66 MODEL AVIATION
S c a l e
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.
This thought came to mind when I saw
all four flightlines simultaneously
occupied by modelers and family
members. Although I’ll try to mention all
of them, I’m sure I’ll miss several. But the
intent is to remind modelers how family
oriented the Scale Nats is, as is the AMA
Nats as a whole.
Some of the modelers and participating
family members this year were the fatherand-
son team of Hal and Gary Parenti, the
husband-and-wife team of Terry and
Sheila Nitsch, and Leo and Zach
Spychalla.
Others were Wayne and Nancy Siewert
Above: Inside of pod for rotating radar dome on George
Maiorana’s Tu-4 AEW spy plane. Dome is attached to servo by
shaft and gear in center (black). Small wheel at back of pod serves
as roller for rotating dome. Right: Tu-4 in flight.
Manny Sousa’s F4C-winning Culver Cadet built from Vern
Clements plans was painted with Stits aircraft paint.
Mark Lanterman’s J-3 Cub entered in Fun Scale Novice features
Swiss paint scheme from Bob’s Aircraft Documentation.
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;
and Cliff and Ellen Tacie.
This year’s 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 as it turned—
or “swam”—out.
However, in the process, the Scale
competitors lost the Horizon Convention
Center in downtown Muncie to a group
who had dibs on the facility for the staticjudging
time frame. 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
RADIO CONTROL
Bauer, his sons, and his grandsons had
already arrived and had 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, and they included
ZAP glue, RC Report magazines, and
other goodies and information from
sponsors. The 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.
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
December 2003 67
Left: Dennis Crooks’ Expert-winning P-38
has “California Cutie” nose art. Bottom
left: Supercharger details. Dennis used
Floquil paints to stain parts. Right:
Business end of P-38, commonly known
as “forked-tail devil.”
Mike Gretz and George Buso serve as static judges at Wilson Middle School.
Friday evening. Only two modelers
brought their 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.
During the lunch break after the first
round of flight competition, the Balsa USA
team put together a program for all 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 had all of the
models in its kit line on display. 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.
Only at the Nats does the novice have a
RADIO CONTROL
68 MODEL AVIATION
Above: Al Kretz’s Douglas SBD Dauntless’s
cockpit. All canopy panels operate like full
scale. Right: The Dauntless ready for a
mission. Note 500-pound bomb loaded on
center bomb rack.
Zach Spychalla and his dad Leo prep Zach’s Spitfire. The 16-
year-old Senior finished a respectable ninth in Expert.
Tim Follis’s P-38 is modeled after Ace Dick Bong’s “Marge”
mount. Dick was the US’s highest-scoring Ace in World War II.
The T-28 Trojan that Bob Patton designed and built is ready for takeoff. He finished
second in Designer. The model spans 114 inches and has a 3W engine.
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 are included in the
field of contestants, but their 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, and he and his
dad Leo fly at their own flying field at
their home. Zach builds his own models,
and he improves with each one he
finishes. Airtronics awarded a six-channel
PCM radio system to the highest-placing
pilot in the Junior/Senior class.
RADIO CONTROL
At the Saturday-night banquet, Dale
Arvin handed out his tongue-in-cheek
awards, with much pomp and
circumstance, to many people in the
audience. Official high static awards,
sponsored by PowerMaster Hobby
Products, were handed out for each Nats
class. It looked like everyone had a great
time—even the winner of the plastic golf
balls.
Jeff Foley continued his domination in
Designer Scale with his familiar
Messerschmitt Bf 109E-4. Besides
winning this class for the fourth time at
the Nats, he won the category at Top Gun
earlier this year with the same model.
Plans to kit the 86-inch-span airplane,
which has 1,399 square inches of wing
area, have been on hold as Jeff stays busy
in the defense industry. The model weighs
only 25 pounds and is powered by a Moki
2.10 engine.
Bob Patton finished second with his
new North American T-28 Trojan. It spans
114 inches and is powered by a 3W-100
engine. Bob designed and built the
fiberglass plugs for the model, as well as
the canopy, the cowl, and all of the other
hardware.
Hal Parenti finished third with his
December 2003 69
Dale (L) and Jeremy Arvin prepare Jeremy’s Extra 330L. He won Fun Scale Open.
Terry and Sheila Nitsch prepare their BVM F-80 for its next flight.
Terry finished second in Expert class this year.
Jeff Foley’s Bf 109E-4 Trop on its way to a Designer Scale win. It
has dominated this class for the last few years.
familiar Ryan Fireball. This unique model
has the exhaust routed through the
fuselage and out the tailpipe, which is
where the full-scale aircraft’s jet exhaust
exited.
Manny Sousa brought a fairly obscure
civil Culver Cadet and took first place in
F4C Scale. The model features
electronically operated retracts and is
powered by an O.S. 1.60 FS engine.
