Author: Ben Lanterman
Edition: Model Aviation - 2005/01
Page Numbers: 34,35,36,37,38,39,40,41,42
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,

Scale Masters

by Ben Lanterman

On the front page of the US Scale Masters Association's Web site (www.scalemasters.org) is a statement of purpose:

"The US Scale Masters Association is committed to the development and growth of scale aircraft modeling, by bringing people together to have fun while focusing on scale realism, competition, and sportsmanship for the enjoyment of all."

What is not mentioned is that these are not your grandfather's .19-powered, hand-launched scale models. These magnificent aircraft are big, fire-breathing, capable-of-submach-number-speed, not-for-the-faint-of-heart airplanes — by anyone's definition, great-flying machines. The 2004 US Scale Masters Championships, held September 23–26, 2004, illustrated that in all aspects.

Event Overview

This was the 25th annual event, held in Gardner, Kansas, at the Gardner Municipal Airport. The members of the R/C Barnstormers club of Hillsdale, Kansas, with help from local volunteers from regional clubs, provided the manpower to set up and run the contest. Contest Director John Ostmeyer was busy working throughout the event; Pat Hewitt handled contest management. Grand Champion and Expert winner Terry Nitsch complimented John and the R/C Barnstormers on hosting an excellent competition.

Gardner is a small town southwest of Kansas City, and the citizens made contestants feel welcome. Mayor Carol Lehman attended the Thursday-night barbecue, delivered a welcoming speech, and noted local merchants were expecting visitors. The local Holiday Inn was the official competitors' hotel; the Saturday-night dinner and awards ceremony were held there.

Venue and Organization

The Gardner Municipal Airport proved an excellent contest site. A full-scale runway accommodated most pilots, while the short grass along the far side was adequate for taildraggers. The average airplane at this contest is large by normal modeling standards, and their tires handled everything, including the occasional foray into the rough.

The management and contest-directing team kept the contest running smoothly. Judges, flightline workers with radios, spectator bleachers, food vendors, and other amenities were in place to make contestants and visitors comfortable.

Static judging was held in the local Commemorative Air Force hangar, with a full-scale AT-6 and PT-19 inside providing a good backdrop. Robert Benson brought his PT-19 and found his model judged next to a full-scale version — a memorable scene.

Judging and Format

Judging took place all day Thursday. Each contestant was given a time slot to present his airplane for scoring. Because most models had to qualify at a regional contest to attend the Scale Masters, the static scores were generally close, making flight scores critical in determining final placings.

The models were staged on a taxiway divided into four lanes corresponding to the four judging stations. After discussing the upcoming flight with the judges, the pilot started the aircraft and taxied out to the runway. Flightline workers controlled the flow of contestants and airplanes for all rounds. Special precautions were taken when turbine models, such as Terry Nitsch's F-100F, were started — the area behind the hot exhaust was cleared and a blast diverter was used.

Judges deserve special commendation. They must remain consistent, impartial, and accurate through three days of flying and five flight rounds, often facing the sun for much of the time, which makes scoring difficult.

Weather

Many local modelers claim the weather is always beautiful in Kansas. While the author is skeptical from long Missouri winters, Friday through Sunday of the contest were gorgeous. Friday had high, streaming clouds and pleasant temperatures; Saturday brought clear blue skies and light wind; Sunday morning was near-perfect flying weather with near-zero wind and ideal temperatures — a great day for final flights.

Aircraft and Flying

The pilots and models represented the best in RC scale modeling. With only a few exceptions, takeoffs and landings were straight down the runway, and pilots handled the light crosswinds well. Larger models tended to fly and handle with smoothness and grace (substantiating the old saying that "bigger flies better"). There were a few accidents, but overall the flying quality was outstanding — only three engine-out landings in three days of flying were observed.

A wide variety of aircraft spanned eras from World War I Nieuports to turbine-powered F-100Fs. The allowance for larger models enabled pilots to present flights at scale speeds, enhancing the visual effect: World War II fighters appeared faster than civilian sport airplanes, as they should. The contrast of flight speeds was entertaining and educational; for example, Roland Worsfold's J-3 Cub could take a full circuit of the field in the same time Terry Nitsch flew his F-100F through an entire flight.

Dick Hansen built his 8-pound Sopwith 1½-Strutter from a Proctor Enterprises/VK Models kit. It is powered by a small engine and made a fine example of a well-executed scale biplane.

Notable Aircraft and Incidents

  • Terry Nitsch's North American F-100F was a standout. The jet combined high-scale fidelity in static judging with excellent flying characteristics and realistic turbojet sound. Its engine required a blast shield to protect those behind it. The F-100F has won first-place trophies at other contests and proved to be a steady, reliable performer.
  • James Hammond Jr. built a Kawasaki Ki-61 "Tony" that Brian O'Meara piloted to a top Team Scale score. The full-scale Ki-61 was designed for speed and maneuverability; the model reflected those qualities. The canopy detail and a scale pilot sitting on the wing were striking.
  • Kent Walters flew a Douglas SBD-3 Dauntless with a compelling in-flight monologue to the judges while executing a dive-bombing run. His controlled dive and bomb-release demonstration were impressive.
  • Ernest Harwood's scratch-built Aviatik C.I was a refreshing change among many olive-drab military finishes. The model featured real-wire trailing edges, wicker seats, and control cables. Harwood ingeniously hid all RC gear inside fuselage fuel-tank representations, preserving scale realism.
  • Steve Ort suffered one of the most heartbreaking incidents: his beautifully detailed North American B-25 Mitchell collided with a Piper J-3 Cub during a flight. A Cub wing strut sliced through the B-25's outer wing panel, causing the bomber to lose control and crash. The B-25's engine remained in the field until the round was completed, extending the anguish for the owner.

