Control Line: Navy Carrier
Dick Perry 31030 East Sunset Dr., North Redlands, CA 92373
Synopsis
This month's topics include scale documentation, a new control-line video, and a look at the models that flew at the Nationals.
New address
Once again I'm changing locations. The Air Force is sending me to California, to Norton Air Force Base in San Bernardino for about 10 months, then on to Albuquerque sometime in the summer of 1993. I plan to enjoy some family time during the transition. Those trying to contact me between late August and early October will find me between homes—please be patient.
Scale documentation
Experienced carrier modelers know that documentation of a model's scale outlines is required to receive the 100 scale bonus points. Despite the clear statement in the rule book, I've seen modelers disappointed when they were denied the bonus during processing.
If you need help, I often lend reference books I bring to contests and will assist in locating three-view drawings for a particular aircraft. Designing a model from a specific three-view is the easiest way to ensure you can document the scale outlines. Trying to document an existing model can be much harder—I've seen many "scale" kits whose outlines differ substantially from available drawings, sometimes by more than the 5% allowable in the carrier rules.
Three-views themselves often differ due to variations between prototypes and production aircraft or due to artist/draftsman errors. There are two remedies:
- Research to find authoritative three-views and references.
- Modify the model to match the three-views you can document.
A good research source is Scale Model Research, run by Bob Banka. They maintain a large collection of three-views and other products; Bob's catalog costs $4 and includes photo and detail references useful for modeling specific carrier aircraft.
Scale Model Research 2334 Ticonderoga Way, Costa Mesa, CA 92626 Tel: (714) 979-8058
If you see Bob's ad in Model Aviation, tell him you read about him there.
Nationals analysis
I couldn't attend the 1992 National Championships due to job pressures and relocation, but thanks to Joe Just, president of the Navy Carrier Society, for providing score sheets and processing information.
Congratulations to the winners:
- Herb Patrick — Class I
- Pete Mazur — Class II (and Eugene Ely Award winner for best Carrier competitor)
- Brian Silvermith — Profile
- Ryan Calkins — Junior Profile
- Chad Dinerman — Senior Classic I, Class II, and Profile
Notable performances and equipment:
- Pete Mazur: Switched airplanes in two classes—retiring his profile Super for a new MO-1 and using a larger MO-1 with a built-up wing in Class I. His Tunnel-Hill-converted O.S. achieved the best top speed in Profile at 20.25 seconds (about 88.9 mph) on a Tornado 9 x 7 prop. Pete also recorded the low time at 259 seconds (6.9 mph); a missed landing cost him first place in that event.
- Brian Silvermith: Took top speeds in both Class I and Class II.
- Class I: Don Gerber–designed MO-1 reached 107.8 mph (16.6 seconds), powered by an O.S. .40 running on pressure and turning a Top Flite 9 x 8 prop.
- Class II: 36-inch-span Guardian (Sterling kit configuration) powered by an OPS .65 with a Top Flite 11 x 8.25 prop. Although that prop is larger than the commonly used 10 x 8, the speed results justified the choice.
- Ryan Calkins: Strong performance to win Junior Profile.
- Chad Dinerman: Continued dominance with multiple senior event wins.
Thanks to everyone who sent information and who support carrier modeling by documenting and sharing their work. If you have ideas, requests, or items you'd like covered in this column, send them to me via the address in Model Aviation.
CL video
Harding Productions recently released a one-hour video aimed at beginning control-line fliers. It covers construction and first flights of two Sig models—the Skyraider and the Skyraider 35. The instruction is accurate, complete, and professionally presented, making the video a good resource for clubs or hobby shops' beginner programs.
Cost: $19.95 plus $3 postage (direct from Harding Productions). Also look for it in future SIG catalogs; Sig products are featured exclusively (except for the Cox .049 and Fox .35 engines).
Harding Productions 4782 Unity Road, New Waterford, OH 44445 Tel: (216) 457-7352
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
