Control Line: Scale
A QUESTION ANSWERED: In my November 1995 column I included a picture of Norm Skuderin's P-51C Mustang air racer, Beguine. While we had some information about the airplane's unique configuration (wing-pod coolers were added, and the lower fuselage air scoop was removed), the "who and why" of the unusual paint scheme was in question. I asked if anyone could supply more information about the paint scheme. The response was great! I have taken the following responses from the several I received. While J.D. Reed (a top Beechcraft distributor and avid race fan from Houston, Texas) was the driving force behind the procurement and development of the Beguine racer, it was Walter Beech (a highly successful designer of commercial aircraft) who provided the major design work. Beech was responsible for removing the lower air scoop and placing the coolers in the wing pods.
Control Line: Scale
AVIATION MUSEUMS can be great fun to visit, and are fine sources of Scale documentation. In a recent issue of Replica, the newsletter of the National Association of Scale Aeromodelers (NASA), Mike Welshans told of his visit to modeling friend Bill Logan in London, Ontario, and the Canadian National Aviation Museum located in Ottawa, Ontario. The museum is approximately 80 miles north of the US border, and approximately 175 miles north of Syracuse-it's within easy reach of most northern locations in the Midwest and eastern United States. Ottawa is also the home of the Parliament buildings which are most interesting to visit, especially if you catch the changing-of-the-guard ceremony. Mike noted that the museum has 109 aircraft, from the dawn of Canadian aviation to present-day jet fighters. There are 47 aircraft on permanent display inside the museum, and eight on display outside. The remainder in a storage area awaiting restoration.
Control Line: Scale
CONTROL SYSTEMS-especially our three-line handles-have been talked about at great length. However, it appears that we have ignored, or perhaps not thought too much about, one very important factor: how to make adjustments or compensate for uneven flying lines on model leadouts. Most of us do our best to make all of our flying lines the same length, and to make bellcrank leadouts to the specific lengths required for the three-line bellcrank and handle we're using. However, it seems that no matter how hard we try to be exact, we can always count on a line or leadout being off just a bit. We want our lines to be exact so that the throttle control works well, and so we have a good neutral elevator position. It's very disconcerting to have to keep a little up or down control on the model to keep it in level flight. A comfortable feeling at the handle makes for a better flight.
Control Line: Scale
THE NEWCOMER: Just what is a newcomer? I suppose one can be defined in many ways when it comes to model aviation. Descriptions might include one who is entirely new to the sport; one who returns to the sport after many years of absence; or one who has been in the sport for some time, and is now trying a different phase of activity. In order to get a feel for what category the newcomer to CL Scale might be placed, I requested information from several clubs, newsletter editors, and individuals around the country. Most of the responses I received included information on those who have changed from Radio Control to CL Scale; the impact of electronic controls; and comments on promoting our sport in the hope of obtaining newcomers.
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.
