THE GREAT-LOOKING Piper Twin Comanche shown in this
month’s column is the fine work of Joe Sroczyk of Philadelphia,
Pennsylvania. It has a wingspan of 72 inches, a length of 48 inches,
and it weighs 15 pounds. Joe constructed the Comanche from a Jack
Stafford kit, and it is powered with two SuperTigre .51 engines.
The model is controlled with a specially made seven-channel
electronic system. Elevator control is via a two-line bellcrank
system. Other operating features are a retractable landing-gear
system, landing flaps, landing lights, a rotating beacon, throttle
control, and engine cutoff, all operated via the electronic system.
The Comanche has a fully detailed cockpit, instrument panel, and
cabin doors that open and close. The color scheme and markings
were taken from a Twin Comanche that
James B. Aaron of Oxnard, California,
owned at one time.
Joe used Perfect Paints on the model, and
the colors are Insignia Blue, Gloss White,
and Light Gray. He reports that the Comanche
is a great performer in the air as well as
during takeoff, landing, and ground handling
for taxiing.
In a previous column I wrote about
dropping the Precision Scale class and what
a difference it might make in how a good
Scale model gets started. The Comanche is a
finely detailed and competitive model that
can be turned out using a kit as a starting
point. Would this model look any different
and be better detailed if it were built from
scratch?
I hope many more of you CL Scale
modelers out there are doing the same thing
as Joe Sroczyk: building from kits. If you
are, I would like to hear about your projects.
Who knows? Maybe we can put some fun
and enjoyment back into CL Scale modeling.
New Event: In the February 2008 column I
explored a new 1/2A engine event that Frank
Beatty of Granite City, Illinois, created. This
[[email protected]]
Control Line Scale Bill Boss
Also included in this column:
• New 1/2A Multi-Engine
Profile Scale
• B-17 pull-toy maker named
Joe Sroczyk’s decked-out Twin Comanche—from a kit
Joe Sroczyk built his 72-inch-span, 15-pound Piper Twin
Comanche from a Jack Stafford kit. Sroczyk photo.
The Piper Twin Comanche’s finely detailed cockpit puts the
finishing touches on a great model. Sroczyk photo.
Keith Trostle’s 67-ounce Tu-95 Bear took first place in the Cholla Choppers’ 1/2A Multi-
Engine Profile Scale contest. Rickii Pyatt photo.
month I am following that theme, but with a twist.
Mike Keville of Tucson, Arizona, who is known for his
involvement in the Vintage Stunt movement, originated another
1/2A, or small-engine-type, event that promotes CL Scale: 1/2A
Multi-Engine Profile Scale. This class was included in a contest the
April 2008 155
04sig5.QXD 2/25/08 9:35 AM Page 155
156 MODEL AVIATION
Cholla Choppers Model Airplane Club of
Tucson ran Saturday and Sunday October
13-14, 2007.
Static-judging and practice-flying took
place Saturday, and Sunday was set aside
for a pilots’ meeting and flight judging. The
rules for this category, which is expected to
be a Cholla Choppers annual event, are as
follows.
• Allowable aircraft are profile multiengine
models of heavier-than-air, piston, or
turboprop aircraft only.
• The maximum fuselage and nacelle width
is 1 inch. Cowlings are limited to no more
than 1.5 inches wide. Small models may use
less thickness and/or width.
• Glow or diesel engines—not to exceed
.061 cu. in. displacement—are permitted.
Neither throttles nor mufflers is required.
• Proof of scale is required in the form of
three-views and photographs and/or other
proof of color-and-markings.
Documentation should be presented in an
organized booklet or notebook format.
• Minimum line diameters: for a total
displacement of less than 0.25, .012
stranded or .010 solid (two- or three-line
systems); for a total displacement of more
than 0.25, .015 stranded or .012 solid (twoor
three-line systems). There are no linelength
restrictions other than a maximum
length of 70 feet because of the site’s
asphalt “doughnut rings.”
• To qualify, models must fly a minimum
of 10 full laps with all engines running.
No qualifying flight equals no points. No
bonus points are given for ground or inflight
options.
Flight order is assigned via a random
drawing upon completion of static
judging. Pilots have a strict time limit of
three minutes per engine to get the model
airborne.
However, they have an unlimited
number of attempts to make an official
flight. The unrestricted number of flight
attempts is meant to put some fun into the
event and give all contestants the
opportunity to make a qualifying flight.
This multiengine event differs
considerably from the 1/2A Goodyear
Midget Racer event I featured in the last
column. The 1/2A Profile Scale event
features model judging that is similar to
that of Sport Scale, in that models are
judged for accuracy of outline, color-andmarkings,
etc.
Models are examined and awarded
points as follows: accuracy of outlines/
shapes, 0-20; color-and-markings, 0-20;
workmanship, 0-20; qualifying flights, 0
or 20 (“Do or die”); and charisma, 0-20.
