| The
Dayton Dawn Patrol Rendezvous, hosted by the USAF Museum, is for
World War I full scale and RC giant scale airplanes. Weather again was
again the problem for this years 3 day event. The week before I checked the weather forecasts for the
Dayton area almost daily. Each
time the forecast was for light winds and mild temperatures, we were
really excited. Dallas and I
left Wednesday morning for our almost 900 mile trip, we met up with Bill
& Sharon and the boys from Sooner Sq, Guthrie, spending the night in
Terre Haute, Indiana, then on into Dayton Thursday. We checked in, set up our canopies and attended the
meet & greet in the Museum Thursday evening.
The base Officers Club served finger food and buffet style foods,
it was very good. Of course
the forecast changed, light rain Friday and 40% chance of rain Saturday.
We spent Friday morning in the Museum because of the rain, by noon
it cleared and it was back to the field.
We got a few flights in and were fully briefed on the flight
operation of the event. The
full scale planes began arriving and the venders began setting up their
tents and displays. This was
a long day and we all went out to eat and hit the rack early. We
planned to hit as many of the local restaurants as possible while we were
here. By Sunday, many of the restaurants knew that the boys from
Oklahoma were in town. We had a good time, the food was good
and the Rum&Cokes & Jack Daniels was great!
Saturday turned out to be a great flying day.
Displays, vendors, scale airplanes, re-enactors, RC airplanes were
all doing their thing. Spectators
turned out and one estimated count was over 100,000+ people attended the 3
day event. We
all got many flights in, Bill & Jim made several flights with 1/3
scale Nieuport 17 and Sopwith Pup. I flew my Pup and Fokker Eindecker many
times. There were no major crashes, it was really a
"Another fine day at the Flyin Field". The re-enactors and
their displays, the antique cars add so much to this type of event.
There were several vendors, Balsa USA, a major sponsor, was there with
their kits, books, t-shirts and many other things were for sale. The
Saturday night banquet was great, we were entertained by the Air Force
"Tops In Blue" band and there were as least four bars set up.
The Rum & Cokes and Jack Daniels when down real smooth.
But I remembered last time, I limited my Rum& Cokes, I was not
going to make any speeches this time.
At one point, I thought Bill and some of the other guys had set me
up with the master of sermonizes, but all ended well.
Sunday was more flying and the awards presentations.
I won a book from the grab table, we were given posters.
We were packed and ready to hit the road by 1 o'clock.
It was another great event, would have not missed it.
Dallas & I drove straight though and made it home about 2 in
the morning. Dallas and
I are already making plans for the 2014 trip. Here
are some pictures of the event, I seem to never get enough pictures. |
