JOE NALL - Largest Fly in – Triple Tree Airfield.

WOODRUFF, South Carolina

(From Brian Porman & Ron Clark)

Claimed to be the World’s largest fly in and BBQ the Joe Nall event, (in May each year) certainly lived up to the claim with 810 registered pilots and 1250 for the Friday night BBQ.

With our wives we attended the event Thursday 14th and Friday 15th staying at the closest Motel at Clinton, some 20 miles away.

Click the read more button ----->>>

And yes 1250 were served by 50 volunteers and all within 30 minutes. It was great with Chicken, Pork, Shrimp and all the attendant southern “stuff”. Beer and drinks were not limited and all for $25.

This year was the 27th event and the 8th at this site.

The event founder, Pat Hartness, an unassuming, packaging expert/designer & manufacturer determined that his school mate and aero modelling buddy, Joe Nall would not be forgotten. Joe was killed in a plane crash, whilst on his way as an FAA crash investigator to another accident site.

Pat purchased about 1500 acres in the country and set about constructing a modeling heaven. There is a full size, sloping, 2 mile grass runway. A dam was built and there is a very large lake for the ROW enthusiasts.

As we understand a trust of flyers administers the site for the benefit of modelers. The actual club is only about 15 strong. So a lot of other AMA members pitch in and help.

There were five flight lines spread over the 2 miles: For the first time Foamies were located at the entrance end, then at show centre was the conventional fixed wing line (only seven at a time with separated pilot boxes). The grass was like a bowling green. Next came the Lake flyers then Helicopters and at the far end 3 D.

The Lake/Hanger area had toilets/showers. Also at the far end there was a large shower and toilet complex and large Rotunda with Bar and furniture. These were available for the campers and RV ‘s The RV’s can stay on site for $10/week ! and there were more RV’s on site than we saw the whole 5 weeks of traveling.

There are 2 yellow, ex school buses that run from one end to the other at thirty minute intervals, the trip taking about 10 minutes.

There were 60 Trade tents! Adjacent was a lunch bbq tent

Pat has several antique aircraft and a LARGE hanger with lots of big models and a couple of full time modelers working on various projects. Pat lives on another property about 30 miles away, again with its own runway.

The event is not open to the public but only to AMA registered members and families with reciprocal rights to MAAA members. Never the less we were told that 6,000 & 10,000 were in attendance on each day.

On arrival we were identified as Australian [how did they do that?) and introduced to another Australian who was lounging in his Golf cart near the entrance

And guess who? An ex WRCS member and Aussie champ, Peter Goldsmith, now VP & Marketing Manager, for Horizon Hobbies a major sponsor. Peter was one of the event organizers and won the Joe Nall Trophy.

Unknown to us at the time, we were with his in-laws, Iain & Candy McLeay, [stalwarts and registrars of the Adelaide Air Races] only weeks before at the Virginia airfield in north Adelaide.

Peter treated us like royalty and crammed us in the cart and gave as a tour introducing us to many celebrities including World aerobatic champion Quique (“Kee kay”) Somenzini.

Quique gave a wonderful display each lunch time with “the beast”. This is a 100 inch black and gold Pitts. To be kitted this year. A full size “Beast” was also part of the displays and then landed for all to ogle, including us, as seen here with the pilot Bryan and Quique. Peter informed us that some innovations incorporated by Quique have been duplicated in the full size “Beast”

A full size Cap 650 and an identical 100 inch model put on a synchronized aerobatic display that was absolutely superb. The full size solo routine was equally superb.

A German team flew two canard jets in an unbelievable routine with smoke, hovering, tumbling that left the crowd stunned and applauding. A professional DVD of the event will be shown at the July monthly meeting. There was also Helicopter displays a sthis was the first year helicopters were invited to attend.

The jets of Bob Violett including electrics were electrifying fast, excuse the pun, with low passes that skimmed the grass. The landings of all the display pilots were described as being like a ‘butterfly with sore feet’.

This year there were only 15 of 700 pilots on 72 mHz. Next year 2.4 Ghz is compulsory. Of course being in the country there is NO possibility of any external interference.

A feature that was different was the existence of a push button at each of the seven pilot boxes. If there is an “out of control” situation or a dead stick, the assistant bangs the button and a four way claxon mounted on the show centre pavilion can be heard miles away.

The large scale went from 1:1 to 60% clipped wing Cub to 100 inch odd.

This is not a Top Gun event where flying is scale and by invitation only. Top Gun at Lakeland Florida,New York to LAX in which we covered 9990 kilometres. was the week end before and unfortunately did not fit into the site seeing of our 5 week drive from New York to LAX in which we covered 9990 kilometres.

A professionally filmed (Prop Wash) DVD will be shown at the July monthly meeting.