June 2009 149
Also included in this column:
• Stearman 4EM by Frank Beatty
• CL Scale at the Nats
Model documentation for competition
[[email protected]]
Control Line Scale Bill Boss
Above: Frank Beatty’s Stearman 4EM Senior Speedmail spans 48
inches and is 34 inches long. The Canadian Aviation Museum has
a restored version on display. (Look for a construction feature
about this model in an upcomming MA.) Beatty photos.
Below: Frank put a great deal of effort
into reproducing and detailing the
engine and cowling, landing gear, wing
rigging, and color scheme. An O.S. .46
is hidden under the cowl.
IN THE LAST column (April 2009), I wrote about the problems of
providing documentation for a model that is made of a one-of-a kind
aircraft, such as the “Quick Silver” P-51 Mustang. The full-scale
airplane, seen at the Experimental Aircraft Association’s AirVenture
2008 in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, was constructed using parts salvaged
from many other Mustangs.
I noted that obtaining proof-of-documentation data, three-views,
etc. for such a special airplane would probably be a challenge for most
modelers. That is because the information would have to come from a
single source: the aircraft owner.
However, for most Scale modelers, especially for the beginner,
there are some basic steps you can take and sources from which you
can obtain the necessary documentation for your Scale model, whether
it is being made for static or flight competition.
One of the first things for you to consider is the type of airplane you
want to model. Most modelers have a favorite kind of aircraft, whether
it’s from one of the war eras or one of many civilian aircraft.
If you’re a beginner at Scale modeling, keep in mind that your
selection for that first attempt should be within your building and
flying capabilities. A four-engine bomber is usually not the right
selection for a first project.
Once you decide on the type of aircraft, start collecting
documentation. I can’t emphasize enough that before you start the
building process, it is crucial to gather all documentation.
The first two pieces of information you obtain should be the rules
and score sheets for static and flight judging. You can find the AMA
Competition Regulations on the AMA Web site or get a copy from
AMA Headquarters. Knowing the rules is
important whether you are building for
CL, RC, or FF.
In addition to learning
the rules that apply to your particular event, you will get the general
Scale guidelines and “The Unified Scale Judging Regulations.” Those
will teach you about the “Scale Judging Procedures, Builder of the
Model rule, “Proof of Scale,” “Safety Declaration,” and how to apply
and act according to the various rules.
You can access event score sheets on the National Association of
Scale Aeromodelers (NASA) Web site. These are good guides for
learning what documentation is needed to prove that the details you
apply to a model are true to scale.
The CL Sport Scale (event 509) score sheet for static judging covers
the model’s outline accuracy, craftsmanship, and finish, and it provides
the scoring values for each category. The flight sheet covers your flight
plan from takeoff to landing and your ability to choose as many as six
flight options that the prototype might have been capable of doing. The
score sheets are designed to be easy to use and understand
Three-view drawings are most important, in that they show the
prototype’s outline in front, side, and top views. A good set of threeviews
may also show many of the fine details applied to the aircraft,
such as color-and-markings and external details.
If the three-view shows special wing rigging, antennas, auxiliary
fuel tanks, and lettering such as “No Step,” “Oil,” and “Fuel Filler”
caps, make every effort to incorporate these details into the model.
Photos are required to support the model’s details, and they should
provide proof of the color-and-markings and details taken from the
three-views. Pictures and three-views should complement each other.
If you are fortunate enough to find a
full-scale aircraft at a museum or
a local airport that you want
to model, that provides you
with a great opportunity to
obtain the necessary photos. It is
important to capture front, side (both
sides), and perhaps three-quarters rear
views of the airplane.
06sig5.QXD 4/23/09 2:02 PM Page 149
Top-view pictures may be difficult to
take, but photos of the underwing, landing
gear, lettering, insignia, and details of flyingsurface
hinging should be easy to get.
Today’s digital cameras allow you to capture
many more images than you need, which
gives you the opportunity to be selective in
what you use for your documentation.
You should pay particular attention to
color-and-markings. If your model is to be
fashioned after a particular aircraft used in a
specific fighter squadron group, make sure
that the color-and-markings is applied
accurately and supported by the three-views
or photos you provide.
Be sure to apply all insignia, all aircraft
numbers, and as many small details as
possible. This little stuff can make a big
difference in how good of a score you obtain.
