Radio Control: Scale
AERONCA K lives again! Forty-three years ago, we were young newlyweds in search of adventure, and the lure of flight became irresistible when a four-year-old Aeronca K was offered for sale at the low price of $650. With a couple of Scale-modeling friends, the K was acquired and flight training began, each of us investing the tremendous sum of $217. After 50 hours of training, the Department of Commerce flight inspector punctured our dream bubble with his ultimatum that we get a better airplane for our flight tests. His reasons: the Aeronca's two-cylinder engine, single ignition, and the absence of wheel brakes.
Radio Control: Scale
FLIGHT QUALITY: In our May 1984 column, we discussed subject selection (the steps taken in finding a model type that will fly well enough to insure scalelike flight). The contest modeler needs no urging to seek a quality of flight that is at least equal to the quality of his aircraft. The non-contestant disciplines himself to fly in a scalelike manner for his own personal satisfaction, and because he is aware that fellow fliers expect it of a Scale subject. Quality of models has escalated far beyond what was thought possible, and flight quality has now begun to catch up.
Radio Control: Scale
SCALE ELECTRICS: An Electric Spitfire Mk 1a, seen at Toledo, served notice that we can expect more Electric Scale to appear in our competitions. The 61-in.-wingspan Spitfire, by Keith Shaw, featured retracts, an AFI Cobalt 25 geared motor, and Jomar SC-2 speed control. The distinctive difference between this model and all others at Toledo was its weight: a mere 25 ounces, without batteries! Total weight, ready to fly, is 80 ounces. At present, Electric Scale airplanes are judged along with all others, but this may be changing.
Scale World Championships
HISTORIC LeBOURGET Airport and the Paris Musee de L'Air was the scene of the Eighth Scale World Championships for Radio Control and Control Line airplanes. Models were displayed inside the old terminal building, of the late 1930 era, that had seen no airline activity since all traffic was diverted to Charles De Gaulle and Orly Airports. The building is presently being renovated to receive aircraft of the museum that will be transferred from Chalais-Meudon within the next year. Concrete dust, stirred by thousands of visitors' feet, coated models constantly during the week of our stay.
Reno 1984 Nats: RC Scale
THIS PORTION of the Reno Nats was characterized by high-quality airplanes, generally above-average piloting, and obscene weather. An off-shore hurricane in the Pacific pumped in strong crosswinds, complete with blowing dust, sand, and errant tumbleweed that plagued attempts at scalelike flight for most of each day. Two hours of relative calm on Sunday morning permitted a few flights under reasonable conditions. A contestant's T-shirt, labeled "Dust Bowl Nats," told the story. Entries were reduced, as compared with the 1983 total, with 58 in all classes. Of these, only 43 made flights. FAI Scale, with only two flights for its four entrants, hardly qualified as a contest. Other divisions were Giant, 18; Sport Scale Expert, 14; and Sport Scale Sportsman, 22.
