Modeling Spoken Here - 2004/04

I FIND IT interesting that most modelers
(myself included) put simulated canopies and
other scalelike details on even nonscale
models. Why do we do that? Could it be that
we see our models possibly as designs that
could have been, or might someday be, fullscale
airplanes?
There is no way to get around the fact that
most model-airplane builders/fliers have an
infatuation with full-scale airplanes. All of
the data and demographics available to us
strongly indicate that Scale subjects are
favorites across the board among modelairplane
enthusiasts.
This is true with even those who don’t
build or fly competition Scale models, or
even sport-scale models. It is true for Radio
Control enthusiasts as well as for Control
Line and Free Flight modelers. Everyone
seems to like models that look like, or at
least have some design elements of, fullscale
airplanes.
We try as often as possible to present
Scale construction features, reviews of
Scale model kits and Almost Ready to Flys,
and even an occasional how-to article about
scale detailing or methods of flying in a
more scalelike manner. It seemed natural to
put a number of these articles together in
one special theme issue, and that’s what
we’ve done this month.
We needed a “State of the Sport” article to
tie all of this together—something about
where Scale modeling began, where it is
now, and where it appears to be heading. To
write a piece of such scope required that we
find an author with roots in the past, an
understanding of the present, and a vision
for Scale modeling’s future. Mark Frankel
instantly popped to mind for me.
Mark’s reverence for, and involvement
in, the Radio Control (RC) Scale event is
well known, and his Scale designs have
been successful and popular. He is a student
of the event, but he is also a fan of those
who brought it to the prominence it enjoys
today.
Although many have contributed to the
progress of the RC Scale event, Mark
identifies three individuals whom he
believes have made the most significant
contributions at key points in time to bring
the RC Scale event to its current level of
technical achievement.
By reading this “State of the Sport in
Radio Control Scale” piece, you will get a
feeling for the problems that the pioneers in
this event faced and solved. You will also
gain an understanding of what is required for
you to begin flying RC Scale models for fun
or competition.
No Scale theme issue would be complete
without a construction article for a Scale RC
model. We decided to present one of Jim
Ryan’s very popular World War II Electric
Scale subjects. This time it’s his F-4F
Wildcat.
Although it’s really a sport-scale model,
Jim’s little aircraft looks authentic in the air
and offers some interesting construction
techniques that can easily be adapted to larger
Scale subjects. I must admit that the fact that
my father worked as an engineer on the
Eastern Aircraft, license-built, FM-2 version
of this airplane did influence this choice!
I’ve had the pleasure of watching many of
Jim’s Electric Scale designs fly at the annual
NEAT (Northeast Electric Aircraft
Technology) Fair, and I can only say that they
appear to be stable, fast, and aerobatic
models. I’ve wanted to build one of Jim’s
little jewels, and now I have the perfect
excuse. Of course mine will be painted up as
an FM-2!
One of the most often overlooked aspects
of RC Scale modeling is the actual flight
profile of a given model. Flying in a
prototypical manner is not as easy as it may
seem, but there are some rules that you can
follow that will enhance the scale effect.
Ralph Grose gives us some rules and
techniques for doing this in his article “Flying
With Realism.” This is good reading for all
RC pilots, no matter what type of model they
are flying.
The annual US Scale Masters competition
gives those who attend a chance to see the
best RC Scale models in action. At this meet
Bob Hunt Aeromodeling Editor
... most model-airplane
builders/fliers have
an infatuation with
full-scale airplanes.
Modeling Spoken Here
Continued on page 207
April 2004 7
April 2004 207
there is always a wide variety of types of
Scale models. Faithful miniature replicas of
World War I biplanes to detailed model
renditions of the latest military jets, and
everything in between can be seen. At a
contest of this magnitude you can really get a
feel for the effort and dedication that is
required to be successful in competition with a
Scale model.
Our own Mark Lanterman attended last
year’s US Scale Masters event and came away
with some interesting impressions. We’ve
included his coverage of this prestigious meet
in this issue as well.
If you have an interest in RC Scale
modeling and want to really see what is
required to begin competing in this popular
event, make plans to attend one of the large
Scale contests and see for yourself why this
type of modeling has continued to grow in
popularity and where you can best begin to
participate.
We are rounding out this special issue with
a report on the AMA museum’s new Wright
brothers exhibit “Spinning Tops to Whirling
Props.” AMA Publications Department
staffers Liz Helms and Sarah Greiner asked to
prepare a report on the efforts of Education
Coordinator Jack Frost and Museum Curator
Michael Smith, who have been feverishly
working on this interactive exhibit for the past
few months.
The fruit of Jack and Michael’s labor is an
extremely professional and profoundly
interesting and informative presentation that
allows museum visitors to get a better idea of
how the first flight was achieved from the
pilot’s perspective. This exhibit will be on
display for the next two years, so please try to
visit the AMA museum and enjoy it. And
don’t forget to thank Michael and Jack for
putting it together!
We hope you enjoy this special Scale theme
issue and that you will gain a deeper
appreciation for the skills and dedication
required to produce a successful miniature,
flying replica of a full-scale craft. We also
hope that we have answered some of your
questions about how to get involved in this
fascinating aspect of our hobby/sport.
