Scale Masters 2003 - 2004/04

FALL HAD SETTLED in, the weather
was turning colder, and the leaves were
turning brilliant shades of yellow and red.
Most of us were starting to look fondly back
on a summer’s worth of flying packed with
contests, fun-flys, and the like. Airplanes,
radios, and engines were being nestled back
into storage, and plans were being made for
what to build during the winter. But at this
time of year the best of the best in Radio
Control Scale get together for one more big
bash to find out who has the right stuff to be
that year’s Scale Masters champion.
More than 20 years ago, the Scale
Masters program was conceived to bring
people together to enjoy each other’s Scale
models and each other’s company. Since its
inception the program has grown to more
than 22 regional qualifiers in the US,
Canada, and even Puerto Rico. Each fall the
top 30% of the winners from the regional
Dave Lovitt flew his Yak-18P to a respectable 19th place in Expert. Built from a Sig kit, it
features flaps, retracts, and an O.S. .61 SF engine for power.
38 MODEL AVIATION
by Mark Lanterman
Ray Davis’s F-15, caught during a maximum-burn takeoff, is an Avonds kit with
an AMT 280 turbine and a Futaba eight-channel radio system. Ray included an
operational smoke system, speed brakes, flaps, and scratch-built retracts.
April 2004 39
qualifiers come together in one place to
compete to find out, in a friendly way, who
will be the best.
In 2003 the Scale Masters was held in
Dayton, Ohio, Wednesday, September 24
through Sunday, September 28, which
coincided perfectly with the year-long
Centennial of Flight celebrations held
throughout the region. Not only was it held
in the birthplace of aviation, but it was held
at one of the more significant aviation sites
in the United States: the US Air Force
Museum, which is part of the Wright-
Patterson Air Force base.
The event was well attended, with 73
entries from across the United States and as
far away as Brazil. As diverse as the pilots’
homes were, the aircraft entered were even
This gorgeous F-86 Sabre has a healthy dose of the “wow factor.” Shailesh Patel won Pilots’ Choice with it.
Jeremy Arvin’s de Havilland D.H.82A was the most colorful model. He won Expert and narrowly missed claiming Grand Champion.
This Piper J-4 Cub Coupé was one of two electric-powered models. Randy Smithhisler
built it from his own plans and powered it with an AstroFlight 90 motor.
Photos by the author
40 MODEL AVIATION
more so. Almost every period of flight was
represented, including biplane fighters of
World War I, racers of the Golden Age,
fighters and bombers of World War II, and
Korean and Vietnam War veterans, even up
to the most modern fighters and civilian
aircraft.
As is typical of a Scale event, static
judging took place first and lasted for two
days (Wednesday and Thursday). Given the
amount of entries and the high level of
building, it takes quite awhile to get through
them all.
At this level of competition, three things
are judged simultaneously by three different
judges: outline and finish/color/markings
are judged at a distance of 15 feet, and
craftsmanship is judged at as many as four
feet from the model. Although it made for a
couple of very long days, the trio of
judges—Bob Banka, Rich Roberts, and
Chauncey Dance—evaluated every model
ensuring consistency.
The next three days were devoted to
flying. Pilots were supposed to have flown
five rounds, but because of a powerful little
cold front which rained out Friday
afternoon and a bit of Saturday morning,
only four rounds were flown. A bit of wind
was around almost every day but was
normally right down the runway, so it
didn’t affect the pilots too much.
With four flightlines going, there was
always something in the air and activity on
the runway. Mike Leonard and Mike
Sanderson were the two line bosses and had
the thankless job of trying to keep more than
70 pilots, their callers, and their models on
schedule while maintaining safety at the
same time.
The line bosses implemented a series of
hand signals for the callers, which included
gestures for landing, fly-past, overshoot, and
landing. Although it took a few flights for
the bugs to be worked out, this system
worked quite well. This was jokingly
referred to as the “Mike and Mike Show.”
I’m happy to report that only a handful
of models were lost during the event, and of
those losses only a few were beyond repair.
Losing an airplane at any time is painful, but
it had to be even more so for Mark Frankel.
After his F4D-1 Skyray was judged in
static, Mark and his pilot David Malchione
went over to the flying site to put in a few
practice flights. On the third flight they
believe they were hit with a battery failure;
the airplane was a complete loss and they
were unable to compete.
The Airplanes: Now for the hard part. With
limited magazine space, how can I possibly
cover all 70+ models entered? I can’t. So
how can I choose what to cover? After all,
how can I not include the dynamic duo of
Dave Pinegar and George Maiorana and
their outstanding electric-powered Tu-4?
What about Hal Parenti’s Fireball, Jeff
Foley’s Bf 109E, and Jeremy Fursman’s
D.H.82? The list goes on and on. So many
airplanes, so little space!
After bouncing around several ideas of
what to do, I decided to pick a cross-section
of four models: one for its “wow factor,”
one for outstanding scale details, one with
interesting building challenges, and one that
is unique. I also wanted to highlight models
that haven’t been featured too prominently
in other Scale-event coverage.
My pick for the “wow factor” was easy. I
was glad to later learn that my choice for
this category was justified; builder Shailesh
Patel was awarded the Pilots’ Choice
trophy. His Designer Scale model was an F-
86 Sabre in the color scheme of the
Skyblazers flight demonstration team.
One of the first things that grabbed me
when I first saw this airplane was just how
big it was. When I asked Shailesh why he
made his model so large, he answered,
“Bigger airplanes fly more realistic, and it’s
easier to see on my eyes, you know. And
I’ve got tons of room inside to work.”
In spite of his troubles during the Scale Masters, Dennis Crooks finished 11th in Expert. His wife Linda (R) doubles as a mechanic,
and she was instrumental in helping Dennis through his difficulties. The text has details.
April 2004 41
Right: You could argue that Bob Gillespie’s Nieuport 28C performed a scale
landing; the full-scale WW I airplanes often ended up like this.
Kent Walters was third in Expert with his SBD-3 Dauntless, modeled
after an aircraft that flew during the Battle of Midway.
Dick Hansen fabricated a highly detailed dummy engine
for his Albatros D.Va. He built it from a Proctor kit.
Jeff Foley’s Bf 109E is always near the top of the leader board. This year he finished third in Designer Scale with it.
Gary Allen’s 1⁄3-scale Bücker
Jungmeister was one of the larger
models entered. Dorin Luck flew it in
Team Scale.
42 MODEL AVIATION
To give you an idea of how big the Sabre
was, its wingspan was 95.25 inches, it
weighed 45.5 pounds, and if you were
standing next to it, the top of the vertical fin
would be right at your belt line.
Shailesh chose an AMT Olympus
turbine for power, a JR radio system for
control using eight servos, and a gyro on the
nose gear to help with high-speed taxiing.
He used Coverite’s Presto metal finish for
the covering and PPG automotive paint for
the color. The wheels and tires were custom
made with Glennis Aircraft’s help. The F-86
also featured flaps, speed brakes, and a
sliding canopy.
In addition to the Pilots’ Choice award,
Shailesh finished second in Designer Scale,
just .667 point behind David Hayes. He also
pulled double-duty with his son Nil,
finishing eighth in Team Scale with a Bob
Violett Models’ F-4 Phantom. Nil was the
youngest pilot at the event and did a great
job with his first turbine.
When it came to outstanding scale
details, the choice was, again, easy. When
looking down at David Hayes’ Rockwell
Thrush, it did not appear to be a standout—
but that’s because most of the good stuff
was hidden underneath.
The Thrush is a crop duster and has a
wealth of pipes, fittings, and other gizmos
under the wing. David estimated that he had
an excess of 800 hours in his model, which
included a fully functional crop-spraying
system. Although the spraying system
wasn’t functioning at the event, David does
plan to have it working again and add
functional brakes and a few other new
goodies.
A Saito 180 four-stroke engine powered
the Thrush, and everything was controlled
Mike Winter’s Sopwith Pup was one of the largest models entered. It has a working bomb drop and fully functional flying wires.
David Hayes captured a well-deserved win in Designer with his Rockwell Thrush. He
tied for the highest static score and was this year’s Grand Champion.
Doug Crumley entered this Fieseler Fi 156 Storch in Expert. He built it using Bob
Holman plans and integrated many features of the full-scale aircraft.
April 2004 43
Builder Scott Russell and pilot Wayne Siewert campaigned this 1⁄6-scale Aerotech P-47D Thunderbolt in Team Scale.
Built from a Mark Frankel kit, Larry Sutherland’s 40-pound T-34A Beechcraft Mentor uses a Laser 300 engine for power.
Joe Rafalowski’s T-33 from a Jet Model Products kit finished fourth in Expert. It uses a JetCat P-120 turbine for power.
via a JR radio system. The model weighed 21 pounds and, once both
plug-in wings were installed, had a 108-inch wingspan.
David tied Shailesh Patel for the highest static score in Designer
Scale; it was his flying that made the difference. As part of David’s
optional maneuvers, he did a series of low passes and low wingovers
with the Thrush that perfectly emulated what you’ll see any fullscale
crop duster doing.
When considering building challenges, Doug Crumley’s Fi 156
Storch was one of the more interesting models. Doug scratch-built
the aircraft from Bob Holman plans using conventional wood
construction throughout. He used an O.S. 91 four-stroke engine for
power and an Airtronics radio system.
The Storch’s “greenhouse” cockpit presented special
construction challenges for hiding hardware such as servos,
pushrods, receiver, batteries, and wiring. Doug installed all of those
items in the small spaces forward of the cockpit or under the cockpit
floor. The greenhouse also precluded using “carry-through” spars
for the wing structure, so the wing struts were not only to scale but
were also structurally essential.
There were no external nonscale control horns, pushrods, or
linkages, and the external pull-pull system of the rudder duplicated
the configuration of the full-scale Storch. Service points of the
model for fueling, charging, the on/off switch, and the glow
connection were hidden in inconspicuous points within the cowl.
The model’s unusual features included the articulated scale main
landing gear and the scale flap system, which included the mixed,
droop aileron feature of the full-scale aircraft. Full deployment or
retraction of the flaps was time-delayed to approximately 10 seconds
for smooth in-flight transitions.
Uniqueness is a tough call; at every event it seems as though
there’s a subject you haven’t seen modeled before—or at least very
often—such as the Bücker Bü.133 Jungmeister that pilot Dorin
Luck and builder Gary Allen entered in Team Scale. It was a goodsize
model at 1⁄3 scale, spanning 86 inches, and was powered by a
Zenoah G-62 engine.
Owing to the full-scale Jungmeister’s nature, there were not a
lot of whiz-bang mechanical options or flashy surface details, but
that’s not necessarily a bad thing. The closer I got to this model, the
more I saw. Features such as rib stitching, cockpit detail, fenders
over the wheels, and functional wing-bracing wires gave it a
surprisingly clean, realistic look. The addition of a brilliant yellow
color scheme made for a good overall model.
Behind the Scenes: Regardless of whether you attend a football
game, an automobile race, or a model-airplane contest, many
factors surrounding the event give it flavor. One of those is the
people, many of whom have been shown in modeling magazines
from around the world. Visiting with old friends and getting the
chance to meet competitors is almost as much fun as checking out
the airplanes. (I said “almost.”)
The husband-and-wife team of Eduardo and Ana Esteves
traveled farther than any other competitors. They campaigned their
Spacewalker in Team Scale and had to come all the way from
Brazil to do so. In spite of the jet lag, they placed third. Another
great couple I’ve come to know is Bob Patton and Tina DuPriest; I
met them at the Scale Nationals this past year when I happened to
pit next to them.
Sometimes it is interesting to watch what a caller goes through
on the flightline to help get his or her pilot through a flight and
clear the way for landing. During one of the rounds at the Scale
Masters I was standing between the first and second flightlines.
Bob was flying his T-28C on Flightline 1, and he needed to come in
for a flyby and then set up for landing. Although his model was not
critically low on fuel, it was obvious that it was quickly getting to
the point where Bob would have to bring the model in.
Meanwhile, there was a competitor on Flightline 2 with a World
War I biplane (an Albatros, I think). He had a ton of trouble getting
it started, and once he took off, the timing of his maneuvers was
such that he was in the way of everything Bob tried to do.
The timing of all this was such that the guys working the
flightline seemed to be giving the guy with the Albatros preferential
treatment, not knowing how it was affecting Bob’s situation.
44 MODEL AVIATION
With more than 300 aircraft on display and a network of
runways, the US Air Force Museum was the setting for this
year’s event.
An artist’s rendering shows plans for expansion. The Cold
War building (third from right) is finished. The Hall of Missiles
and Space Gallery/Education Center buildings (right-hand
side) should be completed in the next couple of years.
Flying on Hallowed Ground
As if spending five days among some of the best Radio Control
Scale models on the planet weren’t good enough, consider that this
edition of the Scale Masters Championships was held on the
grounds of the United States Air Force Museum in Dayton, Ohio.
Since the 1920s this location has been part of one of the most
active bases in the United States: Wright-Patterson Air Force Base.
Although previous Scale Masters have been held on the US Air
Force Museum grounds, this year was special. Apart from the
continuing celebration of the centennial of flight, the museum is in
the midst of an aggressive expansion.
This past July saw the completion, dedication, and opening of
the museum’s third massive hangar for Cold War exhibits. This
new 200,000-square-foot building will soon be joined by a “Hall
of Missiles” and a “Space Gallery/Education Center” in the years
to come.
The museum currently has more than 300 aircraft on display.
These include significant airplanes from every era in aviation,
dating as far back as the Wright brothers’ 1909 Military Flyer, and
the most sophisticated weapons in US arsenal: the F-22 Raptor and
the B-2 Spirit. But that’s only part of it; there are also more than
6,000 nonaircraft items on exhibit, such as paintings, clothing,
electronics, vehicles, firearms, bombs, and missiles.
Living slightly more than an hour’s drive from the museum, I
consider myself lucky; I can drop in almost anytime to see the
displays, watch a movie at the IMAX theater, or peruse the gift
shop.
However, because the museum is part of an active military
base, most of the site is off-limits. Events such as the Scale
Masters give visitors a chance to access other parts of the grounds
and to see just how big this facility is. It’s inspiring to think that
we used the same pavement Chuck Yeager used to flight-test the
MiG-15 and where aircraft as large as the B-36 were operational.
