| War, what is it good for? Well, really cool aircraft | | | | of camaraderie, rather than competition. The hobby of |
| anyway. Think about it, all those planes, each with its | | | | world miniature warbirds is centered around the |
| unique advances in technology...if you could only get | | | | project of construction, whether with a kit or from |
| your hands on one, right? This is where the beauty of | | | | scratch, and the thrill of heart-leaping flight when these |
| model flying soars. Scaled-down military aircraft from | | | | beauties are complete. |
| all over the world help assuage the desire to harness | | | | The main miniature warbird event is the fly-in. |
| a full-scale warbird. | | | | Spectacular model aircraft make their mark in the sky |
| So, where do you begin? The Academy of Model | | | | and on the ground as fellow RC aviators and |
| Aeronautics (AMA) approves of the Special Interest | | | | spectators look on. Fly-in events also include things like |
| Group, World Miniature Warbird Association (WMWA) | | | | intro pilot training programs, guest speakers, and |
| as the authority on the world of warbirds. The | | | | low-key contests. It is quite astonishing to witness tens |
| WMWA provides requirements for warbird status, a | | | | of museum-quality aircraft, with wingspans from two |
| community of warbird enthusiasts, special events, and | | | | to thirty plus feet, decorated to the hilt, en masse. |
| a directory of groups all over the world. | | | | An exceptional benefit of flying a warbird with the |
| The WMWA is dedicated to inclusion of anyone who | | | | WMWA is its world-wide network of groups, known |
| has a love for building and flying warbirds. To ensure | | | | as Wings. This is important to the hobby in that the |
| this inclusion, the requirements for warbird status are | | | | aircraft, too, is from full-size military aircraft, originating |
| very basic. The association doesn't exclude aircraft | | | | from all over the world. This network of members links |
| due to model size, engine capacity, or scale fidelity. In | | | | each hobbyist to people who specialize in particular |
| addition to AMA safety codes for RC model aircraft, | | | | models of aircraft from particular countries. If you |
| "The WMWA defines a 'Warbird Aircraft' as a model | | | | wanted to build a military model from France, wouldn't |
| of any aircraft used for military purposes by any | | | | you gather more information and guidance through |
| Country at any time. It must be a scale or semi-scale | | | | communicating with fellow hobbyists in that country? |
| rendering, recognizable as such, and marked | | | | In conclusion, if you are interested in flying a warbird, |
| accordingly. Any prototype offered to the military but | | | | starting out with the WMWA specifications for scale |
| not accepted would also fall into the category of a | | | | military aircraft is a natural step. Then ask yourself: |
| 'Warbird Aircraft.' It cannot be a model of any aircraft | | | | What war era interests me? Do I like fighters, |
| made to look like a 'Warbird Aircraft' by applying | | | | bombers, or maybe even a helicopter? Will I start with |
| military markings to it." (WMWA Constitution) | | | | a kit, plans, or make the model as I go? Think about it, |
| The idea, in this special interest association, is for a | | | | and then make the next fly-in around your part of the |
| community of warbird enthusiasts to gather in a spirit | | | | world your goal. |