Covered with Sig Koverall and painted
with Stits paint, the 19-pound model spans
89 inches. Manny owns a full-scale Culver
Cadet, which he flies regularly.
Second place went to Charlie Baker
Brad Foley cleans his Hangar 9 P-51 Mustang after the final flight
on Sunday. He won Fun Scale Novice.
RADIO CONTROL
with his own-design Rawdon T-1. Al Kretz
finished third with his Douglas SBD
Dauntless dive-bomber built from Jerry Bates
plans.
Expert class had the largest number of
entries. Dennis Crooks is no stranger to
competition or to the first-place finish he
earned at this Nats. You may remember
Dennis’s Grumman TBM Avenger from
several years ago. 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. He 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 Aeromodelers) Flight
Achievement Award, voted on by all of the
flight judges, for his realistic flight
performance.
Second place in Expert Scale went to
Terry Nitsch, who was flying his Bob Violett
Models Lockheed F-80C Shooting Star. The
model 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.
Kim Foster’s de Havilland D.H.94 Moth
Minor came in third. The Jerry Bates design
is covered with Coverite and painted with
lacquer. Power is provided by a Laser 150
four-stroke engine.
In Team Scale an experienced builder can
join up with a really good pilot and compete.
Sometimes motor skills, age, or other health
factors keep competitors from being able to
fly as well as they build.
Dave Pinegar and builder George
Maiorana finished in first place with their
Tupolev Tu-4AEW (featured in the
September 2003 Model Aviation). Steve Ort
and builder John Colby came in second
flying a Jack Stafford Consolidated B-24
Liberator. Jeremy Arvin and builder Earl
Dever flew a TopFlite Stinson SR-9 to a
third-place finish.
Jeff Foley’s son Brad continued the
family tradition and brought a Hangar 9
North American P-51 Mustang to compete
with in Fun Scale Novice. Brad beat Joel
Wilson and his T-28 Trojan by less than a
point. Third place went to Steve Eagle with
his version of the Fairchild PT-19 World War
II trainer.
Flying a de Havilland DHC-1 Chipmunk,
Robert Schultheis won Sportsman Scale.
Airtronics has committed sponsorship for this
beginners’ class with a radio system for the
winner to help encourage modelers to
become active in RC Scale activities.
Fun Scale Advanced provides Expert or
Designer modelers another chance to fly in
front of flight judges during the weekend.
Jeremy Arvin flew his Extra 330L to a
first-place finish, and Terry Nitsch was
close behind flying a Cessna Skylane,
which is a kit prototype for Hangar 9. Zach
Spychalla rounded out the crew, finishing
in third place with his Ziroli Stuka.
My hat is off to Event Director Ed Terry.
Many volunteers participate each year as
judges and administration 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, and Frank Tiano
Enterprises; Gold Level, Horizon Hobby,
JR Radios, Brodak Manufacturing, and
Flite-Metal; Silver Level, Aces Video and
Dynamic Balsa; Bronze Level, Precision
Cut Kits, Master Airscrew, Boca Bearings,
Skyways and WW 1 Aero magazines,
Northeast Screen Graphics, and Vintage
RC Plans.
Fair skies and tailwinds. MA
70 MODEL AVIATION RADIO CONTROL
Model Aviation Seeks Safety Colmnist
Model Aviation is seeking a qualified candidate to write the bimonthly “Safety Comes First” column.
Interested candidates must possess the ability to present a wide variety of safety issues in a clear and
straightforward manner.
Just a few of the topics expected to be covered in this column are safety considerations relating to
Radio Control, Control Line, and Free Flight model aircraft; hazards associated with propellers,
spinners, etc.; safety and large-scale models; Radio Control frequency control; safety at the flying field;
electronic equipment safety concerns; toxicity of paints, glues, and airborne particulates; model-shop
safety issues; and safe construction methods for models and equipment installation.
On a regular basis the safety columnist will solicit readers to submit their safety questions and
experiences so that they may be collected and published in this column.
To that end, we ask that readers who have safety-related questions about and/or experiences with
building and operating model airplanes submit them to MA Aeromodeling Editor Bob Hunt. The
information will be given to the columnist who, it is hoped, can use it to jump-start this very important
column.
Qualified candidates should have at least 20 years’ experience in building and flying model aircraft.
The right candidate will have complete familiarity with Radio Control models but will also have had
some experience with Control Line and Free Flight activity.
Although it’s not a condition of selection, candidates with a background in the medical and/or health
and occupational-safety fields will be strongly considered.
Qualified candidates must have some writing and photography experience, preferably for modelaviation
publications, to include print and/or online.
Please send a cover letter and résumé to Model Aviation Aeromodeling Editor Bob Hunt, Box 68,
Stockertown PA 18083.
