118 MODEL AVIATION
BY THE TIME you read this, many will be geared up for the AMA
Nationals, which is the largest competitive modeling event in the
world. RC Scale plays a part in this event each year, with both RC
and CL classes held at AMA’s International Aeromodeling Center in
Muncie, Indiana. This year the events will be contested August 8-10.
If you are a newer reader you might ask, “Why Muncie, Indiana,
of all places?” Before the property where AMA Headquarters now
resides was purchased, a study was conducted. The results showed
that the largest percentage of AMA members lived within a 500-
mile radius of this
general area, and to
my knowledge they
still do.
There are Scale
classes for all AMA
members at the
Nationals, no matter
what their skill level.
It’s great to see the
older, more
established modelers
helping newcomers, and it’s much more of a family atmosphere than
some competitions.
There is shopping in Muncie for the family, or your spouse could
drive to nearby Indianapolis for some major shopping experiences
during that weekend. Of course, your spouse might be your pit crew
and you would need him or her with you, which is even better.
Not sure what class you would try your first time at the
Nationals? That can be one of the easiest items to take care of
after you get to Muncie and register with the competition
officials. I’m not sure where the static judging will take place,
Also included in this column:
• Manzano Laser Works’ short
kits
• Madison Components knobs
and trickler
The Nationals is a great place to get started in Scale competition
[[email protected]]
Radio Control Scale Stan Alexander
David P. Andersen’s Grumman Tiger, which he designed, is being
static-judged in the Nationals Designer Scale class.
Dennis Crooks’ Eurofighter on a dirty, slow flyby during the Fun
Scale Open class at the Nationals.
Dave Johnson—2007 RC Scale National Champ—with his Expertclass
1/3-scale Albatros D.III and Designer-class D.Va. He is one of
six AMA members who will represent the US at the Scale World
Championships in Poland in July.
Madison Components’ Lil’ Trickler and transmitter-stick
extensions.
but it will probably be on-site or at a nearby facility.
Fun Scale is divided into two classes for the Nationals. The
Novice class is for the first-time competitor who has little or no
Scale experience. If you’re an old pro, you can enter the Open class.
There are only 5 static points, and one photo of the full-scale
aircraft will suffice for documentation in the color scheme you have;
you just need something close. What if you don’t have the photo or
whatever for the 5 points? It’s just 5 points; don’t sweat it in your
first contest. Go out and try to fly the pattern and the nine maneuvers.
Only nine maneuvers? Yes, that’s all. For a nonaerobatic type of
aircraft, say the Cessna Skyhawk, you would fly something similar
to Takeoff, Fly-Past, Figure Eight, Straight Flight Out, Procedure
Turn, Straight Flight Back, Touch-and-Go, Landing, and Realism.
The Straight Flight Out, Procedure Turn, and Straight Flight
Back are flown in a series, and the Touch-and-Go counts as two
maneuvers. So this simplifies the pattern you are flying for the
judges and makes it much easier for you.
If you have an aerobatic type of model, try Takeoff, Fly-Past,
Figure Eight, Loop, Aileron Roll, Split-S, Touch-and-Go, Landing,
and Realism. I selected the Touch-and-Go again, which could easily
be replaced with a Three-Turn Spin and an Immelmann Turn or a
Half Cuban Eight.
Let’s say you’re flying a warbird and need a simple flight routine
that will help you get through the jitters of flying at a contest. Those
maneuvers will be similar to the aerobatic types. You can include a
Bomb Run, Tank Drop, Parachute Drop, or something like that.
Another maneuver many military pilots use is the Military Roll, or a
roll with a hump in the middle of the maneuver.
There is also the Victory Roll, which is impressive with jets or
high-performance aircraft. To perform this maneuver, you fly the
model 10-20 feet off the ground, parallel to the flightline, then give
elevator to achieve a climb rate of 30°-40°, depending on the
aircraft. During the climb, complete an Aileron Roll and then either
level out or keep climbing, again depending on the model’s
performance.
Your first Scale contest is a great place to meet people with the
same interest who will understand your fascination with these
models. Some modelers love the history or a specific aircraft type.
Others have had family members attached to a certain branch of the
service or fly commercially. Still others, including me, grew up near
or around airports and were totally fascinated as children by both
full-scale and model airplanes.
Remember to bring a canopy/tent and sunblock, and don’t forget
to bring that starter for your model. I’ve gotten to the point where a
checklist is in order, and its use usually saves me a trip to the hobby
shop or back home.
