Hello! I am Fred Cronenwett and have been flying CL Scale since 1988. I started with a Sterling Corsair and three-line throttle control. In 1991, I figured out how to use electronic controls and have flown with them since that time.
I have flown in local and regional contests and at the Nats. I currently fly in St, Louis, where I am a contest and event director. I also experiment with other sport models to try new ideas that can be used in CL Scale models.
2013 CL Scale Nats
This year’s Nats was well attended with Sport, Profile, and Fun Scale having the most number of entries. After the static judging was finished on Friday, everyone headed back to the hotel to get ready to fly early on Saturday morning.
Grant Hiestand’s 1/3-scale Spacewalker was powered by an E-flite Power 160 brushless electric motor, 9S LiPo batteries, an 80-amp speed control, and spans 106 inches. Since 2.4 GHz is now allowed in CL competition, Grant used a Futaba 2.4 GHz radio for the throttle control.
This model was first flown at the 1993 Nats with an Astro Flight 90 brushed electric motor with Ni-Cd batteries and down-the-wire electronic controls. Since then, he has re-covered the model and upgraded the electric power system.
The Spacewalker is covered with natural-colored Solartex that is available from Balsa USA. Grant ironed on the Solartex with a standard modeling iron and then painted with Zinsser Bullseye 1-2-3 Primer and gloss latex house paint. Solartex does not require dope to adhere the covering to the balsa structure. Grant earned National Champion in Sport Scale and the National Association of Scale Aeromodelers (NASA) Flight Achievement Award with this model.
Dave Platt scored 99 points with his T-28 and earned the Top Static award in Sport Scale. He took the plans from his 82-inch RC model and scaled them down to 54 inches with an Irvine .53 glow engine.
When Dave built the model, he made sure that nothing was exposed that would give you the idea it was a model airplane. He finished the 71/4-pound model with Klass Kote. He took a 2.4 GHz car radio and modified it into a custom handle. Dave had some technical problems during the flying portion and was unable to complete an official flight.
Ed Mason flew his DC-6 with four O.S. 15LA engines and three-line throttle control. He spent the time before the Nats making sure that all four engines were set up correctly with the three-line controls, including idle to full power.
The model has a 60-inch wingspan and weighs 7 pounds. It is painted with Klass Kote and placed second in Sport Scale. Ed’s consistent flights made the difference in his flight score.
Bill Avera flew his Profile Scale B-25 and took Top Static award with 93 points. This model was powered with two O.S. 25AX motors and was painted with Klass Kote. He used three-line controls for the throttle and made some great flights.
Bill was able to view and take pictures of the full-scale B-25 that he copied. He built the model from a Brodak kit. It has a 55-inch wingspan and received second place in Profile Scale with 181.125 points.
I flew my 96-inch wingspan Profile Scale B-29 that was scratch-built from my own plans. The wings are foam with balsa skins and the fuselage has 1/16-inch sides with a stick structure to keep the weight down.
The model has four E-flite 25-size electric motors, 4S LiPo batteries, and 45-amp speed controls. A JR radio with DSC controls (down the wire) is used for throttle control.
The B-29 is fiberglassed and painted with LustreKote aluminum paint. It weighs 13 pounds and took National Champion in Profile Scale with 181.375 points.
Scale Rules Committee
A set of new AMA rules are being proposed for CL Scale during the normal rule proposal cycle (2015-2016). If they are approved, they will take effect in 2015. The entire CL Scale rules have been reviewed and changes have been proposed for all of the events.
One of the big changes is adding a section that will describe the options with diagrams. Authentic Scale would be added and Designer Scale would be deleted.
Authentic Scale would be for extremely detailed models. This means the cockpit would be judged and operational features such as retracts and flaps would be expected during the flight portion. Authentic Scale will also allow the judges to view the model up close during static judging. All other events in CL Scale would be judged at 15 feet.
Please go to the AMA website and read the proposals. The Contest Board members are listed there and I encourage you to review the proposals and send them your comments. If you don’t have access to the AMA website, talk to someone who does and get a copy of the current and proposed rules.
2014 CL Scale Nats
The CL Scale Nats will be held in Muncie, Indiana, July 11-13, 2014. I always welcome contest reports, upcoming contest flyers, pictures, and any projects you are building and flying.
Land softly!