Charisma is the mystery factor.
Although maneuvers and other in-flight
options may be considered, they will not
necessarily provide an advantage compared
West Mountain Radio
westmountainradio.com
18 Sheehan Ave., Norwalk, CT 06854
Toll Free order line 888 937 8686
RIGrunner
Field power panels
Connect chargers easily
and never open your car
hood again.
APP Powerpoles®
The only way to fly!
Easy to install and use.
Current ratings of up to 120
amps peak. Fully insulated
with no shrink tubing.
PWRcrimp
Powerpole® crimp tool
Quickly crimp all three sizes of
Powerpole contacts with aerospace
quality. No more soldering. $49.95
Any modeler can
learn all they ever
wanted to know about
any battery by using
the West Mountain
Radio CBA,
computerized battery
analyzer. Fly with
confidence by using a
CBA and be sure about
the health of your
batteries.
A CBA by itself will
tell you the exact
condition of your
batteries and even
the performance of
your chargers.
If you fly competition
or need to test
at or near battery
limits you may add
one or two 500 Watt amplifiers and test at up
to 1000 watts!
CBA II Computerized Battery Analzyer
Celebrating30Years!
- SECURE SHOPPING WITH OUR ONLINE CATALOG -
www.fiberglassspecialtiesinc.com
[email protected]
Phone (479) 359-2429 Fax (479) 359-2259
Hours: Monday - Friday 9 to 5 CST
15715 Ashmore Dr., Garfield, Arkansas 72732
LARGEST COLLECTION OF
EPOXY GLASS COWLS &
WHEEL PANTS IN THE WORLD!
Download a Free Catalog from the World's
Largest Manufacturer of Model Airplane
Cowls, Wheelpants & Accessories.
SCALE FLIGHT MODEL CO.
Repro Rubber Power Kits, Comet, Megow, Burd,
Scientific, Jasco, also available - Campbell,
Diels, Dumas, Florio Flyer, Guillow’s,
Golden Age Repro, Herr, Micro-X, Peck, Sig.
Send $2.00 for Model Airplane Catalog
Penn Valley Hobby Center
837-A W. Main St., Lansdale, PA 19446
www.pennvalleyhobbycenter.com
04sig5.QXD 2/25/08 9:36 AM Page 156
Edition: Model Aviation - 2008/04
Page Numbers: 155,156
Edition: Model Aviation - 2008/04
Page Numbers: 155,156
THE GREAT-LOOKING Piper Twin Comanche shown in this
month’s column is the fine work of Joe Sroczyk of Philadelphia,
Pennsylvania. It has a wingspan of 72 inches, a length of 48 inches,
and it weighs 15 pounds. Joe constructed the Comanche from a Jack
Stafford kit, and it is powered with two SuperTigre .51 engines.
The model is controlled with a specially made seven-channel
electronic system. Elevator control is via a two-line bellcrank
system. Other operating features are a retractable landing-gear
system, landing flaps, landing lights, a rotating beacon, throttle
control, and engine cutoff, all operated via the electronic system.
The Comanche has a fully detailed cockpit, instrument panel, and
cabin doors that open and close. The color scheme and markings
were taken from a Twin Comanche that
James B. Aaron of Oxnard, California,
owned at one time.
Joe used Perfect Paints on the model, and
the colors are Insignia Blue, Gloss White,
and Light Gray. He reports that the Comanche
is a great performer in the air as well as
during takeoff, landing, and ground handling
for taxiing.
In a previous column I wrote about
dropping the Precision Scale class and what
a difference it might make in how a good
Scale model gets started. The Comanche is a
finely detailed and competitive model that
can be turned out using a kit as a starting
point. Would this model look any different
and be better detailed if it were built from
scratch?
I hope many more of you CL Scale
modelers out there are doing the same thing
as Joe Sroczyk: building from kits. If you
are, I would like to hear about your projects.
Who knows? Maybe we can put some fun
and enjoyment back into CL Scale modeling.
New Event: In the February 2008 column I
explored a new 1/2A engine event that Frank
Beatty of Granite City, Illinois, created. This
[[email protected]]
Control Line Scale Bill Boss
Also included in this column:
• New 1/2A Multi-Engine
Profile Scale
• B-17 pull-toy maker named
Joe Sroczyk’s decked-out Twin Comanche—from a kit
Joe Sroczyk built his 72-inch-span, 15-pound Piper Twin
Comanche from a Jack Stafford kit. Sroczyk photo.
The Piper Twin Comanche’s finely detailed cockpit puts the
finishing touches on a great model. Sroczyk photo.
Keith Trostle’s 67-ounce Tu-95 Bear took first place in the Cholla Choppers’ 1/2A Multi-
Engine Profile Scale contest. Rickii Pyatt photo.
month I am following that theme, but with a twist.
