Toledo 2008 is but a faint memory, so with the click of my mouse, I replace it here with a report on day 1 of the 2009 show.

Weather and Parking 

The weather this year was pretty much a carbon copy of last year. Chilly, windy and rainy was the order of the morning. I arrived at the Seagate Centre at about 8:30 after finding a parking garage; $10 was a bit steep, but it was covered and if it was raining at 5:00, I would have but a short walk to the van. Parking can be found anywhere from $3 and up. Open surface lots can be found nearby, but some require a bit of a walk; not so good when the rain is falling. Also be aware that some garages and lots may be posted with "no event parking" or "monthly customers only" sign as the parking garage operators protect their regular customers on Friday. When Saturday rolls around, everything becomes fair game.

Newbie Attends Toledo

My friend Keith, only one year into RC, made the drive up from Columbus and arrived at about the same time. We eventually located one another just after the opening announcement. We managed to cover the exhibit floor by 4:00 with a couple much needed breaks including lunch. After that we headed upstairs to the swap shop. Keith managed to find a Spektrum AR7000 for the bargain basement price of $80; $20 off the normal market price and brand new in the box.. Good going Keith! Unfortunately, Keith could only attend Friday. I know he enjoyed the show and plans to attend 2 days next year. I agree!

Picture Gallery for Friday

Below are just a few pictures of some of the planes and other things we saw today. I'll have some more to post Saturday.

To explain the photos, yes, that's a 36 foot tall 1/10th scale model of a Saturn V rocket; a first at Toledo (I think). The rocket weighs 1700 pounds with motors and is scheduled for launch on April 25 in Price, MD. To read a story about the project, click here.

Keith is standing next to a 60%, (yes you read that correctly) Extra. I don't know what engine is used, but it's a twin, and a big one. Each aileron has 4 servos, elevators, 2 each and rudder, 4. It is a monster.

Mike Barbee finished his T6 Texan II and brought it in for static judging. He has some stiff competition this year. Mike built the Texan from plans and pictures. The fiberglass fuse was fabricated from a borrowed mold. It comes in around 38 pounds and is powered with a Jet Cat SPT5 turboprop engine.

The dragster engine is a creation of Connely Engines. They actually cranked it up for a brief demo. What a nice sound.