Thanks to museum director Major General Charles Metcalf
and his entire staff for the use of the museum grounds during the
Scale Masters. Not only did they grant use of the facilities for
flying, but they opened Memorial Park for static judging and the
Modern Flight Hangar for the banquet.
If you are ever in the Dayton, Ohio, area, you owe it to yourself
to take some time to visit the museum. Admission is free yearround.
For directions, hours of operation, and information about
how to become a member of the US Air Force Museum, visit its
Web site at www.wpafb.af.mil/museum. MA
—Mark Lanterman
46 MODEL AVIATION
Tina asked repeatedly for clearance to
get the last maneuvers in, but she was
asked to hold each time. It wasn’t until
she gathered up the flightline boss and the
caller for Flightline 2 that they finally
understood the situation and cleared the
way for Bob to complete his flight. (I’ll
bet you thought the callers had the easier
part of the job!)
Another pilot and caller who work
together are Dennis and Linda Crooks.
Dennis has been campaigning an
impressive twin-engine P-38 and has done
quite well with it, including a win in
Expert class at the 2003 Scale Nationals.
However, fate wasn’t so kind to
Dennis at the Scale Masters this year,
when two of his flights ended prematurely
because of engine problems. An engine
went out during one flight, and the other
was a freakish situation in which one
engine came loose inside the nacelle.
With an engine out, or with one
flailing around helplessly, any twin is on
the brink of disaster right up to the
moment when it sets down. This is a nearpanic
situation for any pilot, but that was
where Linda came in.
Knowing the problem, she
immediately called for the emergency
landing and then calmly talked to Dennis
as he did everything he could to limp the
P-38 home. Her calming voice reassuring
Dennis to “be smooth,” that “everything’s
all right,” and even to “take a deep
breath” was a huge part of why he was
able to bring the model back both times. I
even overheard one of the judges say to
Linda, “Boy, I wish I had a coach like
you.”
In a conversation I had with Gary
Parenti we were talking about a problem
he experienced during a previous flight,
when his father Hal joined the
conversation. Not too long after that, Nick
Ziroli Sr. (of Nick Ziroli Plans) and Bob
Walker (of Robart Manufacturing) walked
up, and we all chatted for quite some time.
At one point Nick joked about how
Hal’s age was affecting his flying, and
before I knew it, all three of the elder
statesmen were bringing out their wallets
to check each other’s driver’s licenses. I
won’t give away who the oldest of the
three was; I’m crazy—not stupid!
What an event! And as I mentioned at the
beginning of this article, it’s impossible to
cover everything I need to cover. It was a
nicely run show, and Contest Director
Mike Barbee and the Westerville Model
Aeronautics Association (WMAA) did a
great job of putting everything together.
I extend my congratulations to all
competitors for building and flying well
enough to qualify for this year’s Scale
Masters, regardless of where they placed.
It was a great event, and I’m looking
forward to this year’s competition in
Gardner, Kansas, September 23-26. Who
knows? Maybe I’ll get the chance to meet
you there. MA
Mark Lanterman
5655 David Pl.
Fairfield OH 45014
[email protected]
Scale Masters sponsors:
Pacer Technology
Tom Raper RV
Airtronics
Barbee Concrete and Construction
Dinneen Excavation Company
Bob’s Aircraft Documentation
Bob Smith Industries
Great Planes Manufacturing
Proctor Enterprises
Robart Manufacturing
US Scale Masters Association
Wing Manufacturing
Bob Holman Plans
Handibond
Hansen Scale Aviation Video
Nelson Hobby Specialties
Ace Hobby Distributors
Arizona Model Pilots Society
Arizona Radio Control Society
R/C Excellence Magazine
SR Batteries
Sky Knights R/C club
Nick Ziroli Plans
48 MODEL AVIATION
2003 Scale Masters Results
Grand Champion
Pilot Aircraft
David Hayes (Roanoke Rapids NC) Rockwell Thrush
Designer Scale
Place/Pilot Aircraft Static Top Three Average Total
1. David Hayes (Roanoke Rapids NC) Rockwell Thrush 97.25 92.417 189.667
2. Shailesh Patel (Eureka CA) North American F-86 Sabre 97.25 91.750 189.000
3. Jeff Foley (Roanoke Rapids NC) Messerschmitt Bf 109E 96.50 92.500 189.000
4. Bob Patton (Saint Joseph IL) North American T-28C 95.00 91.750 186.750
5. Charles T. Nelson (Berlin MA) WACO YKS-7 95.00 91.250 186.250
6. Hal Parenti (Westchester IL) Ryan Fireball FR-1 96.25 89.250 185.500
7. Wayne Frederick (Santa Rosa CA) Fokker D.VIII 96.00 86.000 182.000
8. Tom Polapink (Centereach NY) Pfalz D.IIIa 95.25 86.500 181.750
9. Charles Baker (Union MO) Rawdon T-1 96.50 84.500 181.000
10. Dave Johnson (Vernon CT) Siemens-Schuckert D.III 95.00 84.417 179.417
11. Nick Ziroli Sr. (Little Falls NY) Stearman PT-17 94.00 78.583 172.583
Expert Scale
Place/Pilot Aircraft Static Top Three Average Total
1. Jeremy Fursman (Snoqualmie WA) de Havilland D.H.82A 95.50 93.583 189.083
2. Kim Foster (Mansfield OH) de Havilland D.H.94 Moth Minor 97.00 91.417 188.417
3. Kent Walters (Scottsdale AZ) Douglas SBD-3 Dauntless 96.25 90.833 187.083
4. Joe Rafalowski (Fayetteville GA) Lockheed T-33 94.50 92.083 186.583
5. Dave Wigley (Smithtown NY) Hawker Tempest Mk V 96.00 88.750 184.750
6. Steve Ort (Seymour IN) North American B-25 Mitchell 94.75 89.333 184.083
7. Sean M. Cassidy (Champaign IL) Grumman F6F-5 Hellcat 95.75 88.000 183.750
8. Jeff Lovitt (Davis CA) Kawasaki Ki-61 Tony 93.75 89.583 183.333
9. Dave Pinegar (Warren MI) Beechcraft T-34A Mentor 90.25 92.917 183.167
10. Leo Spychalla (Watertown WI) Supermarine Spitfire MK XIV 92.00 90.000 182.000
11. Dennis Crooks (Greencastle IN) Lockheed P-38 95.00 86.917 181.917
12. William Wheeler (Inola OK) Piper J-3 Cub 91.50 90.417 181.917
13. Glenn Reilly (Austin TX) Focke-Wulf Fw 190A8 95.25 86.083 181.333
14. Steve Forrest (Sturgeon MO) Republic P-47 91.00 90.250 181.250
15. Doug Crumley (Wichita KS) Fieseler Storch 94.25 86.750 181.000
2003 Scale Masters Best-of Awards
Award Sponsor Recipient Aircraft
Best Biplane Kelly Christ Jeremy Fursman de Havilland D.H.82A
Best Built Up Kit Marv Wade Zach Spychalla Supermarine Spitfire FR.Mk XIVE
Best Civilian RC Hobbies David Hayes Rockwell Thrush
Best Documentation Bob Holman Plans Al Kretz Douglas Dauntless SBD-3
Best Golden Age Sanderson & Associates Charles T. Nelson WACO YKS-7
Best Jet Robart Manufacturing Shailesh Patel North American F-86 Sabre
Best Markings Planes Plus Dave Wigley Hawker Tempest Mk V
Best Military Marv Wade Shailesh Patel North American F-86 Sabre
Best Mission Award—Expert Airtronics Radio Systems David Hayes Rockwell Thrush
Best Mission Award—Team Airtronics Radio Systems Curtis Kitteringham Stinson SR-9 “Gullwing”
Best Scratch Built Aircraft Capstone Hobbies David Hayes Rockwell Thrush
Best WW I Proctor Enterprise Dave Johnson Siemens-Schuckert D.III
Best WW II Vel-Tye LLC Reg Dell-Aquila Lockheed P-38L Lightning
Engineering Achievement Southern Alameda County R/Cers Dave Pinegar Tupolev Tu-4 AEW
Harris Lee Lifetime Achievement Scale Masters Association Mike Winter Sopwith Pup
High Flight One Eighth Air Force Dave Pinegar Tupolev Tu-4 AEW
High Static WMAA David Hayes/Shailesh Patel Rockwell Thrush/F-86 Sabre
Most Realistic Flight—Expert Airtronics Radio Systems William Wheeler Piper J-3 Cub
Most Realistic Flight—Team Airtronics Radio Systems Curtis Kitteringham Stinson SR-9 “Gullwing”
Pilots’ Choice One Eighth Air Force Shailesh Patel North American F-86 Sabre
16. Ward Emigh (Scottsdale AZ) Fairchild PT-23 92.50 88.333 180.833
17. Al Kretz (Woodville AL) Douglas SBD-3 Dauntless 94.75 85.833 180.583
18. Zach Spychalla (Watertown WI) Supermarine Spitfire FR.Mk XIVE 92.25 88.167 180.417
19. Dave Lovitt (Willits CA) Yakovlev Yak-18P 89.75 90.583 180.333
20. Jack Buckley (Marlborough MA) Chance Vought F4U-1A Corsair 90.25 89.667 179.917
21. Bill McCallie (Tampa FL) Focke-Wulf Fw 190 89.75 90.000 179.750
22. Mike Winter (Sarasota FL) Sopwith Pup 92.50 86.933 179.433
23. Bob Wonitoy (Edmonton, Alberta) Focke-Wulf 190A-8 93.75 85.583 179.333
24. Paul Cain (New Albany IN) CAP 231 EX 89.50 89.250 178.750
25. Dick Hansen (Portland OR) Albatros D.Va 92.00 86.250 178.250
26. Bob Gillespie (Twin Falls ID) Nieuport 28C 95.00 83.167 178.167
27. Bud Roane (Melbourne FL) Condor Shoestring 90.50 87.500 178.000
28. Scott Foster (Middlebury VT) Republic P-47 Thunderbolt 90.00 87.250 177.250
29. Richard Crupi (Crofton KY) Piper J-3 Cub 88.00 89.000 177.000
30. Larry Sutherland (Prather CA) Beechcraft T-34A Mentor 95.50 81.333 176.833
31. Skip Mast (Royal Oak MI) Piper J-3 Cub 90.25 86.500 176.750
32. Chip Greene (Tampa FL) Grumman F8F-2 Bearcat 88.75 87.916 176.666
33. Ray Davis (East Falmouth MA) McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle 89.75 86.500 176.250
34. Jeffrey Pike (Baton Rouge LA) U1-A Otter 88.00 88.167 176.167
35. Jeremy Arvin (Jeffersonville IN) CAP 21 88.25 87.667 175.917
36. Mel Santmyers (Beaumont CA) Citabria Pro 91.00 81.583 172.583
37. Randy Smithhisler (Edgewood WA) Piper J-4 Cub Coupé 87.75 83.500 171.250
38. Larry Shepard (Paradise CA) Sopwith 11⁄2-Strutter 89.75 80.667 170.417
39. John Ostmeyer (Overland Park KS) WACO UPF-5 Classic 90.25 75.667 165.917
40. Gary Parenti (Westchester IL) Benes-Mráz Be.50 Beta-Minor 89.75 68.500 158.250
41. Lee Rice (Keller TX) Chance Vought F4U-1D Corsair 95.00 31.000 126.000
42. Bruce Bender (Edmonton, Alberta) Supermarine Spitfire Mk XIVE 93.75 26.333 120.083
43. Steve Sauger (Troy MI) Fairchild Ranger 92.75 16.083 108.833
44. Stan Clark (Hurricane WV) Cessna L-19 Bird Dog 88.75 5.083 93.833
Team Scale
Place/Pilot
Builder Aircraft Static Top Three Average Total
1. Dave Pinegar (Warren MI)
George Maiorana Tupolev Tu-4 AEW 97.00 90.000 187.000
2. Scott Russell (Woodbury MN)
Wayne Siewert Republic P-47D Thunderbolt 95.75 89.167 184.917
3. Eduardo D. Esteves (Belo Horizonte, Brazil)
Ronaldo Salles Spacewalker 95.00 89.833 184.833
4. Jay Steward (Phoenix AZ)
Jack Steward Nieuport 28C 95.25 88.417 183.667
5. Paul Haynes (Redmond OR)
Steve Wilson Nieuport 95.25 84.584 179.834
6. Curtis Kitteringham (Escondido CA)
Ron Peterka Stinson SR-9 “Gullwing” 91.75 88.083 179.833
7. Brian O’Meara (Denver CO)
James Hammond Jr. Kawasaki Ki-61 Tony 93.00 86.750 179.750
8. Nil Patel (Eureka CA)
Shailesh Patel McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom 95.75 83.417 179.167
9. Wayne Frederick (Santa Rosa CA)
Vernon Altamirano Cessna 182 Skylane 95.00 83.583 178.583
10. Mike Gross (Mastic Beach NY)
Tony Kirchenko Stearman PT-17 92.25 85.750 178.000
11. Mike Barbee (Delaware OH)
Earl Muenze Fairchild M-62 91.50 85.917 177.417
12. Dorin Luck (Henderson KY)
Gary Allen Bücker Bü.u133 Jungmeister 92.25 84.417 176.667
13. Reg Dell-Aquila (Palo Alto CA)
Frank R. Banks Lockheed P-38L Lightning 92.50 82.417 174.917
14. Steve Ort (Seymour IN)
John Colby Consolidated B-24 Liberator 90.50 81.250 171.750
15. Dale Arvin (Jeffersonville IN)
Earl Dever Sr. Cessna 182 85.25 85.667 170.917
16. Jeremy Arvin (Jeffersonville IN)
Earl Dever Jr. Stinson DR-9 84.50 85.333 169.833
17. Wayne Knight (Boca Raton FL)
Bob Walter North American P-51 Mustang 86.75 68.333 155.083
18. David Malchione (Kennett Square PA)
Mark Frankel Douglas F4D-1 Skyray 92.50 — —
50 MODEL AVIATION

FALL HAD SETTLED in, the weather
was turning colder, and the leaves were
turning brilliant shades of yellow and red.