Banquet and Awards

Saturday night, following the fourth round of flying, a banquet was held at the Holiday Inn. The dinner included an entertaining presentation by an "Amelia Earhart" performer that resonated with the audience. Officials and volunteers of the Masters organization and the R/C Barnstormers were recognized and thanked. "Best of" award winners were presented with plaques.

Personal Impressions

This was the author's second trip to the Scale Masters as a spectator, and the experience was thoroughly enjoyable. Unlike Pattern contests, which can feel repetitive due to similar aircraft and maneuvers, a Scale contest offers wide variety: diverse aircraft designs, different flying patterns, and unique presentations. Scale builders and pilots are approachable and willing to talk to spectators and press. If you have a chance to attend a Scale event, these airplanes are well worth seeing.

Thanks to the R/C Barnstormers and the Scale Masters organization for their hospitality.

For more information, visit the US Scale Masters Association Official Web site at www.scalemasters.org or the Academy of Model Aeronautics site at http://modelaircraft.org.

Ben Lanterman 3432 Covington Pkwy Saint Charles, MO 63301 benlanter@charter.net

2004 U.S. Scale Masters Championships Results

Expert

  1. Terry Nitsch — North American F-100F — Static 99.750, Flight 94.000, Total 193.750
  2. Kent Walters — Douglas SBD-3 Dauntless — Static 99.750, Flight 92.750, Total 192.500
  3. Zach Spychalla — Supermarine Spitfire FR Mk XIVe — Static 99.750, Flight 91.666, Total 191.416
  4. Lee Rice — Chance Vought F4U Corsair — Static 99.750, Flight 91.333, Total 191.083
  5. Tom Wolf — de Havilland Mosquito FBVI — Static 99.750, Flight 91.167, Total 190.917
  6. Leo T. Spychalla — Supermarine Spitfire Mk XIVe — Static 98.750, Flight 91.917, Total 190.667
  7. Bob Patton — Cessna 150 Aerobat — Static 99.750, Flight 89.583, Total 189.333
  8. Larry Folk — Piper PA-18-180 Super Cub — Static 99.500, Flight 89.417, Total 188.917
  9. Dick Konkle — Aeronca 7AC Champ — Static 99.750, Flight 89.166, Total 188.916
  10. David Pinegar — Beechcraft T-34A Mentor — Static 98.250, Flight 90.583, Total 188.833
  11. Al Kretz — Douglas SBD-3 Dauntless — Static 99.250, Flight 89.417, Total 188.667
  12. Steve Forrest — Republic P-47D Thunderbolt — Static 99.250, Flight 88.833, Total 188.083
  13. Mitch Buckley — Republic P-47D Thunderbolt — Static 97.000, Flight 90.917, Total 187.917
  14. Greg Hahn — Douglas C-47A — Static 99.500, Flight 88.333, Total 187.833
  15. Dick Hansen — Sopwith 1½-Strutter — Static 99.750, Flight 88.000, Total 187.750
  16. Howard D. Schlange — Spacewalker — Static 99.500, Flight 88.083, Total 187.583
  17. Doug Crumley — Piper PA-18 Super Cub — Static 99.500, Flight 86.750, Total 186.250
  18. Max Ficken — Republic P-47 Thunderbolt — Static 99.500, Flight 86.667, Total 186.167
  19. Bob Heikell — Bellanca Series J Long Distance — Static 98.000, Flight 88.083, Total 186.083
  20. Jack Buckley — de Havilland D.H.82 Tiger Moth (1937) — Static 99.750, Flight 85.750, Total 185.500
  21. Michael R. Smith — Piper L-4 — Static 99.250, Flight 85.833, Total 185.083
  22. Roland Worsfold — Piper J-3 Cub — Static 97.750, Flight 87.250, Total 185.000
  23. Gene LaFond — Extra 300 — Static 95.750, Flight 88.917, Total 184.667
  24. William Wheeler — Piper J-3 Cub — Static 96.250, Flight 88.417, Total 184.667
  25. Larry Sutherland — Beechcraft T-34A Mentor — Static 99.500, Flight 82.917, Total 182.417
  26. Tim Lovett — Spacewalker II — Static 98.750, Flight 82.083, Total 180.833
  27. Robert Benson — Fairchild PT-19 — Static 99.750, Flight 78.667, Total 178.417
  28. Wayne Frederick — Fokker D.VIII — Static 99.500, Flight 77.833, Total 177.333
  29. Steve Ort — North American B-25 Mitchell — Static 99.750, Flight 47.750, Total 147.500
  30. Ernest Harwood — Aviatik C.I — Static 99.500, Flight 16.583, Total 116.083
  31. Lawrence Harville — Grumman F6F-3 Hellcat — Static 99.500, Flight 2.500, Total 102.000

