Author: Stan Alexander
Edition: Model Aviation - 2010/02
Page Numbers: 106,107,108
,
,

Radio Control Scale

Stan Alexander [[email protected]]

Bringing modelers together, successfully

In past columns I've touched on the loss of Scale competitors and Scale modelers in general over the past few years. Clubs, organizations, and the AMA need to work together with every resource we have to attract young participants and bring them into the ranks of Scale aeromodelers.

One club that has been working on this for years with some success is the One Eighth Air Force, based in Phoenix, Arizona. Its mission statement declares that the club was conceived to showcase, in organized flying events, Scale RC models of all types in a manner that is fun, exciting, and rewarding for the pilots and visible and enjoyable for modeling enthusiasts and the public.

Each spring and fall, the club hosts a Scale fly-in at a local field. The autumn 2009 event was held at Superstition Air Park in Mesa, Arizona. By the noon break on Saturday, a total of 91 registered pilots and 145 beautiful aircraft had shown up. The youngest pilot in attendance was 7-year-old Joseph (J.P.) Nolan.

Many Scale modelers focus intensely on what they are doing—understandable, especially with some of the complex models flying. But remember when you were starting out and going to that first Scale contest and wanted to be part of the action. Did somebody help you? Whether at fly-ins or contests, Scale modeling is a social endeavor. It's rare that one competitor doesn't help the flyer in the next tent, talk about the next project, or discuss what's on the drawing board. Such gatherings are also a great chance to get a close look at another modeler’s techniques and learn how and why they do things.

The One Eighth Air Force is known for its camaraderie. During the noontime break at each Scale fly-in, members regularly hold flying sessions with buddy boxes for new pilots in hopes of creating new Scale pilots. Maybe this should be a requirement at all Scale gatherings: give kids the opportunity to get their fingers on the sticks of a real model—better yet, a real Scale model.

Each youngster who flew with the One Eighth Air Force received a T-shirt emblazoned with “I flew with the One Eighth Air Force” and a Young Eagle award. It wasn't just a certificate but a plaque each newcomer could hang up to remember his or her flight. Make them feel special so they won't forget—a great idea!

This year the club gave six of those awards. The recipients were:

  • Joseph (J.P.) Nolan, age 7
  • Jack Dolan, age 8
  • Harley Dickinson, age 12
  • Sam Eagan, age 13
  • Brad Hartman, age 14
  • Jose Luis Moreno, age 15

In addition to awards, prizes, auctions, and raffles, the group held a steak dinner Saturday night with live music. All of the dinner tickets sold out. When I go to the fly-in this spring, I plan to make my reservations early.

The One Eighth Air Force Spring Fly-In will be held March 13–14. Check the club's website for more information.

Toledo Show 2010

Each year, the Weak Signals Club hosts the largest model show in the U.S. This year's edition will be held April 9–11 at the SeaGate Centre in Toledo, Ohio.

If you go, take the largest vehicle you have to bring back the goodies. Most of the hobby's large companies are there and ready to do business—buy, sell, or trade. The Saturday-night auction is legendary. Check out all of the scale static-display models that will be in competition at the show.

On the Internet

Frank Tiano is a successful, longtime Scale competitor, supporter, and promoter. His website offers a host of Scale products for aeromodelers, including paint-chip guides for World War II aircraft, dummy radial engines, pilot figures, building products, and airplanes. The site also contains directions, photos, and information about events Frank hosts with clubs in and around Lakeland, Florida. Check out Frank Tiano Enterprises online.

Pro-Mark Graphics supplies all sorts of markings for Scale models, including national insignia and nomenclature seen on warbirds and jets. You can get markings that read “NO STEP,” “STEP HERE,” etc. For panel lines, service hatches, kill markings, and anything you can put on the outside of your aircraft to make it look more realistic, check Pro-Mark’s offerings.

Vaillancourt Aviation has had a line of products available for Scale modelers for a long time. Roy Vaillancourt has sold military designs including those for the Hawker Typhoon, Tempest, and Sea Fury; the P-47; Fw 190; Stinson L-5; and other aircraft. His website features how-to articles and offers cockpit kits and pilot figures. The pilots must be built and painted for the particular aircraft and era; they are available in 1/3 and 1/4 scale. I've been looking for a World War II Japanese pilot—although I haven't found one yet, there is an incredible assortment to browse on Roy's site.

Years ago, Monogram had some of the best reference books on the market about several airplanes. In recent years I've seen little coming from that company, but Kagero Publishing, based in Poland, has been offering outstanding books on many WWII (and some WWI) subjects. Their books are sold through Squadron in the U.S., and many subjects have multi-volume histories available.

This month I'll look at Curtiss P-40: Vol. 1 (ISBN 978-83-60445-35-8) by Krzysztof Janowicz and Leszek A. Wieliczko. One of the strengths of Kagero books is that they seem extraordinarily well researched and finished. This well-illustrated volume has 96 pages and 24 scale drawings showing cross-sections, cockpit data, and instrument panels. It also contains a wealth of information about various P-40s, including the XP-40; Tomahawk Mk I; P-40B; Tomahawk Mk IIA and IIB; P-40C; P-40D; and P-40E.

Most of this series has both Polish and English text, but this volume has all-English text with Polish only in the captions of drawings or photos. The artwork and illustrations are richly painted. Curtiss P-40: Vol. 1 contains eight pages of color side drawings and black-and-white photos for color schemes if you are building a kit or semikit from one of the manufacturers. Designers offering P-40s include Nick Ziroli, Jerry Bates, Yellow Aircraft, and Top Flite; many of these designs are in the 1/4 to 1/7 scale range.

Radio technology

Radio technology has been changing rapidly in the past few years. The 2.4 GHz radio systems have jumped in popularity, especially at regional and national events. Close to three months after I purchased my last radio system, 2.4 GHz systems came out. Now, if you don't have a 2.4 GHz radio system at many national—and at some regional—gatherings, you often aren't allowed to fly. It's that simple.

This regulation is coming to the AMA Nationals as well as other major events across the country. If you've been putting off purchasing that new radio system, now might be the time to take the plunge. The days of transmitter impounds and everyone turning in their radios before flying are coming to an end. Using 2.4 GHz will allow more events to be flown in limited spaces without the frequency-splitting problems associated with 72 MHz systems.

All major radio companies sell 2.4 GHz systems. Consider giving some of your old systems to your local club for buddy-box training.

Fair skies and tailwinds. MA

Sources:

Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.