Thousands of people came to the Sonoma County Airport for the Wings Over Wine Country Airshow; they saw helicopter demonstrations, WWII fighters flying in formation, aerial combat, high speed jet passes, and an eight-year-old flying solo! Oh, I understand there were also some full size aircraft on display and flying demonstrations of those planes too. Of course I am talking about the radio-controlled scale flying model display and demonstration put on … Read More »

No, not the catwalk strutting fashion kind. I’m talking about award winning models made by members of our local model building clubs. Recently two members of our local chapter of the International Plastic Modeling Society (IPMS) took home first place awards at the IPMS National Competition. Another member of the Redwood Empire Model Shipwrights won a nation contest sponsored by Seaway’s Ships In Scale magazine for the best model of … Read More »

The North Bay Gaming Group from Cotati runs a miniature game day at HobbyTown USA in Petaluma on the last Saturday of each month. The most popular subject of late has been World War II battles but on a recent Saturday some Union troops encountered Confederates near a farm house and it was the 1860’s again. Ron and Richard started the game with a couple of brigades apiece. Ron’s Union troops … Read More »

Trying new things is always difficult and sometimes you just need someone to help you get started. HobbyTown USA has been hosting a free activities table at the Raley’s Outdoor Thursday Market through the month of July. This is a chance for kids to try out fun hobby related activities with the help of one of the HobbyTown USA staff. So far, we have hosted a plastic model Make-N-Take, 1/32nd scale … Read More »

Model railroading is popular for all ages. Youngsters all become fascinated with Thomas the Tank Engine and spend hours building small wooden railroads and running their Thomas from station to station. Some stay fascinated with railroading and turn the hobby into a life long passion. The Sonoma County Model Railroad Society just had one of their semimonthly meetings at HobbyTown USA last Thursday night. Because they meet on the 1st and … Read More »

Wednesday, June 23rd, is the opening day of the Sonoma-Marin Fair. It is also Kids’ Day. HobbyTown USA will be at the fair from 2-5pm hosting a free model building Make & Go workshop for parents and kids. Building model kits is a hobby your kids can enjoy for a lifetime. It’s fun, it’s creative, and it’s constructive! It helps kids develop valuable skills, such as patience, attention to detail, following instructions, … Read More »

There are a lot of racing events this weekend, befitting Father’s day. For you full size race fans you can read about NASCAR and local Petaluma Speedway races on the Above the Brim blog. But this is a blog about all hobbies miniature, and there is some good miniature racing this weekend too. Saturday there will be on-road racing at the Petaluma Plaza. HobbyTown USA will be hosting 1/10th scale parking lot racing … Read More »

What do the power tools in your garage dream of? Those with a 2-stroke gasoline motor at their heart probably dream of being a racing buggy tearing around a dirt track and flying overs jumps on their way to victory. For some lucky engines, and their human drivers, that dream comes true at the Liberty RC Wheelers track every month. The Liberty RC Wheelers is a local off-road radio controlled (RC) racing club. … Read More »

If you’ve ever wanted to fly but were put off by the time and expense of taking flying lessons, then the local Wine Country Flyers club has your solution. Of course we are talking about flying scale model airplanes. This Saturday, June 12th, from 9:00AM to 2:00PM the Wine Country Flyers will be hosting a Learn to Fly Day at their club flying field located in Geyserville. The flying field is an … Read More »

Drive up to Sal Lake in Healdsburg this Memorial Day to witness some radio control float plane flying and to pay tribute to Wine Country Flyers member John Lehtio who passed away in March. John was an active member of the Wine Country Flyers and is best know as the water rescue man at the club’s float fly events. John would bring his canoe and paddle to to the lake and rescue … Read More »