Most of us were starting to look fondly back
on a summer’s worth of flying packed with
contests, fun-flys, and the like. Airplanes,
radios, and engines were being nestled back
into storage, and plans were being made for
what to build during the winter. But at this
time of year the best of the best in Radio
Control Scale get together for one more big
bash to find out who has the right stuff to be
that year’s Scale Masters champion.
More than 20 years ago, the Scale
Masters program was conceived to bring
people together to enjoy each other’s Scale
models and each other’s company. Since its
inception the program has grown to more
than 22 regional qualifiers in the US,
Canada, and even Puerto Rico. Each fall the
top 30% of the winners from the regional
Dave Lovitt flew his Yak-18P to a respectable 19th place in Expert. Built from a Sig kit, it
features flaps, retracts, and an O.S. .61 SF engine for power.
38 MODEL AVIATION
by Mark Lanterman
Ray Davis’s F-15, caught during a maximum-burn takeoff, is an Avonds kit with
an AMT 280 turbine and a Futaba eight-channel radio system. Ray included an
operational smoke system, speed brakes, flaps, and scratch-built retracts.
April 2004 39
qualifiers come together in one place to
compete to find out, in a friendly way, who
will be the best.
In 2003 the Scale Masters was held in
Dayton, Ohio, Wednesday, September 24
through Sunday, September 28, which
coincided perfectly with the year-long
Centennial of Flight celebrations held
throughout the region. Not only was it held
in the birthplace of aviation, but it was held
at one of the more significant aviation sites
in the United States: the US Air Force
Museum, which is part of the Wright-
Patterson Air Force base.
The event was well attended, with 73
entries from across the United States and as
far away as Brazil. As diverse as the pilots’
homes were, the aircraft entered were even
This gorgeous F-86 Sabre has a healthy dose of the “wow factor.” Shailesh Patel won Pilots’ Choice with it.
Jeremy Arvin’s de Havilland D.H.82A was the most colorful model. He won Expert and narrowly missed claiming Grand Champion.
This Piper J-4 Cub Coupé was one of two electric-powered models. Randy Smithhisler
built it from his own plans and powered it with an AstroFlight 90 motor.
Photos by the author
40 MODEL AVIATION
more so. Almost every period of flight was
represented, including biplane fighters of
World War I, racers of the Golden Age,
fighters and bombers of World War II, and
Korean and Vietnam War veterans, even up
to the most modern fighters and civilian
aircraft.
As is typical of a Scale event, static
judging took place first and lasted for two
days (Wednesday and Thursday). Given the
amount of entries and the high level of
building, it takes quite awhile to get through
them all.
At this level of competition, three things
are judged simultaneously by three different
judges: outline and finish/color/markings
are judged at a distance of 15 feet, and
craftsmanship is judged at as many as four
feet from the model. Although it made for a
couple of very long days, the trio of
judges—Bob Banka, Rich Roberts, and
Chauncey Dance—evaluated every model
ensuring consistency.
The next three days were devoted to
flying. Pilots were supposed to have flown
five rounds, but because of a powerful little
cold front which rained out Friday
afternoon and a bit of Saturday morning,
only four rounds were flown. A bit of wind
was around almost every day but was
normally right down the runway, so it
didn’t affect the pilots too much.
With four flightlines going, there was
always something in the air and activity on
the runway. Mike Leonard and Mike
Sanderson were the two line bosses and had
the thankless job of trying to keep more than
70 pilots, their callers, and their models on
schedule while maintaining safety at the
same time.
The line bosses implemented a series of
hand signals for the callers, which included
gestures for landing, fly-past, overshoot, and
landing. Although it took a few flights for
the bugs to be worked out, this system
worked quite well. This was jokingly
referred to as the “Mike and Mike Show.”
I’m happy to report that only a handful
of models were lost during the event, and of
those losses only a few were beyond repair.
Losing an airplane at any time is painful, but
it had to be even more so for Mark Frankel.
After his F4D-1 Skyray was judged in
static, Mark and his pilot David Malchione
went over to the flying site to put in a few
practice flights. On the third flight they
believe they were hit with a battery failure;
the airplane was a complete loss and they
were unable to compete.
The Airplanes: Now for the hard part. With
limited magazine space, how can I possibly
cover all 70+ models entered? I can’t. So
how can I choose what to cover? After all,
how can I not include the dynamic duo of
Dave Pinegar and George Maiorana and
their outstanding electric-powered Tu-4?
What about Hal Parenti’s Fireball, Jeff
Foley’s Bf 109E, and Jeremy Fursman’s
D.H.82? The list goes on and on. So many
airplanes, so little space!
After bouncing around several ideas of
what to do, I decided to pick a cross-section
of four models: one for its “wow factor,”
one for outstanding scale details, one with
interesting building challenges, and one that
is unique. I also wanted to highlight models
that haven’t been featured too prominently
in other Scale-event coverage.
My pick for the “wow factor” was easy. I
was glad to later learn that my choice for
this category was justified; builder Shailesh
Patel was awarded the Pilots’ Choice
trophy. His Designer Scale model was an F-
86 Sabre in the color scheme of the
Skyblazers flight demonstration team.
One of the first things that grabbed me
when I first saw this airplane was just how
big it was. When I asked Shailesh why he
made his model so large, he answered,
“Bigger airplanes fly more realistic, and it’s
easier to see on my eyes, you know. And
I’ve got tons of room inside to work.”
In spite of his troubles during the Scale Masters, Dennis Crooks finished 11th in Expert. His wife Linda (R) doubles as a mechanic,
and she was instrumental in helping Dennis through his difficulties. The text has details.
April 2004 41
Right: You could argue that Bob Gillespie’s Nieuport 28C performed a scale
landing; the full-scale WW I airplanes often ended up like this.
Kent Walters was third in Expert with his SBD-3 Dauntless, modeled
after an aircraft that flew during the Battle of Midway.
Dick Hansen fabricated a highly detailed dummy engine
for his Albatros D.Va. He built it from a Proctor kit.
Jeff Foley’s Bf 109E is always near the top of the leader board. This year he finished third in Designer Scale with it.
Gary Allen’s 1⁄3-scale Bücker
Jungmeister was one of the larger
models entered. Dorin Luck flew it in
Team Scale.
42 MODEL AVIATION
To give you an idea of how big the Sabre
was, its wingspan was 95.25 inches, it
weighed 45.5 pounds, and if you were
standing next to it, the top of the vertical fin
would be right at your belt line.
Shailesh chose an AMT Olympus
turbine for power, a JR radio system for
control using eight servos, and a gyro on the
nose gear to help with high-speed taxiing.
He used Coverite’s Presto metal finish for
the covering and PPG automotive paint for
the color. The wheels and tires were custom
made with Glennis Aircraft’s help. The F-86
also featured flaps, speed brakes, and a
sliding canopy.
In addition to the Pilots’ Choice award,
Shailesh finished second in Designer Scale,
just .667 point behind David Hayes. He also
pulled double-duty with his son Nil,
finishing eighth in Team Scale with a Bob
Violett Models’ F-4 Phantom. Nil was the
youngest pilot at the event and did a great
job with his first turbine.
When it came to outstanding scale
details, the choice was, again, easy. When
looking down at David Hayes’ Rockwell
Thrush, it did not appear to be a standout—
but that’s because most of the good stuff
was hidden underneath.
The Thrush is a crop duster and has a
wealth of pipes, fittings, and other gizmos
under the wing. David estimated that he had
an excess of 800 hours in his model, which
included a fully functional crop-spraying
system. Although the spraying system
wasn’t functioning at the event, David does
plan to have it working again and add
functional brakes and a few other new
goodies.
A Saito 180 four-stroke engine powered
the Thrush, and everything was controlled
Mike Winter’s Sopwith Pup was one of the largest models entered. It has a working bomb drop and fully functional flying wires.
David Hayes captured a well-deserved win in Designer with his Rockwell Thrush. He
tied for the highest static score and was this year’s Grand Champion.
Doug Crumley entered this Fieseler Fi 156 Storch in Expert. He built it using Bob
Holman plans and integrated many features of the full-scale aircraft.
April 2004 43
Builder Scott Russell and pilot Wayne Siewert campaigned this 1⁄6-scale Aerotech P-47D Thunderbolt in Team Scale.
Built from a Mark Frankel kit, Larry Sutherland’s 40-pound T-34A Beechcraft Mentor uses a Laser 300 engine for power.
Joe Rafalowski’s T-33 from a Jet Model Products kit finished fourth in Expert. It uses a JetCat P-120 turbine for power.
via a JR radio system. The model weighed 21 pounds and, once both
plug-in wings were installed, had a 108-inch wingspan.
David tied Shailesh Patel for the highest static score in Designer
Scale; it was his flying that made the difference. As part of David’s
optional maneuvers, he did a series of low passes and low wingovers
with the Thrush that perfectly emulated what you’ll see any fullscale
crop duster doing.
When considering building challenges, Doug Crumley’s Fi 156
Storch was one of the more interesting models. Doug scratch-built
the aircraft from Bob Holman plans using conventional wood
construction throughout. He used an O.S. 91 four-stroke engine for
power and an Airtronics radio system.
The Storch’s “greenhouse” cockpit presented special
construction challenges for hiding hardware such as servos,
pushrods, receiver, batteries, and wiring. Doug installed all of those
items in the small spaces forward of the cockpit or under the cockpit
floor. The greenhouse also precluded using “carry-through” spars
for the wing structure, so the wing struts were not only to scale but
were also structurally essential.
There were no external nonscale control horns, pushrods, or
linkages, and the external pull-pull system of the rudder duplicated
the configuration of the full-scale Storch. Service points of the
model for fueling, charging, the on/off switch, and the glow
connection were hidden in inconspicuous points within the cowl.
The model’s unusual features included the articulated scale main
landing gear and the scale flap system, which included the mixed,
droop aileron feature of the full-scale aircraft. Full deployment or
retraction of the flaps was time-delayed to approximately 10 seconds
for smooth in-flight transitions.
Uniqueness is a tough call; at every event it seems as though
there’s a subject you haven’t seen modeled before—or at least very
often—such as the Bücker Bü.133 Jungmeister that pilot Dorin
Luck and builder Gary Allen entered in Team Scale. It was a goodsize
model at 1⁄3 scale, spanning 86 inches, and was powered by a
Zenoah G-62 engine.
Owing to the full-scale Jungmeister’s nature, there were not a
lot of whiz-bang mechanical options or flashy surface details, but
that’s not necessarily a bad thing. The closer I got to this model, the
more I saw. Features such as rib stitching, cockpit detail, fenders
over the wheels, and functional wing-bracing wires gave it a
surprisingly clean, realistic look. The addition of a brilliant yellow
color scheme made for a good overall model.
Behind the Scenes: Regardless of whether you attend a football
game, an automobile race, or a model-airplane contest, many
factors surrounding the event give it flavor. One of those is the
people, many of whom have been shown in modeling magazines
from around the world. Visiting with old friends and getting the
chance to meet competitors is almost as much fun as checking out
the airplanes. (I said “almost.”)
The husband-and-wife team of Eduardo and Ana Esteves
traveled farther than any other competitors. They campaigned their
Spacewalker in Team Scale and had to come all the way from
Brazil to do so. In spite of the jet lag, they placed third. Another
great couple I’ve come to know is Bob Patton and Tina DuPriest; I
met them at the Scale Nationals this past year when I happened to
pit next to them.
Sometimes it is interesting to watch what a caller goes through
on the flightline to help get his or her pilot through a flight and
clear the way for landing. During one of the rounds at the Scale
Masters I was standing between the first and second flightlines.
Bob was flying his T-28C on Flightline 1, and he needed to come in
for a flyby and then set up for landing. Although his model was not
critically low on fuel, it was obvious that it was quickly getting to
the point where Bob would have to bring the model in.
Meanwhile, there was a competitor on Flightline 2 with a World
War I biplane (an Albatros, I think). He had a ton of trouble getting
it started, and once he took off, the timing of his maneuvers was
such that he was in the way of everything Bob tried to do.
The timing of all this was such that the guys working the
flightline seemed to be giving the guy with the Albatros preferential
treatment, not knowing how it was affecting Bob’s situation.
44 MODEL AVIATION
With more than 300 aircraft on display and a network of
runways, the US Air Force Museum was the setting for this
year’s event.
An artist’s rendering shows plans for expansion. The Cold
War building (third from right) is finished. The Hall of Missiles
and Space Gallery/Education Center buildings (right-hand
side) should be completed in the next couple of years.
Flying on Hallowed Ground
As if spending five days among some of the best Radio Control
Scale models on the planet weren’t good enough, consider that this
edition of the Scale Masters Championships was held on the
grounds of the United States Air Force Museum in Dayton, Ohio.
Since the 1920s this location has been part of one of the most
active bases in the United States: Wright-Patterson Air Force Base.
Although previous Scale Masters have been held on the US Air
Force Museum grounds, this year was special. Apart from the
continuing celebration of the centennial of flight, the museum is in
the midst of an aggressive expansion.
This past July saw the completion, dedication, and opening of
the museum’s third massive hangar for Cold War exhibits. This
new 200,000-square-foot building will soon be joined by a “Hall
of Missiles” and a “Space Gallery/Education Center” in the years
to come.
The museum currently has more than 300 aircraft on display.
These include significant airplanes from every era in aviation,
dating as far back as the Wright brothers’ 1909 Military Flyer, and
the most sophisticated weapons in US arsenal: the F-22 Raptor and
the B-2 Spirit. But that’s only part of it; there are also more than
6,000 nonaircraft items on exhibit, such as paintings, clothing,
electronics, vehicles, firearms, bombs, and missiles.
Living slightly more than an hour’s drive from the museum, I
consider myself lucky; I can drop in almost anytime to see the
displays, watch a movie at the IMAX theater, or peruse the gift
shop.
However, because the museum is part of an active military
base, most of the site is off-limits. Events such as the Scale
Masters give visitors a chance to access other parts of the grounds
and to see just how big this facility is. It’s inspiring to think that
we used the same pavement Chuck Yeager used to flight-test the
MiG-15 and where aircraft as large as the B-36 were operational.
