If you like the sight and sounds of vintage WW1 biplanes, triplanes, spot landings and bomb drops, then the guys of the Long Island Skyhawks have an event for you. The “Skyhawks over the Front” is reminencient of the old mission days of the Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome’s WW1 Jamboree in that, this is a fun filled competiton for the vintage aviation lover.
Not only do they present awards for the best Dogfight, spot landing and bomb drop events, they also encourage and award a plaque for the best “Period Costume”… So you see, there’s lots of fun to be had. Add to this a great BBQ lunch and lots of friendly sideline cat-calls for nose-overs and hard landings and you have one of the best RC events anywhere!
The list of awards includes:
Best Bomb Drop, Best Mock Dogfight, Best Spot Landing, Best Monoplane, Best multi-wing, Pilot’s Choice, Best Pilot, and best Period Costume.
The two day event also includes on field camping overnight and even though Saturday was a bit wet with rain on and off, the Sunday flightline action was bright and sunny! Rumor has it there was actually a dawn patrol flown at 5:15am! Talk about first flight fun…
And the winners are…
Best Dog Fight: Sal Calvagna-Balsa USA 1/4-scale Fokker DR.1, lou Cetrangelo-1/4-scale Balsa USA SPAD, Mike Gross Jr- 1/4-scale Balsa USA NIEUPORT 28., Dave Von Frank- 1/4-scale Balsa USA Fokker DR.1
Best Monoplane: Gene Oshrin- Balsa USA Fokker DVIII
Best Multi Wing: Andy Marone- Scratch Built 1/3-Scale Sopwith Triplane
Best Pilot: Ron Prestin- 1/4-scale FunAero SE5a
Best Period Costume: Mike Gross Sr.
Pilots Choice: Mike Gross Sr.- 1/3-scale Mick Reeves Plans Sopwith Camel
Bomb Drop: Lou Cetrangelo- 1/4-scale Balsa USA SPAD
Spot Landing: Chip Koenig-1/4-scale Balsa USA Fokker DVII
Special Award awarded for a not so special landing (Lombardi Award) Sal Calvagna 1/4-scale Balsa USA DR.1
The Skyhawks would also like to thank the event sponsors
Nick Ziroli Plans Glenn Torrance Models Balsa USA NOBS Batteries Red5 Designs RTL Fasteners Model Airplane News
Flightline Video from Sunday’s Sorties!
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Photos by Gerry Yarrish and courtesy of Michael C. Gross, Long Island Skyhawk’s RC Club
Nice Hardware for the winners!
Thanks for the coverage Gerry! It was great seeing you guys.
Thanks also for taking the photos Mike
As a former member of the L.I. Skyhawks, I’d just like to say what a great group of scale R/C enthusiasts they are. Great,also, to see these type of “theme” events becoming more popular.
Thanks for covering it Gerry. It looks like a good one to attend next year!
What an awesome event this was. Do you know if they are doing it again this year? I would love to attend again. Thank you.