Master electrics flyer

Model Airplane News, Mar 1998

I met Dave Grife for the first time at the last KRC after having drooled over his models on videotapes and in magazine articles for years. Dave, it seems, is one of us mortals after all. Like a lot of modelers, he started building as a youngster, but other pursuits like girls and cars distracted him in his teens. But seven years ago, in his mid-twenties, and during a stressful time while working his way through dental school, he rediscovered modeling. Not one to take the easy course, he decided to teach himself how to fly and selected the Goldberg* Mirage 550 and proceeded to crash and repair his way to proficiency. Dave started with electric power and has never owned a wetpowered plane in his life. Being well known as an excellent pilot, he does get to fly other modelers' planes and sometimes envies the almost unlimited power available in internal combustion engines. His current air force is impressive.

THE ADVENTURE BEGINS

I arrived in Allentown on Thursday night, after flying most of the day from Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. The size of KRC started to become apparent immediately. Like me, many modelers travel a great distance just to be part of the event. To people with even an inkling of what electric-powered flight is all about, an event of this magnitude is a magnet. For those who don't know anything about electrics, KRC is the place to learn and be amazed. The entire range of electricflight possibilities is put on display. KRC is not confined to one aspect of electric flight but covers every aspect from miniature to giant, sport to scale and simple to intricate. The meet takes on the appearance of a festival, with vendors hawking their wares, brightly colored tents and awnings and a sky full of humming aircraft cavorting above throngs of interested spectators and pilots.

The weather last year was very interesting. Friday was one of those blue-sky days with temperatures one would expect at the high point of summer: no wind, hot and humid-quite a change for me. When I left Edmonton, there was a bit of snow on the ground. Saturday was just as hot, but a thick layer of cloud blocked any chance of seeing the sun and heralded the thunderstorm that passed through that evening. That small bit of bad weather was timed perfectly, and while it rained, the gathered throng feasted on a pig roast in a hangar at the airport. Sunday knocked many for a loop. Although the sun made an appearance through puffy white clouds, the temperature dropped by 30F and a cool nor'wester blew in from Canada (I had to bring more than a single aircraft didn't I?).

The planes are what make KRC an event, and there were plenty of those to see. Two hundred and thirty pilots were registered and a rough estimate would bring the number of planes close to 500. If you didn't see what you wanted to see, you probably didn't look hard enough. For me, highlights of the meet included (but were not limited to) some of these wonderful modelers and their creations.

I enjoyed the demonstration of raw power put on by Steve Neu and his F5B competition ship. The model is launched vertically, and its low passes down the runway are awe inspiring. The howl of 80 amps being converted to thrust seemed loud over the muted background noise of the other models. The climb rate is rocketlike; after a launch, the plane passes through 1,000 feet in a matter of seconds. Steve uses the system's incredible climb performance to perform an aerial ballet punctuated by short bursts of noise as he goes vertical to continue the routine.

Jim Ryan's beautiful Hellcat was a great example of the popularity of Speed 400 aircraft. While watching it fly, someone unaware of its size would be forgiven for not realizing the wingspan is only 30 inches. Power is provided by a tiny Speed 400 motor costing just over $10 and running off seven inexpensive 600mAh AE cellseconomy in motion!

Dave Grife evoked memories of the Battle of Britain with his veteran 72-inch Hawker Hurricane. The plane is complete with retracts and a nicely weathered paint job. I must say, this plane really impressed me with its smooth, fluid flight. I have watched scale model warbirds for more years than I care to remember, and this model was really outstanding in its ability to duplicate scale flight.

The mock Speed 400 pylon race on Saturday had models whipping up and down the field; their quick, nimble shapes were almost a blur. If you had the need for speed, then watching these demons probably would satisfy it.

In marked contrast to the racers, powered gliders hunted for lift during the All Up Last Down event won by Karl Benson with a time of I hour, 36 minutes and 8 seconds.

Multi-engine aircraft were also well represented. One example that stuck in my mind was Dave Baron's massive four-engine B-17. This plane actually flew at scale speed (not something achieved very often) and really looked the part. The wingspan on this monster is 10.5 feet, and power is provided by four AstroFlight geared 05s and 32 cells. Covered with Coverite* Micafilm, it tips the scales at 18.75 pounds. The model was originally built by Joe Beshar, but Dave made him an offer he couldn't refuse.