CL Scale
Bill Boss [[email protected]]
What's holding back electric CL?
ELECTRIC flight has been the main subject in many recent issues of MA and other model magazines. The activity seems to have caught on in almost all categories of aeromodeling. There have been greatly detailed articles covering the "how to" of electric-powered models. There has been much written with regard to RC and FF, especially in the arena of models that can be flown in small quarters such as gyms.
However, I have seen little related to CL flying, and especially to CL Scale. From what I have read about the new electric power systems, there should be some good applications for CL. There doesn't seem to be a lack of model subjects because the magazines are full of ads for kits, ARFs, etc. that would be great for conversion to CL Scale.
If you're seeking an assortment of subjects that could be used for electric-powered CL Scale models, look through the August 2005 Model Airplane News, which was designated a "Buyers Guide." It has a multitude of airplanes and the equipment that would be suited for conversion to CL Scale.
Although there is a large variety of models and equipment to choose from, what is it about electric flight that seems to be holding back the CL flier? We have electronic systems that certainly can be used for control of many model features. I suppose someone could even figure out how to use the standard three-line system for at least motor control.
Using electric power would have many benefits for the types of paint or finish we use on our Scale models. Airplanes could be kept cleaner and last longer with the elimination of fuel-residue problems.
What are the advantages or disadvantages of electric power for CL models? Can electric power for CL solve the noise problems that go along with fuel-powered engines, which have an impact on the loss and retention of flying sites?
Is anyone out there doing some serious experimentation with electric CL flying, especially in the category of Scale? If so, I would like to hear from you about your experience and projects. I would especially like to see some photos of your work that I can show others who might be interested in trying it.
My street address is 77-05 269th St., New Hyde Park NY 11040. My E-mail address can be found at the top of this column.
This month's photos were provided by Dave Dulaitis of Sun City Center, Florida. He is one of our most frequent contributors to the column, and I hadn't heard from him in quite awhile. He had a slight setback with a heart attack, is well on the road to recovery, and has something for the column. This month I present two of Dave's latest models: the Fairey Gordon and a Great Lakes Trainer.
The Fairey Gordon, a development of the Fairey IIIF, was manufactured by the Fairey Aviation Company, Ltd. in the 1930s as a bomber. It was powered with the unique double-row, 14-cylinder, air-cooled Armstrong Siddeley Panther IIA engine that delivered 525 horsepower.
The Gordon had a wingspan of 45 feet, 9 inches; a length of
CL Scale
Bill Boss
36 feet, 8 inches; flew at a maximum speed of 143 mph at 3,000 feet of altitude; and had a range of 600 miles. It had armament of two machine guns and a bomb load of 460 pounds, and it was handled by a crew of two.
Dave's model is built to a scale of 1 inch = 1 foot, giving it a wingspan of approximately 45 inches. It is powered with a Fox .36 engine that is controlled via a standard three-line bellcrank system, and it weighs 2.25 pounds.
One of the things that intrigued Dave about building the model was the exposed double-row, 14-cylinder engine. The fake power plant fits nicely in front of the Fox engine with a minimum number of cutouts.
Dave finished his Gordon with Walm art spray enamels, which he noted are inexpensive and fuelproof, and all decals and markings are his handiwork. According to him, the model flies extremely well in the slow mode, which makes for great landings.
The Great Lakes Trainer is the result of re-engineering an old Sterling Kit. Dave noted that the kit was so old that all the mahogany-wood parts were dried out and brittle, and he had to make new ones. He even tried to use the kit covering paper, but that also turned out to be too old and brittle.
After overcoming those minor problems, Dave turned out a great-looking model that is powered by a Fox .35 engine. The Trainer makes a respectable-looking Fun or Sport Scale model, but Dave plans to fly it as a CL Precision Aerobatics airplane.
Dave also wrote about modeling activity in Florida, and he finds a lack of CL Scale participants. He reviewed the National Association of Scale Aeromodellers (NASA) membership in Florida, Georgia, and Alabama, and he found that Florida had 29 members, Georgia had three, and Alabama had two. (I suspect that most of those are flying RC.) He noted that those are unimpressive membership numbers for NASA.
Workshop Hint: Do you need some special drawing pads for the workshop? The Hartville Tool Company (13163 Market Ave., North Hartville OH 44632) has a great series of paper pads for convenient use in the workshop or on the drafting board.
The sheets are laid out in 1/4-inch-square grids with 1/32-inch graduations along the right sides, left sides, and bottom. They are designed for serious planning and design, and they would be a great asset to the serious Scale modeler.
The pads come in three sizes: 4 x 5 inches, 8-1/2 x 11 inches, and 24 x 36 inches. Costs range from $3.99 for a five-pack of the 4 x 5-inch pads (50 sheets in each) to $16.99 for the 24 x 36-inch pads (36 sheets in each).
In addition to these pads, the company has a full line of cyanoacrylate glues, all sorts of rulers, and measuring devices. I have noted some things that would be of interest to the Scale modeler, but the company specializes in the latest tools for the serious woodworker.
You can see Hartville Tool's full line of tools and place orders at www.hartville tool.com. You can also place orders at (800) 345-2396.
Last month I wrote about the NASA Scale Resource Guide and benefits of belonging to NASA. This month I want to call your attention to the NASA Web site: www.nasascale.org. It contains a tremendous amount of information relating to all facets of Scale modeling and includes information about upcoming events, documentation, building tips, three-views, photos, contest results, and a help section for Scale modelers.
If you're into competition, a unique feature on the site allows you to fill out information on your scoresheets and print them before going to a contest. You can supply the basic information about yourself, your model, your flight schedule, etc. Completing the forms before entering a contest will serve as a checklist, to make sure you have the right documentation and a properly planned flight schedule.
Please send ideas, notice of upcoming CL Scale events, contest reports, and especially photos of CL Scale activity to me at my street or E-mail address. MA
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
