Damn close?
It was 1985.
It was the time when RC-1 stood for the crowning glory of model flying skills and the only source of information was catalogs and specialist magazines memorized every month …
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F3a World Championship Pensacola 1983 in USA. Canadian competitor Ivan Kristensen with his two competition ‘Citation’ aircraft. It was a design by former world champion Yoshioka. The aircraft had a wingspan of 1.68 metres and a flying weight of 3.68 kg. Equipped with an OS 61 VR ABC, he flew to an excellent 4th place. His radio control system was a Futaba PCM. #ivankristensen #citation #osmax #futaba #pensacola83 #f3a #rc1 #fai #ama
Topnews, Retro Classics »
Kurt Bauerheim – One of the best R/C aerobatic pilots of the sixties
Kurt Bauerheim, weltweit in der R/C Kunstflugszene durch seinen dritten Platz bei der FAI R/C Kunstflugweltmeisterschaft in Korsika 1967 und sein damaliges Wettbewerbsmodell Kompromiss:
Topnews, Classic Planes, Retro Classics »
Graupner`s Caravelle
Today, we present photos from the Graupner family archive for the very first time. We would like to thank the Graupner family for supporting us in our future research into the history of model aircraft. First of all we publish a test of the legendary Graupner Caravelle by the author Dieter Heck.
Famous pattern pilots, Topnews »
Benito Bertolani – A live for R/C flying
Benito Bertolani, born in Sorbano del Giudice (Lucca) on the 2nd July 1938. The premier veteran of Italian model flying. At the tender age of 9 years little Benito found his way to model flying. He started with free flight gliders.
Classic Planes, Topnews »
TOC Cult Decals!
Between 1974 and 2002 the legendary Tournament of Champions (TOC) in Las Vegas took place 18 times. The founder and sponsor of this famous competition, Mr. William G. Bennett, invited the 20 or 21 worldbest pilots each time. The development of aerobatics was supported, and clever formulated rules gave very interesting and new impulses.
Reviews, Topnews »
Aerobatic world championship 1975 Bern / Suisse
Aerobatic R/C Airplane World Championships BERN, 8.-13.Sept. 1975
THE World Radio Control Championships for aerobatic model aircraft came home for the ninth successive competition for the King of the Belgians trophy at Bern, Switzer-land, September 8th-13th.
Read the full story »
Famous pattern pilots, Retro Classics, Topnews »
Seyer Brother`s Diabolo
Review of Seyer brother`s Diabolo – In mid-70s, as a child, Thorsten Seyer learned under the guidance of his big brother Bernd how to control model aircraft. The initial spark came during a demonstration flight by the then world-famous aerobatic pilot Wolfgang Dallach.
Reviews, Topnews »
F3AX Neckartalcup 1982
Review, Tübingen, 3th July, 982: The competition in Las Vegas has inspired the model pilots to a new class: For quite some time now, but now this class has been coming into its own, with a full field of participants, with participants who have rank and file, and with a sophisticated flight program.
Clubs and Associations, Retro Classics, Reviews, Topnews »
10. Retroday in Pfäffikon/Schweiz
Pfäffikon, 4,july 2020 Review: Despite Corona, the annual retro meeting of the Swiss model flying club Pfäffikon took place. Sun laughs, pure models. The model pilot’s heart beats faster than ever before.
More than 30 participants, mainly from Switzerland and Germany, met this year and presented their treasures to the public.
Classic Planes, Retro Classics, Topnews »
Toni Clark`s Cap 21
Review 1987: As the interest in models suitable for the F3A-X program is growing, I would like to report on my CAP 21. This model is produced and directly distributed by Toni Clark.
This plane is an exact replica at a scale of 1:3.4 of the CAP 21 No. 001, the prototype which was represented at the World Aerobatic Championship in the USA in August 1980.
Classic Planes, Famous pattern pilots, Retro Classics, Topnews »
Gustav Sämann `s Feuervogel
Gustav Saemann was a German model aircraft designer. As early as the 1950s, he designed various free flight models, the very first being his Taifun (1951) or the A2 glider model Bussard. One of his models was also the rubber motor plane Hornet.
Clubs and Associations, Retro Classics, Reviews, Topnews »
Ivano Garzena Memorial 2020
Review: The Italian retro meeting took place from 10-12 July 2020 in the Acquqrossa Park in Gualdo Cattaneo / Perugia. The date of the meeting was actually fixed for June. For months the accommodation in the region had been fully booked. Due to the Corona Virus the event had to be cancelled. Italy was paralysed.
