THE 'TOLEDO SHOW'
SINCE MY FIRST trip to the Weak Signals' Club Annual RC Exposition, some six years ago, I've always noticed that it is not simply a trade show or another static display. For all of us aeromodelers in the midwest and east, it's like part of our annual RC life cycle, like the changing of the seasons. It is that necessary migration to Toledo each year that helps foster the new ideas, the new ambitions to create that beautiful new "bird" for the coming months or year. You might say it's the mating season between an RCer's mind and his capabilities for haggling swap-shop deals, or extracting data from manufacturers, jobbers, and especially from other avid RC nuts.
The Toledo RC Exposition has become so ingrained in aeromodelers' start-your-year-off without it is like forgetting to charge your batteries, like forgetting to fill your tank, like painting without priming, like a flight without a take-off, like rubber ducky not flying north. But enough is enough! The Toledo Show has become the grand-daddy of all the RC trade shows and is now in its 22nd year. Thirty-thousand people thronged the 185,000 sq. ft. sports arena, and, thanks to two brilliant show directors, about ten year-long committeemen, 115 hard-working Weak Signals members, and about 160 manufacturers, they don't go away disappointed. The riverfront sports arena is the largest exhibition facility that the city of Toledo has to offer and, by the very apparent organization this year, our hosts must be getting quite comfortable in it.
In its 22nd Annual running, the Toledo Weak Signals' "Greatest RC Show on Earth," attracted 30,000 spectators, about 160 manufacturers.
They continue to sell out all of the 250 booth spaces and have demand for more. (As a Daytonian, I wish we could send them our new 350,000 sq. ft. exhibition center because I am sure that the Weak Signals, more than anyone else, would know how to use it all.)
In the words of Bob Hisey, the show's director, they try to limit their exposition to three functions:
First, we give the manufacturer a chance to show his product to us modelers and to see how we will accept it from the marketing standpoint, plus give us the opportunity to talk face-to-face with the manufacturer and register any gripe we may have.
Second, we want to give the modeler an opportunity to build a little ole jewel throughout the year, bring it in to be displayed and have a crack at winning some of the $3,600 in trophies.
Finally, it's a chance for the modeler or hobbyist who wants to sell surplus or used items to set up shop. I don't mean to offend the high-class peddlers out there.
Also, Bob Hisey says that now that the new home is adapting, they will continue to polish and improve the quality of presentation, coordination, layout, parking, etc. He feels the show should never be self-satisfied, thinking it has arrived. Hey Bob — it's nice to see someone never self-satisfied. Toledo — it's hard to believe another could be better.
Nevertheless, Weak Signals are already gearing up for the 25th Anniversary pull-out stop bonanza and intend to make it the biggest, best production ever put forth by and for the hobby/sport anywhere in the world. The Best Show alone this year has already purchased a $1,000 trophy previewed for next year and will present other prestigious awards such as membership in the Aviation Hall of Fame, membership in the Aviation Division of the Smithsonian Institution.
The Toledo Show
opportunity to talk face to face with the manufacturer if we have a gripe, or whatever. Secondly, we want to give the modeler the opportunity to build that little ole jewel throughout the year and then bring it here, put it on display, and have a crack at winning some of the $3,600 in trophies. Finally, it is a chance for the modeler, hobbyist, whoever, to sell his "junk" (not intended to offend any of you high-class peddlers out there), if he has it.
Also, Bob Hisey says that now that they are in their new home and adapting to it, they will continue to polish and improve the quality of presentation, the coordination, the layout, the parking, etc. He feels that they are the Avis of the hobby trade shows and that the California MAC show is Hertz. (Hey Bob, it's nice to see that never self-satisfied thinking!) If you have ever been to "Toledo," it's hard to believe that there is another one better. Yours truly is gon'na hav' ta talk with them Taleda boys and na-gotiate some of that iron to put on my own mantle place. Maybe I can convince them to present an alternate "Worst of Show" award. The winner is hanging on my garage wall! Ten-Four?
Pictures cannot do justice to some of the aircraft on display. You have to be there to believe and see what's really possible. Each year the ever increasing RC craftsmanship, ingenuity, and engineering is even more amazing than before.
There is another comforting aura about the show that pervades throughout the swapshop and manufacturers' areas, among modelers and businessmen alike. You pick it up instantly. It is that eagerness and willingness to say hello, and to talk about what do you need, or what you have tried, or did you see this, or if you want to scratch build this, I'll mail you my prints and help as much as I can.
Everyone there has something in common.... They all enjoy the hobby and sport. They all are builders and fliers,
The 'Toledo Show'
manufacturer's reps and modelers alike. The camaraderie continues into the after-hours as groups form and go out for dinner, or to clown around at the Saturday night auction from seven to 11, or to attend any of the many important meetings of the AMA and special interest groups—L.S.F., N.S.R.C.A., M.A.B.A., N.P.R.A., N.S.S., N.F.F.A., N.S.P.A., M.E.C.A., and M.A.A.C.
