AMA Nats 1983: FF Indoor Scale
Larry Kruse
Open AMA Scale
Canadians swept the Indoor Scale events. Jack McGillivray and Ken Groves came down from Canada and impressed the field. Fresh from a win at West Baden, McGillivray flew a realistically detailed, eight-gram SE-5 to second place. Groves edged him out by three points for first with what he called his "True Fike" — unlike the garden-variety Fike entered in most contests, Groves' ship had a Cub-like cowl and stabilizer that gave it a unique appearance.
Groves' Fike prop was also unusual: it was molded from a layer of 1/32" balsa, a layer of gauze, and another layer of 1/32" balsa, all bonded with Titebond. The resulting prop was both tough and flexible; Groves was observed on several occasions twisting more pitch into the blades to optimize flight characteristics — a difficult move with a carved prop.
Placings:
- 1st: Ken Groves, "True Fike"
- 2nd: Jack McGillivray, SE-5
- 3rd: Larry Kruse, Don Srull–designed 1911 Bleriot pusher canard
- 4th: Dan Dominas, ultra-light Super Cub
Senior AMA Scale
David Aronstein's Air Cruiser won Senior AMA Scale by a wide margin. His Bellanca sesquiplane, just a bit larger than a Peanut and built from his own plans, flew consistently in small circles and appeared lightweight, extremely stable, and well-trimmed. It also took first place in the outdoor event.
Top Senior placings:
- 1st: David Aronstein, Air Cruiser (Bellanca sesquiplane)
- Behind him were Susan Brown and Bryan Fulmer, more than 50 points back.
Junior AMA Scale
Young Walter M. Eggert benefitted from his father's tutelage. The two entered cloned Farman Sport biplanes. After some minor trimming problems — one plane briefly hit the hangar wall — both flew very realistically. Walter M. ("Watty") Eggert finished first; Walter S. Eggert (his father) placed fifth in Open.
Junior placings:
- 1st: Walter M. Eggert, Farman Sport biplane
- 2nd: Aaron Markos
- 3rd: David Brown (youngest member of the Brown Family Free Flight Team)
- 5th in Open: Walter S. Eggert
Most junior entries were Lacey/Fike variants. Eggert's low-wing ship appeared to be a Thorp or similar design, featuring a flat center section and tip dihedral.
Open Peanut Scale
McGillivray and Groves completed their sweep of Indoor Scale by taking first and second in Open Peanut Scale (they swapped places from the Open AMA Scale results). Keith Fulmer finished a close third, missing Groves by just two points. Don Srull flew the Peanut version of his design to fourth.
Peanut placings:
- 1st: Jack McGillivray
- 2nd: Ken Groves
- 3rd: Keith Fulmer
- 4th: Don Srull
Junior Peanut
In Junior Peanut, Aaron Markos nipped "Watty" Eggert by only one point. David Brown finished third again.
Junior Peanut placings:
- 1st: Aaron Markos
- 2nd: Walter M. Eggert
- 3rd: David Brown
Other observations
There was a pleasing array of designs on display, with biplanes particularly popular among East Coast modelers. Notable entries and flights included:
- George Meyers: a nice Gee Sport (likely from Gene Dubois plans)
- Paul Gaertner: a rare Handley Page Gugnunc, which flew well
- John Low: several lovely flights with his Stampe trainer
- Dave Rees: Zippy Sport
- Don Srull: hard-luck Alco Sport
- Rolfe Gregory: Luscombe Silvaire
The variety of planes and the appreciative crowd were real pluses for the event, enjoyed by all.
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