How much documentation should you
have? If your event falls within the AMA
categories, there are limits on the amount of
documentation you need to present for
judging.
The CL Sport Scale rules limits
documentation to eight pages. Such
guidelines on the amount of documentation
are imposed in an effort to help judges with
the time required to process models during
Scale static judging.
If you have trouble obtaining three-views
and photos for your airplane, try Bob’s
Aircraft Documentation. He has thousands of
Foto Paaks and three-views available. The
NASA Web site can also provide sources for
documentation.
Once your model is completed, it is
imperative that it flies well. Ensure that the
engine is well broken-in, to eliminate starting
and overheating problems. Your model needs
a reliable power plant to be able to taxi, take
off, fly the required number of laps, and
land.
There is only one way to make sure that
your model performs well, and that is to
practice as much as possible before any
competition. Taking your time and getting to
know how your model behaves will pay
dividends in the long run.
I hope that this short review has been
helpful to the Scale beginner and the more
experienced Scale modeler.
The Stearman 4EM Senior Speedmail by
Frank Beatty of Granite City, Illinois, is a
good example of a model that was built and
finished according to details in three-view
drawings. Frank used Peter Westburg’s
highly detailed three-views, which contain
all color-and-markings data and fine details
of wing rigging, engine and cowling, and
landing gear. You can obtain Peter’s
excellent three-views of 37 1930s and 1940s
airplanes from the Smithsonian National Air
and Space Museum.
Frank’s finely detailed Stearman earned
the highest static score in Sport Scale at the
2008 Nats. However, flight difficulties led to
the model’s placing third in the competition.
The 4EM is built to a scale of 11/4 inches
= 1 foot, providing a wingspan of 48 inches
and a fuselage length of 34 inches. The
finished weight is approximately 6 pounds.
An O.S. .46 provides more than
sufficient power, making the model a fast
and great-flying machine. A standard threeline
system is used for throttle control.
The Stearman Aircraft Company
produced 40 full-scale 4EMs from 1919
until 1938. Many considered it to be the
ultimate civil biplane in North America.
Powered by a Pratt & Whitney R-1340
Wasp SC 450-horsepower radial engine, the
4EM attained a top speed of 158 mph, a
cruising speed of 134 mph, and a service
ceiling of 18,000 feet. The Stearman 4 was
the first North American production aircraft
to utilize the aerodynamically efficient
NACA engine cowling.
The 4EM was used mainly by American
Airlines and Canadian Airways for the
delivery of mail during the 1930s. The
Canadian Aviation Museum houses a
Stearman 4EM that was originally built as a
4E in 1930. It was operated as a corporate
aircraft until 1944, when it was used for
crop-dusting.
The airplane was imported into Canada
in 1965 and restored as a 4EM, flown in
1969, and presented to the Canadian
museum in 1970. Its registration is CFAMB,
and its construction number is 4021.
The 2009 CL Scale Nats will be held at
AMA’s International Aeromodeling Center
in Muncie, Indiana, July 31-August 2.
Categories will include Sport Scale (AMA
event 509), Profile Scale (AMA event 521
for Junior, Senior, and Open), Fun Scale
(AMA event 526), and F4B (AMA event
510 for Junior/Senior and Open).
NASA—the AMA’s SIG for Scale
modelers—is hosting the Scale competition.
The lineup of events provides an
opportunity for entrants to participate in
various skill levels, from Fun Scale to
world-class FAI F4B.
The Nats is open to all AMA members.
Not only is it an opportunity to experience
Scale competition, but it is also an
opportunity for beginners to see and meet
some of the best in CL Scale modeling.
All models must be processed for static
judging at or before noon on Friday July 31.
Be sure to arrive early, and enjoy the
experience of flying at the Nats.
Please send ideas, notice of upcoming CL
Scale events, contest reports, and especially
photos of CL Scale activity to me at the email
address at the top of this column. MA
Sources:
Bill Boss
77-06 269th St.
