Some people might consider model airplanes, cars,...

Some people might consider model airplanes, cars, or boats--like those that will be on display this weekend at the 16th annual International Modelers Show in Pasadena--to be mere toys.

But try to tell that to the fellow whose little helicopter can do more stunts than a real one. Or to the person who just plunked down $2,500 for a quarter-scale race car.

“That’s the guy who’s really dyed in the wool,” said longtime modeler Bill Northrop, one of the show’s directors. “This is all the top end of this radio control stuff.”

Northrop said beginners can get into a plane, or a boat, for about $200--including the model itself, the battery pack to power the model’s motor, and the radio system with its transmitter, receiver and other equipment.

How the radio control works is pretty complicated, especially with escalating advances in technology. But “basically the

Radio-controlled airplanes, like this Piper Cub J3, are popular among hobbyists.

transmitter has control sticks, and the control stick puts out tones,” Northrop said. The receiver in the model translates the tones into instructions, which it gives to other mechanisms that control what the model is doing.

“The primary interest in the hobby is to duplicate the movement of the full-scale” machine, Northrop said. He pointed out a model of a Phantom jet--complete with throttles, landing gear and a parachute that helps slow its

landing. The tiny jet reaches speeds up to 200 m.p.h.--very fast in model aircraft terms.

“You can’t go very long in one direction or you won’t see it anymore,” Northrop said.

The show runs from 2 to 7 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday at the Pasadena Center’s Exhibition Hall and Conference Center, 300 E. Green St. Tickets are $6. Children under 6 get in free with an adult.