CL Scale
Jerry Blaszczyk (Bensalem PA) brings his de Havilland Twin Otter in on a good landing approach. Good landings are essential for high scores. Author photo. READING THROUGH recent issues of the Indy Sportliners newsletters, I came across a couple of items that are related to one another: flight judging and recovery from bad landing attempts. I've looked at these items with Control Line (CL) Scale in mind, but they might well apply to any type of model flying in which the individual has direct control of the airplane.
CL Scale
MYSTERY P-51 MUSTANG: In the June column I asked readers if they could provide information on an all-aluminum. Ready-to-Fly Control Line (CD P-51 Mustang that was in the possession of Robert Madison of Wickenberg, Arizona. All I can say is "wow." The response was great. Many of the old-time modelers, and perhaps some not so old. responded to the request by sending information/history about the model and manufacturer. Some of the replies were simply copies of the advertisement that
Control Line: Scale
PROFILE SCALE has become a major part of Control Line Scale activity in many areas around the country. Some of the reasons given for its increasing popularity are that Profile models are generally easier to build, take less time, and cost less than full-bodied models. The Profile event is also being used by many clubs to help interest non-Scale modelers and beginners in CL Scale activity, and to promote the fun aspects of Scale modeling. While I've talked many times about Profile Scale in this column, I haven't done too much in the area of Profile model construction. This month I'll talk about a new project by Canoga Park, California's Fred Cronenwett-a great proponent of Profile Scale modeling. Fred's latest project is the Kawanishi N1K2-J Shiden-Kai. The full-scale was put into service by the Japanese in December 1943. Classified as a fighter, the airplane was powerful, fast, well-protected, and heavily armed.
Control Line: Scale
THIS MONTH'S PHOTOS: The Curtiss AT-9 is the work of Indianapolis, Indiana's Jack Sheeks, one of our country's most ardent CL Scale modelers. The AT-9 was used by Sheeks in the 1994 World Championships (held in the Netherlands). The model was scratch-built from plans of Jack's own design. This fine-looking model has a wingspan of 69 inches; it weighs-in at 11.6 pounds. The model is powered by two O.S. Wankel engines turning 11 × 5 propellers. Using the Wankel engines allowed for complete engine enclosure, enhancing the model's appearance by not requiring cylinder-head cutouts in the cowlings. Operating features include Rhom-Air gear retraction, flaps via a converted radio, and coated lines by Ralph Burnstine (another prominent modeler in the CL Scale circles). The model also has a fully detailed cockpit.
Control Line: Scale
THIS MONTH'S PHOTOS: Included in this month's photos is a Grumman F8F Bearcat by Mel Mondschein of Wharton, New Jersey. After 30 years' absence from the Control Line circles, Mel has returned to CL Scale activity. Mel's Bearcat, finished in the color scheme of the Denver, Colorado Air National Guard, weighs approximately six pounds and is powered by a SuperTigre .60. The model has a some features that are worth telling you about. One of the Bearcat photos shows the model with the engine cowling removed so that the engine and its related equipment can be seen. The first and most important feature shown in this photo is the unique system Mel devised to get the model's engine exhaust to exit at the scale location. Rather than spoil the model's appearance by cutting a slot in the engine cowl for the muffler, Mel made a brass manifold to fit over the engine's exhaust, and used flexible brass plumbing pipe to direct the exhaust out of the model at the scale location. The flexible brass piping is usually chrome-plated, and is used by plumbers to connect bathroom and kitchen-sink faucets to hot and cold water supplies. This piping can be found in plumbing-supply or hardware stores, and it's quite inexpensive.
