Author: Dennis Norman
Edition: Model Aviation - 2009/03
Page Numbers: 120,121,122,124
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Free Flight Scale

Dennis Norman [[email protected]]

Dime Scale: Releasing your inner 12-year-old

Overview

One of the hottest categories of Flying Aces Club (FAC) competition today is Dime Scale (and its cousin, Pseudo-Dime Scale). It was created as an event that, in the words of Cleveland Free Flight Society President Rich Weber, "is intended to release one's inner 12-year-old."

Dime Scale seeks to return us to the fun and magic of building simple scale models that outfly many of their more sophisticated FAC hangar mates. To better acquaint you with this event, the following heavily paraphrases FAC rules and adds some observations.

Eligibility and subject limits

  • Dime Scale models may not compete in other FAC events when a Dime Scale event is scheduled.
  • Models must be from kits that were typically sold for 10¢ during the 1930s and 1940s.
  • Pseudo-Dime Scale models (e.g., Air Devil, Easy Built Models, Mike Nassise designs and others published in newsletters such as Cloudbusters, Crosswinds, Flying Aces Club News, MaxFax, Tailspin, etc.) are eligible as long as their wingspans are 16 inches or shorter.
  • Dime Scale subjects must be aircraft that existed on or before December 31, 1941.
  • Pseudo-Dime Scale subjects must be aircraft that existed on or before December 7, 1941.
  • If a kit subject is chosen, it must be built to the original plan size as long as it does not exceed the span limit.
  • The models must be of subjects that have not previously been modeled as Dime Scale kits.

Example: If an Fw 190 is chosen as a Pseudo-Dimer, it must be a version that flew before December 7, 1941 (e.g., an Fw 190D-9 is ineligible).

Construction and materials

  • Dime Scale subjects must be constructed from the wood sizes specified (or heavier) on the plans.
  • Wing and tail outlines must follow the plans; laminated outlines are prohibited unless shown on the original plans.
  • No undercambered airfoils are permitted unless shown on the original plans.
  • Flight surfaces must be covered as shown on the original plans. Covering material must be standard domestic or Japanese tissue such as Esaki. No Gampi tissue or condenser paper is permitted.
  • No foam, vacuum-formed, or "plunge molded" parts are permitted, including canopies.

Allowable construction modifications

The following modifications are acceptable as long as the model retains the original external appearance and spirit of the plans:

  • Use of stringers and tissue instead of stiff paper where it helps shape the fuselage more accurately.
  • Nose modifications for an improved thrust bearing and removable nose block to improve motor access and clearance, provided the original external nose shape is preserved.
  • Rear rubber-motor attachment and location may be changed.
  • Tail surfaces may be increased, but not to the extent of damaging the model's appearance.
  • Flight surfaces shown single-covered on the original plans may be double-covered.
  • Traditional Dime Scale butt joints (e.g., on wings and landing-gear struts) may be reinforced using wire, sheet balsa, or plywood.
  • Basswood may be used in lieu of balsa to provide a more substantial structure.
  • Wing spars may be moved; butt-attached wings may be made in one piece and carried through the fuselage for added strength.
  • Minimal details expected are those shown on the plans (control-surface separation lines, etc.). Items such as navigation lights, pitot tubes, and steps can be left off.
  • Coloring and markings may follow the plans or be changed to more accurately represent a particular aircraft, provided the contestant supplies documentation to substantiate the scheme used.

Pseudo-Dime Scale specifics

  • Pseudo-Dime Scale is not a separate FAC event and competes with Dime Scale types.
  • Pseudo-Dime Scale plans are limited to one side of one sheet of 11 x 17-inch paper. Print-wood patterns for Pseudo-Dimers may be drawn on a separate sheet for parts layout or shown on the plans if room permits.
  • The drawing format for Pseudo-Dimers must closely follow that of the 10¢ Comet-series plans and reflect similar levels of detail and markings.
  • Fuselage design is limited to a box-girder type, with formers added to produce the desired cross-section.
  • The modern practice of using sliced or cracked ribs is prohibited; the design must follow the wide spacing of structural members characteristic of 10¢ models.
  • Dihedral for Pseudo-Dimers is limited to 10°.
  • Wood size for Pseudo-Dimers must not be less than 1/16 inch.

Competition procedure

  • Each Dime Scale contestant may enter two models, but only the highest-scoring of the pair will be eligible.
  • Standard FAC bonus points will be added to each official flight.
  • A total of three official hand-launched flights will determine the winner of a Dime Scale event.

Static judging and tiebreakers

  • Dime Scale models and their plans must be presented to the Contest Director (CD) at the end of the event for static judging.
  • A Dime Scale type that flies away and is not available for static judging will presumably be disqualified from receiving an award.
  • In the event of a tie, a flyoff will be conducted (with bonus points added) to determine the winner.

Notable designs and builders

Rich Weber’s version of the Beech Model 17 is one of the most widely built Pseudo-Dime Scale designs. Not only is it well designed, but it is also an eye-catcher that lends itself to numerous colorful schemes.

Rich's handsome prototype has been followed by striking versions built by Chris Boehm, Scot Dobberfuhl, Wally Farrell, Clive Gamble, Tom Hallman, and others. Numerous FACers (the author included) have Rich's Beech Model 17 on their short lists for the 2009 flying season.

