Winners at the Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome Jamboree
A must-attend event that should be on everyone’s RC bucket list
WHEN IT COMES TO FUN and scale competition, few places measure up to the sights, sounds, and ambience that is the WW I RC Jamboree hosted by the Mid-Hudson Radio Control Society at the world famous Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome. During the RC event, held on the second weekend in September, the aerodrome celebrated its 60th birthday, while the Jamboree itself enjoyed its 52nd birthday. Although the weather was uncharacteristically cold and gray, the spirits were high up and down the runway, lined with vintage biplanes, fighters, and classic aeroplanes.
Starting on Friday (though there are several contestants that stay the entire week prior to the Jamboree), this annual event sees the sod runway shared by both RC scale airplanes as well as several of the full-size aircraft from the
Aerodrome’s historic collection. The runway is open for RC from 8:00 a.m. until 2:30 p.m., when the magical full-size airshow kicks into high gear. The full-size airshow, a combination of aircraft and vintage cars, trucks, and motorcycles, runs every weekend from June until October, so there’s always time to catch the act!
Each year, while the contestants pilot their impressive aircraft, several flightline judges keep an eye on everything. Then just before the start of the full-size airshow, impressive laser-cut wooden plaques are handed out. There are several scale categories in which to compete, including the Mission event, so there’s plenty of action for everyone. The Mission event is not a white-knuckle high-pressure competition; it includes three basic tasks: a bomb drop, a balloon bust, and a sport landing. This year, the aircraft of choice seemed to be various sizes of the Nick Ziroli–designed 3-channel sportscale Taube. Flown on both days, the Mission event runs while the other scale aircraft are in the air, so there’s always a lot going on. But the flightline staff keeps everyone well informed, so there’s never anything to worry about. And everyone has a great time.
If you have never attended this amazing weekend RC get-together in September, then you are really missing out. There’s plenty of aircraft to see, a complete museum on top of the hill, and several rare aviation artifacts seen nowhere else. The WW I RC Jamboree is absolutely a must-attend event and should be on everyone’s RC bucket list.