Control Line: Aerobatics
Wynn Paul
SEMI-SCALE STUNT planes have been an important part of the scene since the first Nationals in 1946 when Ralph Roof won Open Stunt flying a six-foot Taylorcraft with a Forester 99 up front. Of course, the stunt pattern was quite different then, featuring such maneuvers as wheel touching (7 points), stall and recovery (8), glider pick up (10), laying smoke screen (3), rolls (35), and flying two planes at once (7).
We've come a long way to the molded balsa fuselage, foam wing, polyester finish and multiple adjustable features of today's semi-scale stunters. My favorite of the semi-scales is the Bearcat. There have been at least four excellent ones: Al Rabe's, Jim Lynch's, Ron Harding's, and Mike Wagner's. Al's article appeared in AAM, March, 1970. A molded balsa fuselage is a must on this plane but if it weighs more than 55 oz. you're in trouble. It is a difficult plane to build but certainly is an impressive one in flight. Al and Jim suggest some changes to the basic model as it was shown in AAM. (You can obtain specs on the changes from these two modelers.)
A word on requesting information. I know that top fliers get numerous requests for help, information, tips, etc. Some modelers are very cooperative in taking the time and effort to answer every letter. Others do not answer requests. However, modelers in search of assistance should realize that answering each letter and request takes time. Requests should be specific and in the form of a mini-questionnaire with space provided for an answer. Always provide a self-addressed, stamped return envelope, not a postcard. It is much easier for these people to fill out a questionnaire-type letter and slip it into a stamped return envelope so you are more likely to receive an answer.
The F-51 probably is the most common semi-scale. Rabe and Bill Rutherford have versions that are very competitive. A host of other fliers are trying the P-51. Wing loading can get out of hand easily on these planes so you have to be careful. The original Mustang (Rabe) was in AAM, June, 1969, but again, this model has been updated by Al and Bill. Al Meyers, 666 Orr St., Joliet, IL 60436, has plans available for a competitive version. If you want a reasonably light wing loading, you had better build one from scratch.
The Bearcat and Mustang would be good subjects for the "Atlanta Stunt Conspiracy" if plans similar to the Gieseke Nobler were available. Perhaps Rabe, Rutherford, Lynch, or Harding could send drawings to Tom Dixon for possible publication.
According to my index, there have been at least 50 semi-scale stunt ships in the magazines since 1960. The trick is to obtain the magazine article or the plans. I'll discuss some of the other possibilities below.
There have been several Stukas over the years. Don Still's original 48-in. contender would make a good 35-powered stunter because of its small size. This plane and several others are still available from Hobby Helpers, 1543 Stillwell Ave., Bronx, NY 10451. Also available from the same source are Frank Warburton's Tony with 57-in. span (which probably should have a ST46 instead of the listed 35); and Charles Mackey's Mark I Spitfire with a 57-in. span. Arch Adamisin also had a Tony stunter in the 35 size with foam wing. Plans are available from RC Sportsman, PO Box 11247, Reno, NV 89510. MAN had a good 3-view of the Tony in June, 1966.
The French Dewoitine D-520 should make a good semi-scale ship; Art Adamisin and Kent Rogers each had good examples of this craft in the 35 and 46 size respectively. No plans are available but Profile series no. 135 is a good start for the advanced modeler.
An airplane which certainly lends itself to stunt configuration is Keith Trostle's
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Focke Wulf TA-152 which first appeared in MAN, Dec., 1968. Originally set up for a 35, Keith built a new one for 1976 about the same size with a ST 46 that flew quite well. A picture of this plane appeared in the Nov., '76 Nats report in Model Aviation.
The German Me-109 can be built with top and bottom blocks rather than molded balsa as evidenced by Jack Sheeks' two versions, one a 35 size in FM, April, 1970 and the 46 size in FM, May, 1977.
For a trike gear you could try Bill Simon's P-39 which was in FM, August, 1968. This was a 35-size airplane. Both Lew Woolard and Charlie Reeves have flown P-39's with success. Woolard qualified in the '72 Nats with his.
Two Hawker Typhoons have appeared over the years. Dennis Adamisin won Junior in the '69 Nats and got third in Senior in '70 with his 35 version that appeared in AM, September, 1970 and is now available from RC Sportsman. Steve Ashby had a 46-size Typhoon in FM, January, 1976.
