Radio Control Scale - 2004/03

March 2004 129
Stan Alexander, 3709 Valley Ridge Dr., Nashville TN 37211; E-mail: [email protected]
RADIO CONTROL SCALE
WOW! Many parts of the country are deep
into winter and it’s building season. In other
areas such as Southern California and Arizona,
the best part of flying season is just around the
corner.
I’ve tried to convince my wife that moving
to the Southwest would be a great idea—
especially for the monthly utility bills, cutting
grass, trimming trees and shrubs, raking leaves,
and all of that “yard stuff” that takes time away
from building and flying models! The
argument made sense to me, but as they say,
that bird just didn’t fly!
If you want to build and finish a model, now is
definitely the time to get busy. With Scale
models, the first rule of thumb is to build your
documentation pack. I recommend this even if
you don’t plan to compete. There are many
ways to do this, but don’t try to document a
model that you’ve already built and finished. If
you do, you can bet you will be up the
proverbial creek without a paddle.
One often-overlooked source of
documentation for Scale modeling is plastic
models. Have you thought of that? Many modelers never have. You can
glean information from plastic models for sport flying or competition.
They can also provide you with the inspiration for building Scale
aircraft that you may not have noticed before.
Most large cities have a plastic hobby shop, but the Radio Control
(RC) shops in your area may or may not carry plastic kits. Most in my
area do not.
One magazine about plastic models that caught my attention is
FineScale Modeler, published by Kalmbach Publishing Co. The
magazine is printed 10 times per year and has several special issues.
One of the special issues in 2003 was Warbird Modeling. The front
cover of the magazine featured a B-17G Megas Tsonos built from the
Monogram kit. Megas includes quite a bit of history about this
particular airframe for the article.
The highlight for RC Scale modelers in this 98-page issue is more
than 80 color side-views of nine different World War II standards
including the B-17, P-51D, Fw 190, Messerschmitt 109E and 109G,
Macchi MC.202 and MC.205, Supermarine Spitfire Mk IXc, Kawanishi
Warbird Modeling, which is a special issue of FineScale Modeler, features color side
plates that are a great documentation source.
You can purchase Warbird Modeling magazine on the FineScale
Modeler Web site at www.finescale.com.
The Kawanishi N1K on display at the National Museum of Naval
Aviation in Pensacola, Florida, is a unique aircraft.
130 MODEL AVIATION
N1K1-J, Kawanishi N1K2-J “George,” and TBM Avenger. There are
enough color side-views and photos of some of the airplanes to give
you sufficient documentation either for sport flying or for Sport Scale
competition.
The two Japanese aircraft are difficult to find photos of unless
you’ve been to the National Museum of Naval Aviation in Pensacola,
Florida, where one of four intact Kawanishi N1K2 Georges left on the
planet now rests. This particular airframe has a pretty good World War
II history. The museum has a TBM too.
The museum is what I call “modeler friendly.” If you’ve never been
to Pensacola, you’re missing one of the best museums in the world. For
more information about the National Museum of Naval Aviation, visit
its Web site at www.naval.aviation.museum/intro.html.
Mike Winters’ 1⁄3-scale Sopwith Pup, with its unique color
scheme, was easy to see in the air at the 2003 Scale Nationals.
Many of the participants at the Nats are modelers and their
wives. Ellen and Cliff Tacie pose before his next flight.
Note the cable running to the aileron on Mike Winters’ Sopwith
Pup. Details add to the realism of any Scale model.
Building a plastic model of the RC Scale
model you’re building gives you a better idea
of what the finished airframe will look like
before you put so many hours into the project.
The plastic model will serve as inspiration for
you in the shop too.
FineScale Modeler gives many hints and
tips on detailing these World War II classics.
Some of the tips can only be used for plastic
models, but many of these processes,
including using Floquil railroad paint and
using bits and pieces off of plastic modeling
trees, can be utilized in Scale model building.
One tip involves something that seems to
remain a secret—using chalk for weathering
models. This works especially well when
adding different stains to an airframe.
As the warbirds stayed in the field, their
paint faded and chipped—especially on the
leading edges of the wings, stabilizer, fin, and
cowlings. You would be surprised to know
how many warbird modelers use chalk to
weather their models. Try it on your next
project. Sets of different colors are available
at craft shops or art shops.
Warbird Modeling is $6.95 plus postage.
It is available on the FineScale Modeler Web
site at www.finescale.com or contact
Kalmbach Publishing, Box 1612, Waukesha
WI 53187; Tel.: (800) 533-6644.
Top Gun Invitational Update: If you’ve
never attended Top Gun as a spectator and
you love Scale models or airplanes and jets as
much as many of us do, you’re missing a
treat. This year’s version of Top Gun will
take place April 29-May 2 at Lakeland-
Linder Regional Airport in Florida.
Sam Wright and Dave Platt will serve as
announcers for the week. They will add some
humor as well as interesting technical facts
about the models and the full-scale versions
of the aircraft in competition or in the many
air shows held during the week.
Lakeland-Linder is within 30 minutes of
Orlando, Florida. For families, this has to be
one of the entertainment capitols of the world.
Frank Tiano announced that this year’s
event will hold a new class for competitors
called the Pro-Am. Add this to the Expert,
Team, and other classes, and you have plenty
of models to enjoy all weekend long.
If you think you might be interested in
attending as a pilot, plan now for 2005. It’s
too late for this year.
March 2004 131
For more information about Top Gun, its
rules, its schedule of events, and room
availability, visit the Top Gun Web site at
www.franktiano.com.
2004 Scale National Championships: This
year’s Scale National Championships will be
held June 25-27 at the AMA International
Aeromodeling Center in Muncie, Indiana.
All of the AMA Scale rule-book events for
RC and Control Line are held and are open to
all AMA members. Several unofficial events
are scheduled including Scale Free Flight
outdoor events, indoor RC Scale, and indoor
RC fun-fly events. The indoor events are
planned for Friday night at the Horizon
Convention Center after static judging is
complete. For more information, go to
www.scaleaero.com/nasa.htm or to the AMA
Web site. You can also call the AMA
Competition Department at (765) 287-1256.
Bert Baker: I was saddened to receive Email
from Bert Baker’s wife and friends
informing us of his passing on November 4,
2003. To Bert’s wife Beverly and his
family, I send my condolences.
Bert’s good nature and his technical
expertise, which is still seen in the A6M5
Zero and P-47 kits of Yellow Aircraft, will
sorely be missed. His multitude of friends will
never forget him.
Several years ago I served as a flight judge
at a Scale Masters Championships in Saint
Louis, Missouri. I was a judge for the
weekend and I had a roommate, also a judge,
whom I hadn’t met before.
I arrived at the Holiday Inn late the first
night and went up to the room. I opened the
door and all the lights were out, and a man’s
feet and legs were hanging nearly a foot off
the end of one of the beds! That’s how I met
Bert Baker, a true gentle giant of a man.
Bert stood roughly 6 feet, 8 inches or
taller. There are few people I have to look up
to physically, but Bert definitely qualified. He
and I became good friends throughout the
years. He was always working on new
projects and trying to improve Scale modeling
for everyone involved.
Fair skies and tailwinds. MA