Conference vmszoo::rc

>                     <<< Note 1377.0 by STRATA::BERNIER >>>
>                             -< ? WRAM SHOW DATE >-
...
>    	Does anyone know the date for the WRAM show this year?
...    
That's easy - it is always within a few days of my Birthday.
Makes it easy to convince my wife to let me go.

There will be full page adds in all the magazines also but
figure around 26-Feb.

Also figure on a snow storm to make getting there fun!

Bye          --+--
Kay R. Fisher  |
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    Funny, I figure I'll get to compete in the Nats this year for the same
    reason 8^)
    

    
    What's the WRAM show???
    

    It's an RC showcase held in late February in New York state. Lots of
    manufacturers and several new product announcements. It a good way for
    New England modellers to get a look at the next 6 months worth of
    products.

Just to let people know so they make the extra effort to go to the WRAMS show.
There will be NO show in Wilmington this year. I just talked with them and
they're trying to come up with something that will draw more of the big vendors
and therefore, a larger crowd.

    The Jan. issue of RCM has the first WRAMS show add. The show will be
    open to the public 3 days this year. Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Not
    sure if they did it last year or not.

Charlie mentioned the possibility of doing a friday/saturday overnight this
year. I'm not sure there's enough to see to justify it but I might be interested
if it happens. I'm sure we could find SOMETHING to amuse ourselves friday night
8^)

    
    
    	I have a buddy who has a pilots license and plans on flying out of 
    	Worcester to the show.  We could take a third person who would be
    	willing to split the cost.  (~$70. each)  The flight is just over
    	an hour.  The day we go will be dependent of the weather.
    
     

    more importantly, how are you going to get from airport to WRAM and
    back..
    
    And almost as importantly, will it still hold 3 people *after* the
    WRAM show???
    
    

    Just wondered if the pilot had his commercial. If the plane only holds
    3 people, then I'm making the assumption that it's probably a 152 with
    a jump seat. They typically rent for about $55 dollars per hour wet.
    That's $110 cost round trip. $70 times 3 people is $210. The pilot
    would need his commercial ticket to make a profit like that. 8^)
    
    Besides, it's only a half hour more to drive and isn't weather
    dependant. 8^)

    
    	I don't know the type of plane.  It seats four.  Depends what
    	you buy, if it will fit.  I don't believe he intends to make a
    	profit off of anyone.  
    
        I thought I would offer, figuring someone may not want to fight 
    	the traffic, like myself.  My mistake.  
    
        >>assumption   
    
	Right.  I now remeber why this conference was missing from my
    	notebook directory for so long.  8^)
    
                                            

    Lighten up dude. The smiley faces were there.
    
    Must be the holiday's stressing everyone out.
    
    Hope you enjoy the flight.

I would assume it was a 172 or a Cherodog if they're going to take 3 people. My
152 time was straining even with a 100lbs instructor 8^)

Well, the WRAM show is next weekend. Friday is open to the public as well
this year. I'll have a booth on the lower level. National Balsa will be on
the upper floor in their own booth this year. Talked to the Evil One and he's
planning on friday and saturday. Charlie Watt seemed to be leaning towards
saturday and Jack Zimmanck seemed to be figuring on sunday. With it
coinciding with school vacation week, I expect friday to be busy and think a
lot of stuff will be sold out on sunday. If you happen to attend the show,
stop down and say hi!

Trip Report (short version)

Spent most of thursday getting ready and packing. Actually managed to
remember to pack everything into the van. Had to backtrack to Staples in
Auburn for my literature and then headed out. I was on the road at 2:30 with
drivethru lunch in hand. Got to the show at 5:30 and found I had the same
booth as last year with the same neighbors on one side. We had fun going back
and forth, joking. Across the aisle was Cox (now owned by Estes) and I got a
chance to see a Sweet Vee kit in the box. They rescheduled the end of setup
for 8pm due to everyone getting there late so I got set up and proceeded to
stuff boxes (I hadn't had time before leaving). Came back in in the morning
and did some more and we opened to the public at 10am. 

Friday was retirees and people out of work so I didn't expect to do too well
but managed a respectable showing. Rose drove down friday night after school
and got there about 11pm. Got a phone call from my saturday/sunday help that
his car siezed a pulley and he was stuck. so no booth help again saturday.
Staying at the Marriott was definately the way to go. The bed was comfortable
and the staff was wonderful AND it was cheaper than the Holiday and Days Inns
they had special show rates at 8^)

Saturday was the make it/break it day and they opened the doors to the lower
level 10 minutes before upstairs so we got mobbed right from the start. This
year was more like the old "can't get through the crowded aisles" of years
past and it was the busiest day. Eric Henderson, the designer, stopped by and
spelled me so I could eat and use the bathroom. Since I had little voice, it
was good to let someone else talk a bit.

