Radio Control: Scale
FACT OR FICTION? One of the fictional theories about model flying is the importance of scale effect, our bugaboo of the past that supposedly kept a model from flying in a manner somewhat similar to its prototype. We have been asked whether scale effect makes changes necessary in airfoils or tail surface areas. Our answer is that present-day RC Scale models don't need these changes. There is no doubt that scale effect is a factor on very small, light, and slow-flying models such as Peanut Scale, rubber-powered, or Schoolyard Scale RC types. However, in the size models we are now flying, with .40, .60, or 1.20 engines, the effect isn't evident. This is really accentuated in our experience when we compare flight of our models with that of the exact full-size counterparts and find remarkable similarities. Giant Scale models are even more like their prototypes.
Radio Control: Scale
DESIGN YOUR OWN. Building Scale models from kits or plans can be very satisfying, but there are modelers who prefer something more rewarding: an airplane that hasn't been done in quantity or in the size desired. These persons follow another path to satisfaction in designing, building, and learning to fly an outstanding aircraft that attracts attention. Original-design models also have better-than-average contest-winning potential. For example, more than half of the top-placing Nats RC Scale entries were originals. Any number of Scale enthusiasts have thought seriously about building a rare bird but aren't quite certain of methods and procedures. The project is forever postponed for lack of information, and incentive is lacking because there are an overwhelming number of kits and plans waiting to be built. Some of us have gathered photos, books, magazines and three-view drawings for most of our lives. There will probably never be enough time to build models from all of these sources.
Radio Control: Scale
INSTALLING EQUIPMENT: Scale models with ornate cabin or cockpit interiors were once a rare sight. Today, modelers consider some amount of interior detail to be nothing unusual, although the really complete cockpit is not seen too often. The degree of completeness depends upon the modeler's desire to reproduce all aspects of the prototype and is somewhat dependent upon having access to a full-size aircraft to copy. Photos alone are a help, but there is no substitute for having direct measurements from an original. Adding seats, upholstery, and controls-for even the most spartan of interiors-can introduce a tight squeeze on space for servos, receiver, and batteries which always seem to occupy the space normally used by passengers in civil-type aircraft.
Radio Control: Scale
FAI RULES: We have begun to hear suggestions from U.S. Giant Scale advocates, and also from other nations, that an FAI classification be established for this class of Scale model. Large models in international competition always bring to mind the transportation difficulties we have encountered with even our present-day, so-called "standard-size" models. These have grown in size markedly in the recent past. The Europeans can have international contests for large models, and transportation of the model is not a serious matter. But, when the model and its container cross an ocean using airline transportation, the situation changes.
Radio Control: Scale
THE Kitchener-Waterloo Scale Rally: The weekend of this annual rally (first one after Labor Day) was blessed with pleasant temperature and virtually no wind. By late Friday afternoon, most of the better parking spots in the large campground adjacent to the Flying Dutchmen's club field in Kiwanis Park were already occupied. Everything about the gathering pointed to a heavy schedule of social activity centered around the showing of large-screen video and the usual corn roast on Saturday evening. 154 airplanes were registered, down slightly from the expected 200 + that appeared in past meets. Some models are displayed only, and not flown, but the excellent weather kept the sky filled with models. Only exhaustion of RC battery packs stopped some from additional flights by late Sunday afternoon.
