Hobby-related events year round
by Sal Calvagna
rcgiants@optonline.net
Welcome back. Spring is nearly upon us, and now is the time for that final push to get new projects done, or at least prepare your fleet of models for the flying season. Although aeromodeling as a flying sport or hobby is severely curtailed during the winter months, especially in the northern climates, there are still plenty of hobby-related events to get the juices flowing again.
For example, AMA Expo West took place in Southern California in January; AMA Expo East was in New Jersey in February; and The Toledo Show: R/C Model Expo takes place in early April in Ohio.
These are a few of the nationally recognized indoor hobby shows, but there are plenty of others, such as the Central Penn Aeromodelers Association R/C Flea Market that takes place in early March in Lebanon, Pennsylvania. It touts itself as the largest RC flea market in the US, with more than 41,000 square feet and 600 tables.
My point is that there’s no reason why you cannot pursue and enjoy this hobby year round.
New Plans and Accessories
Nick Ziroli Plans has acquired and is now offering Jim Pepino scale plans.
This is a collection of approximately 80 or so plans designed by Jim Pepino, along with Dick Katz, George Marsden, Dick Graham, Jack Swift, R.E. Patterson, and M. Mecklinburg. The collection encompasses aircraft from World War I through World War II, including Golden Age designs.
After 30 years of serving the Giant Scale warbird community, Vailly Aviation will be passing on all of the drawings and tooling to Nick Ziroli Plans. Here’s what Roy Vaillencourt, of Vailly Aviation, had to say:
“To all our loyal customers and followers, we thank you for years of kind words and your understanding and loyalty to my designs. I hope they serve you well.
“I have known Nick Sr. for almost 40 years now and he was the one who helped me get started in the business back in 1986. He and my dad worked together for a while back in the early ’80s and it was there that I met Nick Sr. I have known Nick Jr. for nearly his entire life, and have done business with him for a long time over these past 30 years too.
“My designs will continue to be cut by Precision Cut Kits, as well as National Balsa. Both do a super job. I will not stop modeling. My wife and I will just end the day-to-day business operations. Without her help, support, love, and understanding, this adventure would not have been possible.
“We both have enjoyed the time talking to fellow modeling enthusiasts from around the world. Nancy and I have traveled to many amazing places and made many great acquaintances and friends over the years, all because of model aviation.
“I shall keep a portion of the website up to add more articles. I will act as a ‘technical’ consultant for customers for the next year as they build, etc. Contact me by way of email for advice, or just to share info and chat. I intend to continue to design, build, fly, etc. As I develop a new design, I will provide Nick with new stuff. I’ll let him handle the business side of things.
“It will be nice to return to modeling as a hobby with no deadlines, etc. Once again, Nancy and I thank you all for a long list of great friends and great experiences.”
For more information about Jim Pepino or Vailly Aviation plans, please visit Nick Ziroli Plans at the link listed in “Sources.”
Old Rhinebeck Jamboree
In one of the pictures, veteran competitor, superb modeler, and all-
Rich and Jack Feroldi pose along with Rich’s nephew, Nick Ferrante, during the 50th anniversary of the Old Rhinebeck Jamboree, held at the Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome.
Jack Buckley, with his 1/3-scale de Havilland Tiger Moth. Jack has won many awards with this model.
around nice guy, Rich Feroldi, of Winter Springs, Florida, is shown along with his son, Jack, and his niece’s husband, Nick Ferrante, at the Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome in Red Hook, New York, during the 50th anniversary of the Old Rhinebeck Jamboree, held September 9-11, 2016.
Rich brought his own-design 1/3-scale Albatros fighter and his Ron Weiss Plans 1/3-scale Fokker Dr.I triplane. Both are award-winning model aircraft. Nick built the 1/4-scale Balsa USA Fokker D-VII. It was his first Giant Scale aircraft. Great job, Nick!
The Feroldi family is fond of the Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome. Rich has participated in this event every year except one since he turned 16 years old. It is great to see families share in our wonderful hobby.
Jack Buckley, of Marlborough, Massachusetts, is shown in another picture with his award-winning de Havilland D.H.82A Tiger Moth that is finished in a civilian scheme. The Tiger Moth was built from Mick Reeves plans and is powered by a DA-50 two-stroke gas engine.
Tom Kosewski, of Sterling, Massachusetts, is pictured with his 1/4-scale Avro 504K that was originally built by veteran Giant Scale modeler Hank Ilzch. The aircraft is powered by a Zenoah G-62 and has been updated and maintained by Tom. Although Hank is no longer with us, his legacy continues with the Avro flying gracefully over the skies at the Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome.
Last, but not least, I leave you with
That’s all for this month.
SOURCES:
Nick Ziroli Plans
(631) 467-4765
www.ziroligiantscaleplans.com
Roy Vaillencourt
vaillav@optonline.net
www.vaillyaviation.com
Cole Palen’s Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome
(845) 752-3200
www.oldrhinebeck.org
Winning Best of Show at the Old Rhinebeck Jamboree, the 17-foot wingspan Gotha G-IV bomber was scratch-built by Greg Hahn. Notice the GoPro camera behind the nose gunner, replacing the pilot for this flight. Greg has some great video of his flights at Old Rhinebeck.
