RADIO CONTROL SCALE
Stan Alexander 3709 Valley Ridge Dr., Nashville TN 37211 E-mail: [email protected]
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!
Build your documentation pack
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.
Plastic models as reference
One often-overlooked source of documentation for Scale modeling is plastic models. Many modelers never consider them, but you can glean information from plastic kits for sport flying or competition. They can also provide inspiration for building Scale aircraft 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.
FineScale Modeler — Warbird Modeling (special issue)
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. The article includes quite a bit of history about that particular airframe.
The highlight for RC Scale modelers in this 98-page issue is more than 80 color side-views and photos of nine World War II standards, including:
- B-17
- P-51D
- Fw 190
- Messerschmitt 109E
- Messerschmitt 109G
- Macchi MC.202
- Macchi MC.205
- Supermarine Spitfire Mk IXc
- Kawanishi N1K1-J and N1K2-J "George"
- 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.
FineScale Modeler gives many high-quality photos and color side-views and offers numerous hints and tips on detailing these World War II classics. Some tips apply only to plastic models, but many processes—such as using Floquil railroad paint and using bits and pieces from 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 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 stores.
Warbird Modeling is $6.95 plus postage. It is available on the FineScale Modeler Web site at www.finescale.com or by contacting 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, you're missing a treat. This year's 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, adding humor as well as interesting technical facts about the models and the full-scale versions of the aircraft in competition or in one of the 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 capitals 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.
For more information about Top Gun, its rules, its schedule of events, and room availability, visit the Top Gun Web site at www.frankliano.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/nas.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 e-mail from Bert Baker's wife and friends informing me 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 be sorely missed. His multitude of friends will never forget him.
Several years ago I served as a flight judge at a Scale Masters Championship in Saint Louis, Missouri. I was a judge for the weekend and had a roommate 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 gentleman 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 over the years. He was always working on new projects and trying to improve Scale modeling for everyone involved.
Fair skies and tailwinds. MA
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
