NATS '78: CL Scale
THE control-line scale events at Lake Charles were an interesting combination of old and new. There were familiar faces with well-proven airplanes entered along with several new faces fielding models we hadn't seen before. There were 17 entries, almost evenly divided between Precision Scale and Sport Scale. As is typical, Junior and Senior age contestants again accounted for over 40% of the total entries. Generally the quality and variety matched any NATS in recent memory. And the flying competition was among the most skillful and varied that I have ever witnessed. All of the entries flew impressively smooth and not one was destroyed or seriously damaged. Scale activities start early in the week with the turn-in for static judging of all of the FF, CL, and RC scale models to the display/judging area. By Wednesday, the static display is visually overwhelming and presents a vivid presentation of selected aviation history. The steady stream of viewers, admirers, and self-appointed judges attests to the popularity of these miniature replicas.
Control Line: Scale
BY FAR the greatest reward in writing this monthly column has been getting acquainted with a great bunch of modelers from all over the U.S. who share my enthusiasm for CL Scale. I've been pleasantly surprised and repeatedly encouraged by the number of contributions received, the high quality of the craftsmanship displayed in the models, and the eager friendliness of the builders themselves. This month we have several photos of the creations of some of these "grassroots" scale builders. Since I am still very much into CL Scale competition, over the months I probably make far more references in my writing to the Nationals and World Championships than some of these fellows care to hear about. But that is what I am most familiar with, so inevitably it comes out. At any rate, just for the record I'd like to say that all of these models, and dozens more out there, could and should compete on the National level.
Control Line: Scale
IF SOMEONE were to take a count of the CL Scale models being built today they would find that many, if not most, of them are being constructed from so-called "RC" kits or plans. Due to the laws of economics, almost all of the scale kits being brought onto the market nowadays are labeled as "RC." But that label shouldn't be taken too literally! By nature, a scale model is basically the same whether it is controlled by radio or control lines. If the aircraft flew good in the full-size and radio versions, it will perform equally as well on control lines. I've received letters asking my advice on converting this or that RC kit to CL scale. For the benefit of those who are currently contemplating such a project this winter, here are my thoughts and guidelines on what you need to know.
Control Line: Scale
INEVITABLY, the more expert one becomes at an event, the more he tends to take for granted things that may be puzzling and troublesome for some newcomers. The majority of this and last month's columns devotes attention to some of these basics that are usually overlooked. Some of you experts may get a little bored, but I know from my correspondence that there are guys out there who have pretty basic questions standing between them and their first CL Scale model. As I mentioned last month, a throttle-equipped engine is an absolute necessity for winning in CL Scale competition. A throttle not only allows you to perform several optional maneuvers (like taxi and touch and go) which would otherwise be impossible, or at best very unrealistic, but it also enables you to perform the basic required maneuvers (takeoff, cruising flight, and landing) with much greater realism and finesse.
Control Line: Scale
WHEN Sam Abdow of Fall River, Massachusetts says he flies jet scale models, he's not just blowin' hot air-but his models sure are! You see, Sam not only builds CL Scale replicas of historic jet aircraft, but he prefers to power them with real "jet" engines. In this case, buried in the fuselage of his sleek Consolidated Vultee XF-92A Delta Jet is a firebreathing powerplant called a "DynaJet." I'm going to assume (based on AMA growth figures over the last 10 years) that there are many readers who are completely unaware of the age-old Dyna-Jet engine and "pulse" jets in general. And there are probably many more who may have heard of or even seen a jet model in action, but who couldn't tell much more about them than the fact that they make enough noise to wake the dead. I'm certainly not an authority on pulse jets, I've never used one, but by way of a couple of recently answered inquiries I learned a few basic facts about the Dyna-Jet that you may find interesting.
