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
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
A CASE for Scale anatomy: The internal structure of an FAI-type Scale model isn't supposed to be seen by the static judges, and so it doesn't really matter whether it follows full-scale practice in materials or assembly. Jurgen Steinberger of Germany placed twentieth in the World Championships at Paris in 1984. He returned to world competition at Oslo with his BE2e and improved his position to seventh place. A large portion of the improvement was the result of a more than 1,000-point increase in his static score. How were the judges informed of the internal detail that couldn't be seen? Jurgen had made up a handwritten list of items that deserved credit, and it is a truly amazing account of the extent of a Scale modeler's effort to produce a fine model.
Scale World Championships
NORWAY WAS THE HOST nation for the Ninth Scale World Championships. The action took place at Kjeller Airport, a military field 20 miles northeast of Oslo, and 17 nations competed-47 airplanes in Radio Control and 13 in Control Line. The large entry in RC imposed quite a burden on the contest management, and there was serious consideration given to limiting the flights to only two rounds. In the end, the competitors were each given three flights, and the contest came to a conclusion within the allotted time only because the weather permitted. Had there been another rain shower, an extra day would have been needed.
1986 Nats: RC Scale
RETURNING to our air-conditioned Nats dormitory at McNeese University at the end of each day's flying at Chennault Air Base, we could see the digital thermometer across the street registering 100º to 103ºF. Accompanied by high humidity from the nearby Gulf of Mexico, the heat was of more concern than the competition and certainly had its effect on the performances of both models and pilots. Temperature on the runway pavement at the Nats site was even higher. A varying wind (across the runway, of course) helped to relieve the baked feeling. A fortunate few competitors made cool, early-morning flights when the wind was light. The Air Base, now inactive, has vast areas of pavement which absorb and store heat.