There is more, I think, than just a bit of
Walter Mitty in our makeup as modelers. I
think most of us at some point envision
ourselves looking out over the hood of our
model creations with one hand on the control
stick, one on the throttle, and our feet on the
rudder pedals. And there is little or no
restriction to the type of Scale model airplane
you can build with which to take this virtual
mental journey.
You can contact me by telephone at (610)
614-1747 or via E-mail at bobhunt@
mapisp.com. My address for snail mail is Box
68, Stockertown PA 18083. Or depending
how real your virtual flights get, there is an
airport just down the street ... MA
Continued from page 7
Aeromodeling Editor
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F u l l - S i z e P l a n s
956 Grumman F-4F Wildcat ..........................................................................$11.25
Jim Ryan’s RC Electric fighter spans 30.6 inches
No. 904 Y2K Racer: Sport Electric FF by Charles Fries spans 18 inches A
No. 905 Buhl Sport Airsedan: RC Scale model by Phillip S. Kent spans 72 inches E
No. 906 Grumman Ag-Cat: Rubber powered FF FAC Giant Scale by Rees spans 36 inches C
No. 907 Bristol Brownie: RC Scale by Robelen for geared six-volt Speed 400 spans 44 inches C
No. 910 3Quarters: RC sport model by Randolph for Norvel .074 spans 45 inches B
No. 911 P-47: RC Scale Electric model by Ryan for Speed 400 spans 31 inches C
No. 912 Simple Simone: CL trainer by Netzeband for glow .15 engine spans 36 inches B
No. 916 Piper Malibu Mirage: Rubber-powered Giant Scale by Fineman spans 431/2 inches C
No. 917 Sir Lancelot: RC sport model by Henry for O.S. .61 spans 72 inches D
No. 918 Skyraider: CL 1/2A Profile by Sarpolus for Norvel BigMig .061 spans 29 inches B
No. 925 Bird-E-Dog: Ernie Heyworth and Ed Lokken’s RC Electric Sport Scale model C
No. 926 JoeCat: RC sport jet by Beshar for Toki .18 DF unit spans 37 inches C
No. 927 Kairos: CL Stunt model by Dixon for .46-.61 engine spans 58 inches C
No. 928 Beta Blue Chip Racer: Rubber-powered FF Scale model designed by Tom Derber B
No. 929 Dewoitine D.338: Multimotor RC Electric Scale by Mikulasko spans 781/2 inches E
No. 930 Westland Lysander: RC Scale model by Baker for .25 spans 56 inches E
No. 931 1959 Ares: Champion RC Aerobatics model by Werwage spans 501/2 inches C
No. 932 Wing400: RC Electric flying wing by Hanley for Speed 400 spans 36 inches B
No. 933 Kepler 450: CL speed-limit Combat model by Edwards for .21-.32 two-stroke A
Plan does not include full-size template shown on page 40 of the August 2002 issue.
No. 934 VariEze: FF Peanut Scale canard by Heckman spans 13 inches A
No. 935 Classic 320: 1/2A Classic Power design by Pailet for Cyclon .049 or equivalent B
No. 936 Prince: RC sport Pattern model by Robelen for O.S. .25 spans 51 inches C
No. 937 Clean Cut: RC sport aerobatic model by Sarpolus spans 90 inches E
No. 938 Diamond Gem: Compressed-air-powered FF sport model by Ken Johnson B
No. 939 Project Extra: RC Scale Aerobatics model by Mike Hurley spans 106 inches **$49.50
No. 940 Cessna No.1: RC Electric Sport Scale by Papic spans 321/2 inches B
No. 941 Mooney and Beechcraft Bonanza CL 1/2A profile sport models by Rick Sarpolus B
No. 942 Zenith CH 801: FF Rubber Scale model by Fineman spans 20 inches A
No. 943 Wildman 60: Old-Time Ignition CL Stunt model by Carter spans 59 1/2 inches C
No. 944 Shoestring: Semiscale RC sport Pattern design by de Bolt spans 60 inches D
No. 945 F-86 Sabre: Semiscale CL Stunt model by Hutchinson spans 56 inches E
No. 946 Electric Zephyr: Electric RC Pylon/sport model by Smith spans 40 inches B
No. 947 Chester Special: O.S. .40-powered CL Scale model by Beatty spans 43 inches **$27.00
No. 948 Moffett Reduxl: High-performance Rubber-powered FF design by Langenberg C
No. 949 Scratch-One: Electric RC sailplane/basic trainer by Aberle spans 45 inches B
No. 950 BareCat 650-C: CL sport Stunt model by Netzeband spans 54 1/4 inches E
No. 951 Douglas O-46A: RC Sport Scale model by Baker spans 54 inches E
No. 952 Lavochkin LaGG-3: Felton’s CL Sport Scale design made from cardboard E
No. 953 USA-1: Multiple-award-winning CL Stunt model by Werwage spans 61 1/2 inches C
No. 954 B-2 Spirit Stealth Bomber: Electric FF model by Ken Johnson spans 42 inches B
No. 955 Electric Flash: Electric-powered RC park flyer by Stewart spans 44 inches C
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