Author: Stan Alexander
Edition: Model Aviation - 2012/04
Page Numbers: 112,113,114
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How to Get Started in Scale Competition

by Stan Alexander [email protected]

Each winter, I start planning my vacation schedule at work. At home, it’s a similar prospect: determining which modeling events I’ll be able to attend this year. Increased airline ticket prices have nearly put some events out of reach, but getting started in Scale modeling has never been easier. The Web and ARFs have everything you need to begin.

I received a note from a modeler requesting information about getting started in Scale competition. I suggested that he go to the AMA website, click on the Competition section, and download the rules for RC Scale. After doing that, he went to the National Association of Scale Aeromodelers (NASA) website to download one of the RC Scale Flight Score sheets.

Finding out the what, when, where, and who about an event can sometimes seem daunting, but it isn’t that hard to do. When you arrive at a Scale contest, the people there—competitors as well as the contest administrators—will be happy to help you through your first contest. Scale contests in the USA are social gatherings as well as competitions.

Choose your model or aircraft and look up different avenues of Static competition, then decide where you want to make the plunge in Scale. Sport Scale, Sportsman, or something even less challenging such as Fun Scale would be a good place to start.

The modeler who was inquiring about getting started intended to call a buddy and observe the event before stepping into it with both feet. Why wait? Select an ARF—a J-3 Cub, a Corsair, or whatever you are comfortable flying. Practice the flight routines when you go to the field and do so often and in the same order.

When you fly your first flight, get it up in the air and back onto the ground. Enjoy it, and have your caller enjoy his part in the flight as well. With Fun Scale or Team Scale, enjoying the company of old and new friends can make for one of the best experiences of the year, no matter what the scores are!

Working Together

At the local field, Robert Jordan started helping another aspiring modeler, 10-year-old Garrett Ambler, with his Super Cub. As I stood back and watched the more experienced modeler working with the younger modeler, Robert’s dad walked up to me and said, “You know, with Robert being younger than either of us, Garrett will hang on his every word.”

This was the case. Watching them work out the E-Flite Super Cub, I saw Garrett make his first takeoff and landing that day. Needless to say, he’s ready for another model and ready to go back to the airfield.

Young people are generally sponges when it comes to learning, and it was great to see the two youngsters working together toward a common goal. They had a trainer cord and two Spektrum transmitters, and the two of them were intent on making the flights a success story—which they did.

Toledo Expo

One way to start off a new year is to attend one of the several aeromodeling trade shows across the country. Most of us tend to go back to where we had fun, and for me that would be the Weak Signals R/C Expo in Toledo, Ohio.

Manufacturers bring their new stuff—kits, ARFs, engines, glues, and hardware; everything you can think of to buy, sell, or trade shows up at the Toledo Expo. Events are held throughout Toledo practically around the clock. There is indoor flying, outdoor flying, and Scale competition at the show, as well as other cool stuff that you usually don’t see anywhere else. Where else can you buy 100 epoxy brushes for $5?

Friday is the busiest day. If you see something you want, buy it, because it probably won’t be there when you return.

If you plan to go, make your hotel reservations early or you won’t get a room at any price. Toledo has several nice restaurants and the food at the convention hall is good. There is much to choose from at the show. So if you haven’t planned your trip, I would do it now.

New Products

I started this column discussing getting started in Scale. Documenting the model you want to build is the first step to having a successful Scale aircraft you can be proud of. Airborne Media has a unique approach to documentation: for certain subjects the company provides all necessary documentation in one package.

I’ll discuss a Cessna T-50 Bobcat N41759, seen at a fly-in. In the DVD from Airborne Media you get:

  • three-view drawings
  • eight-point photo walkarounds
  • 38 detail shots of various exterior parts including markings
  • four interior shots
  • 24 original drawings from the Cessna company of this beautiful twin

The nice thing about this documentation is that you can take the photos you want and blow them up to nearly any size. The same goes for the three-views and factory drawings. This is a huge advantage over receiving a pack of set photos: you control the size of the photos, and you can choose not to print them at all.

All you have to do is choose your drawings or a kit from a kit cutter for the model, and start building. Airborne Media has a list of documentation packs on its website that includes military and civil aircraft, so check it out. You might find all of your documentation in one spot. This resource can save you many agonizing hours and money searching for documentation for that special Scale subject.

Correction

The Japanese carrier mentioned in my December column was the Kaga, not the Kagi.

Upcoming Events

The One Eighth Air Force Spring Fly-In, March 30–April 1, is held at Cave Buttes Park in Phoenix, Arizona. This is one of the friendliest groups of modelers I’ve ever been associated with. As Al Casey says, “We’ll treat you nice so many ways you’re sure to like one of them.”

There are plenty of hobby shops around the area, as well as a great aviation museum.

The Top Gun Invitational will be held May 2–6 in Lakeland, Florida. The new site is a rolled, pampered, watered sod and manicured grass field. Much time and money went into caring for the field to prepare it for several contests and fly-ins held there each year. If you want to see the latest and greatest Scale models from around the world, this is where you want to go.

You can get an early taste of summer in the sunny Florida weather. Carbon fiber, fiberglass, and other composite kits and aircraft are usually available. Great prices on hobby supplies can be found at many of the booths on vendor row.

The largest draw for many is to see these Giant Scale models putting in their flights for each round of competition, as well as the noontime air shows held each day. Tickets are only $10 a day, so that is a great price for all the entertainment.

The Southern Indiana RC Club will hold its Mint Julep Scale Contest, May 18–20. This is one of the premier Scale contests in the eastern half of the United States. Friendly and laid back, it makes for a great weekend and is a good contest to get your feet wet in Scale competition. Held at the Falls of Rough State Park in Kentucky, the park is well hidden in the western part of the state.

SOURCES

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