Toledo Toledo Weak Signal RC Club

RCU Review: Toledo Toledo Weak Signal RC Club

More On This Product

Research Airplanes

Research Boats

Research Cars

Research Helicopters

Research Engines & Motors

Research Radio Equipment

Contributed by: RCU Staff | Published: August 2012 | Views: 21031 |

Email this Article | PDF pdf icon

Toledo 2012 - RCU Onsite Coverage

Event Coverage by: RCU Staff
Ken Isaac (RCKen) & Burc Simsec (Burc).

Every year I have a routine that tells me it's time to get ready for the new flying season that is approaching. Now for most people that routine includes things like pulling their models down and getting them cleaned up, checking batteries to see if they are in good condition, and checking radios to see if they still work. But my list also includes one additional item, and that is our annual trip to Toledo. This year will be the 58th year that the Toledo Weak Signal RC Club has put on their RC Expo, which is more commonly known as "The Toledo Show".

Every year that I have been to Toledo it has been with my great friend Mike Buzzeo (a.k.a. Minnflyer) as we always cover the show together. In fact, the first time that I met Mike in person was at Toledo. For the last 2 years we have been joined by Geoff Barber (a.k.a. G.Barber) that has helped us cover this show. We always have a great time at the show and I look forward to it for months in advance of the show. As we were prepping for the show this year I was on the phone talking to Mike on the Monday before the show and we were making plans for how we were going to cover the show this year, as well as hitting this great little Chinese restaurant we had found not too far from where we stay. Tuesday morning I received a call from Geoff and he started off by saying that they weren't going to be coming to Toledo. Immediately I thought this was simply a joke and I braced myself for the punch line. It was then that Geoff told me that Mike had passed away during the night. Mike's death was absolutely unexpected and it leaves a huge hole in the world now that he is gone. He will be missed as both my friend but also as a huge part of RCU. I would like to dedicate this year's coverage of The Toledo Show to my good friend Mike Buzzeo.

Rest In Peace Mike

Joining me this year to cover the show was Burc Simsec who is one of our reviewers here at RCU. He brought his camera along in order to capture the booths and what was going on with all the vendors at the show. For more details on Burc's photo coverage of the show check out the thread running in our forums, Toledo 2012 thread here .

With the country having problems with the economy for the last few years the trip to Toledo is always done with expectations of wondering how the show is going to turn out. We worry that people won't show up to attend the show as well as worrying if vendors are going to be there if the crowd does turn out. I can report that 2012 left no worries at all as to how the show went. A look at all the vendor booths showed no empty booths, with many booths being filled by new companies with their first trip to Toledo. As for the crowd, all I can say is that getting around on the floor was just as difficult as it is every year at the show. That means it's good because there were plenty of people attending the show this year. So overall I would report that the show, and the hobby in general, are in great shape!

One of the first things that hits you when you first walk into the show floor is that there is a LOT of new things to see. Everywhere you turned there were new products from vendors as many vendors use the Toledo Show as a launch pad for their new products. The larger companies such as Hobbico, Horizon, Aeroworks, Hobby Lobby, Hobby People, Airtronics, and many others all had new products never seen before on the market. In addition there were many new businesses at the show that were using the Toledo Show as a place to introduce themselves to the hobby world.

Horizon Hobby is always a great place to stop at the show. They have expanded their booth over the year and now take up an entire isle on the showfloor, and they fill that space with all of the many different corporate offerings. E-Flite, Hangar 9, Evolution, ZP Engines, Spektrum, JR, Parkzone, and others are just some of the many companies represented by the companies of Horizon Hobby. The new Spektrum DX18 18-channel radio was almost a work of art and is sure to make a huge mark on the radio market. One of the neatest things that I saw in their booth as they new Parkzone Albatros electric plane. I thought is was really interesting as it is a companion plane to their already released S.E. 5 WW1 airplane, and with the introduction of a sonic combat module allows the 2 planes to actually "fight" each other in the sky. Too cool!

Hobbico is another huge stop at the show. Their many companies include Top Flite, Great Planes, OS Engines, Futaba, Aquacraft, Tactic Radios, VS Tanks, and Flyzone. Just like others at the show they had plenty of new stuff to show off this year. Top Flite introduced their new Gold Series F4U Corsair ARF. This plane was built on their already highly successful Giant Scale kit, so it's already a proven airframe. The new ARF offers a level of completion that will leave even experienced modelers drooling. The plane even included covering with flat military covering to accurately portray the original plane. Futaba raises the bar with both their new T18MZ and T8J radios. Another of their offerings that caught my eye were the VS Tanks that let's people purchase small highly detailed tanks that would allow them to have a tank battles right on their desktop. There goes getting anything done at work anymore!

