Radio Control: Scale
Jeff Troy 200 S. Spring Garden St. Ambler, PA 19002
Toledo '91
Toledo, 1991 — as always, the Weak Signals annual RC trade show was something akin to paradise for any serious modeling enthusiast. With a camera in hand and an appreciation for contemporary aeromodeling skills, I worked my way up and down the show's crowded aisles and enjoyed some of the most carefully crafted models from around the world.
If the models on display weren't enough to spark inspiration, the manufacturers' colorful exhibits finished the job. Booth after fantastic booth was decked out with the latest kits, radio equipment, engines, and innovative accessories — in short, Toledo '91 was excellent.
Scale Displays and Awards
Naturally, the static display tables were among the most interesting. Awards were given in three separate Scale categories:
- Military Sport Scale Plane (sponsored by Du-Bro Products)
- Non-Military Sport Scale Plane (sponsored by ISC International Trading Co., Ltd.)
- Precision Scale Plane (sponsored by Sig Manufacturing Co.)
Judging in these Scale categories at the Toledo show was done in accordance with current AMA rules, so many of the models have either been or soon will be flown in sanctioned competitive events. Despite what some modelers suspect about "Toledo" airplanes, very few appeared to be intended as hangar queens. Flying a model is simply the last step of the modeling process — a good airplane hasn't truly been completed until it's been put to the blue.
Exhibitors and New Kits
With AMA's relatively new Fun Scale event gaining popularity among novice scale modelers, kit manufacturers offered a wide variety of new products. Mustangs were everywhere — several booths featured attractive sport-scale P-51 kits that promised easy building and superb sport flying qualities.
Notable exhibitors and offerings included:
- Great Planes Model Manufacturing (Urbana, IL): a new sport-scale P-51 (including a 60-size version) with attractive kits and easy building characteristics.
- Byron Originals: a show-stopping booth featuring fans, fighters, floats, and fantasy models with first-class finish and detailing.
- CBA Models (Warren, OH): a very impressive fiberglass P-38 Lightning, spanning a full ten feet. The kit uses mostly fiberglass with foam outer wing panels and is ideally powered by a pair of Super Tigre 3000s. Plans are available for an all-built-up version as well.
- Jack Dorman Models (Indiana): offerings designed to complement Dave Piatt's FW-190 kit — cockpits and other scale accessories are available.
- Midwest Products (Frank Garcher): displayed a one-fifth Nakajima Ki-84 (scratch-built by Frank).
Dave Piatt's fifth-scale FW-190 kit (Top Gun 190) was especially impressive. Dave recommends engines such as the OS 90, 108, Super Tigre 2000/2500, and Quadra. I plan to use an Enya VT-240 (an 80-degree vee-twin four-stroke) that fits perfectly under the fiberglass hood of this magnificent kit. The wingspan is just over ten feet.
Large-Scale and Fiberglass Models
As models grew larger, the extra room for detailing became more evident. Balsa USA displayed a third-scale J-3 Cub and complemented it with an immaculately detailed, huge PT-17 Stearman. The new PT-17 looks very accurate and would make an excellent subject for builders wanting a large, high-quality biplane kit.
CBA Models' fiberglass P-38-H remains one of the most impressive scale kit offerings I've seen in a long time — I can just picture the sound of a pair of Tigre 3000s as that bird makes a high-speed pass over the runway.
Jets and Ducted Fans
Jet Hangar Hobbies' Larry Wolfe showed a fascinating one-ninth scale F-15 Eagle. Larry's production-level attention to detail was evident, and talking with him about the technology behind these kits was enlightening. Jet offerings were plentiful at Toledo: Bob Parkinson Flying Models, Yellow Aircraft, Byron Originals, Bob Voilet Models, and others also had very impressive ducted-fan or jet kits on display.
I must admit these models intrigue me, and I fully expect that one of these days I'll break down and try one or two of these high-performance ducted-fan kits. Being primarily a World War One enthusiast, I remind myself that "just because an engine is running doesn't mean that the engine is broken!"
Larry Wolfe also displayed his best scratch-built P-61 B (done by Roger Brennom of Toledo, Ohio) — the Black Widow — which featured a pair of OS 108s and an extraordinary attention to detail.
Coverite 21st Century Fabric
R/C Modeler Magazine's Jerry Smith was demonstrating Coverite's new 21st Century fabric at the show. Jerry is covering one of Balsa USA's new .60-size scale Cubs with this material and was very excited about it. I had the pleasure of demonstrating the new Coverite products as well and was equally impressed.
Coverite 21st Century products (pre-painted, fuelproof, iron-on fabric) will be available in October and are an excellent choice for those who want a high-quality scale finish without the hassle of painting.
Other Notable Kits
- Ace R/C: I finally noticed their understated scale Taylorcraft hanging over their booth. It's a lovely, long-time kit in their line and would make a perfect first venture into scale modeling.
- Byron Originals and several other smaller manufacturers continued to impress with unique and highly detailed kits and display models.
Top Gun Invitational and Personal Notes
Tomorrow my wife, daughter, and I will be flying to Palm Beach, Florida, for the third running of the Top Gun Invitational Scale Contest. I expect to have lots of pictures and stories to share next month — Top Gun is known to bring out the very best in scale modeling.
On a more personal note: our close friend Fran Okins, Top Gun's Chief Judge, is recovering at home after a tough cancer operation and an unexpected heart attack. With the support of his wife Betsy and son Michael, Fran is resting and getting his strength back. If friends would like to send a get-well card, mail it to:
1235 Horseshoe Lane Blue Bell, PA 19422
Fran, we're all pulling for you.
Closing
That about does it for me. As for the magnificent models on display at Toledo '91, the accompanying pictures will tell the story better than I can. Build straight and fly safely. See you next month.
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