The National Association of Scale Aeromodelers (NASA) Web
site has sample flight routines, scoresheets for static and flight, and information about this year’s Nationals and
other contests. Or you can E-mail NASA’s
president, Ed Terry, for more information.
New Products: While looking at an older
Flying Scale Models magazine, I saw an
interesting article about the British World
War I F.E.8. It’s a sort of odd model you
don’t see built often; it’s a biplane, has a
single seat, and is a pusher at that.
The Germans used an unkind term for
this airplane and the D.H.2—“Fokker
Fodder”—because they didn’t make great
fighters. But all sides had a version or two
of that type of airplane.
Plans were included with Flying Scale
Models, but there was also a listing for an
American company that cuts kits for these
small electric-powered models: Manzano
Laser Works (MLW).
The F.E.8 has a 43-inch wingspan. The
building materials are balsa, bamboo, a
small amount of light plywood, covering,
and wire.
MLW has several kits and short kits
available for small to midsize electricpowered
models. I purchased the F.E.8 short
kit, which includes all the laser-cut ribs and
formers. It also provides the formed parts
for the dummy engine and the nose. It’s nice
stuff. I hope to be working on this project
soon.
The MWL kit line includes a 54-inch
S.E.5a, a DH-6, a Fokker V.III, a Fokker
E.III, an Eastbourne Monoplane, a Sopwith
1 1/2 Strutter, a Gee Bee Model Z, and
several more. Most of these designs are by
either Peter Rake or Robert McKellar. It’s
well worth a look at the kit list.
Prices vary with the size and number of
parts. Most of the models are in the 36- to
50-inch range. Enjoy!
Madison Components has a line of RC
products that can help the Scale modeler in
several areas. The Lil’ Trickler is a tricklecharger
adapter that plugs between your
chargers and your 110-volt power source.
This little jewel will charge through your
charger to charge your radio system, glow
driver, batteries, drills, etc. When their
charge rate is finished, just flip the switch
to trickle. The Lil’ Trickler will keep your
batteries charged and ready to go at a
moment’s notice.
The LEDs on your charger will either go
dim (what I’ve seen) or go out, which is
natural. The Lil’ Trickler sells direct for
$29.95 plus shipping.
I also like Madison Components’
transmitter-stick knobs. There are three
styles; two have concave surfaces and come
in two different sizes. The larger ones have
a 3/4-inch diameter and a length of 3/4 inch.
The smaller one is 1/2 inch in diameter by
3/4 inch in length.
The other style is a bit larger, and I
really like the feel of it because I fly with
thumbs and fingers. It has a diameter of 1/2
inch and a length of 11/4 inches. These are
$18.95 per set plus shipping. MA
Sources:
Ed Terry
[email protected]
Madison Components
(800) 811-9135
www.qualityrcproducts.com
Manzano Laser Works
(505) 286-2640 (Ask for Vicki or Charlie.)
www.manzanolaser.com
NASA
www.nasascale.org
Edition: Model Aviation - 2008/07
Page Numbers: 118,119,120
Edition: Model Aviation - 2008/07
Page Numbers: 118,119,120
118 MODEL AVIATION
BY THE TIME you read this, many will be geared up for the AMA
Nationals, which is the largest competitive modeling event in the
world. RC Scale plays a part in this event each year, with both RC
and CL classes held at AMA’s International Aeromodeling Center in
Muncie, Indiana. This year the events will be contested August 8-10.
If you are a newer reader you might ask, “Why Muncie, Indiana,
of all places?” Before the property where AMA Headquarters now
resides was purchased, a study was conducted. The results showed
that the largest percentage of AMA members lived within a 500-
mile radius of this
general area, and to
my knowledge they
still do.
There are Scale
classes for all AMA
members at the
Nationals, no matter
what their skill level.
It’s great to see the
older, more
established modelers
helping newcomers, and it’s much more of a family atmosphere than
some competitions.
There is shopping in Muncie for the family, or your spouse could
drive to nearby Indianapolis for some major shopping experiences
during that weekend. Of course, your spouse might be your pit crew
and you would need him or her with you, which is even better.
Not sure what class you would try your first time at the
Nationals? That can be one of the easiest items to take care of
after you get to Muncie and register with the competition
officials. I’m not sure where the static judging will take place,
Also included in this column:
• Manzano Laser Works’ short
kits
• Madison Components knobs
and trickler
The Nationals is a great place to get started in Scale competition
[[email protected]]
Radio Control Scale Stan Alexander
David P. Andersen’s Grumman Tiger, which he designed, is being
static-judged in the Nationals Designer Scale class.