Aeroworks is always a fun stop at the Toledo Show. Over the last few years they have raised the standards for ARF warbirds with their P-51 ARF. The plane was a complete ARF that came out of the box with detailed features that were unheard of in an ARF in the past. These included scale cockpits, installed retracts and sequencing gear doors, detailed guns, and many more features. They continued this year by introducing a P-51B model ARF that has all the same details as their previous warbird offering.

Companies such as Balsa USA and Hobby Lobby showed us that model building from kits isn't dead. Hobby Lobby has re-engineered their entire line of Telemaster kits and have reintroduced them with improvements that include laser cutting. The line of Telemasters range from their tiny Micro Telemaster with a 34" wingspan all the way up to their Giant Telemaster with a 12' wingspan. There is definitely a size there to fit anybody. In fact, I tucked a Micro Telemaster under my arm for the trip home to my own building table. I can't wait to get it built. Balsa USA brought out 2 new planes for kit builders as well as reintroducing a 20 year old favorite. Their new offerings include a 1/3 scale Albatros and DR1, and the old favorite was the reintroduction of their Sky Baby kit. Speaking with Mark Enderby of Balsa USA he tells us that the plane has been off the market for many years and there has been a lot of demand for it lately, so they brought it back for a new generation of builders to enjoy.

It's also good to see companies that are expanding their offerings past what has been their bread and butter in the past. One such company was Fibertech-N-More. The company started out as Stan's Fibertech and offered the modeling world new and replacement fiberglass parts for airplanes. The new owners, Rick and Brenda Lick, and taken over the company and have expanded on the fine product line that made the company one of the best in their field. In addition to the line of outstanding fiberglass parts Fibertech will soon be offering two kits for builders. These kits will be a Super Chipmunk and a Staudacer, both will be designed for 50cc power. Both planes will be offered as full as well as short kits. Keep your eyes open for the release of these kits.

The Toledo Show is not just a show of the hobby business, but it's also a competition with many modelers entering their "pride and joys" to compete against each other. To me this is one of the greatest parts of the show as the level of detail entered into the competition is simply boggling. Every year they award one entry the "Best Of Show" award and that goes to the one model that simply had everybody stopping by to see it. This year that award went to Rick Hamel for his "Mythical Beast", and trust me when I say it was truly a mythical beast. His entry was a complete fire-breathing flying dragon. Yes, a dragon! He built from scratch a complete model of a dragon that was powered by a turbine engine. The dragon was equipped with a system to breath fire as well. It as truly a sight to see. My only regret was that I didn't get to see it fly! Check out the video below highlighting the model.

It's almost impossible to cover all of the features of the Toledo Show here with words. I invite you to simply sit back, scroll down, and enjoy the Toledo Show in both video and pictures of our visit to the show. We've included videos of booth visits with many of the vendors at the show. We hope you enjoy the coverage.

After the past few years of a woeful economy, it really seems like the show is coming back in full force. New companies are growing while the time-honored veterans are reestablishing themselves. I hope that this is an indication of a brighter future for our hobby!

If you couldn't make it to the show this year or if you just care to reminisce, please feel free to enjoy the sights and sounds that we present below! - Ken Isaac (for the RCU Staff)