New Hyde Park NY 11040
NASA
www.nasascale.org
Bob’s Aircraft Documentation
(714) 979-7279
www.bobsairdoc.com
Frank Beatty
2608 Pontoon Rd.
Granite City IL 62040
Smithsonian National Air and Space
Museum
(202) 633-1000
www.nasm.si.edu
Canada Aviation Museum
(613) 993-2010
www.aviation.technomuses.ca
Edition: Model Aviation - 2009/06
Page Numbers: 149,150
Edition: Model Aviation - 2009/06
Page Numbers: 149,150
June 2009 149
Also included in this column:
• Stearman 4EM by Frank Beatty
• CL Scale at the Nats
Model documentation for competition
[[email protected]]
Control Line Scale Bill Boss
Above: Frank Beatty’s Stearman 4EM Senior Speedmail spans 48
inches and is 34 inches long. The Canadian Aviation Museum has
a restored version on display. (Look for a construction feature
about this model in an upcomming MA.) Beatty photos.
Below: Frank put a great deal of effort
into reproducing and detailing the
engine and cowling, landing gear, wing
rigging, and color scheme. An O.S. .46
is hidden under the cowl.
IN THE LAST column (April 2009), I wrote about the problems of
providing documentation for a model that is made of a one-of-a kind
aircraft, such as the “Quick Silver” P-51 Mustang. The full-scale
airplane, seen at the Experimental Aircraft Association’s AirVenture
2008 in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, was constructed using parts salvaged
from many other Mustangs.
I noted that obtaining proof-of-documentation data, three-views,
etc. for such a special airplane would probably be a challenge for most
modelers. That is because the information would have to come from a
single source: the aircraft owner.
However, for most Scale modelers, especially for the beginner,
there are some basic steps you can take and sources from which you
can obtain the necessary documentation for your Scale model, whether
it is being made for static or flight competition.
One of the first things for you to consider is the type of airplane you
want to model. Most modelers have a favorite kind of aircraft, whether
it’s from one of the war eras or one of many civilian aircraft.
If you’re a beginner at Scale modeling, keep in mind that your
selection for that first attempt should be within your building and
flying capabilities. A four-engine bomber is usually not the right
selection for a first project.
Once you decide on the type of aircraft, start collecting
documentation. I can’t emphasize enough that before you start the
building process, it is crucial to gather all documentation.
The first two pieces of information you obtain should be the rules
and score sheets for static and flight judging. You can find the AMA
Competition Regulations on the AMA Web site or get a copy from
AMA Headquarters. Knowing the rules is
important whether you are building for
CL, RC, or FF.
In addition to learning
the rules that apply to your particular event, you will get the general
Scale guidelines and “The Unified Scale Judging Regulations.” Those
will teach you about the “Scale Judging Procedures, Builder of the
Model rule, “Proof of Scale,” “Safety Declaration,” and how to apply
and act according to the various rules.
You can access event score sheets on the National Association of
Scale Aeromodelers (NASA) Web site. These are good guides for
learning what documentation is needed to prove that the details you
apply to a model are true to scale.
The CL Sport Scale (event 509) score sheet for static judging covers
the model’s outline accuracy, craftsmanship, and finish, and it provides
the scoring values for each category. The flight sheet covers your flight
plan from takeoff to landing and your ability to choose as many as six
flight options that the prototype might have been capable of doing. The
score sheets are designed to be easy to use and understand
Three-view drawings are most important, in that they show the
prototype’s outline in front, side, and top views. A good set of threeviews
may also show many of the fine details applied to the aircraft,
such as color-and-markings and external details.
If the three-view shows special wing rigging, antennas, auxiliary
fuel tanks, and lettering such as “No Step,” “Oil,” and “Fuel Filler”
caps, make every effort to incorporate these details into the model.
Photos are required to support the model’s details, and they should
provide proof of the color-and-markings and details taken from the
three-views. Pictures and three-views should complement each other.
If you are fortunate enough to find a
full-scale aircraft at a museum or
a local airport that you want
to model, that provides you
with a great opportunity to
obtain the necessary photos. It is
important to capture front, side (both
sides), and perhaps three-quarters rear
views of the airplane.
06sig5.QXD 4/23/09 2:02 PM Page 149
Top-view pictures may be difficult to
take, but photos of the underwing, landing
gear, lettering, insignia, and details of flyingsurface
hinging should be easy to get.
Today’s digital cameras allow you to capture
many more images than you need, which
gives you the opportunity to be selective in
what you use for your documentation.
You should pay particular attention to
color-and-markings. If your model is to be
fashioned after a particular aircraft used in a
specific fighter squadron group, make sure
that the color-and-markings is applied
accurately and supported by the three-views
or photos you provide.
Be sure to apply all insignia, all aircraft
numbers, and as many small details as
possible. This little stuff can make a big
difference in how good of a score you obtain.