Thanks to museum director Major General Charles Metcalf
and his entire staff for the use of the museum grounds during the
Scale Masters. Not only did they grant use of the facilities for
flying, but they opened Memorial Park for static judging and the
Modern Flight Hangar for the banquet.
If you are ever in the Dayton, Ohio, area, you owe it to yourself
to take some time to visit the museum. Admission is free yearround.
For directions, hours of operation, and information about
how to become a member of the US Air Force Museum, visit its
Web site at www.wpafb.af.mil/museum. MA
—Mark Lanterman
46 MODEL AVIATION
Tina asked repeatedly for clearance to
get the last maneuvers in, but she was
asked to hold each time. It wasn’t until
she gathered up the flightline boss and the
caller for Flightline 2 that they finally
understood the situation and cleared the
way for Bob to complete his flight. (I’ll
bet you thought the callers had the easier
part of the job!)
Another pilot and caller who work
together are Dennis and Linda Crooks.
Dennis has been campaigning an
impressive twin-engine P-38 and has done
quite well with it, including a win in
Expert class at the 2003 Scale Nationals.
However, fate wasn’t so kind to
Dennis at the Scale Masters this year,
when two of his flights ended prematurely
because of engine problems. An engine
went out during one flight, and the other
was a freakish situation in which one
engine came loose inside the nacelle.
With an engine out, or with one
flailing around helplessly, any twin is on
the brink of disaster right up to the
moment when it sets down. This is a nearpanic
situation for any pilot, but that was
where Linda came in.
Knowing the problem, she
immediately called for the emergency
landing and then calmly talked to Dennis
as he did everything he could to limp the
P-38 home. Her calming voice reassuring
Dennis to “be smooth,” that “everything’s
all right,” and even to “take a deep
breath” was a huge part of why he was
able to bring the model back both times. I
even overheard one of the judges say to
Linda, “Boy, I wish I had a coach like
you.”
In a conversation I had with Gary
Parenti we were talking about a problem
he experienced during a previous flight,
when his father Hal joined the
conversation. Not too long after that, Nick
Ziroli Sr. (of Nick Ziroli Plans) and Bob
Walker (of Robart Manufacturing) walked
up, and we all chatted for quite some time.
At one point Nick joked about how
Hal’s age was affecting his flying, and
before I knew it, all three of the elder
statesmen were bringing out their wallets
to check each other’s driver’s licenses. I
won’t give away who the oldest of the
three was; I’m crazy—not stupid!
What an event! And as I mentioned at the
beginning of this article, it’s impossible to
cover everything I need to cover. It was a
nicely run show, and Contest Director
Mike Barbee and the Westerville Model
Aeronautics Association (WMAA) did a
great job of putting everything together.
I extend my congratulations to all
competitors for building and flying well
enough to qualify for this year’s Scale
Masters, regardless of where they placed.
It was a great event, and I’m looking
forward to this year’s competition in
Gardner, Kansas, September 23-26. Who
knows? Maybe I’ll get the chance to meet
you there. MA
Mark Lanterman
5655 David Pl.
Fairfield OH 45014
[email protected]
Scale Masters sponsors:
Pacer Technology
Tom Raper RV
Airtronics
Barbee Concrete and Construction
Dinneen Excavation Company
Bob’s Aircraft Documentation
Bob Smith Industries
Great Planes Manufacturing
Proctor Enterprises
Robart Manufacturing
US Scale Masters Association
Wing Manufacturing
Bob Holman Plans
Handibond
Hansen Scale Aviation Video
Nelson Hobby Specialties
Ace Hobby Distributors
Arizona Model Pilots Society
Arizona Radio Control Society
R/C Excellence Magazine
SR Batteries
Sky Knights R/C club
Nick Ziroli Plans
48 MODEL AVIATION
2003 Scale Masters Results
Grand Champion
Pilot Aircraft
David Hayes (Roanoke Rapids NC) Rockwell Thrush
Designer Scale
Place/Pilot Aircraft Static Top Three Average Total
1. David Hayes (Roanoke Rapids NC) Rockwell Thrush 97.25 92.417 189.667
2. Shailesh Patel (Eureka CA) North American F-86 Sabre 97.25 91.750 189.000
3. Jeff Foley (Roanoke Rapids NC) Messerschmitt Bf 109E 96.50 92.500 189.000
4. Bob Patton (Saint Joseph IL) North American T-28C 95.00 91.750 186.750
5. Charles T. Nelson (Berlin MA) WACO YKS-7 95.00 91.250 186.250
6. Hal Parenti (Westchester IL) Ryan Fireball FR-1 96.25 89.250 185.500
7. Wayne Frederick (Santa Rosa CA) Fokker D.VIII 96.00 86.000 182.000
8. Tom Polapink (Centereach NY) Pfalz D.IIIa 95.25 86.500 181.750
9. Charles Baker (Union MO) Rawdon T-1 96.50 84.500 181.000
10. Dave Johnson (Vernon CT) Siemens-Schuckert D.III 95.00 84.417 179.417
11. Nick Ziroli Sr. (Little Falls NY) Stearman PT-17 94.00 78.583 172.583
Expert Scale
Place/Pilot Aircraft Static Top Three Average Total
1. Jeremy Fursman (Snoqualmie WA) de Havilland D.H.82A 95.50 93.583 189.083
2. Kim Foster (Mansfield OH) de Havilland D.H.94 Moth Minor 97.00 91.417 188.417
3. Kent Walters (Scottsdale AZ) Douglas SBD-3 Dauntless 96.25 90.833 187.083
4. Joe Rafalowski (Fayetteville GA) Lockheed T-33 94.50 92.083 186.583
5. Dave Wigley (Smithtown NY) Hawker Tempest Mk V 96.00 88.750 184.750
6. Steve Ort (Seymour IN) North American B-25 Mitchell 94.75 89.333 184.083
7. Sean M. Cassidy (Champaign IL) Grumman F6F-5 Hellcat 95.75 88.000 183.750
8. Jeff Lovitt (Davis CA) Kawasaki Ki-61 Tony 93.75 89.583 183.333
9. Dave Pinegar (Warren MI) Beechcraft T-34A Mentor 90.25 92.917 183.167
10. Leo Spychalla (Watertown WI) Supermarine Spitfire MK XIV 92.00 90.000 182.000
11. Dennis Crooks (Greencastle IN) Lockheed P-38 95.00 86.917 181.917
12. William Wheeler (Inola OK) Piper J-3 Cub 91.50 90.417 181.917
13. Glenn Reilly (Austin TX) Focke-Wulf Fw 190A8 95.25 86.083 181.333
14. Steve Forrest (Sturgeon MO) Republic P-47 91.00 90.250 181.250
15. Doug Crumley (Wichita KS) Fieseler Storch 94.25 86.750 181.000
2003 Scale Masters Best-of Awards
Award Sponsor Recipient Aircraft
Best Biplane Kelly Christ Jeremy Fursman de Havilland D.H.82A
Best Built Up Kit Marv Wade Zach Spychalla Supermarine Spitfire FR.Mk XIVE
Best Civilian RC Hobbies David Hayes Rockwell Thrush
Best Documentation Bob Holman Plans Al Kretz Douglas Dauntless SBD-3
Best Golden Age Sanderson & Associates Charles T. Nelson WACO YKS-7
Best Jet Robart Manufacturing Shailesh Patel North American F-86 Sabre
Best Markings Planes Plus Dave Wigley Hawker Tempest Mk V
Best Military Marv Wade Shailesh Patel North American F-86 Sabre
Best Mission Award—Expert Airtronics Radio Systems David Hayes Rockwell Thrush
Best Mission Award—Team Airtronics Radio Systems Curtis Kitteringham Stinson SR-9 “Gullwing”
Best Scratch Built Aircraft Capstone Hobbies David Hayes Rockwell Thrush
Best WW I Proctor Enterprise Dave Johnson Siemens-Schuckert D.III
Best WW II Vel-Tye LLC Reg Dell-Aquila Lockheed P-38L Lightning
Engineering Achievement Southern Alameda County R/Cers Dave Pinegar Tupolev Tu-4 AEW
Harris Lee Lifetime Achievement Scale Masters Association Mike Winter Sopwith Pup
High Flight One Eighth Air Force Dave Pinegar Tupolev Tu-4 AEW
High Static WMAA David Hayes/Shailesh Patel Rockwell Thrush/F-86 Sabre
Most Realistic Flight—Expert Airtronics Radio Systems William Wheeler Piper J-3 Cub
Most Realistic Flight—Team Airtronics Radio Systems Curtis Kitteringham Stinson SR-9 “Gullwing”
Pilots’ Choice One Eighth Air Force Shailesh Patel North American F-86 Sabre
16. Ward Emigh (Scottsdale AZ) Fairchild PT-23 92.50 88.333 180.833
17. Al Kretz (Woodville AL) Douglas SBD-3 Dauntless 94.75 85.833 180.583
18. Zach Spychalla (Watertown WI) Supermarine Spitfire FR.Mk XIVE 92.25 88.167 180.417
19. Dave Lovitt (Willits CA) Yakovlev Yak-18P 89.75 90.583 180.333
20. Jack Buckley (Marlborough MA) Chance Vought F4U-1A Corsair 90.25 89.667 179.917
21. Bill McCallie (Tampa FL) Focke-Wulf Fw 190 89.75 90.000 179.750
22. Mike Winter (Sarasota FL) Sopwith Pup 92.50 86.933 179.433
23. Bob Wonitoy (Edmonton, Alberta) Focke-Wulf 190A-8 93.75 85.583 179.333
24. Paul Cain (New Albany IN) CAP 231 EX 89.50 89.250 178.750
25. Dick Hansen (Portland OR) Albatros D.Va 92.00 86.250 178.250
26. Bob Gillespie (Twin Falls ID) Nieuport 28C 95.00 83.167 178.167
27. Bud Roane (Melbourne FL) Condor Shoestring 90.50 87.500 178.000
28. Scott Foster (Middlebury VT) Republic P-47 Thunderbolt 90.00 87.250 177.250
29. Richard Crupi (Crofton KY) Piper J-3 Cub 88.00 89.000 177.000
30. Larry Sutherland (Prather CA) Beechcraft T-34A Mentor 95.50 81.333 176.833
31. Skip Mast (Royal Oak MI) Piper J-3 Cub 90.25 86.500 176.750
32. Chip Greene (Tampa FL) Grumman F8F-2 Bearcat 88.75 87.916 176.666
33. Ray Davis (East Falmouth MA) McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle 89.75 86.500 176.250
34. Jeffrey Pike (Baton Rouge LA) U1-A Otter 88.00 88.167 176.167
35. Jeremy Arvin (Jeffersonville IN) CAP 21 88.25 87.667 175.917
36. Mel Santmyers (Beaumont CA) Citabria Pro 91.00 81.583 172.583
37. Randy Smithhisler (Edgewood WA) Piper J-4 Cub Coupé 87.75 83.500 171.250
38. Larry Shepard (Paradise CA) Sopwith 11⁄2-Strutter 89.75 80.667 170.417
39. John Ostmeyer (Overland Park KS) WACO UPF-5 Classic 90.25 75.667 165.917
40. Gary Parenti (Westchester IL) Benes-Mráz Be.50 Beta-Minor 89.75 68.500 158.250
41. Lee Rice (Keller TX) Chance Vought F4U-1D Corsair 95.00 31.000 126.000
42. Bruce Bender (Edmonton, Alberta) Supermarine Spitfire Mk XIVE 93.75 26.333 120.083
43. Steve Sauger (Troy MI) Fairchild Ranger 92.75 16.083 108.833
44. Stan Clark (Hurricane WV) Cessna L-19 Bird Dog 88.75 5.083 93.833
Team Scale
Place/Pilot
Builder Aircraft Static Top Three Average Total
1. Dave Pinegar (Warren MI)
George Maiorana Tupolev Tu-4 AEW 97.00 90.000 187.000
2. Scott Russell (Woodbury MN)
Wayne Siewert Republic P-47D Thunderbolt 95.75 89.167 184.917
3. Eduardo D. Esteves (Belo Horizonte, Brazil)
Ronaldo Salles Spacewalker 95.00 89.833 184.833
4. Jay Steward (Phoenix AZ)
Jack Steward Nieuport 28C 95.25 88.417 183.667
5. Paul Haynes (Redmond OR)
Steve Wilson Nieuport 95.25 84.584 179.834
6. Curtis Kitteringham (Escondido CA)
Ron Peterka Stinson SR-9 “Gullwing” 91.75 88.083 179.833
7. Brian O’Meara (Denver CO)
James Hammond Jr. Kawasaki Ki-61 Tony 93.00 86.750 179.750
8. Nil Patel (Eureka CA)
Shailesh Patel McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom 95.75 83.417 179.167
9. Wayne Frederick (Santa Rosa CA)
Vernon Altamirano Cessna 182 Skylane 95.00 83.583 178.583
10. Mike Gross (Mastic Beach NY)
Tony Kirchenko Stearman PT-17 92.25 85.750 178.000
11. Mike Barbee (Delaware OH)
Earl Muenze Fairchild M-62 91.50 85.917 177.417
12. Dorin Luck (Henderson KY)
Gary Allen Bücker Bü.u133 Jungmeister 92.25 84.417 176.667
13. Reg Dell-Aquila (Palo Alto CA)
Frank R. Banks Lockheed P-38L Lightning 92.50 82.417 174.917
14. Steve Ort (Seymour IN)
John Colby Consolidated B-24 Liberator 90.50 81.250 171.750
15. Dale Arvin (Jeffersonville IN)
Earl Dever Sr. Cessna 182 85.25 85.667 170.917
16. Jeremy Arvin (Jeffersonville IN)
Earl Dever Jr. Stinson DR-9 84.50 85.333 169.833
17. Wayne Knight (Boca Raton FL)
Bob Walter North American P-51 Mustang 86.75 68.333 155.083
18. David Malchione (Kennett Square PA)
Mark Frankel Douglas F4D-1 Skyray 92.50 — —
50 MODEL AVIATION

FALL HAD SETTLED in, the weather
was turning colder, and the leaves were
turning brilliant shades of yellow and red.