Welcome To The Toledo Show

Or, Download the Video
CLICK HERE

"Mythical Beast" - Best Of Show Winner - Rick Hamel

Or, Download the Video
CLICK HERE

Aeroworks

Or, Download the Video
CLICK HERE

Airtronics

Or, Download the Video
CLICK HERE

AMA - Information on New FAA Regulations

Or, Download the Video
CLICK HERE

Aquacraft Wildcat EP

Or, Download the Video
CLICK HERE

Balsa USA

Or, Download the Video
CLICK HERE

Blade 130 Helicopter

Or, Download the Video
CLICK HERE

Blade 300X & 450X Helicopters

Or, Download the Video
CLICK HERE

Blade 500X Helicopter

Or, Download the Video
CLICK HERE

Desert Aircraft Engines

Or, Download the Video
CLICK HERE

Dubro Products

Or, Download the Video
CLICK HERE

Eflite Mig-15 UMX

Or, Download the Video
CLICK HERE

Falcon Propellers

Or, Download the Video
CLICK HERE

Fibertech-N-More

Or, Download the Video
CLICK HERE

Flyzone Calypso Sailplane

Or, Download the Video
CLICK HERE

Futaba T18MZ Radio

Or, Download the Video
CLICK HERE

Futaba T8J Radio

Or, Download the Video
CLICK HERE

Giant Model Products

Or, Download the Video
CLICK HERE

Great Planes Dirty Birdy

Or, Download the Video
CLICK HERE

Great Planes F-86 Micro EDF

Or, Download the Video
CLICK HERE

Hangar 9 P-40 Warhawk

Or, Download the Video
CLICK HERE

Hangar 9 P-47 Thunderbolt

Or, Download the Video
CLICK HERE

Hobby Lobby

Or, Download the Video
CLICK HERE

Hobby People Hubsan FPV

Or, Download the Video
CLICK HERE

Hobbyzone Firebird Stratos

Or, Download the Video
CLICK HERE

Horizon Hobby Engines

Or, Download the Video
CLICK HERE

IFlyTailies.com Scale Accessories

Or, Download the Video
CLICK HERE

JR Radios & Receivers

Or, Download the Video
CLICK HERE

JR Servos

Or, Download the Video
CLICK HERE

Maxford USA

Or, Download the Video
CLICK HERE

Micro Fasteners

Or, Download the Video
CLICK HERE

Parkzone Albatros

Or, Download the Video
CLICK HERE

Parkzone Habu 2

Or, Download the Video
CLICK HERE

Propwash Video Productions

Or, Download the Video
CLICK HERE

Radical RC

Or, Download the Video
CLICK HERE

RC Accessories

Or, Download the Video
CLICK HERE

RC Pilot Magazine

Or, Download the Video
CLICK HERE

Sig Manufacturing

Or, Download the Video
CLICK HERE

Spektrum AR 400 Receiver

Or, Download the Video
CLICK HERE

Spektrum AS 64 NBL Receiver

Or, Download the Video
CLICK HERE

Spektrum DX18 Radio

Or, Download the Video
CLICK HERE

Spektrum X-Plus System

Or, Download the Video
CLICK HERE

Tactic Radios Anylink System

Or, Download the Video
CLICK HERE

Thunder Tiger Helicopters

Or, Download the Video
CLICK HERE

Top Flite F4U Corsair ARF

Or, Download the Video
CLICK HERE

Tru-Turn Products

Or, Download the Video
CLICK HERE

VS Tank Pro

Or, Download the Video
CLICK HERE

The World Models

Or, Download the Video
CLICK HERE

Xoar Propellers

Or, Download the Video
CLICK HERE

Return To Top

Return To Top

Return To Top

Return To Top

Return To Top

Return To Top

Best Of Show
Rick Hamel - Mythical Beast
Best Film Finish
Rick Arrowood - Flyin' King
Best Paint Finish
John Bradely - Comparf 260
Aerobatic Plane
1st - John Bradley - Comparf 260
2nd - David Payne - Hangar 9 Beast
3rd - Bryon Striker - 124" Carden Pro
Competition Boat
1st - Richard F. Koll - Miss Severn 15-K
2nd - Mike Aniol - Circus Circus Hydro
3rd - Dan Kramer - Classic Thunderbolt
Designer Scale Boat
1st - Paul Weigand - 1937 Dart
2nd - Robert J. Caso - Halberstadt CL-2	No Picture Available
3rd - Hal Parenti - Fireball FR-1	No Picture Available
Helcopter
1st - Larry Chapman - Rotomast CV-22B
2nd - John Russman - AH1-Z Cobra
3rd - Dan Winklman - FL282 Hummingbird
Jet Plane
1st - Roy Maynard - CF-114 Tutor
2nd - Rick Boyer - Mig-15 BIS
3rd - Scott P. Miller - BVM Mig-15 BIS
Land Vehicle
1st - Chris Weiss - M3A1 Stuart Tank
2nd - Joe McGowan - 1912 Mercer Raceabout
3rd - Richard Lewandowski - RC Car
Military Scale Boat
1st - Kenneth Griffin - French Surcouf NN-3
2nd - Tom Foller - USS Virgo AE-30
3rd - Jeff Kipfer - RAF Air Sea Rescue Boat
Military Sport Scale Plane
1st - Gary Prince - F4U-1a Corsair
2nd - Michael Plot - De Haviland Chipmunk DHC-1
3rd - Glen Torrence Fokker D7
Non-Military Sport Scale
1st - Rick Boyer - Ryan STA Special
2nd - Dennis Sumner - Lopresti Fury
3rd - Allen Mrock - SM55X Savoia Marchetti
Old Timer R/C Plane
1st - Robert Bienenstein - Westerner
2nd - Larry Latowsky - Nemith Hi-Tri-Wing
3rd - Dave Frantz - Bunch Scor
Pleasure Boat
1st - Gregory Rice - Thunderbird
2nd - Ernie Zam - Lyman Boat
3rd - Pio Santilli - Boat
R/C Sailplane
1st - ZB Blama - GO-3 Minimoa
2nd - Dick Thompson - Thermic
3rd - Jerry Shape - Aquila Grande
Sport Plane
1st - Rick Hamel - Dragon
2nd - Kenneth Barnes - Strato "B"
3rd - Bob Schreel - Chipmunk
Vintage Plane
1st - Bob Noll - Debolt Yankee
2nd - Chuck Winchester - Penetrator
3rd - Charles Chomos - R/C Guff
Working Vessel Unarmed
1st - John Fryant - Virginia B. Excursion Boat
2nd - Karl Kuttruff - Cascade Tug
3rd - Thomas Williams - Wallan Ferry

