Top Gun Tournament
Bring together 39 of the nation's RC scale-modeling elite, 50 invited competitors, and 10,000 spectators, and you have a dynamite PR formula. The first RC Scale Top Gun Invitational, inspired and promoted by Frank Tiano (Zap Products), was held April 21–23 in Coral Springs, FL. The invitational showcased an exceptional lineup of pilots and aircraft, drew national film coverage, and raised funds for the city’s Jaycee Park.
Event overview
- Date: April 21–23 (inaugural invitational)
- Location: Coral Springs, FL (hosted by the R/C Condors)
- Invitations: 50 premier scale modelers invited; not all were able to attend
- Attendance: Over 10,000 spectators
- Purpose: Invitational competition, public demonstrations, and benefit for Jaycee Park
The host team, the R/C Condors of Coral Springs, organized an efficient, well-staffed event with excellent field preparation, parking, grandstand seating, food service, and public-address announcements that informed spectators about pilots, models, maneuvers, and prototype research.
Static judging and the Tiano judging stand
- Static scoring was performed by four judges, each stationed an equal distance from the models and spaced to ensure independent scoring.
- Frank Tiano’s specially built judging stand (a cross-shaped platform mounted on a central swivel) was used to present models consistently:
- Each stand was mounted on a braced 4×4 post set in the ground.
- 1/4-inch square wooden strips formed adjustable tracks to accommodate wheel configurations and allowed the judge to move around the airplane.
- Planes could be swivelled for side-by-side comparison with documentation, rotated for top views, and stood on their noses for a top perspective.
- Each judge had his own rotating stand; models were moved consecutively down the line for evaluation.
- Because there was no strict time limit on Friday, static judging took longer but produced more accurate and independent scores.
- The souvenir program included a photo of each entry and boxes for marking a static score, the two best flight scores, and judges’ comments.
Highlights and notable entries
- Frank Tiano entered a 1/4-scale P-39L Airacobra (“Panty Bandit”), powered by an O.S. 108 and featuring a functional scale muffler-exhaust system.
- Best Civilian Aircraft: 1¼-scale Aeronca J-5AC Sedan (Miami blue and cream paint, working landing lights, fine detailing) built by Steve Sauger of Troy, MI—powered by an O.S. .91/.90 engine.
- Bob Underwood (Virginia) flew a well-worn twin-engined Petlyakov PE-2 (1/5 scale), four built in total, each about 14 lb. with an 82-inch wingspan; powered by two Enya .53 four-strokes with 11×7 props.
- Bob Violett (Winter Springs, FL) presented a North American F-86A Sabre jet of his own construction, using his Violett fan unit; listed as finishing ninth with 8,930 static points and 17,255 points overall.
- Dave Platt (Palm Bay, FL) built an A6M5C Zero (powered by an O.S. 108) and earned the highest static score (9,114).
- Tom Czikk (N. Merrick, NY) built a Curtiss P-40C Tomahawk powered by a SuperTiger 3000 and finished in Flying Tigers markings.
- John Guenther’s 1/6-scale Supermarine Spitfire (O.S. 90) was a highlighted four-cycle-powered entry; on its first flight he sanded a wingtip, and subsequent flights hurt his score.
- Jeff Troy (Virginia) flew a Bleriot XI-2 replica with operational wing-warping; a cable came loose early in the flight, causing a slow spiral and a reduced overall placing despite a credible static score.
- Charlie Chambers (Coral Springs, FL) flew an all-aluminum-covered 1/4-scale P-51D Mustang built from a Platt kit (powered by a Moki 2500). During a crosswind takeoff the plane lifted left; a pen from the author’s camera bag became stuck through the right wing, remaining as a makeshift pitot tube throughout the routine.
- Other notable models and incidents:
- Art Johnson’s 1/8-scale Martin B-26 Marauder (two O.S. 90s) proved temperamental and was lost on takeoff after an engine faltered.
- Mike Kulczyz’s scratch-built Fairchild Republic F-105 (“Thud”) was destroyed in a flameout of its O.S. .117 ducted-fan engine; it had operating retracts and used a Violett fan—won Critics’ Choice honors.
- Skip Mast’s C-130E featured desert camouflage and staged a cargo-drop maneuver over the runway.