Edition: Model Aviation - 2003/12
Page Numbers: 66,67,68,69,70
Edition: Model Aviation - 2003/12
Page Numbers: 66,67,68,69,70
66 MODEL AVIATION
S c a l e
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.
This thought came to mind when I saw
all four flightlines simultaneously
occupied by modelers and family
members. Although I’ll try to mention all
of them, I’m sure I’ll miss several. But the
intent is to remind modelers how family
oriented the Scale Nats is, as is the AMA
Nats as a whole.
Some of the modelers and participating
family members this year were the fatherand-
son team of Hal and Gary Parenti, the
husband-and-wife team of Terry and
Sheila Nitsch, and Leo and Zach
Spychalla.
Others were Wayne and Nancy Siewert
Above: Inside of pod for rotating radar dome on George
Maiorana’s Tu-4 AEW spy plane. Dome is attached to servo by
shaft and gear in center (black). Small wheel at back of pod serves
as roller for rotating dome. Right: Tu-4 in flight.
Manny Sousa’s F4C-winning Culver Cadet built from Vern
Clements plans was painted with Stits aircraft paint.
Mark Lanterman’s J-3 Cub entered in Fun Scale Novice features
Swiss paint scheme from Bob’s Aircraft Documentation.
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;
and Cliff and Ellen Tacie.
This year’s 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 as it turned—
or “swam”—out.
However, in the process, the Scale
competitors lost the Horizon Convention
Center in downtown Muncie to a group
who had dibs on the facility for the staticjudging
time frame. 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
RADIO CONTROL
Bauer, his sons, and his grandsons had
already arrived and had 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, and they included
ZAP glue, RC Report magazines, and
other goodies and information from
sponsors. The 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.
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
December 2003 67
Left: Dennis Crooks’ Expert-winning P-38
has “California Cutie” nose art. Bottom
left: Supercharger details. Dennis used
Floquil paints to stain parts. Right:
Business end of P-38, commonly known
as “forked-tail devil.”
Mike Gretz and George Buso serve as static judges at Wilson Middle School.
Friday evening. Only two modelers
brought their 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.
During the lunch break after the first
round of flight competition, the Balsa USA
team put together a program for all 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 had all of the
models in its kit line on display. 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.
Only at the Nats does the novice have a
RADIO CONTROL
68 MODEL AVIATION
Above: Al Kretz’s Douglas SBD Dauntless’s
cockpit. All canopy panels operate like full
scale. Right: The Dauntless ready for a
mission. Note 500-pound bomb loaded on
center bomb rack.
Zach Spychalla and his dad Leo prep Zach’s Spitfire. The 16-
year-old Senior finished a respectable ninth in Expert.
Tim Follis’s P-38 is modeled after Ace Dick Bong’s “Marge”
mount. Dick was the US’s highest-scoring Ace in World War II.
The T-28 Trojan that Bob Patton designed and built is ready for takeoff. He finished
second in Designer. The model spans 114 inches and has a 3W engine.
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 are included in the
field of contestants, but their 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, and he and his
dad Leo fly at their own flying field at
their home. Zach builds his own models,
and he improves with each one he
finishes. Airtronics awarded a six-channel
PCM radio system to the highest-placing
pilot in the Junior/Senior class.
RADIO CONTROL
At the Saturday-night banquet, Dale
Arvin handed out his tongue-in-cheek
awards, with much pomp and
circumstance, to many people in the
audience. Official high static awards,
sponsored by PowerMaster Hobby
Products, were handed out for each Nats
class. It looked like everyone had a great
time—even the winner of the plastic golf
balls.
Jeff Foley continued his domination in
Designer Scale with his familiar
Messerschmitt Bf 109E-4. Besides
winning this class for the fourth time at
the Nats, he won the category at Top Gun
earlier this year with the same model.
Plans to kit the 86-inch-span airplane,
which has 1,399 square inches of wing
area, have been on hold as Jeff stays busy
in the defense industry. The model weighs
only 25 pounds and is powered by a Moki
2.10 engine.
Bob Patton finished second with his
new North American T-28 Trojan. It spans
114 inches and is powered by a 3W-100
engine. Bob designed and built the
fiberglass plugs for the model, as well as
the canopy, the cowl, and all of the other
hardware.
Hal Parenti finished third with his
December 2003 69
Dale (L) and Jeremy Arvin prepare Jeremy’s Extra 330L. He won Fun Scale Open.
Terry and Sheila Nitsch prepare their BVM F-80 for its next flight.
Terry finished second in Expert class this year.
Jeff Foley’s Bf 109E-4 Trop on its way to a Designer Scale win. It
has dominated this class for the last few years.
familiar Ryan Fireball. This unique model
has the exhaust routed through the
fuselage and out the tailpipe, which is
where the full-scale aircraft’s jet exhaust
exited.
Manny Sousa brought a fairly obscure
civil Culver Cadet and took first place in
F4C Scale. The model features
electronically operated retracts and is
powered by an O.S. 1.60 FS engine.