For more pics, comments, questions and discussions visit our forum's Toledo 2012 thread here

Comments on RCU Review: Toledo Toledo Weak Signal RC Club

Posted by: flycatch on 05/13/2012

Profile

I have never attempted 3D however I do fly IMAC with a 27% H9 Extra 260. I though about gas but stayed with a Saito 220 4S and the combination seems fine. This AeroWorks Extra seems to be a delight to fly according to your review. Could it have anything to do with wing loading. The power to weight ratio is also another benifit this airframe has to offer. Saying this and my own personel observation of others who have started into 3D this is not the route that qualifies you as a 3D pilot.

Page: 1

EMAIL THIS ARTICLE OR CHECK OUT THESE OTHER GREAT REVIEWS!

Photo		Manufacturer	Product	Summary	Reviewed
	Tactic	TTX650	Recently my flying buddy Geoff and I were asked to review the new Tactic TTX650 Computer radio, and we both agree Tactic has ...		05/19/2013
	The Wings Maker	JF-17 Thunder Pre-Assembled Combo	While at the Toledo Expo this year, I was talking with Fai Chan about this new Electric Ducted Fan (EDF) from The Wings Maker...		05/19/2013
	Flyzone	eraze	You can have the Eraze completely assembled less than 60 seconds after you open the box. That's less than a minute. But that'...		04/28/2013
	DHK Wolf	BL 1/10 Scale 4WD Brushless Buggy	The Wolf came out of the box with a 2S 2300 mAh Lipo battery. Even this proved to be too much power for the track, as the tur...		04/28/2013
	Traxxas	Slash 4x4 Low Center of Gravity Cha	The Traxxas Slash has been a popular truck for both bashers and racers alike. With the 4 x 4 short course truck class growing...		04/28/2013
	Week Signals	Toledo RC Expo 2013	They say that people who live in places with famous landmarks often don't take the time to visit those same landmarks. I'm or...		04/28/2013
	Tower Hobbies	F6F Hellcat RxR	Meet the new F6F Hellcat Rx-R from Tower Hobbies. Molded in AeroCell foam, the Hellcat gives you a good, scale looking plane ...		04/14/2013
	Traxxas	Ultra Premium Tire Glue	Traxxas now offers a premium tire glue. This is a Cyanoacrylate based glue and will bond most plastics and rubber. Important ...		04/14/2013
	Traxxas	Nitro Slash Robby Gordon Dakar edit	With the popularity of the Traxxas Slash electric short course trucks over the past few years a nitro version was sure to fol...		04/14/2013
	ParkZone	Ultra Micro Spitfire Mk IV BNF	Maiden flight day arrived, and I didn't think it could have been better - for mid-March in Minnesota. The winds were calm, th...		03/24/2013
	Blade	500 3D	The Blade 500 3D is a 500 class heli that swings 425 size blades. It is of course flybarred (FB) while the 500X is flybarless...		03/24/2013
	Thunder Tiger	Mini Titan E325S	The Mini Titan E325S FBL is a new version of the already popular Mini Titan from Thunder Tiger. The E325S is a 450 size flyba...		03/10/2013
	Great Planes	Proud Bird ARF	The Proud Bird ARF from Great Planes is an exciting new release that is race ready and approved for NMPRA EF1 racing. Availab...		02/18/2013
	Flyzone	S.E.5a	As with most of the Flyzone planes, the S.E.5a is available in two versions: Ready to Fly and Transmitter Ready. The second a...		02/18/2013
	Traxxas	Slash, Robby Gordon Dakar edition	Dirt is where this truck truly belongs! The soft suspension helps this truck hook up in the dirt. There is a good balance of ...		02/18/2013

Return to Magazine Homepage

GET FREE RC CONTENT FOR YOUR WEBSITE

Products Videos WattFlyer.com RC Classifieds

RCU4 | 72.44.48.122 | 0 | 1 | 05:15:50 PM EST | NC

Return to Magazine Homepage