Team

  1. Brian O’Meara / James Hammond Jr. — Kawasaki Ki-61 “Tony” — Static 99.500, Flight 93.667, Total 193.167
  2. Jay Steward / Jack Steward — Nieuport 28 C-1 — Static 99.750, Flight 90.917, Total 190.667
  3. David Pinegar / George Maiorana — Chinese AEW — Static 99.500, Flight 91.083, Total 190.583
  4. Gary Parker / Dick Heininge — Fleet Model 1 — Static 99.750, Flight 89.000, Total 188.750
  5. Jeremy Arvin / Dale Arvin — North American SNJ-5 — Static 99.500, Flight 88.667, Total 188.167
  6. John Urton / Kelly Tippetts — Curtiss Robin — Static 99.250, Flight 88.917, Total 188.167
  7. Scott Russell / Wayne Siewert — Republic P-47 Thunderbolt — Static 99.500, Flight 88.583, Total 188.083
  8. John Mota / Frank R. Banks — Lockheed P-38L — Static 99.250, Flight 88.333, Total 187.583
  9. Curtis Kitteringham / Ron Peterka — Stinson SR-9 Gullwing — Static 99.500, Flight 87.083, Total 186.583
  10. Paul Haynes / Steve Wilson — Nieuport 28 C-1 — Static 99.500, Flight 86.167, Total 185.667
  11. Jack Buckley / Robert Rullie — North American P-51 Mustang — Static 99.250, Flight 85.583, Total 184.833
  12. Bob Frey / Dave Gianakos — Republic P-47D Thunderbolt — Static 99.750, Flight 84.250, Total 184.000
  13. Gene LaFond / Robert C. Patterson — Gee Bee Ascender — Static 96.750, Flight 87.250, Total 184.000
  14. Daryl Rolla / Lynn Hersh — Stinson SR-8 — Static 96.000, Flight 87.083, Total 183.083
  15. Duane Pisciotta / Sam Pisciotta — Nieuport 28 C-1 — Static 98.500, Flight 83.667, Total 182.167
  16. L.J. Hollingworth / Rob Talbot-Jones — Erco Coupe 415-D — Static 98.250, Flight 83.416, Total 181.666
  17. Wayne Frederick / Vernon Altamirano — Cessna 182 — Static 99.500, Flight 57.167, Total 156.667
  18. Mike Gretz / Claude McCullough — Trella T-106 — Static 99.750, Flight 4.917, Total 104.667

2004 U.S. Scale Masters Championships Awards

  • Best Biplane — R/C Barnstormers — Aviatik C.I — Ernest Harwood
  • Best Multi Engine — McLean Auto & Truck, Inc. — Douglas C-47A — Greg Hahn
  • Best Golden Age — Roger and Carolynne Weeks — Bellanca Series J Long Distance — Bob Heikell
  • Best Civilian — Dennis and Nancy Meyer — Bellanca Series J Long Distance — Bob Heikell
  • Best Military — Jensen Designs, Inc./Josie and Earl Aune — Lockheed P-38 Lightning — Frank R. Banks (pilot John Mota)
  • Best Jet — CNC Machine & Manufacturing — North American F-100F — Terry Nitsch
  • Best Markings — ReMax Equity Group — North American F-100F — Terry Nitsch
  • Best Documentation — Portland Area Model Aircraft Association — Bellanca Series J Long Distance — Bob Heikell
  • Best WW I — Proctor Enterprises — Nieuport 28 C-1 — Jack Steward
  • Best WW II — CAF Commemorative Air Force — de Havilland Mosquito FBVI — Tom Wolf
  • Best Built Up Kit — Gary and Gloria Norton — Piper PA-18-180 Super Cub — Larry Folk
  • Best Scratch Built Aircraft — EAA Chapter 868 — Cessna 150 Aerobat — Bob Patton
  • Engineering Achievement — Kelly Martin Insurance — Ascender — Robert Patterson
  • High Static — Shawnee Mission R/C Club — North American F-100F — Terry Nitsch
  • Pilots' Choice — Miami County Airport Association — Cessna 150 Aerobat — Bob Patton
  • Harris Lee Lifetime Achievement — Scale Masters Association — Grumman F6F-3 Hellcat — Austin Goodwin
  • High Flight (tied score) — KC Aviation Technicians Association — F4U Corsair, Kawasaki Ki-61 "Tony" — Lee Rice, Brian O'Meara
  • Most Realistic Flight — Team — Airtronics Radio Systems — Stinson SR-9 Gullwing — pilots Curtis Kitteringham and Ron Peterka
  • Most Realistic Flight — Expert — Airtronics Radio Systems — 1937 de Havilland D.H.82 Tiger Moth — Jack Buckley
  • Best Mission Award — Team — Airtronics Radio Systems — Chinese AEW — pilots David Pinegar and George Maiorana

Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.