Covered with Sig Koverall and painted
with Stits paint, the 19-pound model spans
89 inches. Manny owns a full-scale Culver
Cadet, which he flies regularly.
Second place went to Charlie Baker
Brad Foley cleans his Hangar 9 P-51 Mustang after the final flight
on Sunday. He won Fun Scale Novice.
RADIO CONTROL
with his own-design Rawdon T-1. Al Kretz
finished third with his Douglas SBD
Dauntless dive-bomber built from Jerry Bates
plans.
Expert class had the largest number of
entries. Dennis Crooks is no stranger to
competition or to the first-place finish he
earned at this Nats. You may remember
Dennis’s Grumman TBM Avenger from
several years ago. 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. He 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 Aeromodelers) Flight
Achievement Award, voted on by all of the
flight judges, for his realistic flight
performance.
Second place in Expert Scale went to
Terry Nitsch, who was flying his Bob Violett
Models Lockheed F-80C Shooting Star. The
model 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.
Kim Foster’s de Havilland D.H.94 Moth
Minor came in third. The Jerry Bates design
is covered with Coverite and painted with
lacquer. Power is provided by a Laser 150
four-stroke engine.
In Team Scale an experienced builder can
join up with a really good pilot and compete.
Sometimes motor skills, age, or other health
factors keep competitors from being able to
fly as well as they build.
Dave Pinegar and builder George
Maiorana finished in first place with their
Tupolev Tu-4AEW (featured in the
September 2003 Model Aviation). Steve Ort
and builder John Colby came in second
flying a Jack Stafford Consolidated B-24
Liberator. Jeremy Arvin and builder Earl
Dever flew a TopFlite Stinson SR-9 to a
third-place finish.
Jeff Foley’s son Brad continued the
family tradition and brought a Hangar 9
North American P-51 Mustang to compete
with in Fun Scale Novice. Brad beat Joel
Wilson and his T-28 Trojan by less than a
point. Third place went to Steve Eagle with
his version of the Fairchild PT-19 World War
II trainer.
Flying a de Havilland DHC-1 Chipmunk,
Robert Schultheis won Sportsman Scale.
Airtronics has committed sponsorship for this
beginners’ class with a radio system for the
winner to help encourage modelers to
become active in RC Scale activities.
Fun Scale Advanced provides Expert or
Designer modelers another chance to fly in
front of flight judges during the weekend.
Jeremy Arvin flew his Extra 330L to a
first-place finish, and Terry Nitsch was
close behind flying a Cessna Skylane,
which is a kit prototype for Hangar 9. Zach
Spychalla rounded out the crew, finishing
in third place with his Ziroli Stuka.
My hat is off to Event Director Ed Terry.
Many volunteers participate each year as
judges and administration 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, and Frank Tiano
Enterprises; Gold Level, Horizon Hobby,
JR Radios, Brodak Manufacturing, and
Flite-Metal; Silver Level, Aces Video and
Dynamic Balsa; Bronze Level, Precision
Cut Kits, Master Airscrew, Boca Bearings,
Skyways and WW 1 Aero magazines,
Northeast Screen Graphics, and Vintage
RC Plans.
Fair skies and tailwinds. MA
70 MODEL AVIATION RADIO CONTROL
Model Aviation Seeks Safety Colmnist
Model Aviation is seeking a qualified candidate to write the bimonthly “Safety Comes First” column.
Interested candidates must possess the ability to present a wide variety of safety issues in a clear and
straightforward manner.
Just a few of the topics expected to be covered in this column are safety considerations relating to
Radio Control, Control Line, and Free Flight model aircraft; hazards associated with propellers,
spinners, etc.; safety and large-scale models; Radio Control frequency control; safety at the flying field;
electronic equipment safety concerns; toxicity of paints, glues, and airborne particulates; model-shop
safety issues; and safe construction methods for models and equipment installation.
On a regular basis the safety columnist will solicit readers to submit their safety questions and
experiences so that they may be collected and published in this column.
To that end, we ask that readers who have safety-related questions about and/or experiences with
building and operating model airplanes submit them to MA Aeromodeling Editor Bob Hunt. The
information will be given to the columnist who, it is hoped, can use it to jump-start this very important
column.
Qualified candidates should have at least 20 years’ experience in building and flying model aircraft.
The right candidate will have complete familiarity with Radio Control models but will also have had
some experience with Control Line and Free Flight activity.
Although it’s not a condition of selection, candidates with a background in the medical and/or health
and occupational-safety fields will be strongly considered.
Qualified candidates must have some writing and photography experience, preferably for modelaviation
publications, to include print and/or online.
Please send a cover letter and résumé to Model Aviation Aeromodeling Editor Bob Hunt, Box 68,
Stockertown PA 18083.
