Joe Eiben’s AT-6
by Fred Cronenwett [email protected]
Profile Scale is an event that makes it difficult to hide features that make the model look too busy. Somehow you have to conceal the fuel tank, bellcrank, and pushrod. Add flaps and retracts, and you really have a challenge.
Joe Eiben, from Baltimore, built his 55-inch wingspan AT-6 model from his own plans using a plastic model and a three-view. Joe took a canopy designed for a full-body fuselage and re-formed it over a balsa mold with a heat gun to flatten it to fit the fuselage. The rubber pilot figure was filled with epoxy and flattened to fit within the canopy.
The model has flaps, electric retracts, and throttle control. Joe used three-line throttle control and a Spektrum DX6i 2.4 GHz radio for the flaps and retracts. The electric retracts are operated by a toggle switch, while the traditional throttle stick controls the flaps. This arrangement allows Joe to slowly lower the flaps and decide how much they are deployed.
The elevator pushrod is routed through the profile fuselage and the fuel tank is built into the fuselage, making for a clean appearance. The engine is also recessed into the fuselage.
The take-apart model houses its receiver and battery in the wing. Hangar 9 iron-on UltraCote was used for the covering. The scoops, wingtips, and wheel-well cover were airbrushed with latex house paint. A clear coat over the latex paint will make it fuelproof.
Building a model with everything hidden takes more effort, but it is worth it. You can fit quite a bit into the fuselage, even if it is only 1 inch wide.
Brodak Scale Results
The annual Brodak Fly-In had seven pilots entered in Profile Scale. Bill Avera took top honors with the high static score of 93.5 and first place (185.0 points) with his North American B-25 (see my February 2014 "CL Scale" column).
Joe Eiben had the second-highest static score of 89.5 with his AT-6 and placed fourth with 171.75 points. John Wright took second place with 173.0 total points for his Corsair, and Paul Smith took third with his Bearcat at 172.25 points. Second through fourth place was extremely close, with the flight score making the difference.
There were 14 entries in 1/2A Scale, but only 10 pilots were able to complete a flight. Bob Whitney took high static and top honors with his Pond Racer, scoring 111.0 total points. George Marenka and his DC-3 placed second with 108.5 points. Paul Smith took third with 102.75 points with his Skyrocket.
Fun Scale had nine entries with Ed Mason taking a commanding lead with his DC-6 (again mentioned in my February 2014 column) at 106.25 points. Ed’s four glow engines were running well, which made a difference in his flight scores. Getting four glow engines to run in sync and shut down on command requires the right setup and preflight.
Sport Scale had four entries. Richard Schneider placed first with an electric-powered D.H.82 Tigermoth. Ed Mason took second place with his B-17, and Paul Smith was third.
Choose Your Options Scale
Choose Your Options Scale is unique because every Scale flight is different. Each pilot chooses the options that are judged during flight. The four mandatory options are:
- Takeoff
- 10 level laps
- Realism
- Landing
The four mandatory options account for 40 points. The remaining 60 points are options that the pilot chooses based upon what the full-scale aircraft was capable of performing. Retractable landing gear counts as two options and is judged as an independent maneuver during flight. Example procedure for retracts as an option: retract the gear immediately after takeoff, then perform the 10 level laps with the gear up. After the 10 level laps are done, slow the model, bring it to the 6-foot level in front of the judges, and extend the gear. After you pass the judges, retract the gear and return to normal flight speed and level flight. Touch-and-gos count as two options. All other options are judged as single options.
The pilot should pick options that his model can perform reliably. If the model has retracts and flaps and the pilot selects both, the flaps must be lowered between extension and retraction of the gear for that option to count. It is best to write your options down on the evaluation sheet before the flight so there is no confusion.
Mechanical options include retracts, flaps, bomb drop, and anything else that moves. Flight options include a touch-and-go, taxi, 45° flight, overshoot, and Lazy Eight. Aerobatic options include a wingover, Horizontal Eight, and possibly a loop, but do not use these if the full-scale aircraft was incapable of performing them.
Upcoming CL Scale Contests
- NASA Scale Classic: Muncie, Indiana — October 3-5
- Airstormers Fun Scale (Florida Control Line Championships): Indiantown, Florida — October 12 (call the CD for club Fun Scale rules)
- Navy Carrier plus Scale XVII: Phoenix, Arizona — October 25-26
I welcome contest reports, upcoming contest flyers, pictures, and any projects you are building and flying. It's time to start that new project and get ready for next year.
Look for the new rules to be in place for 2015, depending on how the AMA Scale Contest Board votes on the current set of rules proposals.
Land softly!
SOURCES:
- National Association of Scale Aeromodelers (NASA)
- Model Aviation Digital Library
https://library.ModelAviation.com
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