Most of us were starting to look fondly back
on a summer’s worth of flying packed with
contests, fun-flys, and the like. Airplanes,
radios, and engines were being nestled back
into storage, and plans were being made for
what to build during the winter. But at this
time of year the best of the best in Radio
Control Scale get together for one more big
bash to find out who has the right stuff to be
that year’s Scale Masters champion.
More than 20 years ago, the Scale
Masters program was conceived to bring
people together to enjoy each other’s Scale
models and each other’s company. Since its
inception the program has grown to more
than 22 regional qualifiers in the US,
Canada, and even Puerto Rico. Each fall the
top 30% of the winners from the regional
Dave Lovitt flew his Yak-18P to a respectable 19th place in Expert. Built from a Sig kit, it
features flaps, retracts, and an O.S. .61 SF engine for power.
38 MODEL AVIATION
by Mark Lanterman
Ray Davis’s F-15, caught during a maximum-burn takeoff, is an Avonds kit with
an AMT 280 turbine and a Futaba eight-channel radio system. Ray included an
operational smoke system, speed brakes, flaps, and scratch-built retracts.
April 2004 39
qualifiers come together in one place to
compete to find out, in a friendly way, who
will be the best.
In 2003 the Scale Masters was held in
Dayton, Ohio, Wednesday, September 24
through Sunday, September 28, which
coincided perfectly with the year-long
Centennial of Flight celebrations held
throughout the region. Not only was it held
in the birthplace of aviation, but it was held
at one of the more significant aviation sites
in the United States: the US Air Force
Museum, which is part of the Wright-
Patterson Air Force base.
The event was well attended, with 73
entries from across the United States and as
far away as Brazil. As diverse as the pilots’
homes were, the aircraft entered were even
This gorgeous F-86 Sabre has a healthy dose of the “wow factor.” Shailesh Patel won Pilots’ Choice with it.
Jeremy Arvin’s de Havilland D.H.82A was the most colorful model. He won Expert and narrowly missed claiming Grand Champion.
This Piper J-4 Cub Coupé was one of two electric-powered models. Randy Smithhisler
built it from his own plans and powered it with an AstroFlight 90 motor.
Photos by the author
40 MODEL AVIATION
more so. Almost every period of flight was
represented, including biplane fighters of
World War I, racers of the Golden Age,
fighters and bombers of World War II, and
Korean and Vietnam War veterans, even up
to the most modern fighters and civilian
aircraft.
As is typical of a Scale event, static
judging took place first and lasted for two
days (Wednesday and Thursday). Given the
amount of entries and the high level of
building, it takes quite awhile to get through
them all.
At this level of competition, three things
are judged simultaneously by three different
judges: outline and finish/color/markings
are judged at a distance of 15 feet, and
craftsmanship is judged at as many as four
feet from the model. Although it made for a
couple of very long days, the trio of
judges—Bob Banka, Rich Roberts, and
Chauncey Dance—evaluated every model
ensuring consistency.
The next three days were devoted to
flying. Pilots were supposed to have flown
five rounds, but because of a powerful little
cold front which rained out Friday
afternoon and a bit of Saturday morning,
only four rounds were flown. A bit of wind
was around almost every day but was
normally right down the runway, so it
didn’t affect the pilots too much.
With four flightlines going, there was
always something in the air and activity on
the runway. Mike Leonard and Mike
Sanderson were the two line bosses and had
the thankless job of trying to keep more than
70 pilots, their callers, and their models on
schedule while maintaining safety at the
same time.
The line bosses implemented a series of
hand signals for the callers, which included
gestures for landing, fly-past, overshoot, and
landing. Although it took a few flights for
the bugs to be worked out, this system
worked quite well. This was jokingly
referred to as the “Mike and Mike Show.”
I’m happy to report that only a handful
of models were lost during the event, and of
those losses only a few were beyond repair.
Losing an airplane at any time is painful, but
it had to be even more so for Mark Frankel.
After his F4D-1 Skyray was judged in
static, Mark and his pilot David Malchione
went over to the flying site to put in a few
practice flights. On the third flight they
believe they were hit with a battery failure;
the airplane was a complete loss and they
were unable to compete.
The Airplanes: Now for the hard part. With
limited magazine space, how can I possibly
cover all 70+ models entered? I can’t. So
how can I choose what to cover? After all,
how can I not include the dynamic duo of
Dave Pinegar and George Maiorana and
their outstanding electric-powered Tu-4?
What about Hal Parenti’s Fireball, Jeff
Foley’s Bf 109E, and Jeremy Fursman’s
D.H.82? The list goes on and on. So many
airplanes, so little space!
After bouncing around several ideas of
what to do, I decided to pick a cross-section
of four models: one for its “wow factor,”
one for outstanding scale details, one with
interesting building challenges, and one that
is unique. I also wanted to highlight models
that haven’t been featured too prominently
in other Scale-event coverage.
My pick for the “wow factor” was easy. I
was glad to later learn that my choice for
this category was justified; builder Shailesh
Patel was awarded the Pilots’ Choice
trophy. His Designer Scale model was an F-
86 Sabre in the color scheme of the
Skyblazers flight demonstration team.
One of the first things that grabbed me
when I first saw this airplane was just how
big it was. When I asked Shailesh why he
made his model so large, he answered,
“Bigger airplanes fly more realistic, and it’s
easier to see on my eyes, you know. And
I’ve got tons of room inside to work.”
In spite of his troubles during the Scale Masters, Dennis Crooks finished 11th in Expert. His wife Linda (R) doubles as a mechanic,
and she was instrumental in helping Dennis through his difficulties. The text has details.
April 2004 41
Right: You could argue that Bob Gillespie’s Nieuport 28C performed a scale
landing; the full-scale WW I airplanes often ended up like this.
Kent Walters was third in Expert with his SBD-3 Dauntless, modeled
after an aircraft that flew during the Battle of Midway.
Dick Hansen fabricated a highly detailed dummy engine
for his Albatros D.Va. He built it from a Proctor kit.
Jeff Foley’s Bf 109E is always near the top of the leader board. This year he finished third in Designer Scale with it.
Gary Allen’s 1⁄3-scale Bücker
Jungmeister was one of the larger
models entered. Dorin Luck flew it in
Team Scale.
42 MODEL AVIATION
To give you an idea of how big the Sabre
was, its wingspan was 95.25 inches, it
weighed 45.5 pounds, and if you were
standing next to it, the top of the vertical fin
would be right at your belt line.
Shailesh chose an AMT Olympus
turbine for power, a JR radio system for
control using eight servos, and a gyro on the
nose gear to help with high-speed taxiing.
He used Coverite’s Presto metal finish for
the covering and PPG automotive paint for
the color. The wheels and tires were custom
made with Glennis Aircraft’s help. The F-86
also featured flaps, speed brakes, and a
sliding canopy.
In addition to the Pilots’ Choice award,
Shailesh finished second in Designer Scale,
just .667 point behind David Hayes. He also
pulled double-duty with his son Nil,
finishing eighth in Team Scale with a Bob
Violett Models’ F-4 Phantom. Nil was the
youngest pilot at the event and did a great
job with his first turbine.
When it came to outstanding scale
details, the choice was, again, easy. When
looking down at David Hayes’ Rockwell
Thrush, it did not appear to be a standout—
but that’s because most of the good stuff
was hidden underneath.
The Thrush is a crop duster and has a
wealth of pipes, fittings, and other gizmos
under the wing. David estimated that he had
an excess of 800 hours in his model, which
included a fully functional crop-spraying
system. Although the spraying system
wasn’t functioning at the event, David does
plan to have it working again and add
functional brakes and a few other new
goodies.
A Saito 180 four-stroke engine powered
the Thrush, and everything was controlled
Mike Winter’s Sopwith Pup was one of the largest models entered. It has a working bomb drop and fully functional flying wires.
David Hayes captured a well-deserved win in Designer with his Rockwell Thrush. He
tied for the highest static score and was this year’s Grand Champion.
Doug Crumley entered this Fieseler Fi 156 Storch in Expert. He built it using Bob
Holman plans and integrated many features of the full-scale aircraft.
April 2004 43
Builder Scott Russell and pilot Wayne Siewert campaigned this 1⁄6-scale Aerotech P-47D Thunderbolt in Team Scale.
Built from a Mark Frankel kit, Larry Sutherland’s 40-pound T-34A Beechcraft Mentor uses a Laser 300 engine for power.
Joe Rafalowski’s T-33 from a Jet Model Products kit finished fourth in Expert. It uses a JetCat P-120 turbine for power.
via a JR radio system. The model weighed 21 pounds and, once both
plug-in wings were installed, had a 108-inch wingspan.
David tied Shailesh Patel for the highest static score in Designer
Scale; it was his flying that made the difference. As part of David’s
optional maneuvers, he did a series of low passes and low wingovers
with the Thrush that perfectly emulated what you’ll see any fullscale
crop duster doing.
When considering building challenges, Doug Crumley’s Fi 156
Storch was one of the more interesting models. Doug scratch-built
the aircraft from Bob Holman plans using conventional wood
construction throughout. He used an O.S. 91 four-stroke engine for
power and an Airtronics radio system.
The Storch’s “greenhouse” cockpit presented special
construction challenges for hiding hardware such as servos,
pushrods, receiver, batteries, and wiring. Doug installed all of those
items in the small spaces forward of the cockpit or under the cockpit
floor. The greenhouse also precluded using “carry-through” spars
for the wing structure, so the wing struts were not only to scale but
were also structurally essential.
There were no external nonscale control horns, pushrods, or
linkages, and the external pull-pull system of the rudder duplicated
the configuration of the full-scale Storch. Service points of the
model for fueling, charging, the on/off switch, and the glow
connection were hidden in inconspicuous points within the cowl.
The model’s unusual features included the articulated scale main
landing gear and the scale flap system, which included the mixed,
droop aileron feature of the full-scale aircraft. Full deployment or
retraction of the flaps was time-delayed to approximately 10 seconds
for smooth in-flight transitions.
Uniqueness is a tough call; at every event it seems as though
there’s a subject you haven’t seen modeled before—or at least very
often—such as the Bücker Bü.133 Jungmeister that pilot Dorin
Luck and builder Gary Allen entered in Team Scale. It was a goodsize
model at 1⁄3 scale, spanning 86 inches, and was powered by a
Zenoah G-62 engine.
Owing to the full-scale Jungmeister’s nature, there were not a
lot of whiz-bang mechanical options or flashy surface details, but
that’s not necessarily a bad thing. The closer I got to this model, the
more I saw. Features such as rib stitching, cockpit detail, fenders
over the wheels, and functional wing-bracing wires gave it a
surprisingly clean, realistic look. The addition of a brilliant yellow
color scheme made for a good overall model.
Behind the Scenes: Regardless of whether you attend a football
game, an automobile race, or a model-airplane contest, many
factors surrounding the event give it flavor. One of those is the
people, many of whom have been shown in modeling magazines
from around the world. Visiting with old friends and getting the
chance to meet competitors is almost as much fun as checking out
the airplanes. (I said “almost.”)
The husband-and-wife team of Eduardo and Ana Esteves
traveled farther than any other competitors. They campaigned their
Spacewalker in Team Scale and had to come all the way from
Brazil to do so. In spite of the jet lag, they placed third. Another
great couple I’ve come to know is Bob Patton and Tina DuPriest; I
met them at the Scale Nationals this past year when I happened to
pit next to them.
Sometimes it is interesting to watch what a caller goes through
on the flightline to help get his or her pilot through a flight and
clear the way for landing. During one of the rounds at the Scale
Masters I was standing between the first and second flightlines.
Bob was flying his T-28C on Flightline 1, and he needed to come in
for a flyby and then set up for landing. Although his model was not
critically low on fuel, it was obvious that it was quickly getting to
the point where Bob would have to bring the model in.
Meanwhile, there was a competitor on Flightline 2 with a World
War I biplane (an Albatros, I think). He had a ton of trouble getting
it started, and once he took off, the timing of his maneuvers was
such that he was in the way of everything Bob tried to do.
The timing of all this was such that the guys working the
flightline seemed to be giving the guy with the Albatros preferential
treatment, not knowing how it was affecting Bob’s situation.
44 MODEL AVIATION
With more than 300 aircraft on display and a network of
runways, the US Air Force Museum was the setting for this
year’s event.
An artist’s rendering shows plans for expansion. The Cold
War building (third from right) is finished. The Hall of Missiles
and Space Gallery/Education Center buildings (right-hand
side) should be completed in the next couple of years.
Flying on Hallowed Ground
As if spending five days among some of the best Radio Control
Scale models on the planet weren’t good enough, consider that this
edition of the Scale Masters Championships was held on the
grounds of the United States Air Force Museum in Dayton, Ohio.
Since the 1920s this location has been part of one of the most
active bases in the United States: Wright-Patterson Air Force Base.
Although previous Scale Masters have been held on the US Air
Force Museum grounds, this year was special. Apart from the
continuing celebration of the centennial of flight, the museum is in
the midst of an aggressive expansion.
This past July saw the completion, dedication, and opening of
the museum’s third massive hangar for Cold War exhibits. This
new 200,000-square-foot building will soon be joined by a “Hall
of Missiles” and a “Space Gallery/Education Center” in the years
to come.
The museum currently has more than 300 aircraft on display.
These include significant airplanes from every era in aviation,
dating as far back as the Wright brothers’ 1909 Military Flyer, and
the most sophisticated weapons in US arsenal: the F-22 Raptor and
the B-2 Spirit. But that’s only part of it; there are also more than
6,000 nonaircraft items on exhibit, such as paintings, clothing,
electronics, vehicles, firearms, bombs, and missiles.
Living slightly more than an hour’s drive from the museum, I
consider myself lucky; I can drop in almost anytime to see the
displays, watch a movie at the IMAX theater, or peruse the gift
shop.
However, because the museum is part of an active military
base, most of the site is off-limits. Events such as the Scale
Masters give visitors a chance to access other parts of the grounds
and to see just how big this facility is. It’s inspiring to think that
we used the same pavement Chuck Yeager used to flight-test the
MiG-15 and where aircraft as large as the B-36 were operational.