Dennis Crooks’ Eurofighter on a dirty, slow flyby during the Fun
Scale Open class at the Nationals.
Dave Johnson—2007 RC Scale National Champ—with his Expertclass
1/3-scale Albatros D.III and Designer-class D.Va. He is one of
six AMA members who will represent the US at the Scale World
Championships in Poland in July.
Madison Components’ Lil’ Trickler and transmitter-stick
extensions.
but it will probably be on-site or at a nearby facility.
Fun Scale is divided into two classes for the Nationals. The
Novice class is for the first-time competitor who has little or no
Scale experience. If you’re an old pro, you can enter the Open class.
There are only 5 static points, and one photo of the full-scale
aircraft will suffice for documentation in the color scheme you have;
you just need something close. What if you don’t have the photo or
whatever for the 5 points? It’s just 5 points; don’t sweat it in your
first contest. Go out and try to fly the pattern and the nine maneuvers.
Only nine maneuvers? Yes, that’s all. For a nonaerobatic type of
aircraft, say the Cessna Skyhawk, you would fly something similar
to Takeoff, Fly-Past, Figure Eight, Straight Flight Out, Procedure
Turn, Straight Flight Back, Touch-and-Go, Landing, and Realism.
The Straight Flight Out, Procedure Turn, and Straight Flight
Back are flown in a series, and the Touch-and-Go counts as two
maneuvers. So this simplifies the pattern you are flying for the
judges and makes it much easier for you.
If you have an aerobatic type of model, try Takeoff, Fly-Past,
Figure Eight, Loop, Aileron Roll, Split-S, Touch-and-Go, Landing,
and Realism. I selected the Touch-and-Go again, which could easily
be replaced with a Three-Turn Spin and an Immelmann Turn or a
Half Cuban Eight.
Let’s say you’re flying a warbird and need a simple flight routine
that will help you get through the jitters of flying at a contest. Those
maneuvers will be similar to the aerobatic types. You can include a
Bomb Run, Tank Drop, Parachute Drop, or something like that.
Another maneuver many military pilots use is the Military Roll, or a
roll with a hump in the middle of the maneuver.
There is also the Victory Roll, which is impressive with jets or
high-performance aircraft. To perform this maneuver, you fly the
model 10-20 feet off the ground, parallel to the flightline, then give
elevator to achieve a climb rate of 30°-40°, depending on the
aircraft. During the climb, complete an Aileron Roll and then either
level out or keep climbing, again depending on the model’s
performance.
Your first Scale contest is a great place to meet people with the
same interest who will understand your fascination with these
models. Some modelers love the history or a specific aircraft type.
Others have had family members attached to a certain branch of the
service or fly commercially. Still others, including me, grew up near
or around airports and were totally fascinated as children by both
full-scale and model airplanes.
Remember to bring a canopy/tent and sunblock, and don’t forget
to bring that starter for your model. I’ve gotten to the point where a
checklist is in order, and its use usually saves me a trip to the hobby
shop or back home.
The National Association of Scale Aeromodelers (NASA) Web
site has sample flight routines, scoresheets for static and flight, and information about this year’s Nationals and
other contests. Or you can E-mail NASA’s
president, Ed Terry, for more information.
New Products: While looking at an older
Flying Scale Models magazine, I saw an
interesting article about the British World
War I F.E.8. It’s a sort of odd model you
don’t see built often; it’s a biplane, has a
single seat, and is a pusher at that.
The Germans used an unkind term for
this airplane and the D.H.2—“Fokker
Fodder”—because they didn’t make great
fighters. But all sides had a version or two
of that type of airplane.
Plans were included with Flying Scale
Models, but there was also a listing for an
American company that cuts kits for these
small electric-powered models: Manzano
Laser Works (MLW).
The F.E.8 has a 43-inch wingspan. The
building materials are balsa, bamboo, a
small amount of light plywood, covering,
and wire.
MLW has several kits and short kits
available for small to midsize electricpowered
models. I purchased the F.E.8 short
kit, which includes all the laser-cut ribs and
formers. It also provides the formed parts
for the dummy engine and the nose. It’s nice
stuff. I hope to be working on this project
soon.
The MWL kit line includes a 54-inch
S.E.5a, a DH-6, a Fokker V.III, a Fokker
E.III, an Eastbourne Monoplane, a Sopwith
1 1/2 Strutter, a Gee Bee Model Z, and
several more. Most of these designs are by
either Peter Rake or Robert McKellar. It’s
well worth a look at the kit list.
