Toledo 1992
George M. Myers
The Weak Signals R/C Club probably never dreamed the trade show it initiated 38 years earlier would grow to the huge size it enjoys today. For the dedicated R/Cer it is an event to have on the calendar. Tip to attendees: bring a credit card and a bunch of money to buy goodies.
Improvement / Show overview
The 38th Annual R/C Expo was held Friday, April 3 through Sunday, April 5, 1992, at the Seagate Center, 401 Jefferson Avenue, Toledo, Ohio. People staying at the Radisson Hotel could walk to the Expo without going outdoors. The interior arrangements were much better than the Sports Center used in previous years: aisles were open and easy to walk at almost any time of day, a far cry from prior years when aisles were almost impassable because of crowds.
- Some 360 booths were available to exhibitors.
- Nearby parking lots charged $2–$3 per day.
- Models were displayed in the center of the arena.
- The Swap Shop occupied long tables around the arena, in corridors, and in second-floor rooms.
- Tables and chairs were provided on the first floor outside the arena for people who wanted to eat, talk, or rest.
- A soft carpet on the concrete floor of the Seagate Center was a welcome innovation — many attendees commented their feet didn't hurt as much as last year.
- A coat/bundle check was available, another refreshing convenience.
Notable exhibitors and products
Mr. Suding of SAI gave a long, interesting talk with strip-chart recordings on the properties of NiCd batteries at various life stages. One of the company's former products was the Plane Saver. Their current product at the show was the ULTIMATE microprocessor-controlled battery charger (about $189). Features:
- Slow-charges eight battery packs at once
- Accepts packs made of 1, 4, 5, or 8 cells
- Handles 270–2,200 mAh ratings
- Uses a constant-current 200 mA pulse charging method
- Ready for nickel-hydride (NiMH) cells
(SAI, 27107 Richmond Hill Road, Conifer, CO 80433)
Other highlights and exhibitors included:
- John LaFonte (White Plains, NY): a WW I–vintage model with extensive detailing — clearly much labor and craftsmanship went into it.
- Tiny Blitz diesel engines (.003 cu. in. displacement): generated lots of excitement — the author kept calling out “Buy! Buy! Buy!”
- Bill Cannon: demonstrating a new radio system.
- Darrel Peugh (VIP Miniature Engines, 10009 Carmelita Drive, Potomac, MD 20854): repro and custom engines for collectors; contact for new radio system availability.
- Dick Pratt (Cincinnati, OH): an Eagle sailplane — a striking model (jokingly noted as likely to attract live eagles in the vicinity).
- Dave Abbe (CEO, RCD, Inc.): exhibited the add-on “MOM” unit that converts an ordinary RC system into one with:
- All-channel mixing
- End-point adjustments up to 120% of the usual control range
- Exponential control
- Various safety features
The MOM unit is installed in the airplane (not in the transmitter), is patented, and — according to Abbe — does not affect the transmitter signal. It is for AM and FM only (not PCM). The unit is made in England exclusively for RCD, Inc., by On-Board Consultants. RCD also showed the RCD Pro system and F-series servos (approx. 0.15 seconds for 90° rotation) aimed at pylon racing.
- John L. Hoover (Burton, MI): a very modified Legend RC sailplane featuring a full-flying tail, light Mylar covering, and extensive carbon-fiber reinforcement.
- John Peck (John Peck Leisure Products): a large Whitley Mark V (WWII Armstrong-Whitworth design). Built starting February 1991 and completed in time for the show. Notable construction details: frame-and-stringer method using foam wing ribs and fuselage bulkheads obtained by slicing a full-size foam model; skin-panel details applied with an airbrush. (John Peck Leisure Products is the manufacturer of Easy-Up Shelters.)
- George Myers (author): a 1/3-size Stearman (a kit by Balsa USA) previously shown unfinished; at this show it was displayed ready to fly.
- RC helicopters: many were on display; a twin-rotor Boeing-Vertol (a Hirobo kit) stood out as decidedly different.
Conclusion
Details and craftsmanship abounded everywhere at the Expo. From WW I–vintage designs to highly modified sailplanes, warbirds, tiny diesels, and innovative electronics, the 38th Annual R/C Expo at the Seagate Center demonstrated the size, scope, and renewed comfort of the show in its new venue. Many thanks to the Weak Signals club for the improvements that made the visit more pleasant.
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