Thanks to museum director Major General Charles Metcalf
and his entire staff for the use of the museum grounds during the
Scale Masters. Not only did they grant use of the facilities for
flying, but they opened Memorial Park for static judging and the
Modern Flight Hangar for the banquet.
If you are ever in the Dayton, Ohio, area, you owe it to yourself
to take some time to visit the museum. Admission is free yearround.
For directions, hours of operation, and information about
how to become a member of the US Air Force Museum, visit its
Web site at www.wpafb.af.mil/museum. MA
—Mark Lanterman
46 MODEL AVIATION
Tina asked repeatedly for clearance to
get the last maneuvers in, but she was
asked to hold each time. It wasn’t until
she gathered up the flightline boss and the
caller for Flightline 2 that they finally
understood the situation and cleared the
way for Bob to complete his flight. (I’ll
bet you thought the callers had the easier
part of the job!)
Another pilot and caller who work
together are Dennis and Linda Crooks.
Dennis has been campaigning an
impressive twin-engine P-38 and has done
quite well with it, including a win in
Expert class at the 2003 Scale Nationals.
However, fate wasn’t so kind to
Dennis at the Scale Masters this year,
when two of his flights ended prematurely
because of engine problems. An engine
went out during one flight, and the other
was a freakish situation in which one
engine came loose inside the nacelle.
With an engine out, or with one
flailing around helplessly, any twin is on
the brink of disaster right up to the
moment when it sets down. This is a nearpanic
situation for any pilot, but that was
where Linda came in.
Knowing the problem, she
immediately called for the emergency
landing and then calmly talked to Dennis
as he did everything he could to limp the
P-38 home. Her calming voice reassuring
Dennis to “be smooth,” that “everything’s
all right,” and even to “take a deep
breath” was a huge part of why he was
able to bring the model back both times. I
even overheard one of the judges say to
Linda, “Boy, I wish I had a coach like
you.”
In a conversation I had with Gary
Parenti we were talking about a problem
he experienced during a previous flight,
when his father Hal joined the
conversation. Not too long after that, Nick
Ziroli Sr. (of Nick Ziroli Plans) and Bob
Walker (of Robart Manufacturing) walked
up, and we all chatted for quite some time.
At one point Nick joked about how
Hal’s age was affecting his flying, and
before I knew it, all three of the elder
statesmen were bringing out their wallets
to check each other’s driver’s licenses. I
won’t give away who the oldest of the
three was; I’m crazy—not stupid!
What an event! And as I mentioned at the
beginning of this article, it’s impossible to
cover everything I need to cover. It was a
nicely run show, and Contest Director
Mike Barbee and the Westerville Model
Aeronautics Association (WMAA) did a
great job of putting everything together.
I extend my congratulations to all
competitors for building and flying well
enough to qualify for this year’s Scale
Masters, regardless of where they placed.
It was a great event, and I’m looking
forward to this year’s competition in
Gardner, Kansas, September 23-26. Who
knows? Maybe I’ll get the chance to meet
you there. MA
Mark Lanterman
5655 David Pl.
Fairfield OH 45014
[email protected]
Scale Masters sponsors:
Pacer Technology
Tom Raper RV
Airtronics
Barbee Concrete and Construction
Dinneen Excavation Company
Bob’s Aircraft Documentation
Bob Smith Industries
Great Planes Manufacturing
Proctor Enterprises
Robart Manufacturing
US Scale Masters Association
Wing Manufacturing
Bob Holman Plans
Handibond
Hansen Scale Aviation Video
Nelson Hobby Specialties
Ace Hobby Distributors
Arizona Model Pilots Society
Arizona Radio Control Society
R/C Excellence Magazine
SR Batteries
Sky Knights R/C club
Nick Ziroli Plans
48 MODEL AVIATION
2003 Scale Masters Results
Grand Champion
Pilot Aircraft
David Hayes (Roanoke Rapids NC) Rockwell Thrush
Designer Scale
Place/Pilot Aircraft Static Top Three Average Total
1. David Hayes (Roanoke Rapids NC) Rockwell Thrush 97.25 92.417 189.667
2. Shailesh Patel (Eureka CA) North American F-86 Sabre 97.25 91.750 189.000
3. Jeff Foley (Roanoke Rapids NC) Messerschmitt Bf 109E 96.50 92.500 189.000
4. Bob Patton (Saint Joseph IL) North American T-28C 95.00 91.750 186.750
5. Charles T. Nelson (Berlin MA) WACO YKS-7 95.00 91.250 186.250
6. Hal Parenti (Westchester IL) Ryan Fireball FR-1 96.25 89.250 185.500
7. Wayne Frederick (Santa Rosa CA) Fokker D.VIII 96.00 86.000 182.000
8. Tom Polapink (Centereach NY) Pfalz D.IIIa 95.25 86.500 181.750
9. Charles Baker (Union MO) Rawdon T-1 96.50 84.500 181.000
10. Dave Johnson (Vernon CT) Siemens-Schuckert D.III 95.00 84.417 179.417
11. Nick Ziroli Sr. (Little Falls NY) Stearman PT-17 94.00 78.583 172.583
Expert Scale
Place/Pilot Aircraft Static Top Three Average Total
1. Jeremy Fursman (Snoqualmie WA) de Havilland D.H.82A 95.50 93.583 189.083
2. Kim Foster (Mansfield OH) de Havilland D.H.94 Moth Minor 97.00 91.417 188.417
3. Kent Walters (Scottsdale AZ) Douglas SBD-3 Dauntless 96.25 90.833 187.083
4. Joe Rafalowski (Fayetteville GA) Lockheed T-33 94.50 92.083 186.583
5. Dave Wigley (Smithtown NY) Hawker Tempest Mk V 96.00 88.750 184.750
6. Steve Ort (Seymour IN) North American B-25 Mitchell 94.75 89.333 184.083
7. Sean M. Cassidy (Champaign IL) Grumman F6F-5 Hellcat 95.75 88.000 183.750
8. Jeff Lovitt (Davis CA) Kawasaki Ki-61 Tony 93.75 89.583 183.333
9. Dave Pinegar (Warren MI) Beechcraft T-34A Mentor 90.25 92.917 183.167
10. Leo Spychalla (Watertown WI) Supermarine Spitfire MK XIV 92.00 90.000 182.000
11. Dennis Crooks (Greencastle IN) Lockheed P-38 95.00 86.917 181.917
12. William Wheeler (Inola OK) Piper J-3 Cub 91.50 90.417 181.917
13. Glenn Reilly (Austin TX) Focke-Wulf Fw 190A8 95.25 86.083 181.333
14. Steve Forrest (Sturgeon MO) Republic P-47 91.00 90.250 181.250
15. Doug Crumley (Wichita KS) Fieseler Storch 94.25 86.750 181.000
2003 Scale Masters Best-of Awards
Award Sponsor Recipient Aircraft
Best Biplane Kelly Christ Jeremy Fursman de Havilland D.H.82A
Best Built Up Kit Marv Wade Zach Spychalla Supermarine Spitfire FR.Mk XIVE
Best Civilian RC Hobbies David Hayes Rockwell Thrush
Best Documentation Bob Holman Plans Al Kretz Douglas Dauntless SBD-3
Best Golden Age Sanderson & Associates Charles T. Nelson WACO YKS-7
Best Jet Robart Manufacturing Shailesh Patel North American F-86 Sabre
Best Markings Planes Plus Dave Wigley Hawker Tempest Mk V
Best Military Marv Wade Shailesh Patel North American F-86 Sabre
Best Mission Award—Expert Airtronics Radio Systems David Hayes Rockwell Thrush
Best Mission Award—Team Airtronics Radio Systems Curtis Kitteringham Stinson SR-9 “Gullwing”
Best Scratch Built Aircraft Capstone Hobbies David Hayes Rockwell Thrush
Best WW I Proctor Enterprise Dave Johnson Siemens-Schuckert D.III
Best WW II Vel-Tye LLC Reg Dell-Aquila Lockheed P-38L Lightning
Engineering Achievement Southern Alameda County R/Cers Dave Pinegar Tupolev Tu-4 AEW
Harris Lee Lifetime Achievement Scale Masters Association Mike Winter Sopwith Pup
High Flight One Eighth Air Force Dave Pinegar Tupolev Tu-4 AEW
High Static WMAA David Hayes/Shailesh Patel Rockwell Thrush/F-86 Sabre
Most Realistic Flight—Expert Airtronics Radio Systems William Wheeler Piper J-3 Cub
Most Realistic Flight—Team Airtronics Radio Systems Curtis Kitteringham Stinson SR-9 “Gullwing”
Pilots’ Choice One Eighth Air Force Shailesh Patel North American F-86 Sabre
16. Ward Emigh (Scottsdale AZ) Fairchild PT-23 92.50 88.333 180.833
17. Al Kretz (Woodville AL) Douglas SBD-3 Dauntless 94.75 85.833 180.583
18. Zach Spychalla (Watertown WI) Supermarine Spitfire FR.Mk XIVE 92.25 88.167 180.417
19. Dave Lovitt (Willits CA) Yakovlev Yak-18P 89.75 90.583 180.333
20. Jack Buckley (Marlborough MA) Chance Vought F4U-1A Corsair 90.25 89.667 179.917
21. Bill McCallie (Tampa FL) Focke-Wulf Fw 190 89.75 90.000 179.750
22. Mike Winter (Sarasota FL) Sopwith Pup 92.50 86.933 179.433
23. Bob Wonitoy (Edmonton, Alberta) Focke-Wulf 190A-8 93.75 85.583 179.333
24. Paul Cain (New Albany IN) CAP 231 EX 89.50 89.250 178.750
25. Dick Hansen (Portland OR) Albatros D.Va 92.00 86.250 178.250
26. Bob Gillespie (Twin Falls ID) Nieuport 28C 95.00 83.167 178.167
27. Bud Roane (Melbourne FL) Condor Shoestring 90.50 87.500 178.000
28. Scott Foster (Middlebury VT) Republic P-47 Thunderbolt 90.00 87.250 177.250
29. Richard Crupi (Crofton KY) Piper J-3 Cub 88.00 89.000 177.000
30. Larry Sutherland (Prather CA) Beechcraft T-34A Mentor 95.50 81.333 176.833
31. Skip Mast (Royal Oak MI) Piper J-3 Cub 90.25 86.500 176.750
32. Chip Greene (Tampa FL) Grumman F8F-2 Bearcat 88.75 87.916 176.666
33. Ray Davis (East Falmouth MA) McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle 89.75 86.500 176.250
34. Jeffrey Pike (Baton Rouge LA) U1-A Otter 88.00 88.167 176.167
35. Jeremy Arvin (Jeffersonville IN) CAP 21 88.25 87.667 175.917
36. Mel Santmyers (Beaumont CA) Citabria Pro 91.00 81.583 172.583
37. Randy Smithhisler (Edgewood WA) Piper J-4 Cub Coupé 87.75 83.500 171.250
38. Larry Shepard (Paradise CA) Sopwith 11⁄2-Strutter 89.75 80.667 170.417
39. John Ostmeyer (Overland Park KS) WACO UPF-5 Classic 90.25 75.667 165.917
40. Gary Parenti (Westchester IL) Benes-Mráz Be.50 Beta-Minor 89.75 68.500 158.250
41. Lee Rice (Keller TX) Chance Vought F4U-1D Corsair 95.00 31.000 126.000
42. Bruce Bender (Edmonton, Alberta) Supermarine Spitfire Mk XIVE 93.75 26.333 120.083
43. Steve Sauger (Troy MI) Fairchild Ranger 92.75 16.083 108.833
44. Stan Clark (Hurricane WV) Cessna L-19 Bird Dog 88.75 5.083 93.833
Team Scale
Place/Pilot
Builder Aircraft Static Top Three Average Total
1. Dave Pinegar (Warren MI)
George Maiorana Tupolev Tu-4 AEW 97.00 90.000 187.000
2. Scott Russell (Woodbury MN)
Wayne Siewert Republic P-47D Thunderbolt 95.75 89.167 184.917
3. Eduardo D. Esteves (Belo Horizonte, Brazil)
Ronaldo Salles Spacewalker 95.00 89.833 184.833
4. Jay Steward (Phoenix AZ)
Jack Steward Nieuport 28C 95.25 88.417 183.667
5. Paul Haynes (Redmond OR)
Steve Wilson Nieuport 95.25 84.584 179.834
6. Curtis Kitteringham (Escondido CA)
Ron Peterka Stinson SR-9 “Gullwing” 91.75 88.083 179.833
7. Brian O’Meara (Denver CO)
James Hammond Jr. Kawasaki Ki-61 Tony 93.00 86.750 179.750
8. Nil Patel (Eureka CA)
Shailesh Patel McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom 95.75 83.417 179.167
9. Wayne Frederick (Santa Rosa CA)
Vernon Altamirano Cessna 182 Skylane 95.00 83.583 178.583
10. Mike Gross (Mastic Beach NY)
Tony Kirchenko Stearman PT-17 92.25 85.750 178.000
11. Mike Barbee (Delaware OH)
Earl Muenze Fairchild M-62 91.50 85.917 177.417
12. Dorin Luck (Henderson KY)
Gary Allen Bücker Bü.u133 Jungmeister 92.25 84.417 176.667
13. Reg Dell-Aquila (Palo Alto CA)
Frank R. Banks Lockheed P-38L Lightning 92.50 82.417 174.917
14. Steve Ort (Seymour IN)
John Colby Consolidated B-24 Liberator 90.50 81.250 171.750
15. Dale Arvin (Jeffersonville IN)
Earl Dever Sr. Cessna 182 85.25 85.667 170.917
16. Jeremy Arvin (Jeffersonville IN)
Earl Dever Jr. Stinson DR-9 84.50 85.333 169.833
17. Wayne Knight (Boca Raton FL)
Bob Walter North American P-51 Mustang 86.75 68.333 155.083
18. David Malchione (Kennett Square PA)
Mark Frankel Douglas F4D-1 Skyray 92.50 — —
50 MODEL AVIATION

FALL HAD SETTLED in, the weather
was turning colder, and the leaves were
turning brilliant shades of yellow and red.
