The World of Miniature Warbirds

War has never been very much use to the world. Thecamaraderie rather than competition. This niche of the
only benefit arising this century has been the massivemodel airplane hobby really does enjoy the process of
advances in aerospace technology that have beenconstruction, often replicating the originals in painstaking
driven by military needs. If it had not been for thedetail, then taking pleasure in watching those lovingly
demands of the 1939-45 war, we would still be flyingconstructed model airplanes take to the air.
around in airships which were streets ahead of fixedThe main miniature warbird event is the fly-in.
wing aircraft for load capacity, range and safety in theSpectacular model aircraft make their mark in the sky
1930s before the outbreak of war. But if there's a fulland on the ground as fellow RC aviators and
size airplane out there then you can be sure aspectators look on. Fly-in events also include things like
modeller will want to reproduce it in small scale - andintro pilot training programs, guest speakers, and
so were born the model airplane miniature Warbirds.low-key contests. It is quite astonishing to witness tens
In the modelling community Warbirds are looked afterof museum-quality aircraft, with wingspans from two
by the World Miniature Warbird Association (WMWA)to more than thirty feet, decorated to the hilt, en
, a Special Interest Group of the Academy of Modelmasse.
Aeronautices (AMA). The WMWA defines warbirds,One of the characteristics of the WMWA for model
has created a community of warbird enthusiasts, aairplane enthusiast is the world-wide network of
group directory covering participants all over the world'Wings' which specialize in particular types. This can be
and organises a number of special events.of great benefit to individual members as the Wing can
Anyone with a love of building or flying warbirds isput them in touch with other members with their
welcome in the WMWA. To maintain this friendlyspecific interest. They can then pool their research
environment the rules for warbird status are prettyefforts, exchange information and generally collaborate
relaxed with no specifics about size, or engines orto produce the most accurate representation in their
even scale provided only that the model looks like amodel airplane of the full size airplane on which it is
warbird. It's the definition of the original warbird aircraftbased - wherever in the world it may have originated
that defines a warbird model. The definition runs likefrom.
this:So if you are interested in building or flying a warbird
"The WMWA defines a 'Warbird Aircraft' as a modelthen the World Miniature Warbird Association is the
of any aircraft used for military purposes by anybest place to start. You need to base your model on
Country at any time. It must be a scale or semi-scalethe definition published by the WMWA to ensure that
rendering, recognizable as such, and markedyour model airplane qualifies. You can select from any
accordingly. Any prototype offered to the military buttype; bombers, fighters, transport airplanes or
not accepted would also fall into the category of ahelicopters and you can start from scratch or base it
'Warbird Aircraft.' It cannot be a model of any aircrafton an existing kit or plan. Any type, any method as
made to look like a 'Warbird Aircraft' by applyinglong as the finished model airplane gives a good
military markings to it." (WMWA Constitution)representation of the original as defined by the
Contrary to the original military purpose of the full sizeAssociation. It's a great project for the winter months -
airplanes on which it is based, friendship is the name ofso maybe do some planning this summer and then get
the game in the World Miniature Warbirds Association.to it as next winter approaches.
Members of the association gather in a spirit of