Dixie Jet
Rally 2002
St. George, Utah
by Bob Violett
page 1 of 2
It is a real treat for an eastern modeler to experience
flying a jet against the infinite skyline of the desert and mountainous
panorama in the west.The
air was so clear and the big rocks so distant that it is easy to fly a jet
almost too far away. It takes a few laps to adjust to the surroundings and the
density altitude, and then the fun begins.We (Tom Dodgen, Richthofen, Scooter and I)
left Florida the day after Top Gun '02 to arrive in Albuquerque, New Mexico for
a two day visit with fellow A-4 Skyhawk drivers of VA-93 (VA = NAVY Attack
Squadron). It was our 35th anniversary of a Vietnam combat cruise aboard the
USS Hancock CVA-19, part of the Tonkin Gulf Yacht Club.A motel parking lot
engine run-up (Olympus in the F-100F), for many of my comrades, it was an eye
opener about how much jet modeling has advanced in the last few years. They
were a bit disappointed that is was an Air Force jet until I pulled the Blue
Angel F-4 out of the trailer.
BV and Scooter on the Navajo
bridge over the Colorado River.
The magnificent scenery of the Grand Canyon required a
stop for drivers and pups to absorb. Tom and I are truly enjoying the travel
with our pets. AAA publishes a booklet on pet friendly motels that makes it
easy.
Tom and Richthofen
The drive from Albuquerque to St. George was the most
picturesque of our 5700 mile round trip, a beautiful and inspiring experience
even though the Suburban's 454 cubic inches was trying to ascend to 7,000 ft
above sea level with 40 kts of wind right on the nose.We arrived a bit late
Friday to fly but we were cordially greeted by members of the Remote
Possibilities R/C club and many of our western friends and customers. I was
pleasantly surprised at the popularity of BVM jets at the meet.The following photo
gallery may allow you to get a feeling of how 53 pilots enjoyed their "jet
together" weekend.
An 800 ft asphalt cap was added to the old
concrete runway base and is perfect for jets - runoff is still quite
okay.
The white trailer marks the
center of operations. This view from the hill top entrance to the "Remote
Possibilities" club field.
Dan Johnson and cousin Kent Nogy planned and
hosted the event. Each got one flight on their BobCat and Bandit. Thanks for
your efforts gentlemen.
Addison Clark Jr, an Army pilot, is also an
enthusiastic jet modeler. Wife Jenny and pooch also enjoyed the outing - the
weather was perfect.
Chris Huhn enjoyed a ride on the
new Super Bandit. Facial expression behind the chin fuzz denotes extreme
concentration of this great jet pilot. Like all BVM Reps, Chris is very capable
and gives of his time and experience to the newbies, thanks to Chris from all
of us.
Camera man caught Skeet Hunt by surprise.
This new MiG-15 was flown for the first time at St. George with help from very
experienced MiG pilot Tony Frackowiak. Anybody that has ever flown a MiG loves
them. This one is powered by an AMT Mercury.
Jack Karst produced the best
looking film finished BobCat we have seen. The paint color match was perfect.
Jack uses the heat gun shrink down method.
George Jones from Aztec, New Mexico says he
truly enjoyed building his RAM 500X powered BobCat. His efforts on the paint
job reflected his pleasure in the project. It has lots of flights at the higher
elevations.
The Blue Angel
Phantom, with its impressive
smoke system looked awesome in the sky - so I
was told.
The people's choice award was won by Rich
Fong and his brilliant F-100D. Rich flew the "Hun" multiple times and made some
perfect landings. A great modeler with a great subject, equals a great
presentation.
Dan Avilla enjoyed several flights on these
two BVM jets. Every time we tried to get a photo, Dan was busy charging,
fueling or flying.
Young pilot Spencer Klein admires vintage
jets like BVM's F-80 in NAVY TV-1 scheme. We flew it with RAM 500X
power.