CL Scale
Bill Boss
Historic aircraft make great CL models
ALAN ABEL, of Wind Canyon Books, announced that the famous Paul Matt Scale Airplane Drawings has been republished.
From the 1960s through the 1980s, Paul Matt gained international fame for his three-view scale airplane drawings. The 122 drawings in these two republished volumes once appeared in numerous Scale model and full-scale aviation magazines. His books were acclaimed by the aviation and Scale model press on every continent. Paul Matt also won many ribbons, trophies, and awards in Scale model competition.
If you are interested in obtaining Paul Matt Scale Airplane Drawings Volumes 1 and 2, and any of the other Paul Matt books, CDs, DVDs, and individual drawings, see the “Sources” listing. Note that drawings presented in Volumes 1 and 2 can be obtained in two- and three-sheet reproductions, and in various scales for model documentation.
Clancy Arnold, Indianapolis, has built what could be considered one of the largest CL models. His Jeannin Stahltaube A180/14 has a wingspan of 7 feet, 4 inches, and is modeled after an airplane on exhibit in the German Museum of Technology, Berlin.
Although the model has a large wingspan, it weighs only 9 1/4 pounds, and has a wing loading of 14.23 ounces per square foot. The model is powered by an O.S. FS .91 S II-P engine that swings a 15 x 6 propeller. A video posted online shows the model in stable flight and cruising at roughly 46 mph at one-third throttle. Clancy’s U/Tronics control system handles the operational features.
To properly document his model’s color scheme and scale detailing, Clancy sent samples of the color he planned to use for the model to the museum’s deputy curator of aerospace for review. The deputy curator sent Clancy a letter stating his evaluation of the colors, and a comparison to the museum’s full-scale airplane. Clancy uses the deputy curator-signed samples as the proof of color in his documentation of the model for competitions. The deputy curator also sent Clancy several pages of technical information (in German) on the materials used when museum employees restored the aircraft in 1985.
Clancy also experimented with using Polycrylic paint coating to create standard flying lines, instead of nylon-covered lines commonly used with electronic systems. A friend of Clancy’s, John Vlna, Silver Springs, Maryland, flies with water-based Polycrylic-coated lines. John applies two coats to the lines using a rag soaked in the paint. Color-coding or using a bright "safety" color makes the lines more visible.
Those who use this method should make sure that the coatings are thorough and that there is no chance of an electrical short, which could interrupt signals passed up the lines. Rubber gloves and eye protection should be worn when coating the lines.
Frank Beatty, Granite City, Illinois, has two great-looking models. He has a 1/2A profile-type model and a World War I vintage airplane.
The first model is a Handley Page Heyford. It has a 27 1/2-inch wingspan, weighs 20.6 ounces, and is powered by two Brodak MK II engines. Roughly 3 ounces of ballast was needed for balance.
Frank notes that the model has fine flight characteristics. The takeoff is slow, but when it gains flying speed it makes a long, smooth, graceful takeoff. Level flight is smooth and fast. The aircraft maintains altitude and good flying speed even after one engine quits running. A long, smooth glide and touchdown commence when both engines have shut down.
A color plate from Kenneth Munson’s Bombers Between the Wars 1919-1939 provided the data for coloring of the model. A Matchbox plastic kit and a set of three-views provided scale details. The Handley Page placed third behind Keith Trostle’s Westland Whirlwind and Bob Whitney’s Pond Racer at the Broken Arrow contest at Buder Park, in Valley Park, Missouri, in October 2010. Only 1 1/2 points separated first from third place in this hotly contested event.
Frank’s Pfalz D.III has an 18 1/4-inch wingspan, weighs 10.7 ounces, and is powered by a .049 Brodak MK II engine. Color and markings for the Pfalz were also taken from a color plate found in the Kenneth Munson book, Fighters 1914 to 1918.
Frank’s love of World War I aircraft has inspired him to come up with a new event called World War I Dawn Patrol, in which only WW I aircraft with 1/2A engines can be flown. The event will take place as part of the Old-Time contest run by the Lafayette Esquadrille club at Buder Park, Valley Park, Missouri. Other 1/2A activities at the October, 16, 2011, event include Thompson Trophy and Slow Fly. Bob Arata will serve as the CD, while Frank will be the event director.
For the Dawn Patrol event, models can have profile or full fuselage bodies, engines can be any brand of .049, and any propeller, fuel, and flying wires can be used. The end of the models’ "up" leadout wire must be painted red. Mufflers are not required. Proxy fliers and team entries are permitted, but limited to one entry per contestant.
For Static judging, the contestants must provide a three-view or photograph of the subject in an 8 x 10 picture frame. Static judges may award up to 50 points for the design, originality, workmanship, and appeal of the model.
Flight judging is simple. A qualifying flight must be a minimum of 10 airborne laps, and up to three attempts are permitted to achieve two official flights. Judges may award up to 50 flight points based on realism during takeoff, flight, and landing. Multiwing models will be awarded an extra five points. An additional five points will be awarded if both engines run for a full 10 laps. Any model performing a loop will also earn an extra five points, however no additional points will be awarded if the model is proxy-flown.
The Lafayette Esquadrille contests have always been well-attended and fun. It looks to be a fine day of modeling, cooperation, and camaraderie.
Please send ideas, notice of upcoming CL Scale events, contest reports, and especially photos of CL Scale activity to me by email or the address listed in the "Sources." MA
Sources:
- Bill Boss
77-06 269th St. New Hyde Park NY 11040
- U/Tronics
Clancy Arnold [email protected]
- Wind Canyon Books
(800) 952-7007 www.windcanyonbooks.com
- National Association of Scale Aeromodelers
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