- Cliff Tacie’s unusual three-engine Savoia-Marchetti SM.81 replica (Italian bomber of the Ethiopian campaign) flew with three K&B .21 engines and scale-like three-blade props.
- Pappy Dan Parsons’ twin-engined De Havilland Hornet staged striking photos alongside a McDonnell-Douglas F/A-18 Hornet; Parsons once landed with only one engine running.
- Gerry Flickinger’s Sea Fury suffered catastrophic wing separation early in a flight.
- Bob Frey’s Republic P-47D Thunderbolt (not a quarter-scale model) finished eighth, proving smaller models can still be competitive.
- Rick Lewis of Accu Scale had an almost-completed Douglas A-1 Skyraider with operational folding wings and a deep navy scheme.
Flying, scoring, and winners
- Static scores at the invitational were tightly bunched at the high end; thus flight performance determined final placings. The average static score was 85.58 across a very heterogeneous group of models.
- Smooth flying was the key to victory—high static scores plus consistent, polished flight routines offered the best chance.
- Winner: Bob Fiorenze, flying a McDonnell-Douglas F-18A Hornet twin-ducted-fan jet (27 lb.). Key points:
- Model featured highly machined retracts and excellent craftsmanship; the jet was stable at low speeds and produced crowd-pleasing slow-speed flybys.
- Two lowest of four flight scores were dropped; his early jitters (88.95) and a zero on Sunday’s first flight did not affect his final result.
- Best flights: 95.5 (second flight Saturday) and 93.125 (second flight Sunday), giving a winning combined score of 183.26.
- A kit of his prototype F-18A Hornet was slated for release from Yellow Aircraft Company in January 1990.
- Second place: Neil Snodgrass (Churchville, MD) with a highly modified Super Cub (converted to a 1/4-scale aerobatic midwing), static score 88.77 and total 175.15.
- Other scoring notes:
- Dave Platt led the static scoring with 9,114 (highest static score).
- Bob Violett recorded 8,930 static points and 17,255 points overall and was voted Pilots’ Choice by contestants for his F-86 Saber demonstrations.
Awards, prizes, and memorabilia
- Frank Tiano provided substantial prizes for the event:
- $2,000 check from Model Airplane News plus an 18-inch silver loving cup and over $500 in other cash prizes.
- A $1,000 Airtronics radio and assorted goods worth over $400 for first place (Bob Fiorenze).
- Neil Snodgrass (second place) received a Platt kit worth $300 and a $500 loving cup.
- Critics’ Choice (Mike Kulczyz) won a $1,000 Airtronics radio.
- Pilots received commemorative Top Gun watches (face embellished with the Top Gun logo) and Robart incidence meters imprinted with the Top Gun logo and the pilot’s name.
- Top Gun watches, hats, shirts, stickers, and souvenir programs were available for purchase as memorabilia.
- The souvenir program included photos and background on each entry and the static/flight judging boxes described above.
Media coverage and videotapes
- ESPN sports network provided three film crews (multiple camera positions including a 40-foot scissors platform); footage was expected to air in late July or August 1989.
- Two other commercial film crews were on hand; several videotapes of the meet were produced.
- Special 30-minute videotape (scored to classical music) and other video products are available from:
- Frank Tiano Enterprises, 2460 S.W. 85th Terrace, Davie, FL 33324; telephone 1-305-473-2211. The 30-minute tape sells for $19.95 including shipping (credit cards accepted).
- Joe Griffin, Academy of Aviation Research & Development, 17010 Elm Dr., Hazel Crest, IL 60429.
- Powypash Video Productions, 2973 Berman St., Las Vegas, NV 89109.
- RC Video Magazine, P.O. Box 898, Lafayette, CO 80026; telephone 1-303-665-8204.
Contacts and additional notes
- Dave Platt Models, Inc. (kits and parts): 1306 Havre N.W., Palm Bay, FL 32907; telephone 1-407-724-2144.
- Frank Tiano handled memorabilia and program orders (see Frank Tiano Enterprises address above).
Closing and next year
The inaugural Top Gun Invitational showcased the elite of scale modeling and offered a public stage for craftsmanship and flying skill. Frank Tiano announced next year’s invitational would be a four-day event, April 27–30, 1990, again with the Westin Hotel as headquarters; Westin management promised even lower rates in response to the event’s success.
Plan on attending the next Top Gun—this first meet was a superb lineup of talent and a public celebration of scale modeling.
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
