Scale
Stan Alexander, 3709 Valley Ridge Dr., Nashville TN 37211; E-mail: [email protected]
“Family Affair,” the title of an old television series, comes to mind when I think about the AMA Nationals (Nats)—especially the Scale National Championships. Through the years it seems as though families continue to be an important part of the Nats. I noticed all four flightlines simultaneously occupied by modelers and family members. Although I’ll try to mention many of them, I’m sure I’ll miss several. The intent is to remind modelers how family oriented the Scale Nats is, as is the AMA Nats as a whole.
Family participants (selected)
- Hal and Gary Parenti (father-and-son)
- Terry and Sheila Nitsch (husband-and-wife)
- Leo and Zach Spychalla
- Wayne and Nancy Siewert and their grandson
- Al Kretz and Carol, Dale, and Jeremy Arvin
- George Maiorana and his son Justin
- Gabriel and Norma Renero
- Charlie and Lynda Nelson
- Lloyd and Marge Roberts
- Bob and Tina Patton
- Dave and Vickie Pinegar
- Charlie and Melba Baker
- Wayne and Darlene Frederick
- Steve and Shannon Ort
- Dennis and Linda Crooks
- Cliff and Ellen Tacie
Event details
The contest was moved up to the last week of June—the 27th through the 29th—and judging from the weather reports for the two weeks after the Scale Nats, that was a good thing: it turned—or “swam”—out. However, in the process the Scale competitors lost the Horizon Convention Center in downtown Muncie to another group who had dibs on the facility for static judging. Static competition was held at a local middle school, which was impractical, but the models and modelers were there and ready.
We got to the site early, but Charlie Bauer, his sons, and his grandsons had already arrived and begun disgorging Charlie’s van, which was full of the various Scale models for all of his family who attended the Nationals. Gift bags were handed out at the static site for all contestants; they included ZAP glue, RC Report magazines, and other goodies and information from sponsors. Contestant turnout was slightly lower than at last year’s event.
Static judging concluded Friday afternoon, and contestants were busy at the Stage Center flying site setting up and putting in a few practice rounds. The wind was almost nonexistent that evening—but that would change.
Static and flying
AMA’s flying site for modelers is a joy to behold, especially during the early morning or late afternoon when the wind is calm and it’s clear. An unofficial Free Flight Scale mass launch event was held Friday evening. Only two modelers brought stick-and-tissue models, but there is hope that someone can overtake the winner next year. Wayne Siewert launched his Found 100 for a flight time of 1:21, and he beat Mike Welshans for the first-place trophy that evening at Stage Center. Neither is a novice in this category, and through the years Wayne has dominated the Scale Free Flight competition at Top Gun.
Balsa USA and junior activities
During the lunch break after the first round of flight competition, the Balsa USA team put together a program for kids at the contest. Dave Lewis and Mark Enderby flew a Balsa USA Sopwith Pup with a trainer cord, and they allowed kids to use the buddy box (thanks to Dale Arvin’s assistance). Many got in their first flights with a Scale model. Boys, girls, parents, and grandparents seemed to have a great time out on the flightline.
Balsa USA also set up its air-show trailer at the back of the pit area for the weekend, offered kits, and displayed models from its kit line. At the awards ceremony, the company awarded a 1/4-scale Fokker triplane to the Fun Scale winner.
Jessie LaFontaine, the grandson of Wayne and Nancy Siewert, put in some stick time with the Sopwith Pup and came away, shall I say, charged? He’s ready for grandpa to build a model with him, and he wants to compete in Team Scale. It looks like Wayne will be staying busy in the future.
Mixing classes and juniors
Only at the Nats does the novice have a chance to meet and rub elbows with experts such as Terry Nitsch, Jeff Foley, Claude McCullough, and many others. This mixing of classes gives Fun Scale and Sportsman-class modelers a chance to get to know and learn from the pros and designers in the field.