How much documentation should you
have? If your event falls within the AMA
categories, there are limits on the amount of
documentation you need to present for
judging.
The CL Sport Scale rules limits
documentation to eight pages. Such
guidelines on the amount of documentation
are imposed in an effort to help judges with
the time required to process models during
Scale static judging.
If you have trouble obtaining three-views
and photos for your airplane, try Bob’s
Aircraft Documentation. He has thousands of
Foto Paaks and three-views available. The
NASA Web site can also provide sources for
documentation.
Once your model is completed, it is
imperative that it flies well. Ensure that the
engine is well broken-in, to eliminate starting
and overheating problems. Your model needs
a reliable power plant to be able to taxi, take
off, fly the required number of laps, and
land.
There is only one way to make sure that
your model performs well, and that is to
practice as much as possible before any
competition. Taking your time and getting to
know how your model behaves will pay
dividends in the long run.
I hope that this short review has been
helpful to the Scale beginner and the more
experienced Scale modeler.
The Stearman 4EM Senior Speedmail by
Frank Beatty of Granite City, Illinois, is a
good example of a model that was built and
finished according to details in three-view
drawings. Frank used Peter Westburg’s
highly detailed three-views, which contain
all color-and-markings data and fine details
of wing rigging, engine and cowling, and
landing gear. You can obtain Peter’s
excellent three-views of 37 1930s and 1940s
airplanes from the Smithsonian National Air
and Space Museum.
Frank’s finely detailed Stearman earned
the highest static score in Sport Scale at the
2008 Nats. However, flight difficulties led to
the model’s placing third in the competition.
The 4EM is built to a scale of 11/4 inches
= 1 foot, providing a wingspan of 48 inches
and a fuselage length of 34 inches. The
finished weight is approximately 6 pounds.
An O.S. .46 provides more than
sufficient power, making the model a fast
and great-flying machine. A standard threeline
system is used for throttle control.
The Stearman Aircraft Company
produced 40 full-scale 4EMs from 1919
until 1938. Many considered it to be the
ultimate civil biplane in North America.
Powered by a Pratt & Whitney R-1340
Wasp SC 450-horsepower radial engine, the
4EM attained a top speed of 158 mph, a
cruising speed of 134 mph, and a service
ceiling of 18,000 feet. The Stearman 4 was
the first North American production aircraft
to utilize the aerodynamically efficient
NACA engine cowling.
The 4EM was used mainly by American
Airlines and Canadian Airways for the
delivery of mail during the 1930s. The
Canadian Aviation Museum houses a
Stearman 4EM that was originally built as a
4E in 1930. It was operated as a corporate
aircraft until 1944, when it was used for
crop-dusting.
The airplane was imported into Canada
in 1965 and restored as a 4EM, flown in
1969, and presented to the Canadian
museum in 1970. Its registration is CFAMB,
and its construction number is 4021.
The 2009 CL Scale Nats will be held at
AMA’s International Aeromodeling Center
in Muncie, Indiana, July 31-August 2.
Categories will include Sport Scale (AMA
event 509), Profile Scale (AMA event 521
for Junior, Senior, and Open), Fun Scale
(AMA event 526), and F4B (AMA event
510 for Junior/Senior and Open).
NASA—the AMA’s SIG for Scale
modelers—is hosting the Scale competition.
The lineup of events provides an
opportunity for entrants to participate in
various skill levels, from Fun Scale to
world-class FAI F4B.
The Nats is open to all AMA members.
Not only is it an opportunity to experience
Scale competition, but it is also an
opportunity for beginners to see and meet
some of the best in CL Scale modeling.
All models must be processed for static
judging at or before noon on Friday July 31.
Be sure to arrive early, and enjoy the
experience of flying at the Nats.
Please send ideas, notice of upcoming CL
Scale events, contest reports, and especially
photos of CL Scale activity to me at the email
address at the top of this column. MA
Sources:
Bill Boss
77-06 269th St.
New Hyde Park NY 11040
NASA
www.nasascale.org
Bob’s Aircraft Documentation
(714) 979-7279
www.bobsairdoc.com
Frank Beatty
2608 Pontoon Rd.
Granite City IL 62040
Smithsonian National Air and Space
Museum
(202) 633-1000
www.nasm.si.edu
Canada Aviation Museum
(613) 993-2010
www.aviation.technomuses.ca