When it comes to the annual Toledo Show Radio Control Expo, Terry Nitsch has seen it all.

His father first took him to the expo to look at the model airplanes in 1965 when he was young child, and Nitsch hasn’t stopped coming since. Whether it’s been competing in the model competition or having his own booth, the Toledo native and Columbus resident has seen the event grow dramatically over the years and knows what it takes for a model to stand out from the rest.

“A lot of it is the building talent,” he said. “It’s the craftsmanship, the finish, the paint jobs, the uniqueness. It’s a bit of everything.”

The 64th annual Weak Signals Radio Control (R/C) Expo kicks off this weekend at the SeaGate Convention Centre, 401 Jefferson Ave. in downtown Toledo. It is the largest such event in the country, with more than 200 exhibitors on hand to showcase their model airplanes, boats, and cars during the three-day event that is expected to bring thousands of people from across the country.

Last year’s event drew 9,000 people.

Jim Skolmowski, co-director of this year’s expo, said whether the model on display is an airplane, boat, or helicopter, the toy needs to have the ability to operate if the builder enters it into one of the expo’s model competitions.

“They all have to be able to fly, roll, or float and function or they can’t be in that model competition,” Skolmowski said. “Everything has to be installed and functioning and not just static.”

Not a detail goes unnoticed during the model competition where judges will keep a close eye on everything from painting details to the model’s engine. Cash prizes are given to first, second, and third place finishes, as well as $1,000 for the best in show category.

Nitsch spent about eight months in his basement building his model R/C jet with an electric ducted fan, to which which he hand-painted his own detail. He said the model has “all the exotic stuff” including retractable landing gear on the doors and drop tanks installed on the wings.

He said the average cost of the models people will see displayed in the competition is typically between $5,000 and $12,000, and that some can take several years to build.

A few of the more exotic R/C airplanes’ turbine jet engines might cost between $3,000-$4,000.

“You do everything you can to make it realistic and that takes a lot of hours,” he said.

New additions to the 2018 expo include a rock climbing and drone racing. There will also be television monitors that show visitors what the pilot would see from the drone.

The weekend’s events also include an auction, and an exhibitor who will build from start to finish one-third scale Wendell Hostetler Piper Tri-Pacer.

“They get to feel and touch and see firsthand all the items,” Skolmowski said. “It gives them the opportunity to see what’s new and get input advice face to face with the industry experts.”

Nitsch said one of the best aspects of the expo is that model manufacturers are present, who give information on supplies and can answer any questions guests might have.

“There’s just so much information and detail available at that [expo] that makes it so worth while,” Nitsch said. “It’s the latest and greatest of everything.”

The expo ends at 3 p.m. Sunday.

“The show itself has been the greatest model airplane type of show in the U.S. for 40 years,” Nitsch said. “It’s the best of the best and always has been.”

Contact Geoff Burns at gburns@theblade.com or 419-724-6054.

First Published April 5, 2018, 12:52 a.m.