SNOOPY AND HIS FLYING DOGHOUSE BIG HIT

Watch out Red Baron,

Snoopy is on your trail.

-- Royal Guardsmen

Snoopy didn't find the Red Baron during a couple of flights around the Cape Girardeau Regional Airport this weekend, but the late Charles M. Schulz's favorite pooch was a crowd-pleaser at the second annual Radio Controlled Model Airshow.

Snoopy's Flying Doghouse is a show-stopper whereever he goes, agrees Tom Boulnis, a member of the Show-Me Air Kings, an air show team which showcases various radio controlled flying airplanes.

The Saturday event, presented by the Southeast Missouri Modelers Association and the Experimental Aircraft Association featured flights of more than 30 miniature model aircrafts and attracted hundreds of aircraft enthusiasts.

"We probably had from 1,200 to 1,500 people throughout the day," said Bruce Loy, airport manager. In addition to the aerobatic flying demonstrations, the Experimental Aircraft Association provided Young Eagle Flights for children who have never flown in an airplane, at no cost.

Aircraft of all sizes and types were demonstrated during two shows, including the special Snoopy's Doghouse, a radio-controlled helicopter, and a piggyback flight from a "mother ship" high in the sky. Each of the two performances during the day opened with one of the models towing the United States Flag across the sky to the tune of the national anthem.

Snoopy and The Red Baron brought international fame to the popularity of the "Peanuts" comic strip in 1965, when Snoopy turned his doghouse into a Sopwith Camel for the first of many air engagements with the evil Red Baron. The following year, a musical group called the Royal Guardsmen had a No. 2 single, "Snoopy vs. the Red Baron."

"This was an interesting concept," said Boulnis of Charleston, who has been involved with radio-controlled models more than a dozen years. "I saw a Snoopy Flying Doghouse Model in the 1970s, and decided to go full-steam ahead on a Snoopy project, added. "It took me six months and a couple of failures to make it go."

It's been going every since.

Boulnis, a mechanic with Pullen's Trucking Co., says being a mechanic helps in the model aircraft hobby. Boulnis had four planes at the airport Saturday.

"The doghouse is more complicated than most aircraft," said Boulnis. "It's not a fast craft."

Boulnis and Snoopy were here today, and will be Piggott, Ark,. Sunday. "We have some type of modeling outing every weekend in Junes," he said.

Some if the models at Saturday's Airshow whizzed along at speeds of 60 to 75 miles per hour, and the operators used their know-how and talents to take-off and/or land their craft. In between, the looped loops, flew upside town a few feet off the ground and performed other tricks.

The Southeast Missouri Modelers Association (SEMMA) has more than 50 members, who meet periodically to fly their crafts and provide flight demonstrations when requested.

Many of the SEMMA members watched from the sidelines Saturday, including Herb and Frances Prater of Thebes Illinois.

"We have four planes," said Herb Prater.

Prater, retired from the Army, has been flying models a number of years. His wife joined him in the hobby three years ago.

Frances Prater was the first female member of the modeler club.

"But, my husband builds the models and keeps them running," said Mrs. Prater.

"I'm still learning," she said. "I can start the plane, take-off and fly it. But, when it comes to landing, I hand the controls to Herb."

The radio-controlled hobby can be as expensive as you want it to be.

A number of modelers agreed Saturday than an amateur could get into the hobby for about $350 to $400.

Many owners build thier own planes. They buy a kit, take some wood and glue and start in.

But, it can get expensive from there. Some of the planes at Saturday's events ranged in costs from $3,000 to $5,000.

"When I started, it was with one engine and one plane," said Ray Oxford, of East Cape Girardeau. "This was okay with my wife.

It wasn't long until another model was in the work room. "I can use the engine in both," Oxford explained to his wife. But, soon, a half-dozen motors were scattered around the workshop.

Most modelers will have three or four planes and that many, or more motors.

The really expensive radio-controlled models are the jet jobs, which can really blow the old hobby budget.

A jet model show is held each fall in Metropolis, Ill., where you can see planes zipping along at more than 200 miles per hour.