Cole & Rita Palen Free-Flight Memorial Meet
June 14, 2008
Red Hook High School
hNews Flashh
1/27/08
Cole and Rita Free-Flight Meet 2008
WWI to be featured
This year we celebrate the 90th anniversary of the Armistice, and WWI models will be the focus of attention at the Annual Cole and Rita Palen Free Flight Meet. We are hoping to have a mass launch of several Fokker D.VII models. So far the D.VII event list includes Pete Truesdell, Matt King, Mike Gross, Chris Rogine & me. Who else would like to participate? Start building! Let me know if you need plans or are seeking a kit.
We are also planning a similar event for a simpler design. The Bill Hannan designed Boxy-Bipe from the Feb. 1977 issue of Model Aviation will be used. as a basis. We are encouraging builders to decorate their Boxy Bipes in typical WWI colors, complete with Crosses or Roundels and if you are ambitious, modify it to look a bit more like a Fokker or Spad.
Project News:
Here is a listing of some of the models that are being built for the June event:
Scott Shultz - Rumpler C.IV
Howie Applegate - Nieuport Triplane & Armstrong Whitworth Quadraplane (!)
Sean Tavares – Spad VII
Tom Polapink - Bristol Scout, Albree
Pete Polapink – Fokker D.VI
Dave King – Fokker D.VI
Matt King – Fokker Triplane
Nick Ziroli Jr. – Taube
Steve Sweeney – Boxy Bipe
(Let me know what you are working on and I’ll be happy to add it the next “News Flash.”)
Rumor has it that Mary Ellen Sinclair has feverishly been building model airplanes this winter.
Basic Events
We will have our usual events, and prizes will be given down to third place unless otherwise specified. In memory of Dick King, Larry Potter and Judy Meyers-Ulfik we are renaming some of the awards accordingly. While we are at it, we will add Dave Fox and Gordon Bainbridge’s names to the list also.
Pioneer Event (Pre-WWI)
WWI Event (1914-1918)
Golden Age Event (1919-1939)
Mixed Event (non-scale and/or post 1939)
Mass Launch (all types, scale preferred)
Proxy Event
Indoor High Flight Award *
Judy Meyers-Ulfik Powder Puff Event
Larry Potter / Gordon Bainbridge Craftsmanship Award*
Dick King, “Sir Percy Goodfellow” Sportsmanship Award*
Pilots’ Choice Perpetual Trophy*
…and the following Special Events for WWI models will take place this year:
· Best Triplane Award*
· Dave Fox “Regal Eagle”
Fokker D.VII Mass Launch Award*
· Best Two-Seat Subject*
· Innovation Award* (for multi-motors – Pusher types, etc.)
· A Concours d'Elegance* for WWI Models - Models do not need to fly (Static Scale & Plastic welcomed)
· The Sky Battle of Bar le Duc !!!
Mass Launch Event for the Hannan Boxy Bipe (WWI livery encouraged)
(* One place per category)
Events for 2009 & 2010
We are already planning future events. In 2009 we will celebrate the centenary of Bleriot’s cross Channel Flight and the famous air meet at Reims with Pioneer aircraft in the spotlight.
The focus will shift to the Golden Age in 2010 in celebration of the 90th Anniversary of the Pulitzer Trophy Race in New York, and the 80th anniversary of the National Air Races in Chicago.
Participants will be encouraged to build Golden Age Racers of all types for this event. Visit the following for historical information:
http://www.air-racing-history.com
Famous Friends
Mike Maniatis and his new, full-scale DH Gypsy Major appeared in a recent issue of “Aeroplane” magazine from England.
Matt King’s Albatros D.III is in the current issue of “Flying Models” magazine
Ken Cassens and his career in aviation was featured in the Poughkeepsie Journal on January 13. Here’s the story in case you haven’t seen it:
http://www.poughkeepsiejournal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080113/SPORTS05/801130358/1002/SPORTS
Sad News
Our condolences go out to Ginger and Myron Edmonds on the passing of Ginger’s sister / Myron’s daughter, Mary Slagle. Ginger and Myron both have a long history with Rhinebeck and their family is well-known for their kindness and good nature.
Upcoming Events
February 22-24 _WRAM’s Show
June 7&8 – Greenwich Concours d’Elegance, Greenwich, CT
June 14 – Cole and Rita Free Flight Meet!
Also – opening day of Air Shows at Old Rhinebeck.
June 21 – L.I. Skyhawks R/C Warbirds Meet (Center Moriches, NY)
August 9 & 10 – L.I. Skyhawks RC Scale Masters Qualifier
September 5-7– Mid Hudson R/C WWI Jamboree at Rhinebeck
September 27 - CCRCC 7th Annual
Big Biplane R/C Bash – Gerry Yarrish
(Farmington, CT)
That’s all for now. More updates to follow.
Tom P.
42 Eastwood Blvd., Centereach, NY 11720
631-813-5113
Tom Polapink –
Matt King –
Sean Tavares -