Planes of the Toledo Weak
Signals Show2013
Top modelers havemarked their calendars for the past 59 years for this staticcontest!
By Jim Wiggin PHOTOGRAPHY: GREG CARDILLO, GEORGE RILEY & JIM WIGGIN O 18
ne of the perennial signs of Spring for many a modeler is that of the Weak Signals show in Toledo, Ohio. Each year modelers have marked the dates in April to come to Toledo and meet up with old friends, see the latest offerings from the manufacturers, purchase items for both current and future projects and maybe place their newest completed model plane, boat or car in the static contest. For 59 years this ritual has taken place,
and to the ardent modeler, is a tradition of Spring. The show was held at the SeaGate Centre in downtown Toledo with plenty of parking and places to grab a quick bite to eat. Static displays were down this year but that did not diminish the fact that those that were present represented some of the best modelers in the hobby. Displays within the aircraft category alone, ranged from authen- tic scale to science fiction.
Take for example Terry Nitsch’s F-86
Sabre in the famous Sabre Dance paint scheme. Based on a privately owned F-86 of
the 1980s, Terry was able to not only build the impressive scale plane, but replicate the demanding all-black scheme. Terry ended up placing second in the Jet Category and tak- ing top honors in the Best Paint category. Aerobatic airplane participation was down this year but the level of commitment and craftsmanship was intense. Danny Carozza placed first with his beautiful 42% Ultimate bipe and Karl Schneider was right behind him in second with a beautiful Pitts Model 12. Helicopters proved to be a popular topic this year with many impressive en- tries. In the end however Darryl Sprayberry placed first with his Vietnam era Sikorsky UH-34 Choctaw. The level of detail included with this big model rivaled that of any Hol- lywood movie prop.
Speaking of Hollywood, Rick Hamel spent a considerable amount of time scratchbuild- ing a turbine aircraft for the Dark Knight. His efforts on the Batwing landed him a first place win in the Sport Category. Sport was by far the most popular entry and it was
here that Keith Shaw placed Best Finish with Film with his Acro-Jet.
Both Old Timer and Vintage R/C had a good turnout in entries with a wide assort- ment of our favorite models from days past. Dave Platt placed first with his Half Tone in Vintage R/C and Bob Bienenstein placed first with his Playboy Sr. in Old Timer. Designer Scale had two standouts this year by the way of Brian Perkin’s large 35% Bristol Scout and Allen Mrock’s unique Dornier Wal. In the end, Peter Howe would take top honors in Best of Show for his Grumman TBM-3E Avenger.
The following pages, while a treat for the eye by way of great photography, offer you just a glimpse of the craftsmanship that was evident this year. Perhaps however, the best way to experience such talent in model building is to start planing for next year’s show on April 4th–6th and see next year’s model displays for yourself. It is a great way to start off the model airplane year with a tradition of Spring.
MAY 2013
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