Edition: Model Aviation - 2003/12
Page Numbers: 66,67,68,69,70
66 MODEL AVIATION
S c a l e
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.
This thought came to mind when I saw
all four flightlines simultaneously
occupied by modelers and family
members. Although I’ll try to mention all
of them, I’m sure I’ll miss several. But the
intent is to remind modelers how family
oriented the Scale Nats is, as is the AMA
Nats as a whole.
Some of the modelers and participating
family members this year were the fatherand-
son team of Hal and Gary Parenti, the
husband-and-wife team of Terry and
Sheila Nitsch, and Leo and Zach
Spychalla.
Others were Wayne and Nancy Siewert
Above: Inside of pod for rotating radar dome on George
Maiorana’s Tu-4 AEW spy plane. Dome is attached to servo by
shaft and gear in center (black). Small wheel at back of pod serves
as roller for rotating dome. Right: Tu-4 in flight.
Manny Sousa’s F4C-winning Culver Cadet built from Vern
Clements plans was painted with Stits aircraft paint.
Mark Lanterman’s J-3 Cub entered in Fun Scale Novice features
Swiss paint scheme from Bob’s Aircraft Documentation.
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;
and Cliff and Ellen Tacie.
This year’s 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 as it turned—
or “swam”—out.
However, in the process, the Scale
competitors lost the Horizon Convention
Center in downtown Muncie to a group
who had dibs on the facility for the staticjudging
time frame. 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
RADIO CONTROL
Bauer, his sons, and his grandsons had
already arrived and had 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, and they included
ZAP glue, RC Report magazines, and
other goodies and information from
sponsors. The 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.
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
December 2003 67
Left: Dennis Crooks’ Expert-winning P-38
has “California Cutie” nose art. Bottom
left: Supercharger details. Dennis used
Floquil paints to stain parts. Right:
Business end of P-38, commonly known
as “forked-tail devil.”
Mike Gretz and George Buso serve as static judges at Wilson Middle School.
Friday evening. Only two modelers
brought their 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.
During the lunch break after the first
round of flight competition, the Balsa USA
team put together a program for all 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 had all of the
models in its kit line on display. 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.
Only at the Nats does the novice have a
RADIO CONTROL
68 MODEL AVIATION
Above: Al Kretz’s Douglas SBD Dauntless’s
cockpit. All canopy panels operate like full
scale. Right: The Dauntless ready for a
mission. Note 500-pound bomb loaded on
center bomb rack.
Zach Spychalla and his dad Leo prep Zach’s Spitfire. The 16-
year-old Senior finished a respectable ninth in Expert.
Tim Follis’s P-38 is modeled after Ace Dick Bong’s “Marge”
mount. Dick was the US’s highest-scoring Ace in World War II.
The T-28 Trojan that Bob Patton designed and built is ready for takeoff. He finished
second in Designer. The model spans 114 inches and has a 3W engine.
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 are included in the
field of contestants, but their 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, and he and his
dad Leo fly at their own flying field at
their home. Zach builds his own models,
and he improves with each one he
finishes. Airtronics awarded a six-channel
PCM radio system to the highest-placing
pilot in the Junior/Senior class.
RADIO CONTROL
At the Saturday-night banquet, Dale
Arvin handed out his tongue-in-cheek
awards, with much pomp and
circumstance, to many people in the
audience. Official high static awards,
sponsored by PowerMaster Hobby
Products, were handed out for each Nats
class. It looked like everyone had a great
time—even the winner of the plastic golf
balls.
Jeff Foley continued his domination in
Designer Scale with his familiar
Messerschmitt Bf 109E-4. Besides
winning this class for the fourth time at
the Nats, he won the category at Top Gun
earlier this year with the same model.
Plans to kit the 86-inch-span airplane,
which has 1,399 square inches of wing
area, have been on hold as Jeff stays busy
in the defense industry. The model weighs
only 25 pounds and is powered by a Moki
2.10 engine.
Bob Patton finished second with his
new North American T-28 Trojan. It spans
114 inches and is powered by a 3W-100
engine. Bob designed and built the
fiberglass plugs for the model, as well as
the canopy, the cowl, and all of the other
hardware.
Hal Parenti finished third with his
December 2003 69
Dale (L) and Jeremy Arvin prepare Jeremy’s Extra 330L. He won Fun Scale Open.
Terry and Sheila Nitsch prepare their BVM F-80 for its next flight.
Terry finished second in Expert class this year.
Jeff Foley’s Bf 109E-4 Trop on its way to a Designer Scale win. It
has dominated this class for the last few years.
familiar Ryan Fireball. This unique model
has the exhaust routed through the
fuselage and out the tailpipe, which is
where the full-scale aircraft’s jet exhaust
exited.
Manny Sousa brought a fairly obscure
civil Culver Cadet and took first place in
F4C Scale. The model features
electronically operated retracts and is
powered by an O.S. 1.60 FS engine.