On Friday night the manufacturers, special guests, and the hosts toasted $1,200 worth of libations to Phoenix. Those Toledo boys really know how to welcome folks back! (Think I'll make myself a badge and go as a special guest next year.) This year our little group formed and ate a banquet's portion at the Commodore Perry Hotel. By the end of the buffet line, I had six plates, four glasses, three forks, and a bottle. Went back three times, ate 42,000 shelled shrimp, half a side of prime rib, and someone called an ambulance. The respirator did its job, so we went on to the Quarterdeck Lounge, luckily a few steps away. Walked inside and thought I was in a Japanese tea house or was hearing Toledo's version of the Marx brothers. Instead, it was Mr. Kajikama of Sanwa Electronics singing that well-known Japanese love theme, "Me and My RC," while Frank Garcher of Midwest was yodeling and "paying off" the piano player. Arny Rathner of Rhinebeck, John Maloney, and Dave Brown of World Engines were just forming the chorus line while John Denver was upstairs playing his guitar in a closet. Shriners, eat your heart out!
Nevertheless, Weak Signals is already gearing up for its 25th anniversary pull-out stops bonanza and intends to make the biggest, best production ever put forth by and for the hobby/sport anywhere in the world. For Best Show alone they have already purchased a $1,000 trophy to be previewed next year. Along with this will be presented other prestigious awards such as membership in the Aviation Hall of Fame and membership in the Aviation Division of the Smithsonian Institution.
Yours truly is gonna hav' ta talk with the Taleda boys and na-gotiate some iron to put on my own mantle place. Maybe I can convince them to present an alternate "Worst of Show" award. The winner is hanging on my garage wall. Ten-Four Pi
The `Toledo Show'
The Toledo Show. Since my first trip to the Weak Signals Club Annual R/C Exposition some six years ago, I've always noticed it's simply a trade show — other static displays us aero modelers midwest east — it's like part of the annual R/C life cycle, like changing seasons, necessary migration. Toledo year helps foster new ideas, new ambitions, create beautiful new birds in the coming months. One might say it's mating season between R/C'ers: mind capabilities, haggling swap-shop deals, extracting data from manufacturers, jobbers, especially other avid R/C nuts. Toledo R/C Exposition has become ingrained. Aeromodelers start the year off like forgetting to charge batteries, like forgetting to fill the tank, like painting, priming, like flight take-off — like rubber ducky flying north. Enough, enough. Toledo Show has become grand-daddy of R/C trade shows. Now in its 22nd year, thirty thousand people thronged an 185,000 sq. ft. sports arena thanks to two brilliant show directors, about ten year-long committeemen, 115 hard-working Weak Signals members, about 160 manufacturers. Don't go away disappointed — the riverfront sports arena, the largest exhibition facility the city of Toledo has to offer, very apparent organization. The year hosts must be getting quite comfortable. Continue its 22nd Annual running, Toledo Weak Signals' Greatest R/C Show on Earth attracted 30,000 spectators and about 160 manufacturers.
Don't go away disappointed — 250 booth spaces have demand. As a Daytonian, I wish I could send a new 350,000 sq. ft. exhibition center because I am sure Weak Signals — anyone else would know what words to use. Bob Hisey, show director, tries to limit the exposition to three functions. First, give the manufacturer a chance to show product so us modelers can see what we will accept from a marketing standpoint. Secondly, give the modeler an opportunity to build a little ol' jewel throughout the year, bring it and put it on display and have a crack at winning some of the $3,600 in trophies. Finally, a chance for the modeler, hobbyist — whoever — to sell junk. (Intended to offend high-class peddlers out there.) Also, Bob Hisey says now that a new home is adapting, they will continue to polish and improve quality, presentation, coordination, layout, parking, etc. He feels, "Avis hobby trade shows California MAC show Hertz" — Hey Bob, it's nice to see never self-satisfied, thinking we have everything at Toledo. It's hard to believe another better.
Weak Signals is already gearing up for its 25th Anniversary pull-out stops bonanza and intend to make the biggest, best production ever put forth by and for the hobby/sport anywhere in the world. For Best Show alone they have already purchased a $1,000 trophy to be previewed next year. Along with this will be presented other prestigious awards such as membership in the Aviation Hall of Fame, membership in the Aviation Division, Smithsonian Institution. Yours truly is gonna hav' ta talk with the Taleda boys and na-gotiate some iron to put on my own mantle place. Maybe I can convince them to present an alternate "Worst Show" award. The winner is hanging on my garage wall. Ten-Four Pi
Needless to say, Sunday morning comes a bit too early for some. However, back at the Sports Arena, the ribbons are in place, almost $4,000 worth of trophies are shimmering on the stage, and there is a boatload of valuable prizes to be given away in the Weak Signals–AMA raffle. Sunday's ceremonies also give the AMA executive staff the opportunity to present several distinguished service awards. Since the Toledo show has a national audience, the AMA feels that by making these presentations at Toledo, it gives the recipients more exposure than anywhere else AMA could give this type of award. It is a great way to recognize people who have helped the Academy quite a bit. The AMA also appreciates the chance to make timely announcements to such a large audience, like the one concerning the current status of R/C frequencies and what the FCC and AMA are doing about them. This year, Distinguished Service awards were presented to:
- The "Liberty Bell" crew, Bob and Doris Rich, and the support crew, for accomplishing the first transcontinental R/C flight in October 1975.
- Maynard Hill for the development of the electrostatic autopilot.
- Hardy Brodersen of the National Free Flight Society for the development of the current AMA Team Selection Program concept.
- The Weak Signals Club for the promotion of model aviation and the support of the AMA.
What more can I say — "Toledo" remains the greatest R/C show on earth! So, next year when you still can't shake those mid-winter blues, when your dog has just chewed the tail off of last year's airplane, when your eyes are bulging and your head's a-twitchin', the bench is still empty and your brain's gone stale — you'll know it's time for the Toledo migration. Ten-Four Pi
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
