MAAA Wingspan

12 WING SPAN AUGUST Travel story: TOP GUNNING IN LAKELAND, FLORIDA! WE SPEAK TO PHILIP CRANDON ABOUT FULFILLING THE DREAM OF COMPETING AT THE PROMINENT ANNUAL AEROMODELLING EVENT, TOP GUN “It’s been something I’ve wanted to do for many years. I’m 61 now and I’ve been modelling ever since I was about ten. Scale models have always been a passion, literally from the word ‘go’ and attending Top Gun was the ultimate dream come true for me!” Scale modeller Philip Crandon, a member of the Lismore Model Flying Club in northern NSW, is talking about how he finally embarked on a journey to Florida to compete at what is considered the largest, most prestigious scale model event in the world. “Top Gun was a milestone event created by one man in the US who was looking for an alternative to the rigours of FAI-style judging and competition,” continues Philip. “Thirty years ago, he came up with the idea of having a more relaxed flying show where you were rewarded, not just for complexity in the building process but for putting on a good show as well.” The event now attracts around 150 entries internationally. However, out of that number, this year only about 35 pilots actually built their models; placing Philip in a hotly contested category. Nevertheless, Philip worked for many years to reach a position for him to feel confident enough to attend Top Gun, investing considerable time over a five-year period perfecting an intricate 5th scale JU87 Stuka (see pictured) – which was also one of the first plastic models he built as a youngster. “It was the shape of an aeroplane that I always admired as a little fella. When I built the scale model, I had to significantly modify the design plan to ensure it was accurate to the 3D drawings that I had,” he continues. “I literally redraw the entire fuselage of the plane, as unfortunately the ziroli plan wasn’t accurate. There was a lot of building to get it to the standard that I felt was required to go to Top Gun.” Philip says he has always had an interest in and admired German aircraft and engineering, which is why he focused on building the infamous German dive-bomber. “In both wars the Germans were ahead of their allies as far as engineering and design was concerned – it was always cutting edge stuff.” However, travelling to the Florida event with his beloved but hefty scale model wasn’t exactly easy, as he explains. “The logistics of getting a 5th scale model to the other side of the United States and back was a journey in itself, particularly in airports where you walk in with these huge boxes on wheels and staff look at you as if to say ‘what is this?’” he says. “I had some guidance from people who had done it before me. They recommended having a photograph of the assembled aeroplane on the outside of the box, so people know exactly what’s in there. However, customs assumed I was carrying several mini model aeroplanes