The inaugural “Vintage Models Over Valley Forge” event on Saturday attracted vintage model airplane enthusiasts from several states, local hobbyists, and spectators. Held at the Valley Forge Signal Seekers (VFSS) model airfield, one of the oldest model airplane flying fields in the country, the event provided some friendly acrobatic competition for pilots and an entertaining show for viewers.

“This event brought together vintage R/C pilots from across the region to celebrate the history of model aviation,” said Mike Rudney, Membership Director for VFSS. Seventeen registered pilots displayed and flew several dozen model planes, all painstakingly built by hand from balsa wood.

This was a sanctioned event with the Academy of Model Aviation (AMA), and an official event for the Vintage Radio Control Society (VRCS) a national club that hosts annual events like this across the country. Aircraft on display included models designed between the 1930s and the 1980s.

An acrobatic competition provided a fun time for pilots and a demonstration of the beautiful flight that is possible with old and new model aircraft. The competition was divided into two classes for planes from different eras and required pilots to perform a sequence of acrobatic maneuvers including rolls, loops, and spins.

The older class was won by Doug Weaver, an accomplished modeler and member of the VRCS, who traveled to Valley Forge from Williamsville, NY. The open class, for more recent planes (up to 35 years old), was won by local modeler Lee Hollahan, a member of the VFSS. All registered pilots and club members were also invited to vote for the “Best in Show” of all the aircraft present. VFSS modeler Greg Wagensomer won with his beautiful Fokker DR-1 triplane.

Club members, even if not flying, brought out models for static display that represented the entire history of model aviation: from the era before radio control was feasible, and model airplanes were built for “Free Flight” without pilot input, through the early era of radio control in the 50s, to more recent models, designed for advanced acrobatics using the technological advancements available by the 1970s and 80s.

With a successful inaugural event, VFSS looks forward to hosting further vintage events in the coming years.

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