30 YEARS OF COMPETITION
Over the years, I’ve watched some pretty magical and impressive things happen at Top Gun. Models have grown dramatically in size, complexity, sophistication, and quality. The trickle-down effect has obviously had an impact on the everyday, sport scale modeler because the interest in scale is evident, right down to the local field level. Obviously, suppliers of product also recognize it; just look at the types of models being offered to the consumer these days! It’s hard to believe, but some of the
ARFs available today rival the models being flown at Top Gun during the early years.
It is now possible to buy composite airframes of a large cross-section of model types from warbirds and bizjets through some new-generation gunslingers. Most, if not all, of these offerings come with neat detailing, like panel lines, access hatches, rivets, and fasteners already molded into the surface. Do these models jump out of the box right onto the static-judging table with no intervention from a “modeler”? Not by a long shot, as there is a lot of “systems integration” and finishing to be performed before that happens. How much of that is “modeling” is a question that always has been, and will continue to be, debated wherever scale competition takes place. The models, as part of their growing sophistication, continue to grow in size. Those “smallish” .60-powered models seen at the first Top Gun competition are no longer players in this arena, with some of the models in this year’s competition approaching 10 feet or more in wingspan, with weights in the
60- to 70-pound range, wet. The lightest model in competition was 15 pounds, and there were very few of those in that weight range, with the average model being in the
35- to 45-pound area. This kind of size, sophistication, and prefabrication doesn’t come without a price tag, however. A quick tabulation with my pocket calculator shows that some of the models on hand could easily exceed $20K, exclusive of labor (which you wouldn’t consider anyway—this is a “hobby,” right?). Now, before you jump on that number and proclaim, “I wouldn’t spend that kind of money on an RC model to compete in any contest!,” remember that this is Top Gun, not just “any contest,” and you still get there by invitation only.
Among the other obvious changes between now and the first Top Gun is the huge presence of turbine-powered scale jet models. What we could only once dream of is now not only a reality but also readily available and proven. Bob Fiorenze, the winner in 1989, took the first Top Gun with a dazzling ductedfan jet model, an incredible feat in its time.
How about sophistication and complexity? Computer radios? Big displacement (250cc), four-stroke radial engines and all-composite airframes? Turboprops? Counter-rotating propellers? All-metal airframes? We see all of this now, and it really does beg the question: Where can we possibly go from here in RC scale? I must admit, it is getting more and more difficult to predict.
WHERE DOES TOP GUN GO FROM HERE?
What will Top Gun look like in 10 years? That’s difficult to say; it’s hard to imagine the models getting more sophisticated or the level of prefabrication improving enough to make a huge difference. Since the rules require that the model be of a human-carrying aircraft, that pretty much rules out as subjects any newer warbirds than the F-22 and F-35. That pretty much ensures that the existing line of
FRANK TIANO WILL ENSURE THAT HIS “BABY” WILL FURTHER MATURE AND ADAPT TO THE MODELING CLIMATE TO PROVIDE THE COMPETITIVE AND ENTERTAINMENT VALUE ON WHICH ITS REPUTATION IS BASED.
choices of model subjects will remain pretty much as it is. Of course, there are gains to be made in the area of electronics and accessories, such as cockpits and markings, but we’ve pretty much covered those bases by now and whatever improvements to be realized are likely to be minimal. It’s conceivable that the entire event could be held online, with the competitors participating from home via data links or other means. Programmed flight plans could easily be developed and employed, creating yet another component to be purchased rather than “built.” Eventually, the actual model airframe may become a secondary issue to the competition! Regardless of the path, Frank Tiano will undoubtedly make the necessary corrections to ensure that his “baby” will further mature and adapt to the modeling climate to provide the competitive and entertainment value on which its reputation is based. Will this great event continue to grow, enjoying that reputation for bringing the best of the best together and fielding some of the most spectacular RC scale models to be seen anywhere? That’s a great question—as certainly, it’s earned it! Will it remain as we see it today? Those questions can only be answered by Frank, who, in fact, was asked those questions at this year’s banquet. He looked around the packed room and solemnly responded, “Right now, I don’t have an answer.” There are valid arguments on both sides of the issue, but Frank will make the decision on the event’s future after looking at everything; he’s that kind of guy—count on it. Regardless of which way it goes, a lot of RC scale modelers around the world owe a lot to this guy.
—Rich Uravitch