Prices vary with the size and number of
parts. Most of the models are in the 36- to
50-inch range. Enjoy!
Madison Components has a line of RC
products that can help the Scale modeler in
several areas. The Lil’ Trickler is a tricklecharger
adapter that plugs between your
chargers and your 110-volt power source.
This little jewel will charge through your
charger to charge your radio system, glow
driver, batteries, drills, etc. When their
charge rate is finished, just flip the switch
to trickle. The Lil’ Trickler will keep your
batteries charged and ready to go at a
moment’s notice.
The LEDs on your charger will either go
dim (what I’ve seen) or go out, which is
natural. The Lil’ Trickler sells direct for
$29.95 plus shipping.
I also like Madison Components’
transmitter-stick knobs. There are three
styles; two have concave surfaces and come
in two different sizes. The larger ones have
a 3/4-inch diameter and a length of 3/4 inch.
The smaller one is 1/2 inch in diameter by
3/4 inch in length.
The other style is a bit larger, and I
really like the feel of it because I fly with
thumbs and fingers. It has a diameter of 1/2
inch and a length of 11/4 inches. These are
$18.95 per set plus shipping. MA
Sources:
Ed Terry
[email protected]
Madison Components
(800) 811-9135
www.qualityrcproducts.com
Manzano Laser Works
(505) 286-2640 (Ask for Vicki or Charlie.)
www.manzanolaser.com
NASA
www.nasascale.org
Edition: Model Aviation - 2008/07
Page Numbers: 118,119,120
118 MODEL AVIATION
BY THE TIME you read this, many will be geared up for the AMA
Nationals, which is the largest competitive modeling event in the
world. RC Scale plays a part in this event each year, with both RC
and CL classes held at AMA’s International Aeromodeling Center in
Muncie, Indiana. This year the events will be contested August 8-10.
If you are a newer reader you might ask, “Why Muncie, Indiana,
of all places?” Before the property where AMA Headquarters now
resides was purchased, a study was conducted. The results showed
that the largest percentage of AMA members lived within a 500-
mile radius of this
general area, and to
my knowledge they
still do.
There are Scale
classes for all AMA
members at the
Nationals, no matter
what their skill level.
It’s great to see the
older, more
established modelers
helping newcomers, and it’s much more of a family atmosphere than
some competitions.
There is shopping in Muncie for the family, or your spouse could
drive to nearby Indianapolis for some major shopping experiences
during that weekend. Of course, your spouse might be your pit crew
and you would need him or her with you, which is even better.
Not sure what class you would try your first time at the
Nationals? That can be one of the easiest items to take care of
after you get to Muncie and register with the competition
officials. I’m not sure where the static judging will take place,
Also included in this column:
• Manzano Laser Works’ short
kits
• Madison Components knobs
and trickler
The Nationals is a great place to get started in Scale competition
[[email protected]]
Radio Control Scale Stan Alexander
David P. Andersen’s Grumman Tiger, which he designed, is being
static-judged in the Nationals Designer Scale class.
Dennis Crooks’ Eurofighter on a dirty, slow flyby during the Fun
Scale Open class at the Nationals.
Dave Johnson—2007 RC Scale National Champ—with his Expertclass
1/3-scale Albatros D.III and Designer-class D.Va. He is one of
six AMA members who will represent the US at the Scale World
Championships in Poland in July.
Madison Components’ Lil’ Trickler and transmitter-stick
extensions.
but it will probably be on-site or at a nearby facility.
Fun Scale is divided into two classes for the Nationals. The
Novice class is for the first-time competitor who has little or no
Scale experience. If you’re an old pro, you can enter the Open class.
There are only 5 static points, and one photo of the full-scale
aircraft will suffice for documentation in the color scheme you have;
you just need something close. What if you don’t have the photo or
whatever for the 5 points? It’s just 5 points; don’t sweat it in your
first contest. Go out and try to fly the pattern and the nine maneuvers.
Only nine maneuvers? Yes, that’s all. For a nonaerobatic type of
aircraft, say the Cessna Skyhawk, you would fly something similar
to Takeoff, Fly-Past, Figure Eight, Straight Flight Out, Procedure
Turn, Straight Flight Back, Touch-and-Go, Landing, and Realism.
The Straight Flight Out, Procedure Turn, and Straight Flight
Back are flown in a series, and the Touch-and-Go counts as two
maneuvers. So this simplifies the pattern you are flying for the
judges and makes it much easier for you.
