George Farris reported that the Converse Flying Eagles, in Converse. Indiana, held its annual Warbird Day on July 9, 2022. Beautiful weather brought out the pilots and spectators, with 65 people in attendance.
This year, the club paid tribute to a fellow Eagle member and World War II veteran, Howard Martz. Matt Denham and Steve Eagle refurbished two of Howard’s Giant Scale warbirds: a P-51 and a P-47. With Howard and his family looking on, Steve flew each of the warbirds with Tommy Dorsey music playing. Thank you for your service, Howard.
Ed Rogala, from the Midwest Sundowners RC Club in Wheeler, Indiana, reported on the second annual Dawn Patrol & Classics Gathering that was held on July 15-16, 2022. Fourteen pilots registered. Rain canceled flying on Friday, but Saturday greeted the club with pleasant weather. Richard Bennett, from Rockford, Illinois, spoke about “Germany’s Secret Air Weapons of 1919.” Pilots had logged more than 75 flights and each flight earned pilots’ points, which they redeemed for the many prizes.
David Harrington shared that National Model Aviation Day was celebrated in style at the Spirits of St. Louis R/C Flying Club in St. Charles County, Missouri. Twenty-five members enjoyed the day, flying and swapping stories. Club President Ralph Grant cooked burgers and hot dogs. The weather cooperated and a few spectators joined in.
Walt Wilson offered that tether cars are part of the AMA experience. The Midwest Miniature Race Car Association, based in Anderson, Indiana, as well as clubs in Seaford, New York; Bowling Green, Kentucky; and Whittier Narrows, California, are AMA chartered clubs. AMA membership is required to race at any of the tracks. Although other US tracks are newer and more elaborate, the Anderson track, built in 1947, is the world’s oldest active tether car track. More records have been set there than at any other single track in the world. Race schedules for all of the tracks are on the www.amrca.com website.
Rege Hall shared that the Blacksheep R/C Modelers in Danville, Indiana, hosted a National Model Aviation Day event to support the Hoosier Veterans Assistance Foundation. The event started with a flyover by the full-scale Indy Bipes formation team as the club raised the American flag to the national anthem.
The club raised more than $7,192. Thirty pilots and more than 125 airplanes and helicopters flew and were on display. Roughly 200 spectators enjoyed the event. Every youngster took home a parachute, balsa glider, and LED spinners.
Craig Hogue reported that the Sky Squires of Southern Illinois held a Warbirds and Classics event on August 13-14, 2022. Twenty pilots attended. The club accepted donations for the purchase of its field. “We are dedicated to achieving ownership of our 3-acre field. Our landowner owns the surrounding farmland and has graciously allowed us to fly at the field,” he wrote.
Dan Dare shared that the Rend Lake RC club in Illinois held a birthday party for club secretary and longtime member Cliff Christianson at the Mt. Vernon airport facility. Cliff’s favorite airplane is the F4U Corsair.
He was presented with a picture of Jim Tobul’s Corsair in flight, Corsair hats, and models. Cliff turned 80 on August 25, 2022. He is noted for his building skills and his attention to realistically flying the Corsair.
Please help get youth excited about model aviation. They are the future of our hobby.
Gary Himes
Vice President District VI
www.amadistrict-vi.org
www.facebook.com/AMADistrictVI