District II—New Jersey, New York, Europe
Eric Williams
Vice President
rcpilot@nycap.rr.com
4242 Amanda Ln., Schenectady NY 12303
Tel.: (518) 356-2057
www.amadistrict-ii.org
www.facebook.com/DistrictIIAMA
The Old Rhinebeck Jamboree in New York celebrated its 50th anniversary September 9-11, 2016. Accomplished modelers from up and down the East Coast, the Midwest, and Canada attended the event’s golden anniversary. The jamboree was a celebration of numerous historic modelers and models, and a very special relationship between model aviation and the full-scale community.
Attending the Rhinebeck Jamboree was slightly bittersweet. Last year, a fire consumed the Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome’s Model Museum that contained numerous artifacts, AMA awards, and model aircraft belonging to the facility’s late founder, Cole Palen. Rising from the fire’s ashes this year is a new visitor’s center and gift shop. The visitor’s center will do much to accommodate guests and serve the Aerodrome for decades to come.
Before Saturday’s full-scale air show, I presented the Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome with AMA’s National Aeromodeling Historic Organization designation. This award is unique with a high degree of criteria required to receive recognition. A flying site must be unique, historical, and with qualities not found elsewhere to receive this historical designation.
Saturday evening’s Jamboree banquet celebrated the event and featured several guest speakers including Bob Noll and Nick Ziroli Sr. Bob and Nick attended the inaugural Jamboree.
Bob spoke of the Jamboree’s inception that resulted from several members deciding to build World War I RC airplanes. He recalled how the group, including Dick Allen, the first Jamboree contest director, approached Aerodrome founder Cole Palen to suggest an RC model aircraft event. A modeler himself, Cole was exceptionally welcoming, and the event is still being held 50 years later.
Among featured items displayed at the banquet were Bob Noll’s Nieuport 27, which was a winner 50 years ago at the first Old Rhinebeck Jamboree. The aircraft is in amazingly good condition for its age. Also displayed were custom trophies that Bob won at the 1967 and 1970 events. The
Bob Noll's Nieuport 27.
The new Aerodrome visitor’s center.
trophies are adorned with period aircraft instruments that Cole Palen generously donated decades ago.
Nick was the evening’s second speaker. He recounted his attendance at dozens of Old Rhinebeck Jamborees throughout the years, and he had the stories and photographs to prove it. Nick recalled the numerous aircraft he’s designed and flown, with many of them flying at Rhinebeck. Nick also recalled his work in film, which included model aircraft used in the movie Neighbors with Dan Aykroyd and John Belushi.
A highlight of the banquet, for me, was presenting the Mid-Hudson Radio Control Society with AMA’s National Heritage Program recognition award. This was received for the group’s five decades of work with the Aerodrome and the Jamboree. This award was well deserved. Here’s to the next 50 years.
Remember, it’s not about what you fly, it’s about the people and the friends you make.
Associate Vice Presidents: Dennis Andreas, Freeport NY; (516) 379-0135; danandreasbghsd@juno.com; Fred Backhaus, Medford NY; (631) 289-6964; motodrf@optonline.net; Reid Condon, Greenville NY; (518) 966-8329; rcairforce@live.com; Chuck Davis, Sayville NY; (631) 589-7690; rcdavis@verizon.com; Gene Gavin, Staten Island NY; (718) 967-0598; Gavin1957@aol.com; Jon Gerber, Staten Island NY; (718) 984-5013; taxman846@aol.com. Frank Granelli, Rockaway NJ; (973) 625-4995; granellif@aol.com; Bill Hauth, Hamburg NY; (716) 649-8582; toolmkr2000@msn.com; Thomas Murray, Basking Ridge NJ; (908) 766-5656; Anthony Rossi, Somerset NJ; (917) 320-2665; p510851@gmail.com; Joe Sarbello, Woolwich Township NJ; (856) 491-8481; donnajoe244@msn.com; Peter Seiffert, Baldwinsville NY; (315) 635-6370; pseiffe2@gmail.com; Leonard Max Smart, Morrisonville NY; (518) 563-6878; hotrodsbymax@charter.net; Alexander Szemere, Kendall Park NJ; (732) 821-5641; drszemere@aol.com. CL/FF Coordinator/AVP: David King, South Plainfield, NJ; (732) 672-1783; clmodelpilot@comcast.net. Safety Coordinator/RC Contest Coordinator/AVP: Al Kanser, New Lisbon NY; (607) 293-7974; akanser@hughes.net. Webmaster: Chuck Levine, webmaster@amadistrictii.org.