If you have an aerobatic type of model, try Takeoff, Fly-Past,
Figure Eight, Loop, Aileron Roll, Split-S, Touch-and-Go, Landing,
and Realism. I selected the Touch-and-Go again, which could easily
be replaced with a Three-Turn Spin and an Immelmann Turn or a
Half Cuban Eight.
Let’s say you’re flying a warbird and need a simple flight routine
that will help you get through the jitters of flying at a contest. Those
maneuvers will be similar to the aerobatic types. You can include a
Bomb Run, Tank Drop, Parachute Drop, or something like that.
Another maneuver many military pilots use is the Military Roll, or a
roll with a hump in the middle of the maneuver.
There is also the Victory Roll, which is impressive with jets or
high-performance aircraft. To perform this maneuver, you fly the
model 10-20 feet off the ground, parallel to the flightline, then give
elevator to achieve a climb rate of 30°-40°, depending on the
aircraft. During the climb, complete an Aileron Roll and then either
level out or keep climbing, again depending on the model’s
performance.
Your first Scale contest is a great place to meet people with the
same interest who will understand your fascination with these
models. Some modelers love the history or a specific aircraft type.
Others have had family members attached to a certain branch of the
service or fly commercially. Still others, including me, grew up near
or around airports and were totally fascinated as children by both
full-scale and model airplanes.
Remember to bring a canopy/tent and sunblock, and don’t forget
to bring that starter for your model. I’ve gotten to the point where a
checklist is in order, and its use usually saves me a trip to the hobby
shop or back home.
The National Association of Scale Aeromodelers (NASA) Web
site has sample flight routines, scoresheets for static and flight, and information about this year’s Nationals and
other contests. Or you can E-mail NASA’s
president, Ed Terry, for more information.
New Products: While looking at an older
Flying Scale Models magazine, I saw an
interesting article about the British World
War I F.E.8. It’s a sort of odd model you
don’t see built often; it’s a biplane, has a
single seat, and is a pusher at that.
The Germans used an unkind term for
this airplane and the D.H.2—“Fokker
Fodder”—because they didn’t make great
fighters. But all sides had a version or two
of that type of airplane.
Plans were included with Flying Scale
Models, but there was also a listing for an
American company that cuts kits for these
small electric-powered models: Manzano
Laser Works (MLW).
The F.E.8 has a 43-inch wingspan. The
building materials are balsa, bamboo, a
small amount of light plywood, covering,
and wire.
MLW has several kits and short kits
available for small to midsize electricpowered
models. I purchased the F.E.8 short
kit, which includes all the laser-cut ribs and
formers. It also provides the formed parts
for the dummy engine and the nose. It’s nice
stuff. I hope to be working on this project
soon.
The MWL kit line includes a 54-inch
S.E.5a, a DH-6, a Fokker V.III, a Fokker
E.III, an Eastbourne Monoplane, a Sopwith
1 1/2 Strutter, a Gee Bee Model Z, and
several more. Most of these designs are by
either Peter Rake or Robert McKellar. It’s
well worth a look at the kit list.
Prices vary with the size and number of
parts. Most of the models are in the 36- to
50-inch range. Enjoy!
Madison Components has a line of RC
products that can help the Scale modeler in
several areas. The Lil’ Trickler is a tricklecharger
adapter that plugs between your
chargers and your 110-volt power source.
This little jewel will charge through your
charger to charge your radio system, glow
driver, batteries, drills, etc. When their
charge rate is finished, just flip the switch
to trickle. The Lil’ Trickler will keep your
batteries charged and ready to go at a
moment’s notice.
The LEDs on your charger will either go
dim (what I’ve seen) or go out, which is
natural. The Lil’ Trickler sells direct for
$29.95 plus shipping.
I also like Madison Components’
transmitter-stick knobs. There are three
styles; two have concave surfaces and come
in two different sizes. The larger ones have
a 3/4-inch diameter and a length of 3/4 inch.
The smaller one is 1/2 inch in diameter by
3/4 inch in length.
The other style is a bit larger, and I
really like the feel of it because I fly with
thumbs and fingers. It has a diameter of 1/2
inch and a length of 11/4 inches. These are
$18.95 per set plus shipping. MA
Sources:
Ed Terry
[email protected]
Madison Components
(800) 811-9135
www.qualityrcproducts.com
Manzano Laser Works
(505) 286-2640 (Ask for Vicki or Charlie.)
www.manzanolaser.com
NASA
www.nasascale.org