Most of us were starting to look fondly back
on a summer’s worth of flying packed with
contests, fun-flys, and the like. Airplanes,
radios, and engines were being nestled back
into storage, and plans were being made for
what to build during the winter. But at this
time of year the best of the best in Radio
Control Scale get together for one more big
bash to find out who has the right stuff to be
that year’s Scale Masters champion.
More than 20 years ago, the Scale
Masters program was conceived to bring
people together to enjoy each other’s Scale
models and each other’s company. Since its
inception the program has grown to more
than 22 regional qualifiers in the US,
Canada, and even Puerto Rico. Each fall the
top 30% of the winners from the regional
Dave Lovitt flew his Yak-18P to a respectable 19th place in Expert. Built from a Sig kit, it
features flaps, retracts, and an O.S. .61 SF engine for power.
38 MODEL AVIATION
by Mark Lanterman
Ray Davis’s F-15, caught during a maximum-burn takeoff, is an Avonds kit with
an AMT 280 turbine and a Futaba eight-channel radio system. Ray included an
operational smoke system, speed brakes, flaps, and scratch-built retracts.
April 2004 39
qualifiers come together in one place to
compete to find out, in a friendly way, who
will be the best.
In 2003 the Scale Masters was held in
Dayton, Ohio, Wednesday, September 24
through Sunday, September 28, which
coincided perfectly with the year-long
Centennial of Flight celebrations held
throughout the region. Not only was it held
in the birthplace of aviation, but it was held
at one of the more significant aviation sites
in the United States: the US Air Force
Museum, which is part of the Wright-
Patterson Air Force base.
The event was well attended, with 73
entries from across the United States and as
far away as Brazil. As diverse as the pilots’
homes were, the aircraft entered were even
This gorgeous F-86 Sabre has a healthy dose of the “wow factor.” Shailesh Patel won Pilots’ Choice with it.
Jeremy Arvin’s de Havilland D.H.82A was the most colorful model. He won Expert and narrowly missed claiming Grand Champion.
This Piper J-4 Cub Coupé was one of two electric-powered models. Randy Smithhisler
built it from his own plans and powered it with an AstroFlight 90 motor.
Photos by the author
40 MODEL AVIATION
more so. Almost every period of flight was
represented, including biplane fighters of
World War I, racers of the Golden Age,
fighters and bombers of World War II, and
Korean and Vietnam War veterans, even up
to the most modern fighters and civilian
aircraft.
As is typical of a Scale event, static
judging took place first and lasted for two
days (Wednesday and Thursday). Given the
amount of entries and the high level of
building, it takes quite awhile to get through
them all.
At this level of competition, three things
are judged simultaneously by three different
judges: outline and finish/color/markings
are judged at a distance of 15 feet, and
craftsmanship is judged at as many as four
feet from the model. Although it made for a
couple of very long days, the trio of
judges—Bob Banka, Rich Roberts, and
Chauncey Dance—evaluated every model
ensuring consistency.
The next three days were devoted to
flying. Pilots were supposed to have flown
five rounds, but because of a powerful little
cold front which rained out Friday
afternoon and a bit of Saturday morning,
only four rounds were flown. A bit of wind
was around almost every day but was
normally right down the runway, so it
didn’t affect the pilots too much.
With four flightlines going, there was
always something in the air and activity on
the runway. Mike Leonard and Mike
Sanderson were the two line bosses and had
the thankless job of trying to keep more than
70 pilots, their callers, and their models on
schedule while maintaining safety at the
same time.
The line bosses implemented a series of
hand signals for the callers, which included
gestures for landing, fly-past, overshoot, and
landing. Although it took a few flights for
the bugs to be worked out, this system
worked quite well. This was jokingly
referred to as the “Mike and Mike Show.”
I’m happy to report that only a handful
of models were lost during the event, and of
those losses only a few were beyond repair.
Losing an airplane at any time is painful, but
it had to be even more so for Mark Frankel.
After his F4D-1 Skyray was judged in
static, Mark and his pilot David Malchione
went over to the flying site to put in a few
practice flights. On the third flight they
believe they were hit with a battery failure;
the airplane was a complete loss and they
were unable to compete.
The Airplanes: Now for the hard part. With
limited magazine space, how can I possibly
cover all 70+ models entered? I can’t. So
how can I choose what to cover? After all,
how can I not include the dynamic duo of
Dave Pinegar and George Maiorana and
their outstanding electric-powered Tu-4?
What about Hal Parenti’s Fireball, Jeff
Foley’s Bf 109E, and Jeremy Fursman’s
D.H.82? The list goes on and on. So many
airplanes, so little space!
After bouncing around several ideas of
what to do, I decided to pick a cross-section
of four models: one for its “wow factor,”
one for outstanding scale details, one with
interesting building challenges, and one that
is unique. I also wanted to highlight models
that haven’t been featured too prominently
in other Scale-event coverage.
My pick for the “wow factor” was easy. I
was glad to later learn that my choice for
this category was justified; builder Shailesh
Patel was awarded the Pilots’ Choice
trophy. His Designer Scale model was an F-
86 Sabre in the color scheme of the
Skyblazers flight demonstration team.
One of the first things that grabbed me
when I first saw this airplane was just how
big it was. When I asked Shailesh why he
made his model so large, he answered,
“Bigger airplanes fly more realistic, and it’s
easier to see on my eyes, you know. And
I’ve got tons of room inside to work.”
In spite of his troubles during the Scale Masters, Dennis Crooks finished 11th in Expert. His wife Linda (R) doubles as a mechanic,
and she was instrumental in helping Dennis through his difficulties. The text has details.
April 2004 41
Right: You could argue that Bob Gillespie’s Nieuport 28C performed a scale
landing; the full-scale WW I airplanes often ended up like this.
Kent Walters was third in Expert with his SBD-3 Dauntless, modeled
after an aircraft that flew during the Battle of Midway.
Dick Hansen fabricated a highly detailed dummy engine
for his Albatros D.Va. He built it from a Proctor kit.
Jeff Foley’s Bf 109E is always near the top of the leader board. This year he finished third in Designer Scale with it.
Gary Allen’s 1⁄3-scale Bücker
Jungmeister was one of the larger
models entered. Dorin Luck flew it in
Team Scale.
42 MODEL AVIATION
To give you an idea of how big the Sabre
was, its wingspan was 95.25 inches, it
weighed 45.5 pounds, and if you were
standing next to it, the top of the vertical fin
would be right at your belt line.
Shailesh chose an AMT Olympus
turbine for power, a JR radio system for
control using eight servos, and a gyro on the
nose gear to help with high-speed taxiing.
He used Coverite’s Presto metal finish for
the covering and PPG automotive paint for
the color. The wheels and tires were custom
made with Glennis Aircraft’s help. The F-86
also featured flaps, speed brakes, and a
sliding canopy.
In addition to the Pilots’ Choice award,
Shailesh finished second in Designer Scale,
just .667 point behind David Hayes. He also
pulled double-duty with his son Nil,
finishing eighth in Team Scale with a Bob
Violett Models’ F-4 Phantom. Nil was the
youngest pilot at the event and did a great
job with his first turbine.
When it came to outstanding scale
details, the choice was, again, easy. When
looking down at David Hayes’ Rockwell
Thrush, it did not appear to be a standout—
but that’s because most of the good stuff
was hidden underneath.
The Thrush is a crop duster and has a
wealth of pipes, fittings, and other gizmos
under the wing. David estimated that he had
an excess of 800 hours in his model, which
included a fully functional crop-spraying
system. Although the spraying system
wasn’t functioning at the event, David does
plan to have it working again and add
functional brakes and a few other new
goodies.
A Saito 180 four-stroke engine powered
the Thrush, and everything was controlled
Mike Winter’s Sopwith Pup was one of the largest models entered. It has a working bomb drop and fully functional flying wires.
David Hayes captured a well-deserved win in Designer with his Rockwell Thrush. He
tied for the highest static score and was this year’s Grand Champion.
Doug Crumley entered this Fieseler Fi 156 Storch in Expert. He built it using Bob
Holman plans and integrated many features of the full-scale aircraft.
April 2004 43
Builder Scott Russell and pilot Wayne Siewert campaigned this 1⁄6-scale Aerotech P-47D Thunderbolt in Team Scale.
Built from a Mark Frankel kit, Larry Sutherland’s 40-pound T-34A Beechcraft Mentor uses a Laser 300 engine for power.
Joe Rafalowski’s T-33 from a Jet Model Products kit finished fourth in Expert. It uses a JetCat P-120 turbine for power.
via a JR radio system. The model weighed 21 pounds and, once both
plug-in wings were installed, had a 108-inch wingspan.
David tied Shailesh Patel for the highest static score in Designer
Scale; it was his flying that made the difference. As part of David’s
optional maneuvers, he did a series of low passes and low wingovers
with the Thrush that perfectly emulated what you’ll see any fullscale
crop duster doing.
When considering building challenges, Doug Crumley’s Fi 156
Storch was one of the more interesting models. Doug scratch-built
the aircraft from Bob Holman plans using conventional wood
construction throughout. He used an O.S. 91 four-stroke engine for
power and an Airtronics radio system.
The Storch’s “greenhouse” cockpit presented special
construction challenges for hiding hardware such as servos,
pushrods, receiver, batteries, and wiring. Doug installed all of those
items in the small spaces forward of the cockpit or under the cockpit
floor. The greenhouse also precluded using “carry-through” spars
for the wing structure, so the wing struts were not only to scale but
were also structurally essential.
There were no external nonscale control horns, pushrods, or
linkages, and the external pull-pull system of the rudder duplicated
the configuration of the full-scale Storch. Service points of the
model for fueling, charging, the on/off switch, and the glow
connection were hidden in inconspicuous points within the cowl.
The model’s unusual features included the articulated scale main
landing gear and the scale flap system, which included the mixed,
droop aileron feature of the full-scale aircraft. Full deployment or
retraction of the flaps was time-delayed to approximately 10 seconds
for smooth in-flight transitions.
Uniqueness is a tough call; at every event it seems as though
there’s a subject you haven’t seen modeled before—or at least very
often—such as the Bücker Bü.133 Jungmeister that pilot Dorin
Luck and builder Gary Allen entered in Team Scale. It was a goodsize
model at 1⁄3 scale, spanning 86 inches, and was powered by a
Zenoah G-62 engine.
Owing to the full-scale Jungmeister’s nature, there were not a
lot of whiz-bang mechanical options or flashy surface details, but
that’s not necessarily a bad thing. The closer I got to this model, the
more I saw. Features such as rib stitching, cockpit detail, fenders
over the wheels, and functional wing-bracing wires gave it a
surprisingly clean, realistic look. The addition of a brilliant yellow
color scheme made for a good overall model.
Behind the Scenes: Regardless of whether you attend a football
game, an automobile race, or a model-airplane contest, many
factors surrounding the event give it flavor. One of those is the
people, many of whom have been shown in modeling magazines
from around the world. Visiting with old friends and getting the
chance to meet competitors is almost as much fun as checking out
the airplanes. (I said “almost.”)
The husband-and-wife team of Eduardo and Ana Esteves
traveled farther than any other competitors. They campaigned their
Spacewalker in Team Scale and had to come all the way from
Brazil to do so. In spite of the jet lag, they placed third. Another
great couple I’ve come to know is Bob Patton and Tina DuPriest; I
met them at the Scale Nationals this past year when I happened to
pit next to them.
Sometimes it is interesting to watch what a caller goes through
on the flightline to help get his or her pilot through a flight and
clear the way for landing. During one of the rounds at the Scale
Masters I was standing between the first and second flightlines.
Bob was flying his T-28C on Flightline 1, and he needed to come in
for a flyby and then set up for landing. Although his model was not
critically low on fuel, it was obvious that it was quickly getting to
the point where Bob would have to bring the model in.
Meanwhile, there was a competitor on Flightline 2 with a World
War I biplane (an Albatros, I think). He had a ton of trouble getting
it started, and once he took off, the timing of his maneuvers was
such that he was in the way of everything Bob tried to do.
The timing of all this was such that the guys working the
flightline seemed to be giving the guy with the Albatros preferential
treatment, not knowing how it was affecting Bob’s situation.
44 MODEL AVIATION
With more than 300 aircraft on display and a network of
runways, the US Air Force Museum was the setting for this
year’s event.
An artist’s rendering shows plans for expansion. The Cold
War building (third from right) is finished. The Hall of Missiles
and Space Gallery/Education Center buildings (right-hand
side) should be completed in the next couple of years.
Flying on Hallowed Ground
As if spending five days among some of the best Radio Control
Scale models on the planet weren’t good enough, consider that this
edition of the Scale Masters Championships was held on the
grounds of the United States Air Force Museum in Dayton, Ohio.
Since the 1920s this location has been part of one of the most
active bases in the United States: Wright-Patterson Air Force Base.
Although previous Scale Masters have been held on the US Air
Force Museum grounds, this year was special. Apart from the
continuing celebration of the centennial of flight, the museum is in
the midst of an aggressive expansion.
This past July saw the completion, dedication, and opening of
the museum’s third massive hangar for Cold War exhibits. This
new 200,000-square-foot building will soon be joined by a “Hall
of Missiles” and a “Space Gallery/Education Center” in the years
to come.
The museum currently has more than 300 aircraft on display.
These include significant airplanes from every era in aviation,
dating as far back as the Wright brothers’ 1909 Military Flyer, and
the most sophisticated weapons in US arsenal: the F-22 Raptor and
the B-2 Spirit. But that’s only part of it; there are also more than
6,000 nonaircraft items on exhibit, such as paintings, clothing,
electronics, vehicles, firearms, bombs, and missiles.
Living slightly more than an hour’s drive from the museum, I
consider myself lucky; I can drop in almost anytime to see the
displays, watch a movie at the IMAX theater, or peruse the gift
shop.
However, because the museum is part of an active military
base, most of the site is off-limits. Events such as the Scale
Masters give visitors a chance to access other parts of the grounds
and to see just how big this facility is. It’s inspiring to think that
we used the same pavement Chuck Yeager used to flight-test the
MiG-15 and where aircraft as large as the B-36 were operational.