Mike Nassise is one of the most prolific Pseudo-Dime Scale designers. He has recently had plans published for the French Caudron C.714 (in Crosswinds number 127) and the Bulgarian Avia B-135 (in the January–February 2009 Tailspin).

A recent Internet search turned up photos of several Dime Scale types other than the Beech Model 17:

  • John Ernst built versions of the Martin MO-1, Me 109 Comet, and GH-Q Nightingale from Nassise plans.
  • Scot Dobberfuhl constructed a WACO C from 1933 Star Model plans.
  • Michael Heinrich produced a Tupolev R-3.
  • Vance Gilbert built a handsome S.E.5 in civil markings from Megow 5¢ plans.
  • Rich Weber’s colorful Boeing Monomail was also noted.

Publications and plans

  • A copy of Rich Weber's Beech Model 17 plans was published in issue 121 of the Crosswinds newsletter (contact Russ Brown; see Sources).
  • Mike Nassise publishes Tailspin (also known as the New England Flying Aces News and the Journal of the Bay State Squadron's Pilgrim Flyers). Subscriptions are $12 per year in the U.S. and $20 per year for foreign subscribers.
  • Cloudbusters, Crosswinds, Flying Aces Club News, MaxFax, Tailspin, and other newsletters regularly publish Dime and Pseudo-Dime Scale plans and articles.

KAPA Kollector and call for volunteers

The KAPA Kollector is a high-class quarterly newsletter published by Kits and Plans Antiquitous (KAPA) since March 1993. Averaging 20 pages per issue, it often presents scholarly, well-researched articles of interest to free-flight scale buffs.

The December 2008 (number 64) KAPA Kollector devoted 28 of its 32 pages to a detailed presentation on the career of Paul Del Gatto (who published prolifically but had a tragically short career). The article, written by his daughter Christina, includes well-written text, a table of Paul's published work, and 24 pages of plans, articles, and data sheets Paul prepared in the 1950s and 1960s.

The newsletter also contains "Kollector Klassifieds," a detailed listing of kits, magazines, books, materials for sale, and items collectors are seeking. All issues of the Kollector are still available. Meticulous newsletter indices are available to locate published articles and plans.

KAPA membership dues are $12 per year in the U.S., $18 in Canada, and $24 via airmail in other countries.

Publishing the KAPA Kollector had been the responsibility of Morris E. Leventhal, who did an outstanding job. He succumbed to cancer on July 29, 2008, and KAPA has issued an urgent call for someone to take over the publisher's position. The organization has also called for someone to serve as secretary/treasurer, claiming that KAPA's survival depends on these positions being filled as soon as possible.

To help the modeling community and KAPA Kollector, please contact KAPA through Lou Buffardi to learn more about the secretary/treasurer position. To obtain information about the position of publisher, please contact John Pothier.

Reader feedback and acknowledgments

The author thanks readers for e-mails and letters concerning this column and shares a few recent comments.

  • Joe Eiben e-mailed reminiscences about the late Charles Tracy, recalling Tracy's involvement with the Higbee’s model airplane shows in Cleveland in the 1950s and his long career as an aviation columnist.
  • Steve Griebling commented enthusiastically about Clive Gamble’s Camel, noting Clive’s inclusion of several proven ideas and specifically mentioning the use of a braided motor to increase motor-run length.
  • Dave Stott humbly noted that Clive’s Camel incorporated several well-known ideas and shared his own articles "Banish Bunching" (published in Flying Aces Club News) and "Longer Rubber Motors" (published in Flying Models, November 2004).

The author expresses thanks to these contributors.

New kit release

Easy Built Models has released a Dime Scale kit of the PD-08 Fokker D.VII, based on a classic Comet design. The 16-inch-span kit features:

  • Laser-cut balsa parts and high-quality strip wood
  • Laser-cut bond-paper LaserCal markings and red Esaki tissue
  • Full-size, rolled, CAD-drawn plans with building and flying instructions
  • FAI rubber, a Peck-Polymers nose bearing, an EB propeller, wire, and laser-cut balsa wheels

Kit price: $23.95. Contact Easy Built Models for further information (see Sources).

Thermals! MA

Sources:

  • 2008 FAC rule book: Flying Aces Club FAC-GHQ, 3301 Cindy Ln., Erie, PA 16506
  • Air Devil Models: Dave Stott, 4304 Madison Ave., Trumbull, CT 06611
  • Easy Built Models: Box 681744, Prattville, AL 36068 — www.easybuiltmodels.com
  • Tailspin: Mike Nassise, 22 Greenfield St., South Easton, MA 02375
  • Cloudbusters: 31634 Curtis Rd., Livonia, MI 48152 — http://cloudbustermac.tripod.com
  • Crosswinds newsletter: Russ Brown, 4909 N. Sedgewick, Lyndhurst, OH 44124
  • Flying Aces Club News: Juanita Reichel, 3301 Cindy Ln., Erie, PA 16506
  • Joe Eiben: [email protected]
  • Steve Griebling: 753 Cliffside Dr., Akron, OH 44313
  • Flying Models: Box 700, Newton, NJ 07860
  • MaxFax: Stew Meyers, 8304 Whitman Dr., Bethesda, MD 20817
  • KAPA Kollector: 698 Tufts Ave. E., Port Orchard, WA 98366
  • Lou Buffardi: (360) 874-9350, [email protected]
  • John Pothier: (909) 794-7111, [email protected]

Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.