Juniors and Seniors were included among the contestants, but entry numbers were down this year. Zach Spychalla entered Advanced Fun Scale with a Junkers Ju 87 Stuka and Expert class with his yellow Supermarine Spitfire. Zach, who is 16, has been flying for approximately 10 years; he and his dad Leo fly at their own field at home. Zach builds his own models and improves with each one he finishes. Airtronics awarded a six-channel PCM radio system to the highest-placing pilot in the Junior/Senior class.
Competition highlights
Expert class
Expert class had the largest number of entries. Dennis Crooks is no stranger to competition or to first-place finishes. This year he brought a model he's been working on for a few years: a Nick Ziroli plans Lockheed P-38 Lightning. The big twin "forked-tail devil" has a wingspan of 114 inches and is powered by two Husky Challenger 3.3 engines swinging 22 x 10 propellers. Dennis used NAPA auto paint for the finish and used photos from the book Thunderbolts & Lightnings in his documentation. At the conclusion of the event, Dennis was presented with the NASA (National Association of Scale Aeromodellers) Flight Achievement Award, voted on by all of the flight judges, for his realistic flight performance.
- First: Dennis Crooks — Lockheed P-38 Lightning
- Second: Terry Nitsch — Bob Violett Models Lockheed F-80C Shooting Star (features a scratch-built smoke system by Terry for air-show work that the Minute Men show team's F-80 did with the Air Force)
- Third: Kim Foster — de Havilland D.H.94 Moth Minor (Jerry Bates design, covered with Coverite, painted with lacquer, powered by a Laser 150 four-stroke)
Other notable entries included an own-design Rawdon T-1 and Al Kretz’s Douglas SBD Dauntless dive-bomber built from Jerry Bates plans.
Team Scale
In Team Scale, an experienced builder can join up with a pilot to compete. Sometimes motor skills, age, or other health factors keep competitors from being able to fly as well as they build.
- First: Dave Pinegar (pilot) and builder George Maiorana — Tupolev Tu-4AEW (featured in September 2003 Model Aviation)
- Second: Steve Ort (pilot) and builder John Colby — Jack Stafford Consolidated B-24 Liberator
- Third: Jeremy Arvin (pilot) and builder Earl Dever — TopFlite Stinson SR-9
Fun Scale Novice
Jeff Foley's son Brad continued the family tradition and brought a Hangar 9 North American P-51 Mustang to compete in Fun Scale Novice. Brad beat Joel Wilson and his T-28 Trojan by less than a point.
- First: Brad Foley — North American P-51 Mustang
- Second: Joel Wilson — T-28 Trojan
- Third: Steve Eagle — Fairchild PT-19
Sportsman Scale
Robert Schultheis won Sportsman Scale flying a de Havilland DHC-1 Chipmunk. Airtronics has committed sponsorship for this beginner class with a radio system for the winner to help encourage modelers to become active in RC Scale activities.
- First: Robert Schultheis — de Havilland DHC-1 Chipmunk
Fun Scale Advanced
Fun Scale Advanced provides Expert or Designer modelers another chance to fly in front of flight judges during the weekend.
- First: Jeremy Arvin — Extra 330L
- Second: Terry Nitsch — Cessna Skylane (kit prototype for Hangar 9)
- Third: Zach Spychalla — Ziroli Stuka
Acknowledgements and next year
My hat is off to Event Director Ed Terry. Many volunteers participate each year as judges and administrators at the Nats. Without these people, it couldn't happen. Next year's participants will be back at the Horizon Convention Center for static judging—same time, same weekend. Hope to see you there.
This year's sponsors include:
- Platinum Level:
- Airtronics
- Great Planes-TopFlite
- Sig Manufacturing Inc.
- RC Report magazine
- Balsa USA
- The Aeroplane Works
- PowerMaster Hobby Products
- Pacer Technology
- Frank Tiano Enterprises
- Gold Level:
- Horizon Hobby
- JR Radios
- Brodak Manufacturing
- Flite-Metal
- Silver Level:
- Aces Video
- Dynamic Balsa
- Bronze Level:
- Precision Cut Kits
- Master Airscrew
- Boca Bearings
- Skyways and WW I Aero magazines
- Northeast Screen Graphics
- Vintage RC Plans
Fair skies and tailwinds. MA
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
