118 M ODEL AVIATION
CONTROL LINE SCALE
Bill Boss, 77-06 269th St., New Hyde Park NY 11040
documenTaTion—or the lack of—for models entered in
competition was the main subject in the February 2001
column. I explored the importance of obtaining an up-to-date
copy of the AMA Competition Regulations and making
yourself aware of what is required for any Control Line (CL)
Scale event you enter.
I wrote about using the CL Sport Scale Worksheet (Part 1) as a
guide for presentation requirements, which would help you obtain
a good static score.
I also noted that I would explore what information and type of
layout might be provided within the eight-page maximum allowed
for model documentation in the Sport and Profile Scale events.
It’s important that the documentation presented contains data
that would satisfy all rule requirements and allow judges to fairly
and easily static-score a model.
The following is not only a review for the experienced Scale
modeler, but, more importantly, is for the modeler considering CL
Scale for the first time.
A documentation presentation can be made in six 81⁄2 x 11-
inch pages (put in a three-ring binder). As an example of what a
presentation might include, I will discuss the documentation I
used for the P-39 Airacobra.
Page one contained the name and model of the airplane; my
name, address, and AMA number; information relating to the
scale of the model; the name and size of the engine; and the
model’s weight. The weight is important to the judges for pulltest
purposes.
Page two detailed the model’s operational features; in this
case, retractable landing gear, split flaps, engine cutoff, and
throttle. Also included was information about how the operational
features are controlled. The landing-gear retraction, engine cutoff,
and split flaps were operated using a three-channel electronic
system. Throttle control was operated by a standard three-line
bellcrank system.
Using the two systems met the rule requirement that flap
operation be independent of throttle control. All the operational
features could be operated through the use of a four-channel
electronic system. The choice of the system is yours.
Page three was dedicated to information about the threeviews
and color-and-markings used on the model. The threeviews
had been taken from the June/July 1963 issue of Air
Progress magazine.
James Brown’s Great Lakes Special was second in Precision Scale
at Rocky Mountain Aeromodelers’ contest. Gayle Jackson photo.
Model documentation for Sport and Profile Scale can be
contained in six of eight maximum pages allowed. Author photo.
Author’s P-39 Airacobra. Model’s documentation and color-andmarkings
should complement each other. Author photo.
The color-and-markings and overall
camouflage paint scheme followed the
Royal Air Force (RAF) No. 601 County of
London Squadron, stationed at Duxford,
England in October 1941.
Additional information in the form of
drawings, photos, and written material
were taken from Squadron/Signal
Publication’s P-39 Airacobra In Detail,
Volume 43.
For a final touch to support the colors
used on the model, list the paint colors
and their Federal Standard (FS) color
numbers, as well as the appropriate paint
chips if available.
Page four was the actual three-view
(81⁄2 x 11-inch format). It would be great,
and very convenient, if all three-views
could be found in this format, to fit nicely
in a three-ring binder.
However, if an 81⁄2 x 11-inch threeview
is not available, the rules state that a
three-view drawing of a larger size or of
more than one page is permissible, but
would count as only one page of the eight
maximum allowed.
Though seldom used, a plastic model
of the aircraft is also permitted as proof
of scale.
Page five contained a side-view
drawing of a P-39 in the color-andmarkings
of the airplane flown in the No.
601 Squadron.
Page six contained information on the
use of the P-39 by the US Army Air
Force, the Royal Air Force, and other
countries.
The most important piece of
information on this page is the large
photograph at the top that shows the 13
airplanes of the No. 601 Squadron, and the
opposite side-view of the airplane of that
shown on page five. The fourth airplane in
the squadron lineup has the designation
“M,” which was used on the model.
It’s important to note that the threeview
drawing, the drawing on page five,
and the photo on page six all support the
color-and-markings used on the model.
Although it might seem like you’re
“putting the horse before the cart,” it is
important that you first obtain a good
three-view and know what color-andmarkings
scheme you will use on the
model. Obtain all your model
documentation before you start
construction.
A good set of three-views will provide
you with the necessary top, bottom, front-,
and side-view outlines required for
construction and judging. Good color-andmarkings
data will substantiate the finish
you apply to the model.
Providing coordinated information
leaves no doubt as to the proof of how your
model is finished, and it puts you well on
your way toward a good static score.
I hope that what I’ve presented will be
helpful to all Scale modelers, whether
experienced or a beginner.
Wanted: Luis Puig of Cuba is a Scale
modeler who participates in RC (Radio
Control) and CL, and he is the current
Cuban CL Scale champion.
He has been flying a Focke-Wulf Fw 56
Stosser for RC and a Reggiane Re 2005
Sagittario for CL, and now he is interested
in obtaining data for new projects.
Luis is looking for three-views and
proof of color-and-markings for a 1918
Packard-Le Père LUSAC-11 and the
Curtiss P-40B. If you have information on
either airplane, Luis would greatly
appreciate your help.
Send any data to Luis Puig, Avenue 13 #
8412 entre 84 y 86, Playa, Ciudad de la
Habana, Cuba.
contest activity: Two well-known clubs
held contests including Scale events in
September 2000.
The Rocky Mountain Aeromodelers
contest, held September 2-3 at the Denver
CO coliseum, included Precision, Sport, and
Profile events.
Club secretary Court Hughes reported
great weather, mild wind, and temperatures
in the upper 80s, but the Scale turnout was
not as good as expected.
Lynn Boss placed first in Precision and
Sport, flying his P-47D and Corsair
(photos of Lynn’s airplanes have been in
previous columns). James Brown finished
second in both events with a Great Lakes
Special and his Sukhoi.
April 2001 119
120 M ODEL AVIATION
Gerald Deneau won the Profile event
with his Loving’s Love, followed by
Mike Getchell in second with a P-51
and James Brown in third flying a
Blackburn B-37 Firebrand.
The club is hoping for a better Scale
turnout in 2001.
The Lafayette Esquadrille Club of St.
Louis MO sponsored the Broken Arrow
Contest September 23-24. CD (Contest
Director) Bob Arata reported the results
for the Sport and Profile events.
Walt Brownell placed first in Sport and
Profile flying an Extra 300S and an A-26
Invader. Frank Beatty placed second in
Sport with a Borg Parakeet, while Allen
Brickhaus was third flying his Miss Dara.
Second in Profile went to Allen
Brickhaus flying a P-51, and third went to
Rich Raftery flying a Mitchell B-25.
A special award, the Rolls Royce
Silver Blade Trophy, was awarded to
Walt Brownell for his Extra 300S.
The reports for these contests indicate
that both could have used a few more
entries. Watch for these events in 2001,
and do your best to participate.
“Participation” is the key word for
showing interest in any facet of our great
hobby. It tells the local clubs that you care
and that you support their efforts, and it
can be very satisfying to you personally—
especially when you finally get to the
winner’s circle.
Participate!
you can also participate by sending ideas,
notice of upcoming CL Scale events,
contest reports, and photos of CL Scale
activity to me at the address at the top of
this column. MA
Tell them you saw it in
“Modeler’s Mall”
