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Welcome to RCUniverse.com's on site coverage of the 2008 Weak Signals show in Toledo Ohio. This is the 54th anniversary show and the 3rd year for RCUniverse to provide coverage of the show from here in Toledo.
As has become customary, we'll start off with a brief weather report then head inside the Toledo Convention Center and see what is going on. Current conditions are temps in the mid-40'scool with a steady breeze lowering the temperature index in the mid to upper 30's. Our crew met for dinner at the world famous Tony Packo's on Front St. and found several piles of snow about a foot deep. We had some light rain and drizzle through the day, but the forecast predicts a dry Saturday and Sunday. If you plan on visiting the show tomorrow or Sunday, bring a coat.
Moving inside where it's warm, we first went up stairs to take a look at the swap shop since the show had not yet opened to the public. The swap shop was in full swing and it was already elbow to elbow trying to move through the various rooms or down the hall ways. There are dealers and non-dealers alike present and all have lots of things for sale at very attractive show only prices.
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If you can... please get a nice shot of me drooling over the scale aircraft displays, sometime around 11:30am-1:30pm tomorrow. After that I'll be browsing the vendors My right side is best
God Bless, and Safe Trip to All Going!
Jay
< Message edited by theradioflyer -- 4/5/2008 4:04:10 AM >
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You'll be recognizable by drool right? There seems to be a lot of that this year! There are some seriously beautiful static competition models present already and more are sure to arrive tomorrow morning. The stand out in the show right now, in my opinion, is Graeme Mears 1/5 scale F-16 in U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds trim. I am not exaggerating when I say you could examine the model for an hour straight and you still would not find all of the scale details. I'll have pictures posted of it shortly.
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The show floor has opened so in we head. We're going to start out in the back to try and avoid some of the crowd as they work their way back from the front doors.
Our first stop is Imex Model Co. Inc.. Imex is a hobby dealer with a large stock of all types of RC models and accessories. Not only do they have many great looking models, they also have a ton of accessories to help complete your project.
Do you have an interest in Pattern Flying? Stop by the N.S.R.C.A. booth and find out what it's all about.
Next we make a stop at Precision Cut Kits. As you can see, they have quite the stock of kits and plans on hand looking for you to take one or two home to create looking scale model.
Vintage R/C Plans is here and they want you to know the scale retractable landing gear for their 108" wingspan PBY Catalina are now available.
Top Notch Products are here with their line of interesting and good looking scale model kits.
It is nice to see kit manufacturers alive and well in this day when ARF's are so prevalent in all types of RC aircraft modeling. We will be seeing many more kit manufacturers at the show this year including some we have not seen before today.
Right next door we find A Model with their line of good looking and well built aerobatic airplanes. Take a look at them if you are into Pattern or Scale Aerobatic models.
See what's new at the Lil'Trickler booth. While they are well known for the trickle charger which works with any standard radio charger, they also have quite a range of hobby accessories.
Perhaps you are interested in becoming involved in Scale Aerobatics. Stop by the IMAC Scale Aerobatics booth for the latest information on models, contests and rules.
Moving along we make a stop at Wild Hare R/C. Their Sukhoi in Honda trim looked really good to me!
Here we find Green RC Models USA. Sport and scale models of all types are here. Check out the cool looking Velox 30 and Yak 54 ARF's. If you already have a model you are working on and need some other items to complete it, they most likely have what you're looking for.
Perhaps you are really in need of a less common building tool, accessory, or maybe just a really cool clock. If so, stop by EHobbytools.com Inc.'s booth.
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Now we happen across DTS International and their custom cut vinyl letters. And, unless you are in need of something really different, they can most likely cut it for you during the show for pick up just a little while later.
Maybe your flying interest is R/C Combat and the exciting matches that are the norm for this type of flying. The R/C Combat Association is here to tell you all about it and help you get started in this exciting flying discipline.
Need a new turbine engine for that jet project you're working on? Stop by and see what the people at JetCentral have to offer and how they can help assure your success with that new model.
Next we find GDH Planes. Glen has two very nice models on display, but only one is released for the show. The monoplane is a Curtis-Cox Cactus Kitten 1. As you can seen, the kit is laser cut and all of the parts are either neatly bagged (and labeled) or bundled to keep everything safe and secure in shipping. The kit comes with a very nice, high quality, hardware package. The majority of the parts are metal instead of their cheaper plastic counterparts. Everything appears to be of very high quality. The biplane is the Texas Wildcat and should be ready for release next month. Glen reports both models can be quite fast with appropriate power setups, but are well within the capabilities of the average modeler with a couple of kits under their belt.
Directly across the isle is Innov8tive Designs with their line of quality brushless motors, ESC's and Li-Po batteries.
Byron Fuel is here again this year. Thanks to some rules changes a few years ago, only a minimal amount of fuel may be kept in booths for display purposes. This does not mean you cannot buy a case or ten while you are there however. All you need to do is place your order in the booth and you can pick it up at the loading dock out the back door. There were a lot of people lugging full case's around the show and I bet there were plenty more who loaded their orders directly into their vehicles.
Have you been thinking your favorite model needs a little something special to really make it complete? Perhaps a cool light or sound system? Ram - Radio Controlled Models Inc. has many different sound and light models to set you up. They also have a collection of items they want to move with the ever so enticing "Make An Offer" sign.
Moving to the opposite side of the isle, we find Advantage Hobby with their Beam E4 line of helicopters they call Professional Grade. Full parts and support are available for those inevitable mishaps. Take a look at the nice machine work on the all aluminum head.
Our next stop is one that also happens to be on the "must visit" list of many show visitors. Micro Fasteners not only carries many of the more difficult to find fasteners used in R/C modeling, they also sell everything you see at the show. Make a stop, and stock up on those items you just cannot seem to find anywhere else.
Are you a scale boat lover? Let's make a stop at The Scale Shipyard. Here you will find a huge selection of all kinds vessels, plans, fittings and accessories. The only thing limiting the end result of a project like this is your imagination, skill and desire to build the most incredible scale model possible.
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I'd sure like to meet the guy that tossed me the laminated card that said "I am your nemesis". If you're still at the show tomorrow stop by the Wild Hare booth and say hi.
< Message edited by Pat Roy -- 4/6/2008 4:07:17 AM >
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Great detail on the show JWN but I don't know how your going to get through all of the booths. My Dad commented to me that this has been one of the best Weak Signals shows he has ever been to. The Fact that they tore down the local Sub-way sent us back to the show looking for food. We were pleasantly surprised to find the buffet! Great food as well as a great show, a first for us there. I got some smoking "show" deals and great memories, ( as well as pictures ) Another great show! I hope I'm not trumping but here's a picture of the Thunderbird
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Toledo 2008 - RCUniverse on site coverage - 
My right side is best 