The writer had a Seafang R/C 31/32 which was the final version of the WW-II Spitfire. If you look closely at Bruce Robertson's book on the Spitfire you will see that this is a good choice for a semi-scale. It has adequate nose length, laminar-flow non-elliptical wing, enlarged tailplane, air scoop under the engine, and wide landing gear placement. Unfortunately, mine came out very heavy and very warped and got very scattered around the runway of the '73 Nats. However, I still think this would be a good semi-scale plane.
Another favorite warbird would be the Martin-Baker 5, which looks rather like a Mustang with a stretched nose. Frank McMillan started one but apparently never completed it. I've never seen a Zero in competition but Bernie Ash sent a picture of Don Ogram, Indianapolis, from way back in 1961, who campaigned with one for several years.
If, like me, you find it just a little difficult to watch a WW-II fighter plane doing square-eights or a F-14 Tomcat doing triangles, you might try Dennis Duvall's Miss Dara, a 35-powered pylon racer that appeared in FM, December, 1973.
Tom Dixon developed the Stephens Akro (AAM, March, 1975) which is a full-scale aerobatics airplane. Use a ST 46 as does Jon Ramsden and order the plans from RC Sportsman. Speaking of Akros, Lew McFarland's Akromaster (AAM, November, 1974) plans are also available from the same source. This one-of-a-kind prototype was campaigned by Lew for several years, finishing as high as fourth in the '72 Nats.
Speaking of the real thing, we have Jim Van Loo's version of Hal Krier's Chipmunk which appeared in MAN, March, 1968 for 35 or 40 engines with a 55-in. wing. Of course, this ship later evolved into the Sig Chipmunk which is a dandy kit when built correctly. Pete Tindal's 40-size Chipmunk (Model Aviation, April, 1977) with a 57-in. wing should fly well but use a ST 46 engine. Lew McFarland built a beautiful Chipmunk for a McCoy 40 but he never got around to flying it much. It looked great in the air.
Some planes have been left out because plans are not available but you could get the magazine article and work from there: Dave Hemstrought's PT-19 (AM, February, 1960), Lew McFarland's Vega 35 (AM, June, 1962), Aldrich's AG-1 Duster (MAN, August, 1966), Jack Sheeks' Spitfire Mk I (FM, September, 1968), and, of course, the Sea Fury by Al Rabe (AAM, March, 1973) which Al suggests no one try because it's so difficult to build.
We'll list a few more that could be developed into competitive stunt planes. If you can obtain the old magazine and adapt the plans to a contemporary design: Macchi 202 (FM, October, 1974), plans available. I'll discuss some other possibilities below. I have several Stukas over the years. Don Still's original 48‑in Contender would make a good 35‑powered stunter because of its small size. Several others are still available. Hobby Helpers, 1543 Stillwell Ave., Bronx, NY 10451.
Also available from the same source: Frank Warburton's Tony, 57‑in span (probably should have an ST‑46 instead of the 35 listed); Charles Mackey's Mark Spitfire, 57‑in span; Arch Adamisin's Tony stunter, 35 size, foam wing. Plans available from RC Sportsman, P.O. Box 11247, Reno, NV 89510.
A good 3‑view Tony appeared in MAN, June 1966. The French Dewoitine D‑520 should make a good semi‑scale ship. Art Adamisin and Kent Rogers have good examples — craft in 35 and 46 sizes respectively. No plans available. Profile Series No. 135 is a good start for the advanced modeler.
Here are a few sources for old magazines: Bill's Mail Order Hobby, 303 West Astor, Lee's Summit, MO 64063; Everybody's Bookshop, 317 W. 6th St., Los Angeles, CA 90014; Mal MacLean, 6 Larry Dr., Commack, NY 11725; David Braun, 5670 Ensenada Way, Meca #436, Riverside, CA 92504.
Modelers everywhere express their sympathy to Bob Gieseke and his children upon learning of the death of his wife, Anna Mae, in a drowning accident while on vacation in Acapulco, Mexico in early March.
For information on stunt or PAMPA: Wynn Paul, 1640 Maywick Dr., Lexington, KY 40504.
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
