Pot-O-Gold Show
History
Five years ago the South Bend RC Club of South Bend, IN, had a dream — an RC show that would actually cater to the hobbyist and promote modeling to the general public from the modeler's point of view. The initial Pot-O-Gold show was staged in a modest 16,000 sq. ft. concourse area between the two domes of the Notre Dame Joyce Athletic and Convocation Center (JACC). From the beginning the club hoped to ultimately "fill a dome" with RC models of every possible size and shape.
1989: Under the Dome
Thanks to steady growth, the South Bend RC Club (SBRCC) realized its ambition in 1989 and put the Pot-O-Gold fully under the dome. The show expanded to 96,000 square feet. Pot-O-Gold manager Jack Allinger joked, "If we have to, we'll rent the other dome too!" To reflect the event's active focus, the club adopted a permanent motto: "The Action Show."
Weather and flying demonstrations
The show was moved from February to early May in 1989. Although attendees expected balmy weather, Saturday's aircraft flying demonstrations were hit by unseasonal snow and sleet. The outdoor crowd quickly sought the warmth of the dome, and flying was postponed until Sunday, when spring weather returned and the outdoor stands filled with eager onlookers.
The RC Aircraft Demonstration Crew staged flying displays for hundreds. Particular crowd favorites were helicopter and giant-scale flying demonstrations. Each facet of flight was explained from the flight line via radio-microphone to the stadium PA system. There were no crashes during the entire show, attesting to pilot skill and aircraft quality.
A memorable near-accident involved an Old-Timer-style Buccaneer. As it worked into the stadium for landing, a brisk wind came up and the Buccaneer's tired four-stroke engine quit at about four feet of altitude. The pilot skillfully executed a vertical touchdown with no roll-out. The crowd cheered, thinking it a daring maneuver; the pilots on the field knew better. The incident earned wry reference to "the luck of the Irish."
Exhibitor services and facilities
Club members provided door-to-door assistance for participants unloading and setting up. Everyone with a booth or display was supplied with carts and on-site help, making entry into the dome and setup swift and efficient. Swappers and exhibitors received the same attention at show close, so dismantling and exit went smoothly. Exhibitors also used a full-height drive-in entry that kept out inclement weather during unpacking; Wells Cargo, a specialty trailer builder, drove and parked trailers right at its assigned booth.
Filling almost half the dome were displays, booths, grandstands, a 40 × 60 ft. pool, and a racetrack for RC boats and cars. Emphasis remained on RC airplanes: the Pot-O-Gold International Airport (Moose Crouse practice stadium) just outside Gate Four served as the practice area. Goalposts were removed for crowd control and permanent bleachers provided excellent viewing for aerial demonstrations.
Aircraft displays and highlights
- RC Aircraft Demonstration Crew: staged regular flying displays.
- Helicopter and giant-scale demonstrations: major crowd-pleasers.
- Club members provided fill-in flying demonstrations while dealers and manufacturers displayed the latest 1989 offerings.
Awards
RC Aircraft static awards included:
- Bell Jet Ranger — 1st place: Chris Langton (Mishawaka, IN), member of Michiana RC Choppers Club.
- Sport class — 1st place: Al Beek (Grand Rapids, MI) with an Aeromaster.
- Military Scale — 1st place: Phil von Ville (Delaware, OH) for a superb Corsair (three and a half years of construction).
- Civilian Scale — 1st place: Jack Allinger (show manager) with a Cap 21.
- Giant Scale and Best-of-Show — 1st place: Richard Waugh (Portage, IN) for a realistic, scratch-built P-38 "Putt Putt Maru."
Finishing second and third in Civilian Scale were quarter-scale sister ships of the Bumble Bee and Sky Baby, built by mother-and-daughter team Kathy and Tina Mahar of Osceola, IN.
AMA recognition and club awards
The AMA was notably present. Jim Sears, AMA vice president, presented the Distinguished Service Award to the South Bend RC Club; Ron Vander Molen accepted on the club's behalf. In a separate ceremony Jim Sears presented a 25-Year Service Award plaque to the Tri-Valley RC Club; club president Bob Kyle accepted. The Tri-Valley and South Bend groups are sister clubs representing modelers on the north and south sides of South Bend and St. Joseph County, spanning the border between AMA districts VI and VII.
Frequency control and participation
Throughout the two-day show the SBRCC maintained full frequency control and coordinated all demonstration activity with a scanner-equipped control center. No mishaps occurred; D&J Electronics (Howell, MI) assisted with frequency control during busy periods.
Exhibitor participation was strong:
- 75 dealers, manufacturers, and hobby-related businesses
- 118 booths
- Representation from Washington, California, New York, and Florida
Hazel Sig Nester promised to display her full-size Space Walker next year. The Midwest's dense modeling population — a considerable percentage within a 150-mile radius of South Bend — positions the SBRCC for continued growth of future Pot-O-Gold shows.
Looking ahead
With its successful move under the dome, comprehensive exhibitor support, varied active participation, and wide geographic representation, the Pot-O-Gold Action Show is poised to grow further and remain a major event for modelers and the public alike.
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