Mike Keville of Tucson, Arizona, who is known for his
involvement in the Vintage Stunt movement, originated another
1/2A, or small-engine-type, event that promotes CL Scale: 1/2A
Multi-Engine Profile Scale. This class was included in a contest the
April 2008 155
04sig5.QXD 2/25/08 9:35 AM Page 155
156 MODEL AVIATION
Cholla Choppers Model Airplane Club of
Tucson ran Saturday and Sunday October
13-14, 2007.
Static-judging and practice-flying took
place Saturday, and Sunday was set aside
for a pilots’ meeting and flight judging. The
rules for this category, which is expected to
be a Cholla Choppers annual event, are as
follows.
• Allowable aircraft are profile multiengine
models of heavier-than-air, piston, or
turboprop aircraft only.
• The maximum fuselage and nacelle width
is 1 inch. Cowlings are limited to no more
than 1.5 inches wide. Small models may use
less thickness and/or width.
• Glow or diesel engines—not to exceed
.061 cu. in. displacement—are permitted.
Neither throttles nor mufflers is required.
• Proof of scale is required in the form of
three-views and photographs and/or other
proof of color-and-markings.
Documentation should be presented in an
organized booklet or notebook format.
• Minimum line diameters: for a total
displacement of less than 0.25, .012
stranded or .010 solid (two- or three-line
systems); for a total displacement of more
than 0.25, .015 stranded or .012 solid (twoor
three-line systems). There are no linelength
restrictions other than a maximum
length of 70 feet because of the site’s
asphalt “doughnut rings.”
• To qualify, models must fly a minimum
of 10 full laps with all engines running.
No qualifying flight equals no points. No
bonus points are given for ground or inflight
options.
Flight order is assigned via a random
drawing upon completion of static
judging. Pilots have a strict time limit of
three minutes per engine to get the model
airborne.
However, they have an unlimited
number of attempts to make an official
flight. The unrestricted number of flight
attempts is meant to put some fun into the
event and give all contestants the
opportunity to make a qualifying flight.
This multiengine event differs
considerably from the 1/2A Goodyear
Midget Racer event I featured in the last
column. The 1/2A Profile Scale event
features model judging that is similar to
that of Sport Scale, in that models are
judged for accuracy of outline, color-andmarkings,
etc.
Models are examined and awarded
points as follows: accuracy of outlines/
shapes, 0-20; color-and-markings, 0-20;
workmanship, 0-20; qualifying flights, 0
or 20 (“Do or die”); and charisma, 0-20.
Charisma is the mystery factor.
Although maneuvers and other in-flight
options may be considered, they will not
necessarily provide an advantage compared
West Mountain Radio
westmountainradio.com
18 Sheehan Ave., Norwalk, CT 06854
Toll Free order line 888 937 8686
RIGrunner
Field power panels
Connect chargers easily
and never open your car
hood again.
APP Powerpoles®
The only way to fly!
Easy to install and use.
Current ratings of up to 120
amps peak. Fully insulated
with no shrink tubing.
PWRcrimp
Powerpole® crimp tool
Quickly crimp all three sizes of
Powerpole contacts with aerospace
quality. No more soldering. $49.95
Any modeler can
learn all they ever
wanted to know about
any battery by using
the West Mountain
Radio CBA,
computerized battery
analyzer. Fly with
confidence by using a
CBA and be sure about
the health of your
batteries.
A CBA by itself will
tell you the exact
condition of your
batteries and even
the performance of
your chargers.
If you fly competition
or need to test
at or near battery
limits you may add
one or two 500 Watt amplifiers and test at up
to 1000 watts!
CBA II Computerized Battery Analzyer
Celebrating30Years!
- SECURE SHOPPING WITH OUR ONLINE CATALOG -
www.fiberglassspecialtiesinc.com
[email protected]
Phone (479) 359-2429 Fax (479) 359-2259
Hours: Monday - Friday 9 to 5 CST
15715 Ashmore Dr., Garfield, Arkansas 72732
LARGEST COLLECTION OF
EPOXY GLASS COWLS &
WHEEL PANTS IN THE WORLD!
Download a Free Catalog from the World's
Largest Manufacturer of Model Airplane
Cowls, Wheelpants & Accessories.
SCALE FLIGHT MODEL CO.
Repro Rubber Power Kits, Comet, Megow, Burd,
Scientific, Jasco, also available - Campbell,
Diels, Dumas, Florio Flyer, Guillow’s,
Golden Age Repro, Herr, Micro-X, Peck, Sig.
Send $2.00 for Model Airplane Catalog
Penn Valley Hobby Center
837-A W. Main St., Lansdale, PA 19446
www.pennvalleyhobbycenter.com
04sig5.QXD 2/25/08 9:36 AM Page 156