Reviews, Topnews »
Aerobatic World Championships 1967 Corsica
THE 5th World R/C Championships was held 21st-25th June, at Ajaccio, Corsica, organized by the Federation Francaise d’Aero Modelism. Meeting point for competitors and official parties was at Nice on the 21st from where we were to be flown across to the Mediterranean island.
Read the full story »
Retro Classics, Reviews, Topnews »
8. F3A Retroday in Pfaeffikon / Switzerland 6. July 2019
On Saturday July 6 we participate in the 8th edition of old aerobatic models from the period to 1980, This meeting is base of the 2010 Retro day in Dubendorf the meeting was held in Pfaffikon model airfield near Zürich a friendly meeting to exchange and fly Classic Pattern. This year was more then 40 planes there.
Reviews, Topnews »
F3A World Championships 1973 Gorizia / Italia
F3A World Championships 1973 Gorizia / Italia, 15 new pictures!
The 8th World Radio Control Championships for aero-batics (F.A.I. Class F3A) was a cliff-hanger to the end. It was also the largest ever of the series which began, in Switzerland, in 1960, this time drawing 78 competitors from 27 countries. Newcomers were Israel, Portugal and Spain.
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Visit at Xoar Factory
Just weeks ago a friend of us visit Xoar factory in Henan. It`s very impressive, a very big hitech factory. Grupp-Modellbau / Germany is now the main Europe Dealer. His warehouse is amazing! Here are some impressions of Xoar factory:
Reviews, Topnews »
1. Aerobatic World Championships 1960 Switzerland
NEW Updated with full–color amazing images! We have revised and updated the review of the first aerobatic world championship of 1960 / Duebendorf Switzerland. Our photos were “colored”. Take a look yourself, some of them are very nice photos of this World Cup. Our grandfathers already had great planes …
Clubs and Associations, Topnews »
1.CMAF Classic Aerobatic competition in Japan
From October 13 to 14, 2018, the 1st CMAF Classicpattern Aerobatic Competition took place in Ogaki-Shi, Gifu Prefecture (near the city of Nagoya). Organizer was the Seino R / C model flying club together with the Chubu Modeler Air Federation.
Clubs and Associations, Topnews »
8. F3A Retroday in Pfäffikon 7. Juli 2018
On Saturday July 7 we participate in the 8th edition of old aerobatic models from the period to 1980, This meeting is base of the 2010 Retro day in Dubendorf the meeting was held in Pfaffikon model airfield near Zürich a friendly meeting to exchange and fly Classic Pattern. This year was more then 30 planes there.
Retro Classics, Topnews »
The Seyer CAP 231
In the mid-seventies, during his childhood days, Thorsten Seyer learned how to fly model aircraft under the guidance of his big brother Bernd. The desire to learn to fly was triggered following an air show demonstration by the then world-famous aerobatic pilot Wolfgang Dallach.
Retro Classics, Sky Aviations, Topnews »
ARF Aerobatic Arrow
The R/C Aerobatic WC 1979 und 1981winner plane
Available as either glow powered or EP
We are proud of the Arrow and offer to you after our Marabu as second way to fly your own world champion winner plane. IF you are interested and will like to purchase this fantastic flying R/C planes pre order sare welcome.
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F3AX Neckartalcup 1981
Review: On 4-5 July 1981, the first large-scale aerobatic competition of the new class F3A-X took place in Tübingen. Bernd Enenkl, president of the Bavarian R/C Club Erding, supported the competition organization team with help and advice.
Retro Classics, Topnews »
Gerald`s Prettner Constructions
Gerald Zikulnig is the organizer of the Annual Classic Pattern competition hosted by the Austrian Jauntal Model Flying Club. This is held close to Hanno Prettner’s hometown of Klagenfurt, about 30km ESE of Klagenfurt in Eastern Austria. As you can see Gerald specializes in scratch building Prettner’s wonderful designs and here are some of his beautiful aircraft. Enjoy…
Retro Classics, Topnews »
F3A Aerobatic plane Papillion
This F3A model Papillon was developed in 1981 by the German F.Grützmacher and manufactured in small series. It could be operated with side exhaust engine as well as with rear outlet and integrated resonance tube. This report was published in RC Models magazine January 1982.
Read the full story »
Topnews »
Tournament of Champions 1994
The world best aerobatic pilots compete for the largest purse. THE CROWD stood motionless, eyes staring, Jaws dropped low In disbelief. The eerie silence was broken only by the incessant buzz of propeller blades slicing air.
Sky Aviations, Topnews »
Fly Classic Pattern Planes on your desktop computer
Fly your own Kwik-Fli! This is the Graupner KWIK FLY MK3 in the REFLEX XTR² model flight simulator, flown at Hanno Prettner`s club airfield (MFG Klagenfurt / St. Johann im Rosental) in Austria.
