Radio Control Scale
Stan Alexander [[email protected]]
Defining Scale fly‑ins and Scale contests
I've received many questions recently about documentation sources, competition information, where to find Scale fly‑ins in the US, Fokker Dr.I updates, and more. Checking the "Contest Calendar" section of this magazine can help when you are searching for that next contest or Scale fly‑in; they are scattered across the country.
At a Scale contest you bring a replica of a full‑scale aircraft and it is subject to static judging as well as flight judging.
- Static judging
- Usually a panel of two to four judges.
- Judges look at outline, color and markings, and craftsmanship.
- You should provide photos of the full‑scale airplane and good color documentation (color chips or a chip chart) if you have matched colors.
- You want to spend as little time as possible in front of the static judges—keep it simple and give them what they need.
- In AMA Sport Scale the static portion is first. For beginners there is Fun Scale; you can enter an ARF and receive five static points if it is painted identically to the full‑scale aircraft or matches a plastic‑model box top.
- Static judging can be worth up to 100 points.
- Flying portion
- Nine maneuvers, including five mandatory maneuvers:
- Takeoff
- Fly‑Past
- Figure Eight
- Landing
- Realism in Flight
- Use aerobatic maneuvers for aerobatic aircraft and nonaerobatic maneuvers for transports and civil aircraft.
- You can usually perform as many as four flights per class entered.
- You may only enter one airplane in one class at a contest.
- Read the rule book and have fun—attend with friends to learn Scale flight maneuvers and aircraft history.
For more information about Scale rules, see "Competition Docs/Forms" on the National Association of Scale Aeromodelers (NASA) website at www.nasascale.org.
Scale fly‑ins (more laid back)
Scale fly‑ins are more relaxed than contests. To participate you typically need:
- A Scale model you have flown successfully beforehand.
- Your AMA membership card.
- A landing fee (usually $10–$25 per aircraft).
You will either have assigned times to fly or you can pick a slot in the line and wait your turn. If you want to just sit back and watch, that's fine too. Fly‑ins often include raffles, dinners, and onsite awards for things like Best Military Flight, Best Civilian Flight, Commander's Choice, and Best Multiengine Flight. Clubs frequently make up awards on the spot for fun categories (best flight, worst crash, etc.).
A great example is the One Eighth Air Force (OEAF) events in Phoenix, Arizona. The club holds spring and fall gatherings; the spring event had 71 registered pilots despite "iffy" weather. OEAF highlights:
- Kid encouragement: any kid who flew with a buddy box received an OEAF club T‑shirt.
- Large raffles with surprising items.
- Saturday steak‑fry dinner (about 60 dinners served at the spring event).
- Awards for a variety of categories.
Next OEAF fly‑in: October 27–28. The fall edition will be at the Arizona Model Pilots Society's Adobe Mountain Airfield on 43rd Avenue.
Contacts and info:
- Website: www.oneeighthairforce.org
- Howard Kennedy: (602) 361‑8475, [email protected]
- Austin Goodwin: (480) 357‑1816, [email protected]
Thanks to Howard Kennedy for the photos, and thanks to the OEAF members and sponsors—without sponsors events like these and Scale contests would be impossible to hold.
Practical tips
- Bring documentation and color chips to static judging.
- Practice your maneuvers beforehand.
- Go with a group of friends—it's a learning experience; don't worry about the scores.
Documentation
I received a request for documentation information about the Citabria Pro. If I remember correctly, the Citabria Pro was a forerunner of the Bellanca Citabria. Only one Citabria Pro was built; its color scheme was red and white with trim. The full‑size Pro was at one time on display at the EAA AirVenture Museum in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. Balsa USA makes a 1/4‑scale kit of the aircraft. If anyone is aware of other accurate color schemes for this model, please let me know.
Goofs
I goofed in a previous column when I wrote that Sweden was a World War II ally; it wasn't. Published sources show Sweden was officially neutral during both World War I and World War II. The North American aircraft Sweden bought were among purchases made before World War II; Sweden also bought aircraft from Germany, Italy, and other countries.
I also get miffed when videos or advertisements misidentify aircraft (for example, calling a Spitfire the wrong mark or claiming the Hs 129 was the first German dive bomber when the Hs 123 biplane came earlier).
New Products
Glenn Torrance Models' 1/3‑scale Fokker Dr.I kit produces a 94‑inch wingspan model and features:
- Tube‑type construction
- Aluminum cowl and struts
- Scale wire wheels
Price: $845 plus shipping. A 1/3‑scale pilot and many other details are available separately.
Glenn Torrance Models also offers fabric with preprinted World War I lozenge patterns:
- Dark and light color sets, available in four‑ or five‑color patterns.
- A 16 x 60‑inch panel (for 1/4 scale) costs $16.
- Rib tapes are available (1/8‑ and 1/2‑inch for 1/4 scale; slightly higher prices for 1/3 scale).
Contact Glenn Torrance Models:
- Mail: Box 440, Morrisville, NC 27560
- Phone: (919) 423‑8530
- Website: www.flygtm.com
Fair skies and tailwinds. MA
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
