Southern Dawn Patrol still alive ?

[Bookmaker]

In a previous thread, we had explored the idea of a WW I R/C Fly In somewhere in the deep south in November or December, so you Nawthern guys can git out-a-da snow and us Suthern guys don't have to cross the Mason-Dixon.

We had kind of let it die due to high fuel costs, knowing that many of us have to cut back on our travels. However, there seems to still be some interest, so it's time to make some decisions.

The proposed event would be a 2 day fly-in, Fri & Sat mid Nov to mid Dec, (final date pending searching for conflicts). The event would most likely be held at Hodges Hobbies Field in Americus, GA. (S-W GA) Yes, that is Mac Hodges' (B-29 fame) field that those of you who have been there know it is a perfect location for WW I. Giant fairway type grass field with no obstructions for a long ways. There is camping on site with electric and water R/V hookups, a large closed build for storage over night and a large open shed building. Additionally, there is Mac's hobby shop on the field that has to be one of the best hobby shops in the south.

The question boils down to if there is enough interest for us to continue. Are you interested in such an event? How likely are you to try to attend?

One final question. Other than cash, what would be most likely to influence your decision to attend?

Dale

[Lyle]

Gee, that sounds like a great place to retire!
a) Former B-29 driver...
b) Buys big field...
c) Builds hobby shop next to field....

I've passed through Americus on my way to Columbus to visit the Civil War Naval Museum. Sounds like an ideal venue, big flat field with only an occasional pecan tree getting in the way.

As usual it's the gas that might keep me from coming from Tampa. But for the well-heeled among us, stuff like that is pretty irrelevent. So if it works, why not?
Do you recall an event in Texas recently called Flugtag, restricted to German aircraft of any timeframe? I wonder how the turnout for that thing was...

[Lyle]

Silly me...I thought Mr. Hodges flew the full-scale stuff! Now I see that it's that humongous B-29 with the X-plane tied underneath. I don't know what X plane it is; I don't know much about modern aircraft.

It looks like a fantastic place to fly, and their calendar is very full of events, a sure sign of a great field.

[Bookmaker]

OK, it looks like it will move ahead.

2008 Southern Dawn Patrol WW I
R/C Fly In

I have reserved the Hodges Hobbies field in Americus, Georgia for Friday December 5 and Saturday December 6, 2008. Barring problems getting AMA sanction for those dates, the plan is to hold the 2 day event on those days.

The Fly In will be open to all scale/sport scale WW I era Radio Control Model Warbirds.

Mark Your Calendars

More details will follow soon.
Dale

[WWIModelGuy]

Dale, awesome idea. I just happened to come across your post after not visiting this site in a long while. I will certainly be there along with fellow WWI folks from my club if it comes to be. I bet you get a large turnout considering the increasing interest in WWI aircraft. For years I can remember when I was the only one in my area that flew these types of aircraft. That has really changed now. I have kicked the idea around myself of having something like this in the south but never converted it to action. I will continue to do so in the future, but I have to make the long trek to my favorite event of the year, the Rhinebeck Jamboree. Please let me know if I can be of any assistance. Best regards.

PS Any thought of also including Sunday?

[Bookmaker]

WWI Model Guy, Yes by all means tell and bring your friends.

As for adding Sunday, at this point for the 2008 event, Friday and Saturday will be enough. Due to the drastic increase in fuel costs, I have been concerned about participation, so this year it will be kept somewhat low key. Maybe in future years if there seems to be good participation, it can be expanded. I agree there is a lot of interest building in WW I R/C models.

My home club is "sponsoring" the event, however the "event committee" is pretty small, so if you are interested in helping out in some way, any help is welcome.

Dale

[BillF]

I would have been going, but the gas to drive down there alone would be around $600. I just can't afford to do it this year which is sad, as I will have both my Fokker D.VII done and my M.S. A-1 (1/3rd scale) ready to go as well by that time.

[Bookmaker]

Bill, I sure understand that issue. We are going up to the Ohio Dawn Patrol next week. A little over 1500 mile round trip. I don't even want to know what the diesel fuel is going to cost.

Anyway, maybe between now and December a miracle will happen and fuel costs will drop.

[BillF]

Originally Posted by Bookmaker

Bill, I sure understand that issue. We are going up to the Ohio Dawn Patrol next week. A little over 1500 mile round trip. I don't even want to know what the diesel fuel is going to cost.

Anyway, maybe between now and December a miracle will happen and fuel costs will drop.

If I had a couple of local friends that flew WW1, I could probably do it, but alas, everyone with few exceptions is all into the whole ARF scene now.

The trip down to Top Gun in FL nearly killed me this year and gas was a little cheaper then!

Dale, you are over at RC Scale Builder too right?

[Bookmaker]

Yes, Bill, I'm Bookmaker over at RCSB also.

Keep the SDP in mind if things change.