view projector, and indoor models in the air almost constantly from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Easy B's and Pennyplanes all headed toward the high ceiling. Each time a puzzled spectator inquired, "How does it stay up there?"
At 11:00 a.m. member clubs presented the first of several air shows, complete with a four-engined control-line model, scale, slow-combat, sport race, beginner types and Snoopy and the Red Baron.
Highly successful shopping mall display and outdoor action put on by the Greater St. Louis Modelers Association demonstrated some excellent public relations ideas.
Bob Underwood
Photos by Bill Crame and Frank Broach mortal combat. A second section of the show found the RC cars running a road course laid out adjacent to the flying circle.
Twelve noon brought the arrival of the first celebrities, Sue Mathais and Don Miller, who present traffic-copter reports for KMOX (CBS) Radio, greeted the spectators at the air-show area after arriving amid the copter's downblast. The two were escorted to the stage area on the mall and received plaudits from the modelers in appreciation of their contribution to the St. Louis commuters' safety. Sue was also recognized for her efforts in becoming the first licensed woman helicopter pilot in Missouri. As a crowd gathered Sue and Don prepared to narrate a different type of fashion show. One of the participants in the display was Trans World Airlines. They provided hostess uniforms covering 50 years of TWA history. These were modeled, to the delight of the crowd, by members of the Clipped Wings, a group of former TWA hostesses. The parade of changing fashions and hemlines was accompanied by comments taken from the hostess manual including such items as "upon request the travelers' shoes will be removed and cleaned."
Additional excitement was provided by celebrities from the show sponsor, KMOX Radio. Such personages as football Cardinal stars Jim Hart and Dan Dierdorf, St. Louis Blues announcer Dan Kelly, sports announcer Bill Wilkerson were on hand to sign autographs and chat with the many that gathered. Young modelers were brought in with AMA Cubs and helped the celebrities trim them out for a contest. It was a spirited event and fun was had by all. Cubs soon graced the tops of several display windows.
A historical note was added with the participation of the Missouri Historical Society. The Society has in its possession much of the Charles Lindbergh memorabilia. The entire mall was sprinkled with large mounted photos which portrayed the historical aspects of aviation. A special Missouri Historical Society booth featured a display of Lindbergh photos, a Wright trophy, and a scale model of the Spirit of St. Louis, lent by GSLMA — built by Art Biehl. The day was made long for many of the modelers by proving a satisfying outlet for meeting the public and selling the hobby-sport. Almost 100 models were on display or flown and well over 100 modelers manned the project.
On the following day, Sunday, the modelers gathered at Buder Park flying field for a combination of events featuring free flight, control-line and radio control. There were fun events in the morning, AMA scale events in the afternoon climaxed by a "St. Louis to Chicago Mail Run" in the tradition of Charles Lindbergh.
Prizes in the form of trophies and merchandise were provided by the Crestwood Plaza. An additional benefit came in the form of a 45-minute live program on radio prior to the event. The Association representative fielded questions called in over the air. The program afforded an excellent opportunity for modelers.
In conclusion, the GSLMA would suggest to any modeling group that they investigate the possibility of such a program in their area. It is difficult to completely assess the value but the exposure to the public offers two distinct advantages. First, it is possible to educate and work to dispel the "toy airplane" image. Secondly, it provides an excellent outlet for the modeler's ego trip. We are looking forward to cooperation with our many friends to modeling in the future.
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
