Radio Control Scale-2010/08

Author: Stan Alexander

Edition: Model Aviation - 2010/08
Page Numbers: 102,103,104

Choose a unique color scheme for Scale

SELECTING a distinctive color scheme for any Scale model can be a challenge, and the older the airplane, the more challenging the project can be. But that can also be a lot of the fun.

John Cole of Peoria, Arizona, had been looking for a unique finish for his newest creation: a Proctor Enterprises Curtiss Jenny. It's basically stock except for the color scheme, and John added all of the scale rigging and cockpit interior that were included with the kit.

He obtained a black-and-white photo by writing to the Heddon Tackle Co. about a promotional aircraft the company used in the 1920s. It employed the Jenny for advertising, flying into large fishing meets, delivering lures, and providing rides for shop owners and customers.

John kept digging, looking for the colors of the airplane to go along with the black-and-white picture. The large, scaly fish on the sides of the aircraft were so unique that he had to find the basis and colors for the model.

Looking on eBay, he finally found a paper/card-stock model from that time frame. He was under the impression that it was a limited run, because it wasn't authorized by Heddon.

John picked up the small colored-paper model and proceeded to paint and apply all of the markings to scale. The result is a faithful reproduction of an airplane that no longer exists.

Many World War II and World War I aircraft present the same problem; there might be only one photo and nothing else to go on. So do you guess?

Not if you're willing to do more research, such as looking at squadron histories and the Internet. That's how John found his colorful and fishy Jenny.

The model has a wingspan of 87 inches and weighs 9 1/2 pounds. It's powered by an O.S. 70FS engine, which flies the airplane at a great scale speed with enough power to give it aerobatic capability.

John used Testors paint to achieve the multicolor scheme. Under the finish is Coverite fabric.

Last month I wrote about WW I Scale models and some of the different skill levels at which you can participate, including dawn patrol Scale fly-ins and the opposite: the FAI Scale World Championships. The former is a weekend fun-fly, and the latter is serious competition in which national pride is on the line.

I've been accused of working modeling into those trips. We've always enjoyed the Southwest and the differences in terrain, sunsets, and all that other stuff. I like going for the flying sites, aeromodeling, aviation museums, and the airplane graveyard in Tucson, Arizona. There's also a great museum there, but we didn't make it there the last time; I must be slipping.

A Scale fly-in is different from a Scale contest; several to many aeromodelers enter the former but not with their prize creations. You will see pilots tearing up the skies with warbirds at every opportunity. Fly-ins have many of the same characteristics as Scale contests, but the participants can usually choose when to fly. The amount of flying one does is also up to him or her.

Hosting Scale fly-ins is routine for members of the One Eighth Air Force (OEAF), which is based in Phoenix, Arizona. They have been doing it for quite a few years. I asked a leading member of the club, Al Casey, if there are rules at these events, and he said, "We don't need no stinking rules!" Just kidding. (From a past F‑Troop newsletter.) He said that the only enforced rules are those involving safety. Many think that is the only way to go.

The weather in the Phoenix area in mid‑March is, well, wonderful! My wife, Esther, and I were there for a week, and the temperatures were in the upper 60s to mid‑70s, with humidity at less than 65% the whole time. They don't call it the "Valley of the Sun" for nothing.

The event site, Superstition Airpark, is east of Mesa, Arizona, off Highway 60, where saguaro cactus are abundant. They are protected by law in Arizona.

Covered pit areas, electric hookups for charging, and a good parking area where you can back up your portable hangar are standard at this venue. The runway is a paved 80 x 800-foot strip running east to west. While flying, you face north—away from the sun all day. It's perfect.

How does the OEAF entice aeromodelers to bring everything from ARFs to museum-quality Scale models to its fly-ins?

"We'll treat you nice in so many different ways, you're bound to like at least one of 'em," claimed Al.

Flying starts on Friday, with an open schedule all day. Many pilots put in familiarization flights and then have a great time.

At the spring 2010 fly-in, Kent Walters had his trusty SBD Dauntless. Charlie and Linda Nelson were there with a WACO cabin model.

The social events started at sunset, and flying was finished for the day. Friday-night festivities began with free pizza and assorted beverages at the field, as we enjoyed a beautiful desert sunset and got reacquainted with old friends.

Saturday morning had a sort of contest feel to it, because attendees were trying to get back to the field, but the atmosphere was relaxed and comfortable with no rush to fly.

I've noticed that Scale fly-ins seem to be more popular than Scale contests. At this event the transmitter impound had only 12–15 transmitters in it throughout the weekend.

Most aeromodelers are switching to 2.4 GHz radio systems, but the OEAF supplied the impound area at its event for the 90 pilots who still flew on 72 MHz. This fly-in had 121 models in attendance, but plenty of flightlines at the site allowed everyone to fly nearly as much as they wanted.

By Saturday night several modelers were nearly flown out and ready for something serious to eat. The banquet "chief cook and bottle-washer" was OEAF volunteer Sam "Showbiz" Wright, whom we usually see or hear at the Top Gun Scale Invitational and other major events across the country.

But I think Sam found his niche grilling steaks that weekend. He must have cooked more than 100.

The auction was held after dinner, and I saw all sorts of models going for hard-to-believe prices. There were some airframes that had seen better days, engines, and "bags of stuff." Kent Walters and CD Howard Kennedy helped give out "crying towel" awards for scrapes, broken propellers, and any other misfortune they observed.

Sunday dawned and the wind had some authority from the north. Many chose not to fly that morning, but it calmed down later and turned out to be another great day to fly.

Numerous awards are given at the end of the event, but you must fly your model to be eligible for them. For a full list, check out the OEAF Web site; the address is in the "Sources" section.

I want to express my gratitude to the people of the OEAF and the Arizona Model Aviators for their generous hospitality. The club's next Scale fly-in will be in October; see the Web site for exact dates and times, and have a great time. We did!

On the Web

A good friend mentioned a great Scale resource on the Internet. The Flieger Flab Museum, which is the Swiss Air Force museum, is located in Dübendorf, Switzerland, roughly 30 minutes from downtown Zurich.

The facility has several large rooms or hangars with period aircraft in each. If you are looking for an unusual subject or color scheme, this might be a great place to start.

Viewing the virtual museum tour online, I realized that Switzerland and many other small European countries bought airplanes from most major suppliers including the US, Germany, and Great Britain. That was in addition to the smaller countries' own aircraft types.

The Flieger Flab Museum has the largest collection of "listening devices" I've ever seen for detecting the altitude of aircraft for antiaircraft guns, etc. Many of the exhibits include defensive military equipment that Switzerland has employed.

The Web site includes links to aviation-related subjects including the JU-AIR facility, which is located just outside of the museum. JU-AIR flies four Junkers Ju 52 transports in their Swiss color schemes, and rides are given at air shows in the summer.

Upcoming Events

Northwest RC Aviators' Dawn Patrol 2010 for WW I models: August 13–15 at the Yard Ranch flying field in Kellogg, Oregon (all-grass site).

For more information:

Bruce Harlow — [email protected]
Norm — (541) 459-2665, [email protected]

Sources

One Eighth Air Force — www.oeaf.org
Flieger Flab Museum — www.airforcecenter.ch
Dawn Patrol contacts:
Bruce Harlow — [email protected]
Norm — (541) 459-2665, [email protected]