MCRCS 2008 Jumbo Jamboree

This page contains pictures from the 19th Annual Mercer County Jumbo Jamboree Air Show held at Warren Kruse Field on May 24th and 25th, 2008. Click on a picture to see a larger image. Higher-resolution images of the models are available to their owners by emailing a request to webmaster@mcrcs.com.

Setting Up

The sky looked great, but the wind was worrisome.

When it comes to directing setup, John Tanzer is the man.

No one understands tentsmanship like John.

Like an intricate dance, everything comes together.

Of course the numbers assist fading memories.

First Light

We know exactly where the field is.	Signs lead visitors in. Getting out is another story.	As Saturday dawned, many models were already hangared.	Or parked outside the back door.	Several avid flyers bring their homes and their models.
At first light, Rick Andrese was already at work.	Models lay across the pit in various stages of assembly.	There's no doubt how Britt “Big Daddy” Hubert spends his time.	As starting time approached, more models filled the pit.

Into the Blue

Michael Shauger's PT-19 was one of the first to fly.	Dan Basovitch's “Trainer” filled the morning sky with smoke.	Lots of it.	John English's P-38 was the only twin at the event.	Dan Basovitch helps Gary Rosenthal start his Taube.
Gary's red Taube contrasted well against the blue sky.	Chris Leeds helps Bob Mackey start his T-170.	Adam Lilley's Cub was seen, but the Flying Farmer wasn't.	Peter Malagreca prepares to taxi his GBee.	Crisp color and detail made the GBee was a pleasure to watch.
An assistant helps John Braun range test his PT-17.	John's bright yellow PT-17 was easy to see.	And easy to watch, from any angle.	Russ Breuninger helps Britt Hubert start his Sopwith Pup.	With a 100” span, even in sky colors it was easy to see.
Rick Andrese's Taylorcraft floated gently through the sky.	The identities of some aircraft ...	... and their owners remain elusive.	An unidentified Stearman biplane.	Scott Bonomo's Zero rises above the trees.
Jennifer Lilley's yellow Taube floated high above the pattern.	Dan Basovitch flew this P-51, the Big Beautiful Doll.	Anthony Pansini's Hellcat made an exciting takeoff.	Pat Monacelli prepares to fly his Carden Extra.	3-D wasn't allowed, but slow flight wasn't restricted.
Steve Gallup prepares to fly his Carden El Bandito.	El Bandito's colors pop from the sky.	Gerorge Kowalewski's Corsair touched down.	The smaller of two Tiger Moth's belonged to Robert Keibley.	A military Cub of unknown ownership.
Britt Hubert's Yak 54 completes a loop.	Harry Jenhin's Waco Cabin biplane takes off.	A Hangar-9 P-47.	The Luciano's prepare to fly their AT-6.	Michael Marafioti starts his Extra 330C.
Walt Siedlecki and his father (also Walt) start their SE-5a.	Walt's SE-5a in flight.	Bob Levanduski's Fokker DR1 takes off.	Keith Zimmerly's Avro 504C was the biggest by 6”.	Not really dogfighting, an SE-5a chases a captured Nieuport 11.
Russ Breuninger's third-scale Cub was the largest ARF.	Pat Monacelli spots as Russ prepares to fly.	Obvious from the other side, this P-47 belongs to Tom DY*L.	Frank Beshears' Boeing BF-4-2 starts its takeoff run.	Nobu Iwasawa's Nieuport 11 sported German colors.
Robert Keibley's SE-5a sported squadron-leader banners.

The Peoples' Choice

Larry Alles is no stranger to the Peoples' Choice contest.	This Tiger Moth might have won at last year's Warbirds event ...	... but weather intervened and the contest was cancelled.	At 140” and 42 pounds, this model dwarfed most others.	Powered by a ZDZ 100, it was easy to see ...
... and to photograph.	Assisted by Rich Andrese, Larry flew formation with ...	... Keith Zimmerly and his Avro 504C.	Russ Breuninger's Cub joined the formation for a while.	Equipped with smoke, the Tiger Moth filled the sky.

The Tough Competition

John English with his OS .61 powered P-38 Lightning.	Joe Diovisalvo with his gas powered biplane.	Michael Shauger with his 84” 35cc Dynaflight PT-19.	Peter Malagreca with his 105” Zenoah 26 powered GBee.	Dan Basovitch with his 84” G45 powered P-51.
Dan Basovitch with his 110” 70cc powered trainer.	Anthony Pansini with his G62 powered 93” Byron Hellcat.	Tom Dyl with his Q52 powered 85” P-47D Thunderbolt.	John Braun with his G38 powered 90” Stearman PT-17.	Michael Marafioti with his 3W75 powered 90” Extra 330C.
Frank Puccio with his DA85 powered 96” Extra 260.	Alex Davis with his SD Models 87” Yak 54.	Frank Puccio with his DA100 powered 102” Edge 540.	Britt Hubert with his Zenoah 62 powered 88” Fokker D-VII.	Robert Mackey with his Quadra 50 powered 92” T-170.
Chubby D'Angell with his G38 powered 86” Morrisey Bravo	Bruce Kane with his Z38 powered 86” Morrisey Bravo	John Smith with his Q52 powered 86” Stinson 108.	Rich Blatt with his Saito 2.70 Twin powered 82” Glassair.	Rick Andrese with his Nieuport 17.
Frank Beshears with his 1.80 powered 80” Boeing BF-4-2.	Jennifer Lilley with her OS powered Taube.	Adam Lilley with is Axi 41/30 electric powered Buhl Pup.	Robert Keibley with his Saito 1.80 powered 80” SE-5a.	Gary Rosenthal's .91 powered 83” Taube.

A Lunchtime Diversion

JR aerobatic team member Lee Morey gave the first 3-D demo.	Flying a DA100 powered Extreme Flight 110” Yak 54 ...	... he thrilled the lunchtime crowd.	Twelve-year-old Alex Davis, flying an SD Models 87” ...	... Yak 54, demonstrated maneuvers many of us ...
... wouldn't even try on a simulator.	During a lull in the afternoon, Trent Schneider flew ...	his nicely decorated Yak, demonstrating ...	... all that remained in the aerobatic repertoire.

Winning Big

Brian Bunda and Walt Siedlecki were first to sell 50-50 tickets.	A small hand is required to get a ticket out.	The day's first big winner took over $200.	Great Lucidi coached available youth on how to draw.	The second winner got over $100.
A third drawing resulted in ...	... over $100 to Carl Gubkin.	Joanna and Amanda Graziani took over ticket sales.	The final drawing resulted in another prize ...	... that exceeded $100.

Blame it On the Wind

Winds of 15-20 MPH demanded precise control at landing.

An engine failure seemed contributory to this crash.

Landing gear seemed most prone to damage.

The Flying Farmer landed among the crops.

A Few of Many

Keith Zimmerly, Ted Swanson and CD David Vale.	Announcer Greg Lucidi gave the event a voice.	Sal Lucania connected names to the pilots.	Hitesh Anklesaria and Henry Zihlbauer parked on Sunday.	Joanne Graziani relieved Bruce Everstsen as cashier.
Dave Loreti and Ron Niebo smile as business winds down.	Dan Geerders smiles as a long week finishes.

People of Importance

AMA District II AVP Tony Rossi, club President Keith Zimmerly, and AMA District II VP Gary Fitch.

Jim Meighan trains great grandson Zach to replace Greg Lucidi.

Pat Monacelli teaches his daughter the basics of RC.

Ron shows Juliette Rose Niebo the kitchen.