WW I Dawn Patrol Rendezvous

WW I Dawn Patrol Rendezvous

WW I Dawn Patrol Rendezvous

Rc Giant Scale

By Sal Calvagna | rcgiants@optonline.net

As seen in the February 2023 issue of Model Aviation.

WELCOME BACK, and a happy and healthy new year to all of you. The World War I Dawn Patrol Rendezvous was back in full swing on October 5-8, 2022, at the National Museum of the United States Air Force, located at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton, Ohio.

Approximately 100 Giant Scale flying models were in attendance, with registered pilots from 16 states. Many aircraft were 1/4 scale and 1/3 scale; however, there were 1/6-scale models, as well as a couple of 1/2-scale models and one full-scale model.

Peter Hanley is shown with his Martin-Handasyde No. 3 that is powered by an O.S. IL-300 four-cylinder, inline glow engine.

Peter Hanley is shown with his Martin-Handasyde No. 3 that is powered by an O.S. IL-300 four-cylinder, inline glow engine.

The Rendezvous incorporated full-scale aircraft, models, reenactors, vintage automobiles, educational activities, workshops, and lectures throughout the weekend. There were plenty of vendors with uniforms, medals, artist prints, etc., from the WW I period.

RC Event Director Lee McDuffee and Contest Director Doug Cox kept the RC portion of the Rendezvous moving along smoothly and safely. The flight schedules alternated between full-scale and model aircraft. There were many outstanding models in attendance. Here are a few for your enjoyment.

Jim Ellis, of Guthrie, Oklahoma, brought a stunning 1/2-scale Sopwith Camel that was finished in Lt. Roy Brown’s colors. It has a 14-foot wingspan and is powered by an enormous Valach 420cc five-cylinder radial engine. This monster of an engine swings a 40 × 20 propeller. The model is covered with Solartex material and painted with Behr exterior latex paint. It was built using Mick Reeves plans and weighs in at a hefty 118 pounds. What amazing workmanship! Jim was awarded Best Entente Model by registered pilots at the event. Congratulations, Jim!

Peter admires Gary Denzler’s full-scale Demoiselle model, which spans 17 feet and is controlled by three channels.

Peter admires Gary Denzler’s full-scale Demoiselle model, which spans 17 feet and is controlled by three channels.

Jim Ellis’ award-winning, 1/2-scale Sopwith Camel is powered by a Valach 420cc five-cylinder radial engine swinging a 40 × 20 propeller.

Jim Ellis’ award-winning, 1/2-scale Sopwith Camel is powered by a Valach 420cc five-cylinder radial engine swinging a 40 × 20 propeller.

Here is the beautiful O.S. IL-300 in the nose of the No. 3.

Here is the beautiful O.S. IL-300 in the nose of the No. 3.

One of the rarest model subjects at the event was a Martin-Handasyde No. 3 built by Peter Hanley. The model spans 100 inches and is powered by an O.S. inline four-cylinder, four-stroke glow engine. The model was covered with Sig Koverall then stained and bleached. The full-scale aircraft was a partnership between H.P. Martin and George Handasyde and it was the only one built. The full-scale aircraft was a partnership between H.P. Martin and George Handasyde and the only one built. It was first flown in 1910 and suffered structural failure in 1912. Nice work, Peter!

The Demoiselle is shown in flight at the National Museum of the United States Air Force in Dayton OH. Photo by Gerry Yarrish.

The Demoiselle is shown in flight at the National Museum of the United States Air Force in Dayton OH. Photo by Gerry Yarrish.

The cockpit of Jim’s Sopwith Camel.

The cockpit of Jim’s Sopwith Camel.

The only model entry at full scale—yes, 100%—was the 1909 Demoiselle built by Gary Denzler of St. Leon, Indiana, and Joe Fortkamp. The model spans approximately 17 feet and is powered by a DA-170 twin gas engine. The pilot figure is of the fullscale aircraft’s original designer, Brazilian Alberto Santos-Dumont. The aircraft sports a cruciform tail that incorporates the rudder and elevator. The entire unit pivots on a universal joint, which provides all three axes of flight: yaw, pitch, and roll It was first flown in 1910 and suffered structural failure in 1912. Nice work, Peter!

The only model entry at full scale—yes, 100%—was the 1909 Demoiselle built by Gary Denzler of St. Leon, Indiana, and Joe Fortkamp. The model spans approximately 17 feet and is powered by a DA-170 twin gas engine. The pilot figure is of the fullscale aircraft’s original designer, Brazilian Alberto Santos-Dumont. The aircraft sports a cruciform tail that incorporates the rudder and elevator. The entire unit pivots on a universal joint, which provides all three axes of flight: yaw, pitch, and roll. The model only uses three channels: rudder, elevator, and throttle. A fourth channel is used to move the pilot’s head left and right.

The original aircraft used bamboo for the open fuselage structure. The model builders used 3/4-inch hardwood dowels and cleverly added putty to replicate the look of bamboo. The model was a real crowd-pleaser and it was was expertly flown at the event by Paul Westrich of Ohio.

National Museum of the United States Air Force

The National Museum of the United States Air Force currently displays and houses more than 360 aircraft, rockets, and missiles, as well as thousands of memorabilia and artifacts, in four extremely large buildings that total more than 1,100,000 square feet of space. It contains historic aircraft, such as the B-17F Memphis Belle, B-29 Bockscar, B-36 Peacemaker, XB-70 Valkyrie, Apollo 15 Command Module Endeavour, presidential aircraft, and hundreds of other famous aircraft.

It is by far the world’s oldest and largest aircraft museum and it is a must-see for anyone who is interested in aviation history. You can visit the website and take a virtual tour, which allows most aircraft and exhibits to be viewed online. If you find yourself in the Dayton area, please stop in! The museum is open seven days a week and is free to all.

That’s all for now. I hope to see you in 2023.

SOURCES:

National Museum of the United States Air Force

(937) 255-3286

www.nationalmuseum.af.mil

Facebook Twitter Share

2 comments

Hobby Photographer

Will there be another World War I Dawn Patrol Rendezvous anytime in the near future? I was unable to attend the one in 2022 but would really love to see it.

Add new comment