112 Model Aviation April 2012 www.ModelAviation.com
E ach 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 and 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 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
and 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 was intending to call a
rcff ssccaallee
How to Get Started
in Scale Competition
by Stan Alexander
[email protected]
PLUS:
> Working
together
> Toledo 2012
> Upcoming
events
Right: Robert instructs
Garrett Ambler on flight
skills with the trainer cord.
Robert Jordan’s Super Cub looks like a Scale model, but is actually a
great trainer. Many scalelike trainers are available.
buddy and observe the event before
stepping into it with both feet. Why
wait? Select an ARF of a J-3 Cub, or 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 have fun
during his part in the flight as well. With
Fun Scale or Team Scale, enjoying the
company with 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 and 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.
www.ModelAviation.com April 2012 Model Aviation 113
Left: This Balsa USA Fokker Eindecker E.III makes
an excellent Scale model for a first-time builder.
Detail the model and enter it in Sportsman. This
was taken at the Nats.
Below: Dave Wigley was the 2011 Top Gun
winner and Mr. Top Gun. His Westland Wyvern
was completely scratch-built, including contrarotating
propellers.
An F9F-8 Cougar coming in on a slow, dirty fly-by at
Top Gun; it is a great-flying model and very realistic.
The T-50 Bobcat, as seen in Airborne Media’s
documentation packet.
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 the
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, I suggest making
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.
I’ll discuss a Cessna T-50 Bobcat
N41759, seen at a fly-in. In the DVD
from Airborne Media are the threeview
drawings, eight-point photo walk
arounds, 38 detail shots of various parts
of the exterior of the aircraft including
markings, four interior shots, and 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 to 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 looking 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 the
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 flyins
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. Check it out.
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:
NASA
www.nasascale.org
Airborne Media
(888) 829-4060
www.airbornemedia.com
Top Gun
www.franktiano.com
Weak Signals Toledo R/C Expo
www.toledoshow.com
Edition: Model Aviation - 2012/04
Page Numbers: 112,113,114
Edition: Model Aviation - 2012/04
Page Numbers: 112,113,114
112 Model Aviation April 2012 www.ModelAviation.com
E ach 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 and 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 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
and 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 was intending to call a
rcff ssccaallee
How to Get Started
in Scale Competition
by Stan Alexander
[email protected]
PLUS:
> Working
together
> Toledo 2012
> Upcoming
events
Right: Robert instructs
Garrett Ambler on flight
skills with the trainer cord.
Robert Jordan’s Super Cub looks like a Scale model, but is actually a
great trainer. Many scalelike trainers are available.
buddy and observe the event before
stepping into it with both feet. Why
wait? Select an ARF of a J-3 Cub, or 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 have fun
during his part in the flight as well. With
Fun Scale or Team Scale, enjoying the
company with 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 and 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.
www.ModelAviation.com April 2012 Model Aviation 113
Left: This Balsa USA Fokker Eindecker E.III makes
an excellent Scale model for a first-time builder.
Detail the model and enter it in Sportsman. This
was taken at the Nats.
Below: Dave Wigley was the 2011 Top Gun
winner and Mr. Top Gun. His Westland Wyvern
was completely scratch-built, including contrarotating
propellers.
An F9F-8 Cougar coming in on a slow, dirty fly-by at
Top Gun; it is a great-flying model and very realistic.
The T-50 Bobcat, as seen in Airborne Media’s
documentation packet.
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 the
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, I suggest making
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.
I’ll discuss a Cessna T-50 Bobcat
N41759, seen at a fly-in. In the DVD
from Airborne Media are the threeview
drawings, eight-point photo walk
arounds, 38 detail shots of various parts
of the exterior of the aircraft including
markings, four interior shots, and 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 to 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 looking 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 the
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 flyins
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. Check it out.
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:
NASA
www.nasascale.org
Airborne Media
(888) 829-4060
www.airbornemedia.com
Top Gun
www.franktiano.com
Weak Signals Toledo R/C Expo
www.toledoshow.com
Edition: Model Aviation - 2012/04
Page Numbers: 112,113,114
112 Model Aviation April 2012 www.ModelAviation.com
E ach 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 and 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 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
and 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 was intending to call a
rcff ssccaallee
How to Get Started
in Scale Competition
by Stan Alexander
[email protected]
PLUS:
> Working
together
> Toledo 2012
> Upcoming
events
Right: Robert instructs
Garrett Ambler on flight
skills with the trainer cord.
Robert Jordan’s Super Cub looks like a Scale model, but is actually a
great trainer. Many scalelike trainers are available.
buddy and observe the event before
stepping into it with both feet. Why
wait? Select an ARF of a J-3 Cub, or 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 have fun
during his part in the flight as well. With
Fun Scale or Team Scale, enjoying the
company with 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 and 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.
www.ModelAviation.com April 2012 Model Aviation 113
Left: This Balsa USA Fokker Eindecker E.III makes
an excellent Scale model for a first-time builder.
Detail the model and enter it in Sportsman. This
was taken at the Nats.
Below: Dave Wigley was the 2011 Top Gun
winner and Mr. Top Gun. His Westland Wyvern
was completely scratch-built, including contrarotating
propellers.
An F9F-8 Cougar coming in on a slow, dirty fly-by at
Top Gun; it is a great-flying model and very realistic.
The T-50 Bobcat, as seen in Airborne Media’s
documentation packet.
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 the
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, I suggest making
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.
I’ll discuss a Cessna T-50 Bobcat
N41759, seen at a fly-in. In the DVD
from Airborne Media are the threeview
drawings, eight-point photo walk
arounds, 38 detail shots of various parts
of the exterior of the aircraft including
markings, four interior shots, and 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 to 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 looking 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 the
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 flyins
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. Check it out.
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:
NASA
www.nasascale.org
Airborne Media
(888) 829-4060
www.airbornemedia.com
Top Gun
www.franktiano.com
Weak Signals Toledo R/C Expo
www.toledoshow.com
