WARBIRDS AND
CLASSICS OVER
FREDERICKSBURG
By Sal Calvagna | rcgiants@optonline.net
WELCOME BACK. As I write this column, summer is in full swing and so are the many Giant Scale flying events across this great land of ours. I attended the Warbirds and Classics Over Fredericksburg event in Fredericksburg, Virginia, on June 9-12. While it’s fresh in my mind, it will be the topic for this month’s column.
The event was held at the Robbie Campbell Memorial RC Airfield, home of the Fredericksburg Area RC Club. The field is unique because it has two operational, parallel runways back-to-back. Pilots can fly from both runways simultaneously. Additionally, there’s an on-site clubhouse, restrooms, and showers that are all kept nice and cool.
There were approximately 55 registered pilots and more than 125 model aircraft in attendance. Attendees came from as far south as Florida and from as far north as New Hampshire. Most of the models were Giant Scale with a wingspan of more than 80 inches for monoplanes and 60 inches for biplanes. There were turbine-powered aircraft, twin-engine aircraft, multicylinder engines, and electric-powered models. There were also some smaller, electric-powered warbirds and classics.
The earliest military aircraft was an SR Batteries Fokker Eindecker that was powered by a 30cc RimFire electric motor. Patrick Breaux, of Spotsylvania, Virginia, built this model and covered it with antique Solartex. He also installed a sound system from MrRCSound.
One of the modern-era models was a stunning BVM Jets F-16 flown by Frank Noll of Amelia, Virginia. The F-16 came with a
rockets that stuck nose-first into the ground. Kari’s job was to retrieve the lawn darts.
Kenny Hurtado, of Miami, flew his 40% Hempel Cub that is finished in an L-4 color scheme. Kenny stripped off the original covering and re-covered it with Solartex fabric. The model is powered by a Zenoah GT80 twin-cylinder engine. Kenny hand-painted all of the markings.
Breakfast, lunch, and dinner were available each day, cooked at the field at the club’s outdoor kitchen. On Saturday night, all of the registered pilots were treated to an authentic Southern fried chicken dinner with all of the trimmings.
An event such as this doesn’t just happen. It takes planning and hard work by members of the host club. Instead of thanking the club, I would like to take this opportunity to thank each member who volunteered to ensure that the event was safe and fun: President and Contest Director (CD) Sal Vezzi; Co-CD Rob Bussler; Roy Wigglesworth; Gordon Bredel; Dave Rowan; John Harris; Patrick Oster; Lamont James; Kasey Campbell; Duane Clayton; Dave Engels; Neal Rehm; Chester Barber; and Clark Harris.
A link to a YouTube video created by Rich Schaefer is listed in “Sources.”
SOURCES:
Fredericksburg Area RC Club
www.fredericksburgrc.com
Military Warbirds and Classics Over Fredericksburg 2022
YouTube
https://youtu.be/G3G26KcivYw
BVM Jets
(407) 327-6333
www.bvmjets.com
Gator RC/Top RC North America
(800) 380-9373
www.gator-rc.com
www.toprcmodel-usa.com
Nick Ziroli Giant Scale Plans
(631) 467-4765
www.ziroligantscaleplans.com
MrRCSound
www.mrrcsound.com
