RC Top Gun Competition -- Introduction In this DIY special Chris Chianelli, host of DIY Radio Control Hobbies, attends the Top Gun radio-control scale-model competition held annually in Lakeland, Florida. Topgun is an invitation-only competition that brings together the most advanced, meticulously built and historically accurate scale-model planes in the world along with the most accomplished model-builders and flyers. This remarkable event can be thought of as the "superbowl" of the RC-plane world, and brings in the cream of the crop in terms of RC flying machines and their builders and operators.
- This program features highlights of the custom-built scale-model aircraft and ace RC-pilots that were present at the competition this year. Later segments feature tips from the pros on how they build these competition machines and prepare for their events.
- At this event, you'll see scale-model planes from every era of aeronautics -- from World War I dogfighters (figure A) and World War II combat aircraft to civilian planes, prototype aircraft and modern military jets (figure B).
- Each year RC pilots from all over the world anticipate and hope for a coveted invitation to the world's biggest RC-scale competition. Throughout the year, competitors and potential competitors painstakingly build and prepare these RC masterpieces.
- Entrants are judged in two main categories:
- The static -- or model-building -- portion of the judging takes place early in the competition. The maximum possible static score is 100 points. The static portion makes up one half of the entrant's total score in the Topgun competition. Placing well in this phase of the competition is critical for a good overall score.
- In static competition, the judges assess the RC planes in terms of their detail and scale accuracy. Pilots and builders in this competition may spend months researching the particular plane they are modeling before applying their first drop of glue to their replica. It's not unusual for several thousand dollars to be spent on individual models entered in this competition.
- Topgun participant Rich Feroldi entered a scale replica of the Fokker triplane (figure C) -- modeled after a plane similar to the one flown by the infamous WWI pilot nicknamed The Red Barron. Feroldi's Fokker is black rather than red, as it is modeled after the black 1918 triplane flown by WWI ace, Joseph Jacobs.
- Feroldi's replica features scale machineguns (figure D), signal flares and other accurate details.
- Joe Grice is the builder of the scale F-100 Supersaver USAF jet (figure E). It took Grice three months to build the kit for this model, and another nine months to put on the finish and detailing. The plane was created from a kit manufactured by Bob Violett, another participant in the Topgun competition.
- The surface of the F-100 is actual aluminum, and is burnished in the areas of the afterburners, just as a real jet would be discolored in this area from the heat. Grice studied photos of the real plane and accessories for building his replica. The cockpit on this jet features scale controls and gauges that Grice fashioned from parts from other model kits, including plastic model-car kits. It also holds a scale jet pilot (figure F).
- Grice's F-100 features a radio-controlled canopy (figure G) that can be activated by the RC pilot by means of a pneumatic control. It also has functional leading-edge slats on the wings that are used in take-off and landing just as with full-sized counterpart.
- As the pilots take to the runway for the flight portion of the competition, they're concentrating on making their models perform maneuvers that are typical of the full-scale version.
- Each contestant must perform five required maneuvers:
- Takeoff
- Fast fly-by
- Slow fly-by
- Traffic pattern
- Landing (figure H)
- Another five maneuvers are at the discretion of the pilot. Each maneuver scores a maximum of 10 points, for a maximum total score of 100 points.
- David Shulman, one of the hottest pilots at this year's Topgun, piloted a replica F-100. The full-scale F-100 was the first aircraft to break the mach-1 barrier. Shulman's replica has a top-speed of about 220 mph. When flying the F-100, Shulman concentrates on mimicking the flying characteristics of the real jet.
RESOURCES :
Hobbico
Manufacturer of radio controlled model planes.
Web site: www.hobbico.com
Distributed by Great Planes Model Distributors
Great Planes Model Distributors
Website: www.greatplanes.com
Bob Violett Models (Radio-Control Jets)
Bob Violet Models (Radio-Control Jets)
Website: www.bvmjets.com
Airtronics RC Transmitters
Airtronics, Inc
Anaheim, CA 92805
Phone: 714-978-1895
Fax: 714-978-1540
Email: info@airtronics.com
Website: www.airtronics.com
Frank Tiano Enterprises
Frank Tiano Enterprises
Phone: 561-795-6600
Website: www.franktiano.com
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