Thanks to museum director Major General Charles Metcalf
and his entire staff for the use of the museum grounds during the
Scale Masters. Not only did they grant use of the facilities for
flying, but they opened Memorial Park for static judging and the
Modern Flight Hangar for the banquet.
If you are ever in the Dayton, Ohio, area, you owe it to yourself
to take some time to visit the museum. Admission is free yearround.
For directions, hours of operation, and information about
how to become a member of the US Air Force Museum, visit its
Web site at www.wpafb.af.mil/museum. MA
—Mark Lanterman
46 MODEL AVIATION
Tina asked repeatedly for clearance to
get the last maneuvers in, but she was
asked to hold each time. It wasn’t until
she gathered up the flightline boss and the
caller for Flightline 2 that they finally
understood the situation and cleared the
way for Bob to complete his flight. (I’ll
bet you thought the callers had the easier
part of the job!)
Another pilot and caller who work
together are Dennis and Linda Crooks.
Dennis has been campaigning an
impressive twin-engine P-38 and has done
quite well with it, including a win in
Expert class at the 2003 Scale Nationals.
However, fate wasn’t so kind to
Dennis at the Scale Masters this year,
when two of his flights ended prematurely
because of engine problems. An engine
went out during one flight, and the other
was a freakish situation in which one
engine came loose inside the nacelle.
With an engine out, or with one
flailing around helplessly, any twin is on
the brink of disaster right up to the
moment when it sets down. This is a nearpanic
situation for any pilot, but that was
where Linda came in.
Knowing the problem, she
immediately called for the emergency
landing and then calmly talked to Dennis
as he did everything he could to limp the
P-38 home. Her calming voice reassuring
Dennis to “be smooth,” that “everything’s
all right,” and even to “take a deep
breath” was a huge part of why he was
able to bring the model back both times. I
even overheard one of the judges say to
Linda, “Boy, I wish I had a coach like
you.”
In a conversation I had with Gary
Parenti we were talking about a problem
he experienced during a previous flight,
when his father Hal joined the
conversation. Not too long after that, Nick
Ziroli Sr. (of Nick Ziroli Plans) and Bob
Walker (of Robart Manufacturing) walked
up, and we all chatted for quite some time.
At one point Nick joked about how
Hal’s age was affecting his flying, and
before I knew it, all three of the elder
statesmen were bringing out their wallets
to check each other’s driver’s licenses. I
won’t give away who the oldest of the
three was; I’m crazy—not stupid!
What an event! And as I mentioned at the
beginning of this article, it’s impossible to
cover everything I need to cover. It was a
nicely run show, and Contest Director
Mike Barbee and the Westerville Model
Aeronautics Association (WMAA) did a
great job of putting everything together.
I extend my congratulations to all
competitors for building and flying well
enough to qualify for this year’s Scale
Masters, regardless of where they placed.
It was a great event, and I’m looking
forward to this year’s competition in
Gardner, Kansas, September 23-26. Who
knows? Maybe I’ll get the chance to meet
you there. MA
Mark Lanterman
5655 David Pl.
Fairfield OH 45014
[email protected]
Scale Masters sponsors:
Pacer Technology
Tom Raper RV
Airtronics
Barbee Concrete and Construction
Dinneen Excavation Company
Bob’s Aircraft Documentation
Bob Smith Industries
Great Planes Manufacturing
Proctor Enterprises
Robart Manufacturing
US Scale Masters Association
Wing Manufacturing
Bob Holman Plans
Handibond
Hansen Scale Aviation Video
Nelson Hobby Specialties
Ace Hobby Distributors
Arizona Model Pilots Society
Arizona Radio Control Society
R/C Excellence Magazine
SR Batteries
Sky Knights R/C club
Nick Ziroli Plans
48 MODEL AVIATION
2003 Scale Masters Results
Grand Champion
Pilot Aircraft
David Hayes (Roanoke Rapids NC) Rockwell Thrush
Designer Scale
Place/Pilot Aircraft Static Top Three Average Total
1. David Hayes (Roanoke Rapids NC) Rockwell Thrush 97.25 92.417 189.667
2. Shailesh Patel (Eureka CA) North American F-86 Sabre 97.25 91.750 189.000
3. Jeff Foley (Roanoke Rapids NC) Messerschmitt Bf 109E 96.50 92.500 189.000
4. Bob Patton (Saint Joseph IL) North American T-28C 95.00 91.750 186.750
5. Charles T. Nelson (Berlin MA) WACO YKS-7 95.00 91.250 186.250
6. Hal Parenti (Westchester IL) Ryan Fireball FR-1 96.25 89.250 185.500
7. Wayne Frederick (Santa Rosa CA) Fokker D.VIII 96.00 86.000 182.000
8. Tom Polapink (Centereach NY) Pfalz D.IIIa 95.25 86.500 181.750
9. Charles Baker (Union MO) Rawdon T-1 96.50 84.500 181.000
10. Dave Johnson (Vernon CT) Siemens-Schuckert D.III 95.00 84.417 179.417
11. Nick Ziroli Sr. (Little Falls NY) Stearman PT-17 94.00 78.583 172.583
Expert Scale
Place/Pilot Aircraft Static Top Three Average Total
1. Jeremy Fursman (Snoqualmie WA) de Havilland D.H.82A 95.50 93.583 189.083
2. Kim Foster (Mansfield OH) de Havilland D.H.94 Moth Minor 97.00 91.417 188.417
3. Kent Walters (Scottsdale AZ) Douglas SBD-3 Dauntless 96.25 90.833 187.083
4. Joe Rafalowski (Fayetteville GA) Lockheed T-33 94.50 92.083 186.583
5. Dave Wigley (Smithtown NY) Hawker Tempest Mk V 96.00 88.750 184.750
6. Steve Ort (Seymour IN) North American B-25 Mitchell 94.75 89.333 184.083
7. Sean M. Cassidy (Champaign IL) Grumman F6F-5 Hellcat 95.75 88.000 183.750
8. Jeff Lovitt (Davis CA) Kawasaki Ki-61 Tony 93.75 89.583 183.333
9. Dave Pinegar (Warren MI) Beechcraft T-34A Mentor 90.25 92.917 183.167
10. Leo Spychalla (Watertown WI) Supermarine Spitfire MK XIV 92.00 90.000 182.000
11. Dennis Crooks (Greencastle IN) Lockheed P-38 95.00 86.917 181.917
12. William Wheeler (Inola OK) Piper J-3 Cub 91.50 90.417 181.917
13. Glenn Reilly (Austin TX) Focke-Wulf Fw 190A8 95.25 86.083 181.333
14. Steve Forrest (Sturgeon MO) Republic P-47 91.00 90.250 181.250
15. Doug Crumley (Wichita KS) Fieseler Storch 94.25 86.750 181.000
2003 Scale Masters Best-of Awards
Award Sponsor Recipient Aircraft
Best Biplane Kelly Christ Jeremy Fursman de Havilland D.H.82A
Best Built Up Kit Marv Wade Zach Spychalla Supermarine Spitfire FR.Mk XIVE
Best Civilian RC Hobbies David Hayes Rockwell Thrush
Best Documentation Bob Holman Plans Al Kretz Douglas Dauntless SBD-3
Best Golden Age Sanderson & Associates Charles T. Nelson WACO YKS-7
Best Jet Robart Manufacturing Shailesh Patel North American F-86 Sabre
Best Markings Planes Plus Dave Wigley Hawker Tempest Mk V
Best Military Marv Wade Shailesh Patel North American F-86 Sabre
Best Mission Award—Expert Airtronics Radio Systems David Hayes Rockwell Thrush
Best Mission Award—Team Airtronics Radio Systems Curtis Kitteringham Stinson SR-9 “Gullwing”
Best Scratch Built Aircraft Capstone Hobbies David Hayes Rockwell Thrush
Best WW I Proctor Enterprise Dave Johnson Siemens-Schuckert D.III
Best WW II Vel-Tye LLC Reg Dell-Aquila Lockheed P-38L Lightning
Engineering Achievement Southern Alameda County R/Cers Dave Pinegar Tupolev Tu-4 AEW
Harris Lee Lifetime Achievement Scale Masters Association Mike Winter Sopwith Pup
High Flight One Eighth Air Force Dave Pinegar Tupolev Tu-4 AEW
High Static WMAA David Hayes/Shailesh Patel Rockwell Thrush/F-86 Sabre
Most Realistic Flight—Expert Airtronics Radio Systems William Wheeler Piper J-3 Cub
Most Realistic Flight—Team Airtronics Radio Systems Curtis Kitteringham Stinson SR-9 “Gullwing”
Pilots’ Choice One Eighth Air Force Shailesh Patel North American F-86 Sabre
16. Ward Emigh (Scottsdale AZ) Fairchild PT-23 92.50 88.333 180.833
17. Al Kretz (Woodville AL) Douglas SBD-3 Dauntless 94.75 85.833 180.583
18. Zach Spychalla (Watertown WI) Supermarine Spitfire FR.Mk XIVE 92.25 88.167 180.417
19. Dave Lovitt (Willits CA) Yakovlev Yak-18P 89.75 90.583 180.333
20. Jack Buckley (Marlborough MA) Chance Vought F4U-1A Corsair 90.25 89.667 179.917
21. Bill McCallie (Tampa FL) Focke-Wulf Fw 190 89.75 90.000 179.750
22. Mike Winter (Sarasota FL) Sopwith Pup 92.50 86.933 179.433
23. Bob Wonitoy (Edmonton, Alberta) Focke-Wulf 190A-8 93.75 85.583 179.333
24. Paul Cain (New Albany IN) CAP 231 EX 89.50 89.250 178.750
25. Dick Hansen (Portland OR) Albatros D.Va 92.00 86.250 178.250
26. Bob Gillespie (Twin Falls ID) Nieuport 28C 95.00 83.167 178.167
27. Bud Roane (Melbourne FL) Condor Shoestring 90.50 87.500 178.000
28. Scott Foster (Middlebury VT) Republic P-47 Thunderbolt 90.00 87.250 177.250
29. Richard Crupi (Crofton KY) Piper J-3 Cub 88.00 89.000 177.000
30. Larry Sutherland (Prather CA) Beechcraft T-34A Mentor 95.50 81.333 176.833
31. Skip Mast (Royal Oak MI) Piper J-3 Cub 90.25 86.500 176.750
32. Chip Greene (Tampa FL) Grumman F8F-2 Bearcat 88.75 87.916 176.666
33. Ray Davis (East Falmouth MA) McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle 89.75 86.500 176.250
34. Jeffrey Pike (Baton Rouge LA) U1-A Otter 88.00 88.167 176.167
35. Jeremy Arvin (Jeffersonville IN) CAP 21 88.25 87.667 175.917
36. Mel Santmyers (Beaumont CA) Citabria Pro 91.00 81.583 172.583
37. Randy Smithhisler (Edgewood WA) Piper J-4 Cub Coupé 87.75 83.500 171.250
38. Larry Shepard (Paradise CA) Sopwith 11⁄2-Strutter 89.75 80.667 170.417
39. John Ostmeyer (Overland Park KS) WACO UPF-5 Classic 90.25 75.667 165.917
40. Gary Parenti (Westchester IL) Benes-Mráz Be.50 Beta-Minor 89.75 68.500 158.250
41. Lee Rice (Keller TX) Chance Vought F4U-1D Corsair 95.00 31.000 126.000
42. Bruce Bender (Edmonton, Alberta) Supermarine Spitfire Mk XIVE 93.75 26.333 120.083
43. Steve Sauger (Troy MI) Fairchild Ranger 92.75 16.083 108.833
44. Stan Clark (Hurricane WV) Cessna L-19 Bird Dog 88.75 5.083 93.833
Team Scale
Place/Pilot
Builder Aircraft Static Top Three Average Total
1. Dave Pinegar (Warren MI)
George Maiorana Tupolev Tu-4 AEW 97.00 90.000 187.000
2. Scott Russell (Woodbury MN)
Wayne Siewert Republic P-47D Thunderbolt 95.75 89.167 184.917
3. Eduardo D. Esteves (Belo Horizonte, Brazil)
Ronaldo Salles Spacewalker 95.00 89.833 184.833
4. Jay Steward (Phoenix AZ)
Jack Steward Nieuport 28C 95.25 88.417 183.667
5. Paul Haynes (Redmond OR)
Steve Wilson Nieuport 95.25 84.584 179.834
6. Curtis Kitteringham (Escondido CA)
Ron Peterka Stinson SR-9 “Gullwing” 91.75 88.083 179.833
7. Brian O’Meara (Denver CO)
James Hammond Jr. Kawasaki Ki-61 Tony 93.00 86.750 179.750
8. Nil Patel (Eureka CA)
Shailesh Patel McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom 95.75 83.417 179.167
9. Wayne Frederick (Santa Rosa CA)
Vernon Altamirano Cessna 182 Skylane 95.00 83.583 178.583
10. Mike Gross (Mastic Beach NY)
Tony Kirchenko Stearman PT-17 92.25 85.750 178.000
11. Mike Barbee (Delaware OH)
Earl Muenze Fairchild M-62 91.50 85.917 177.417
12. Dorin Luck (Henderson KY)
Gary Allen Bücker Bü.u133 Jungmeister 92.25 84.417 176.667
13. Reg Dell-Aquila (Palo Alto CA)
Frank R. Banks Lockheed P-38L Lightning 92.50 82.417 174.917
14. Steve Ort (Seymour IN)
John Colby Consolidated B-24 Liberator 90.50 81.250 171.750
15. Dale Arvin (Jeffersonville IN)
Earl Dever Sr. Cessna 182 85.25 85.667 170.917
16. Jeremy Arvin (Jeffersonville IN)
Earl Dever Jr. Stinson DR-9 84.50 85.333 169.833
17. Wayne Knight (Boca Raton FL)
Bob Walter North American P-51 Mustang 86.75 68.333 155.083
18. David Malchione (Kennett Square PA)
Mark Frankel Douglas F4D-1 Skyray 92.50 — —
50 MODEL AVIATION