There is a lot of jet aviation history under that white hat. Colonel Bob Thacker was the original test pilot for the F-80 Shooting Star, the U.S. Air Force's first operational jet.

The Colonel thoroughly enjoys jet modeling. When he is not flying his own creation, he quietly observes and occasionally comments in a most positive way about how the rest of us are doing.

Paul Bageman and Harley Condra are the latest to join the prestigeous list of BVM representatives.

If you get into BVM jets and live in the San Diego, California area you can count on their team effort to help you be successful. They are currently flying Bandits and Paul is just starting work on a RAM 1000 powered BVM F-4 slated for a Blue Angel paint scheme.

This BVM .96/VIOFAN Bandit "V" made its 2nd annual appearance at the 99 event. The .96 on Wildcat Jet Fuel emits a heavy smoke trail adding to the model's already hi-vis paint scheme.

Steve Unze is being assisted by Skeet Hunt - both United Airlines pilots enjoy their hobby to the hilt.

California R/C Jet Association members Chuck Mistretta and Duff Waldrun posed for this photo between flights on Chuck's BVM .91/Viojett powered Maverick.

The Maverick kit has introduced a lot of modelers to ducted fan flying. It is simple to build, simple to operate, and can handle those trainer flight landings.

Bob Violett and daughter Patty Generali were on hand to visit with our western state's customers, greet new potential customers, and to demo fly the MiG-15.

This MiG is painted in an airshow scheme and sports ProMark transfers for the small markings and paint masks for the larger letters and numbers. Visit pro-mark.com for more on these great products.

Veteran patter flyer, now jet enthusiast Tony Frakowiak logged a sortie on this MiG on Saturday. About one minute into the flight and with a big smile on his face, Tony said "This is my kind of airplane" - and it sure showed. His flight routine was an inspiring example of smooth aerobatics followed by a perfect approach and landing.

Experienced pattern flyers are most critical of airframe design and trim requirements; their opinion has special meaning to BVM designers.

See the MiG-15 page for more info on this "comfortable-to-fly", medium priced scale jet.

Many thanks to contest director, Bob Ruff and the "Arizona Model Aviators" for 3 great days of jet modeling.

-- The BVM Staff