Toledo RC Show

[Paul Smith]

I made my annual trip to Toledo.  There were at least 15 CL guys that I knew, as well as the Brodak, Fox, Sig, and Balsa USA stands.  I picked up the annual replenishment of my fuel supply from Dick & Randy Ritch of Ritch's Brew - the only way to buy fuel and worth the trip all by itself.

I didn't buy much from the flea market.  The same guys with the same old engines at the same high prices as 2004.  The owners and their stuff are a year older and still no sales.  

One highlight was a display of system whereby you get yourself or some other three-dimensional object pho-grapped by an array of cameras and they create a 3D model.  In this case a pilot figure for a model, but it could anything.

Another was a computer-controlled no-template foam cutter.  I believe it has a 4' wire, but maybe longer, for $2,999 complete.  The only thing not included is the model-making software and the knowledge of how to use it.

There were a lot of nice handbuilt models, but unfortunately also a lot of factory-foamies that look almost the same from a ways back. This is something of a cheap shot to the actual modeler.

[Paul Smith]

Some of the nicer real models at the show.  I go on Friday to beat the crowd.  The deadline for show entries is noon Saturday so I always miss seeing a lot of the entries. 

[proparc]

Thanks Paul for posting this. The Toledo show is supposed to be one of the last bastions for "REAL MODEL AIRPLANE " building. Is it still run by the Weak Signals club?

[BillLee]

...

There were a lot of nice handbuilt models, but unfortunately also a lot of factory-foamies that look almost the same from a ways back. This is something of a cheap shot to the actual modeler.

Latest issue of Car & Driver has an op-ed piece from one of their authors bemoaning the lack of modelers and critical of the "Toy Drivers" (my term). His description of the foam RC toys: "Powered packing peanuts!". I loved it, particularly being found in one of the leading car magazines!

[Bart Klapinski]

      Paul, did you happen to get any info. on the 3D cameras that make model pilots. It would be great info. for us modelers.

                      Tempest

[Paul Smith]

Yes, it's still the Toledo Weak Signals Club.  It's a fantastic money-maker for them.  Some say "not as big as before", but still plenty big enough in my opinion.

I didn't go too deep into the 3D modeling setup, but it sounded like their system compiles the model out of tiny plastic beeds.  The camera array looks like it has been assembled with common off-the-shelf digital cameras on regular camera stands.  

[Jeff Traxler]

I live in Toledo and have been looking for goodies to flip at the swapshop since Thursday.I picked up enough little stuff to pay for the toys I get to keep,and I picked up a few engines and kits to take to Allen Brickhouse for the beginners at the nats.My prize is a 1977 Dick Mathis/M&P kit of Les McDonalds Stiletto.....complete and collectable.Unfortunately due to circumstances beyond my control it has ended up on the flip list.I guess if anyone is interested send a PM.I'd rather see someone on Stunthanger get it than the Ebay vultures.I'm going down to see the exibits tomorrow with my pop so I can finally see the inside.

[Randy Ryan]

I was there today. The Swap Shop is indeed shrinking yearly, allot of vacant tables. I did get some old engine buys and a little park flyer stick for the back yard. More and more the "toy" are taking over, less and less building stuff. I used to go there to buy all my bulk supplies but not anymore, those venders are gone. MECA has pulled out too, no more Collectogethers which is sad to some of us. Still, it was good to be there and see old friends and generally look around and have my annual chocholate N peanut covered ice cream on a stick. Did see Denny Adamisin at the Brodak booth, always good to yack with him.

[Joseph Lijoi]

I spoke to the guy in the Flying Models Carstens Publications booth.  He told me that all of the Control line plans were available, as long as you have the plan number, and they are actively pursuing a internet plans listing like the RC plan listing, but it is taking some time.  In the meantime they offered to supply a PDF listing of the control line plans to me via email and I will post it when they respond.

Brodak had some adjustable control horns and a laser cut Electric conversion kit for the nose of the Vector 40 kit.  I guess they are coming up with these kits for other designs as well.

Met a really nice chap from the UK who has a really impressive line of modelling glues, dispensers and solvents.  He had an applicator for welding scale plastic parts together that was really slick.  I'm not sure if he has a US distributor.  You might want to check out his site, specially if you have other toys besides Stunters:

http://www.deluxematerials.co.uk/

[Will Hinton]

Allen Goff and I helped man the NASA booth on Friday and Saturday.  had a lot of good conversations with scale guys and found time to pester John Brodak & company.  I didn't buy much, just a couple of carbon fiber rods.  I missed talking to Randy Rich, he was always out of the booth when I could get by!
Paul is right, for those of us living close enough, Randy's fuel is the best buy on the planet, and he'll custom mix it for you - no extra cost.  I've used it since the early 90's.
Good thing you came on Friday, Paul; Saturday was back to the shoulder to shoulder squeeze!

[Tom Niebuhr]

Will,
Those 3D pilots look very interesting. Were they hand painted? Are they heavy?

[Randy Ryan]

Allen Goff and I helped man the NASA booth on Friday and Saturday.  had a lot of good conversations with scale guys and found time to pester John Brodak & company.  I didn't buy much, just a couple of carbon fiber rods.  I missed talking to Randy Rich, he was always out of the booth when I could get by!
Paul is right, for those of us living close enough, Randy's fuel is the best buy on the planet, and he'll custom mix it for you - no extra cost.  I've used it since the early 90's.
Good thing you came on Friday, Paul; Saturday was back to the shoulder to shoulder squeeze!

Sorry I missed you guys Will, I was looking!!!!

[Will Hinton]

Tom, I never thought to ask about the painting!  I was too concerned about sizes and such,  I need a good civilian for the Tri-Pacer in progress.  The custom jobs might be painted, but I failed to ask at that booth also.  (The old mind went into a fog.)  Okay, okay, maybe that should have been "Deeper into a fog."

Randy, sorry we missed each other.  Allen & I did 2 hour shifts at the NASA booth, so you probably went by during one of our "shopping" sprees.

[Jeff Traxler]

 (The old mind went into a fog.)  Okay, okay, maybe that should have been "Deeper into a fog."

         


    Tom,The heads are not painted,they are printed in 3D color.They are hollow inside and were pretty light.Probably not much more weight than the plastic molded pilots available.The fella' that was at the booth was the subject for many of the samples and the resembleance was incredible.
                                                                                    Trax

[Mark Scarborough]

did I miss it, is there a company name for the pilot figures? maybe a website?
thanks

[Luiz Carlos Franco]

May be shortly we will be able to get a pilot figure with the likeness of a PW or an Igor and thus improve greatly our performance. 

[Dan Bregar]

Last year for Eric Clutton, aka Doctor Diesel. 

[pmackenzie]

I didn't go too deep into the 3D modeling setup, but it sounded like their system compiles the model out of tiny plastic beeds.  The camera array looks like it has been assembled with common off-the-shelf digital cameras on regular camera stands.  

FWIW, the 3D printer they use is a Zcorp Z510. The material is gypsum powder based, and is printed in full colour.
The busts they print are hollow. so not too heavy.

(I use a Z650 at work, slightly larger version)

Once printed you have to infiltrate the part with something to increase the strength. CA, epoxy and wax are examples.

The camera array was neat. They had a head sized cylinder covered in a pattern of little colored squares that I presume was used in conjunction with their software to calibrate the setup.

Missed you at the show Paul, usually we bump into each other multiple times as we make our way around the floor.

Pat MacKenzie