Sunday started off real slow. George had rented a car and came down and he
did most of the talking in the booth. He's a closet salesman at heart and
loves hawking stuff. (chemical engineer by trade) They didn't open down
stairs before the upper levels so the crowds were light for the first hour
but there was money to be had. Once the crowd showed up it was constant
through 15 minutes before closing (4pm). Rose showed up at 2pm with another
car story. The starter on her car wouldn't fire (bad selenoid) when she went
to check out so she decided to take public transportation to the show. She
got on the train and had to go to NYC and back to get over to White Plains.
That plus the walking in the high winds (35+) took it's toll. We started
breakdown at 4pm and pulled out of the parking lot at 5:30 and checked on the
car. Being a manual transmission we just pushed it and pop started it and we
were on our way. Got home at 9pm and the bed felt REAL good.

Highlights:

Seeing flying buddies. (almost as often as I'm at the field 8^)

The machinist that did the choppers in the next row.

LDM Industries selling Lyka-Jets for $38 2 booths down. I heard Jack was at
the show but didn't see him so I don't know if he saw them.

Having a "friendly" conversation with Sal. He wants cores 8^)

Doing 18 pre-builts for the show and bringing 17 home 8^(

    Well, this was my first WRAM show.  I must say that I was impressed.  I
    had a great time.  As usual when I go shopping like that, I ended up
    with $1 in my wallet when I got home. 
    
    Jim C., Charlie, Dan W. and myself went down in Dan's luxomobile.  We
    set out at about 8:15 or so on saturday morning.  About 20 minutes from
    the show, we decided to grab some lunch at a Burger King.  We got off
    the exit, followed the BK signs, and after 10 minutes of driving had
    sighted no BK. I still don't understand the logic behind that.
    
    So we get there, only to drive around White Plains looking for a bloody
    parking spot.  We finally parked in the commuter rail parking garage
    for three bucks.  It's actually very close to the show.  They had a
    shuttle bus going to the show, but if you know the way, you can walk it
    much faster.
    
    Inside was great.  Tons of interesting exhibits, some great models,
    some great RC, and some disgusting food.   Jim was tasting the "rubber
    dog" he ate at lunch all day.  The rest of the time he was busy putting
    his eyes back in sockets and picking his tongue up off the floor
    (Airtrax brought another kind of model:).  In the midst of it all, I
    managed to stop by Jim's booth a few times.  I owe you one for those
    wood blocks Jim...
    
    Let's see what else..I picked up mostly misc stuff (none of us came
    back with a kit).  They a most amazing aircraft carrier on display.  It
    was about 15 feet long with something like 50 motors on it for
    controlling everything you could think of.  I believe it was supposed
    to 8 knots on the water with the 5hp engine it had (something like that
    I think).  It was very impressive.
    
    On the trip back I learned what REALLY happens at pattern contests.  I
    also learned Charlie's digestive patterns.  WRAM food isn't very
    pleasant either way, but I must say I'd rather eat it than breathe it:)
    We also hatched a plan for a CMRCM pattern club.  I'm starting work on
    a logo as we speak.
     
    

    
    
     Andy,
    
        YOu think it was bad up front, at least you could open your window!
    
        At the time, I was in the far back seat, and Charlie controlled
      the windows! It had NO place to go! :) Next time, we will make
      Charlie's selection at the Deli for him!
    
      Re: Aircraft Carrier
    
         As Andy said, this thing was incredible! Words cannot describe it,
      but here are some of the stats on it:
    
       15 feet long
       
        800 pounds,
    
        90 planes on board ( on deck and in maintenance hanger ) Each
        plane was a work of art in it self
    
        80 motors ( controlling everything from deck elevators to lowering
                    life boats )
    
        5 HP motor, does 8 knots in the water ( If he ever even THOUGHT
                                                of putting it in the water,
                                                I wwould shoot him! :)     
    
        Contruction time ( 30,000 hours over 20 years! This is equivelent
                           to a 40/hr a week job for 15years! )
    
    
       You really had to see it to believe it, truly a labor of love!
    
       (Translated, this guy needs a life! :)