Covered with Sig Koverall and painted
with Stits paint, the 19-pound model spans
89 inches. Manny owns a full-scale Culver
Cadet, which he flies regularly.
Second place went to Charlie Baker
Brad Foley cleans his Hangar 9 P-51 Mustang after the final flight
on Sunday. He won Fun Scale Novice.
RADIO CONTROL
with his own-design Rawdon T-1. Al Kretz
finished third with his Douglas SBD
Dauntless dive-bomber built from Jerry Bates
plans.
Expert class had the largest number of
entries. Dennis Crooks is no stranger to
competition or to the first-place finish he
earned at this Nats. You may remember
Dennis’s Grumman TBM Avenger from
several years ago. 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. He 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 Aeromodelers) Flight
Achievement Award, voted on by all of the
flight judges, for his realistic flight
performance.
Second place in Expert Scale went to
Terry Nitsch, who was flying his Bob Violett
Models Lockheed F-80C Shooting Star. The
model 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.
Kim Foster’s de Havilland D.H.94 Moth
Minor came in third. The Jerry Bates design
is covered with Coverite and painted with
lacquer. Power is provided by a Laser 150
four-stroke engine.
In Team Scale an experienced builder can
join up with a really good pilot and compete.
Sometimes motor skills, age, or other health
factors keep competitors from being able to
fly as well as they build.
Dave Pinegar and builder George
Maiorana finished in first place with their
Tupolev Tu-4AEW (featured in the
September 2003 Model Aviation). Steve Ort
and builder John Colby came in second
flying a Jack Stafford Consolidated B-24
Liberator. Jeremy Arvin and builder Earl
Dever flew a TopFlite Stinson SR-9 to a
third-place finish.
Jeff Foley’s son Brad continued the
family tradition and brought a Hangar 9
North American P-51 Mustang to compete
with in Fun Scale Novice. Brad beat Joel
Wilson and his T-28 Trojan by less than a
point. Third place went to Steve Eagle with
his version of the Fairchild PT-19 World War
II trainer.
Flying a de Havilland DHC-1 Chipmunk,
Robert Schultheis won Sportsman Scale.
Airtronics has committed sponsorship for this
beginners’ class with a radio system for the
winner to help encourage modelers to
become active in RC Scale activities.
Fun Scale Advanced provides Expert or
Designer modelers another chance to fly in
front of flight judges during the weekend.
Jeremy Arvin flew his Extra 330L to a
first-place finish, and Terry Nitsch was
close behind flying a Cessna Skylane,
which is a kit prototype for Hangar 9. Zach
Spychalla rounded out the crew, finishing
in third place with his Ziroli Stuka.
My hat is off to Event Director Ed Terry.
Many volunteers participate each year as
judges and administration 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, and Frank Tiano
Enterprises; Gold Level, Horizon Hobby,
JR Radios, Brodak Manufacturing, and
Flite-Metal; Silver Level, Aces Video and
Dynamic Balsa; Bronze Level, Precision
Cut Kits, Master Airscrew, Boca Bearings,
Skyways and WW 1 Aero magazines,
Northeast Screen Graphics, and Vintage
RC Plans.
Fair skies and tailwinds. MA
70 MODEL AVIATION RADIO CONTROL
Model Aviation Seeks Safety Colmnist
Model Aviation is seeking a qualified candidate to write the bimonthly “Safety Comes First” column.
Interested candidates must possess the ability to present a wide variety of safety issues in a clear and
straightforward manner.
Just a few of the topics expected to be covered in this column are safety considerations relating to
Radio Control, Control Line, and Free Flight model aircraft; hazards associated with propellers,
spinners, etc.; safety and large-scale models; Radio Control frequency control; safety at the flying field;
electronic equipment safety concerns; toxicity of paints, glues, and airborne particulates; model-shop
safety issues; and safe construction methods for models and equipment installation.
On a regular basis the safety columnist will solicit readers to submit their safety questions and
experiences so that they may be collected and published in this column.
To that end, we ask that readers who have safety-related questions about and/or experiences with
building and operating model airplanes submit them to MA Aeromodeling Editor Bob Hunt. The
information will be given to the columnist who, it is hoped, can use it to jump-start this very important
column.
Qualified candidates should have at least 20 years’ experience in building and flying model aircraft.
The right candidate will have complete familiarity with Radio Control models but will also have had
some experience with Control Line and Free Flight activity.
Although it’s not a condition of selection, candidates with a background in the medical and/or health
and occupational-safety fields will be strongly considered.
Qualified candidates must have some writing and photography experience, preferably for modelaviation
publications, to include print and/or online.
Please send a cover letter and résumé to Model Aviation Aeromodeling Editor Bob Hunt, Box 68,
Stockertown PA 18083.