Read the full story »
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Manitu – the new Sky Aviations ARF kit
Manitu – the Eye Catcher
In the 1970s, the Bavarian Harald Neckar was Germany’s best F3A pattern pilot. He was multiple German national champion, and on the 1973 world championships in Gorizia, Italy, he won an excellent fourth place.
Sky Aviations, Topnews »
Project Classic Pattern Plane Banshee
BANSHEE WC73 Gorizia Edition – BANSHEE is an aerobatic airplane construction designed by American Top-R/C pilot Jim Martin. Jim used this design at the Aerobatic Model World Championships 1973 held at Gorizia in Italy. Read the full story »
Reviews, Topnews »
Tournament of Champions 1988
DATELINE, LAS VEGAS, Nevada, November 10-13, 1988: The ninth edition of the International Tournament of Champions took place under the benevolent aegis of Circus Circus Enterprises at RC Model Airfield in the North Las Vegas Regional Park.
Retro Classics, Topnews »
Mephisto
The multiple former Bavarian and German R/C aerobatic champion of 70`s Harald Neckar competed for the first time at the 1973 Aerobatic World championships in Gorizia Italy. At his first attempt he achieved 4th place and left almost all of the world’s top pilots in his wake.
Reviews, Topnews »
Past Aerobatic Competitions
All about the pattern contests of yesteryear. By liaison with former protagonists, promoters, and various model aviation magazines, we cover the past world championships from the first, that is from 1960 on. As well covered are interesting regional contests, the TOCs, and F3Ax contests — we show fascinating and as yet unpublished photos. Read the full story »
Topnews »
7. F3A Retroday in Pfäffikon 8. Juli 2017
On Saturday July 8 we participate in the 7th edition of old aerobatic models from the period to 1980, This meeting is base of the 2010 Retro day in Dubendorf the meeting was held in Pfaffikon model airfield near Zürich a friendly meeting to exchange and fly Classic Pattern. This year was more then 40 planes there.
Retro Classics, Topnews »
A Legend is reborn
Dalotel DM-165 – built according to original documents of Hanno Prettner from the 80`s – Update
Inspired of the building and flying of our Classicpattern kit Komet our Austrian friend Alfred Trettenbein starting building Hanno Prettner`s old TOC 112″ construction Dalotel DM-165. Almost 40 years ago he build together with Hanno his own Dalotel later was sold to a Vienna R/C plane collector.
Clubs and Associations, Topnews »
2017 Retro Cup of the MFC Jauntal Austria
The 4th Retro Cup Flying Meet for retro pattern models was held on the flying field of the Model Flying Club Jauntal/St. Stefan in Austria. Read the full story »
Reviews, Topnews »
R/C Aerobatic World Championships 1983
HANNO PRETTNER (Austria) won the 13th World Championships for Radio Control aerobatic model aircraft in Pensacola, FL an October 10-15.
Sky Aviations, Topnews »
Engine collectors accessories
The perfect engine stand for your model engine collection.
You search a display solution for your engine collection?
Retro Classics, Topnews »
Bruno Giezendanner`s Salamandre
Practice day is always the time to study the contestants’ flying form and to seek out model design innovations, and there were quite a few interesting ones this time. Big talking point of the contest was certainly Bruno Giezendanner’s (winner of the Bremen 1969 and Doylestown 1971 world championships) innovative new design which featured a variable-geometry wing. Read the full story »
Retro Classics, Topnews »
Letter from USA
Today we got a letter from Duane Wilson, SPA newsletter editor. He is very lucky to own one of our Marabus. I have never built or flown an electric plane. As I’ve been writing in the newsletter, I’ve been working with the Sky Aviations Marabu as a true to the original ARF.
Topnews »
New Aerobatic pattern plane free screensaver
We put many pictures of last 3 years Swiss Retro meeting together and offer this now as a screensaver for free download. It`s the perfect PC tool for every Classicpattern enthusiast.
Topnews »
OS Engines 10cc Timeline
For engine collectors, As a passionate collector we put the timeline of ever produced 10cc OS Max engines since 1963 together. (and collected)
Clubs and Associations, Topnews »
One day – 2 Komet Victories!
The weekend 27/28.August 2016 us at the same 2 victories at 2 Classicpattern competitions on 2 continents! 2 x successful Komet… Read the full story »
Clubs and Associations, Retro Classics, Reviews, Topnews »
6. F3A Retroday in Pfäffikon 9. Juli 2016
On Saturday July 9 we participate in the 6th edition of old aerobatic models from the period to 1980, This meeting is base of the 2010 Retro day in Dubendorf the meeting was held in Pfaffikon model airfield near Zürich a friendly meeting to exchange and fly Classic Pattern.