Edition: Model Aviation - 2003/12
Page Numbers: 66,67,68,69,70
66 MODEL AVIATION
S c a l e
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.
This thought came to mind when I saw
all four flightlines simultaneously
occupied by modelers and family
members. Although I’ll try to mention all
of them, I’m sure I’ll miss several. But the
intent is to remind modelers how family
oriented the Scale Nats is, as is the AMA
Nats as a whole.
Some of the modelers and participating
family members this year were the fatherand-
son team of Hal and Gary Parenti, the
husband-and-wife team of Terry and
Sheila Nitsch, and Leo and Zach
Spychalla.
Others were Wayne and Nancy Siewert
Above: Inside of pod for rotating radar dome on George
Maiorana’s Tu-4 AEW spy plane. Dome is attached to servo by
shaft and gear in center (black). Small wheel at back of pod serves
as roller for rotating dome. Right: Tu-4 in flight.
Manny Sousa’s F4C-winning Culver Cadet built from Vern
Clements plans was painted with Stits aircraft paint.
Mark Lanterman’s J-3 Cub entered in Fun Scale Novice features
Swiss paint scheme from Bob’s Aircraft Documentation.
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;
and Cliff and Ellen Tacie.
This year’s 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 as it turned—
or “swam”—out.
However, in the process, the Scale
competitors lost the Horizon Convention
Center in downtown Muncie to a group
who had dibs on the facility for the staticjudging
time frame. 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
RADIO CONTROL
Bauer, his sons, and his grandsons had
already arrived and had 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, and they included
ZAP glue, RC Report magazines, and
other goodies and information from
sponsors. The 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.
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
December 2003 67
Left: Dennis Crooks’ Expert-winning P-38
has “California Cutie” nose art. Bottom
left: Supercharger details. Dennis used
Floquil paints to stain parts. Right:
Business end of P-38, commonly known
as “forked-tail devil.”
Mike Gretz and George Buso serve as static judges at Wilson Middle School.
Friday evening. Only two modelers
brought their 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.
During the lunch break after the first
round of flight competition, the Balsa USA
team put together a program for all 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 had all of the
models in its kit line on display. 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.
Only at the Nats does the novice have a
RADIO CONTROL
68 MODEL AVIATION
Above: Al Kretz’s Douglas SBD Dauntless’s
cockpit. All canopy panels operate like full
scale. Right: The Dauntless ready for a
mission. Note 500-pound bomb loaded on
center bomb rack.
Zach Spychalla and his dad Leo prep Zach’s Spitfire. The 16-
year-old Senior finished a respectable ninth in Expert.
Tim Follis’s P-38 is modeled after Ace Dick Bong’s “Marge”
mount. Dick was the US’s highest-scoring Ace in World War II.
The T-28 Trojan that Bob Patton designed and built is ready for takeoff. He finished
second in Designer. The model spans 114 inches and has a 3W engine.
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 are included in the
field of contestants, but their 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, and he and his
dad Leo fly at their own flying field at
their home. Zach builds his own models,
and he improves with each one he
finishes. Airtronics awarded a six-channel
PCM radio system to the highest-placing
pilot in the Junior/Senior class.
RADIO CONTROL
At the Saturday-night banquet, Dale
Arvin handed out his tongue-in-cheek
awards, with much pomp and
circumstance, to many people in the
audience. Official high static awards,
sponsored by PowerMaster Hobby
Products, were handed out for each Nats
class. It looked like everyone had a great
time—even the winner of the plastic golf
balls.
Jeff Foley continued his domination in
Designer Scale with his familiar
Messerschmitt Bf 109E-4. Besides
winning this class for the fourth time at
the Nats, he won the category at Top Gun
earlier this year with the same model.
Plans to kit the 86-inch-span airplane,
which has 1,399 square inches of wing
area, have been on hold as Jeff stays busy
in the defense industry. The model weighs
only 25 pounds and is powered by a Moki
2.10 engine.
Bob Patton finished second with his
new North American T-28 Trojan. It spans
114 inches and is powered by a 3W-100
engine. Bob designed and built the
fiberglass plugs for the model, as well as
the canopy, the cowl, and all of the other
hardware.
Hal Parenti finished third with his
December 2003 69
Dale (L) and Jeremy Arvin prepare Jeremy’s Extra 330L. He won Fun Scale Open.
Terry and Sheila Nitsch prepare their BVM F-80 for its next flight.
Terry finished second in Expert class this year.
Jeff Foley’s Bf 109E-4 Trop on its way to a Designer Scale win. It
has dominated this class for the last few years.
familiar Ryan Fireball. This unique model
has the exhaust routed through the
fuselage and out the tailpipe, which is
where the full-scale aircraft’s jet exhaust
exited.
Manny Sousa brought a fairly obscure
civil Culver Cadet and took first place in
F4C Scale. The model features
electronically operated retracts and is
powered by an O.S. 1.60 FS engine.