Reviews, Topnews »
Aerobatic R/C WC 1969 Bremen-Lemwerder
By DEBORAH MARTIN … as you can see from the byline we pulled a switch with a member of the distaff side reporting the activities at Bremen! As a qualitative report of the bi-annual World Championships it covers all bases with clarity and full knowledge of everything that was taking place. Her insight as to the motivation of the competitors and philosophy at the end makes it must reading
Retro Classics »
Seyer Cap 231 Fantasy colors
This is also a Seyer Cap231, but with a fantasy painting scheme.
International Friendship Flying 1965 Bendern / Liechtenstein
1965 after the Aerobatic World Championships 1965 in Sweden organized the Liechtenstein Model Club their International Friendship Flying. The new World Champion Rakph Brooke takes part at this competition.
F3A Retroday 2014 / Pfaeffikon /Switzerland
F3A Retroday in Pfaeffikon /Switzerland 2014
5th, July 2014:
F3A Retroday 2015 / Pfaeffikon /Switzerland
F3A Retroday 2015 Pfaeffikon /Switzerland
11th, July 2015:
COX & Co. 2015
Osnabrücker Modellsport-Club DO-X e.V.
Treffen für klassische Modellflugzeuge COX & Co. 2015
29.-30.August 2015
Jedes Jahr veranstaltet der Modellflugclub Osnabrück e.V. das Retro Meeting COX & Co. 2015 erschienen 47 Teilnehmer mit ca. 150 Retro Flugmodellen. Einige Piloten …
Ed Kazmirski – the legend pilot
The Beginning
Edward J. Kazmirski began building models as a child and continued throughout much of his life. Ed started out with Free Flight models then later ventured into Radio Control models. His love for modeling …
Duebersdorf F3A WC Classic Pattern Show
Im Rahmen der F3A Kunstflugmeisterschaft 2015 fand gleichzeitig eine Ausstellung mit zum Teil sehr seltenen Flugmodellen der F3A Geschichte statt.
Retro Meeting Umbria / Italien
Review Vintage Meeting TourUmbria / Italy 10th-12th, July 2015
On 10th-12th, July 2015,the 6th Italy Vintage Meeting Tour took place in Umbria Province/ Italy. About20 Italian pilots take part at this event.
ROSSI 60
Test Rossi .60
First Impression of the new Rossi 60 10 c.c. speed unit is of a really powerful and tough engine. Although resemblance to the McCoy 60 is striking, the Rossi has the appearance, and …
Test Super-Tigre ST 60
However, as is often the case with Super-Tigres, a number of design changes followed within a relatively short time and our present Engine Review is actually the third at-tempt to get a full report into …
Webra Speed .61
In all, there are now six different Webra 61 R/C engines. Two of them, the Blackhead 61 and Blackhead 61 Marine water-cooled unit, are products of the original Webra factory in Berlin.
F3A Model World Championship Bern 1975
F3A Aerobatic World Championship 1975 Bern with Wolfgang Matt, Hanno Prettne,r Dave Brown, Mark Radcliff and Okumura Yoshioka
Joe Unger`s 1960 R/C Movie
Here’s a vintage film of early 1960’s RC flying taken by Joe Unger. This was an AMA sanctioned contest at Lodi, Wisconsin. In this film are some of the very first digital proportional radios and …
Mach1 Classicpattern Plane 1975
Mach 1 1975 Patternplane. These seventies models were very fast aerobatic (pattern) aircraft with their retractable landing gear. As engines became more powerful, speeds slowed down as they relied more on torque than “ballistic” momentum.
This …
1972 Chicago R/C Pattern
The publisher discovered some 16mm silent film from the great Chicago Radio Control Nationals. For a couple years running in the early 1970s the Navy opened it’s gates to the entire AMA national contest. Free …
Wolfgang Matt`s Arrow
The World Championship airplane and Super Tigre’s X-60 R/C combine with Ace’s new Silver Seven to create all the “pattern potential” anyone could want.
Not so long ago, in a country far away known as South …
Arrow ARF Classic Pattern Plane
The Arrow is coming
The Arrow of Wolfgang and Guenther Matt, winner model of Aerobatic World Championship 1979.
Hanno Prettner flies his Skybolt at TOC 1988
This is taken from a VHS video I made of Hanno Prettner flying his second Skybolt at the 1988 Las Vegas TOC Aerobatic competition.. This is the first Known sequence flown on the first day …
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