Covered with Sig Koverall and painted
with Stits paint, the 19-pound model spans
89 inches. Manny owns a full-scale Culver
Cadet, which he flies regularly.
Second place went to Charlie Baker
Brad Foley cleans his Hangar 9 P-51 Mustang after the final flight
on Sunday. He won Fun Scale Novice.
RADIO CONTROL
with his own-design Rawdon T-1. Al Kretz
finished third with his Douglas SBD
Dauntless dive-bomber built from Jerry Bates
plans.
Expert class had the largest number of
entries. Dennis Crooks is no stranger to
competition or to the first-place finish he
earned at this Nats. You may remember
Dennis’s Grumman TBM Avenger from
several years ago. 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. He 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 Aeromodelers) Flight
Achievement Award, voted on by all of the
flight judges, for his realistic flight
performance.
Second place in Expert Scale went to
Terry Nitsch, who was flying his Bob Violett
Models Lockheed F-80C Shooting Star. The
model 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.
Kim Foster’s de Havilland D.H.94 Moth
Minor came in third. The Jerry Bates design
is covered with Coverite and painted with
lacquer. Power is provided by a Laser 150
four-stroke engine.
In Team Scale an experienced builder can
join up with a really good pilot and compete.
Sometimes motor skills, age, or other health
factors keep competitors from being able to
fly as well as they build.
Dave Pinegar and builder George
Maiorana finished in first place with their
Tupolev Tu-4AEW (featured in the
September 2003 Model Aviation). Steve Ort
and builder John Colby came in second
flying a Jack Stafford Consolidated B-24
Liberator. Jeremy Arvin and builder Earl
Dever flew a TopFlite Stinson SR-9 to a
third-place finish.
Jeff Foley’s son Brad continued the
family tradition and brought a Hangar 9
North American P-51 Mustang to compete
with in Fun Scale Novice. Brad beat Joel
Wilson and his T-28 Trojan by less than a
point. Third place went to Steve Eagle with
his version of the Fairchild PT-19 World War
II trainer.
Flying a de Havilland DHC-1 Chipmunk,
Robert Schultheis won Sportsman Scale.
Airtronics has committed sponsorship for this
beginners’ class with a radio system for the
winner to help encourage modelers to
become active in RC Scale activities.
Fun Scale Advanced provides Expert or
Designer modelers another chance to fly in
front of flight judges during the weekend.
Jeremy Arvin flew his Extra 330L to a
first-place finish, and Terry Nitsch was
close behind flying a Cessna Skylane,
which is a kit prototype for Hangar 9. Zach
Spychalla rounded out the crew, finishing
in third place with his Ziroli Stuka.
My hat is off to Event Director Ed Terry.
Many volunteers participate each year as
judges and administration 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, and Frank Tiano
Enterprises; Gold Level, Horizon Hobby,
JR Radios, Brodak Manufacturing, and
Flite-Metal; Silver Level, Aces Video and
Dynamic Balsa; Bronze Level, Precision
Cut Kits, Master Airscrew, Boca Bearings,
Skyways and WW 1 Aero magazines,
Northeast Screen Graphics, and Vintage
RC Plans.
Fair skies and tailwinds. MA
70 MODEL AVIATION RADIO CONTROL
Model Aviation Seeks Safety Colmnist
Model Aviation is seeking a qualified candidate to write the bimonthly “Safety Comes First” column.
Interested candidates must possess the ability to present a wide variety of safety issues in a clear and
straightforward manner.
Just a few of the topics expected to be covered in this column are safety considerations relating to
Radio Control, Control Line, and Free Flight model aircraft; hazards associated with propellers,
spinners, etc.; safety and large-scale models; Radio Control frequency control; safety at the flying field;
electronic equipment safety concerns; toxicity of paints, glues, and airborne particulates; model-shop
safety issues; and safe construction methods for models and equipment installation.
On a regular basis the safety columnist will solicit readers to submit their safety questions and
experiences so that they may be collected and published in this column.
To that end, we ask that readers who have safety-related questions about and/or experiences with
building and operating model airplanes submit them to MA Aeromodeling Editor Bob Hunt. The
information will be given to the columnist who, it is hoped, can use it to jump-start this very important
column.
Qualified candidates should have at least 20 years’ experience in building and flying model aircraft.
The right candidate will have complete familiarity with Radio Control models but will also have had
some experience with Control Line and Free Flight activity.
Although it’s not a condition of selection, candidates with a background in the medical and/or health
and occupational-safety fields will be strongly considered.
Qualified candidates must have some writing and photography experience, preferably for modelaviation
publications, to include print and/or online.
Please send a cover letter and résumé to Model Aviation Aeromodeling Editor Bob Hunt, Box 68,
Stockertown PA 18083.
