Author: B. Boss
Edition: Model Aviation - 1986/06
Page Numbers: 62, 163, 164
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Control Line: Scale

Bill Boss — Louisville, KY

Selection trials (Louisville, KY — Aug 23–25, 1985)

During the weekend of August 23–25, 1985, the National Association of Scale Aeromodelers (NASA) conducted the FAI team-selection trials. The CL and RC Scale teams established there will represent the U.S. at the 1986 World Scale Championships.

Shortly after the selection trials and publication of the results in Model Aviation (December 1985), several people contacted me by telephone, letter, and tape recording expressing dissatisfaction with the Control Line portion of the trials. The main concerns were:

  • Lack of a complete listing of CL participants and their scores.
  • The manner in which static and flight judging was performed.

I contacted Mike Gretz (author of the originally published CL Scale report) and he provided the static and flight scores so the complete results chart (below) could be prepared. The one piece of data not obtained was the type of model entered by Ken Long (California). If anyone can supply that, I will include it in a future column.

Concerns about judging procedures

At FAI and Nationals events, judging is usually done by two or more judges. The concern raised by some competitors was that judges often sit together and appear to record nearly identical scores category by category, as if reaching an agreed-upon average before writing scores down. Competitors pointed to their score sheets showing only small differences between individual judges’ marks.

Suggested change:

  • Require judges to sit separately and arrive at scores independently (no consultation), then submit individual score sheets. Average scores for each category/operation/maneuver should be calculated after the independent sheets are turned in and tallied.
  • Separation during static judging may be more difficult because judges must review presentations and proof-of-scale documents, but separation at the flight circle/line should be straightforward.

If you share these concerns, please write to both NASA and AMA Headquarters requesting procedural changes. For NASA, write to:

  • John Guenther, Box 715, RR No. 1, Borden, IN 47106.

1985 C/L Scale FAI Trials — Louisville, Kentucky

CONTESTANT PLANE STATIC FLT-1 FLT-2 FLT-3 TOTAL

  1. RON SEARS STEARMAN PT-17 1816.5 1398 1648 1755 3571.5
  2. JEFF PEREZ BOEING B-17 1561 1734 1572 PASS 3295.5
  3. JULIE ABEL CLIP-WING CUB 1332.5 874 1440 1827 3159.5
  4. AUSTRALIA GRAVES KAWASAKI TONY 1378.5 1125 1454 1779 3157.5
  5. RALPH BURNSTINE BOEING E4B4 1695 1170 1354 1312 3049
  6. LYNN GREEN FW-190-A8 1467 1078 599 1366 2833
  7. DUANE CAMPBELL P-51 1395 799 1383 1201 2778
  8. JACK SHEEKS BOEING P-26 1219.5 1210 1103 1460 2679.5
  9. STEVE ASHBY MITSUBISHI MU-2 1735.5 924 943 PASS 2678.5
  10. DICK BYRON CONSOLIDATED B-24 1368 1169 1232 PASS 2600
  11. KEN LONG [type not provided] 1744.5 INC INC PASS 1744.5
  12. CHARLES BAUER ZERO A6M2 1314 INC INC PASS 1314

INC = INCOMPLETE FLIGHT PASS = FLIGHT ROUND PASSED

Here's what the entrants at the CL Scale team-selection finals flew and how they performed.

Observations on static judging and competition outcomes

A related concern is why a seemingly uncomplicated model without heavy detailing can win FAI Scale events (both CL and RC). In my view, this results from a change a few years ago in FAI static judging: static judging was shifted from the Precision Scale style (models may be measured and handled) to the Sport Scale style (judges may only look, not touch). This change allows less-super-detailed models to compete effectively, enabling builders to concentrate on flying performance. As Mike Gretz reported in his coverage of last year’s trials, flying was the key factor in this selection.

Thanks to Mike Gretz for supplying the chart information and to Lynn Green (Celina, OH), one of last year’s CL team-selection participants, for her tape-recorded comments used as the basis for much of this column.

Control Line Scale contest activity

  • NW Regional C/L Champs — May 23–25, 1986, Mahlon Sweet Airport, Eugene, OR. Precision and Profile Scale events offered. Contact: CD J. Thompson, 1505 Ash Ave., Cottage Grove, OR 97424 for full contest details.
  • Canadian Nationals — July 20–26, 1986, Vancouver, British Columbia. C/L Sport Scale will be flown using AMA rules and static judging at a 15-foot viewing distance. Contact: Mr. Brian Dalling, 4214 W. 15th Ave., Vancouver, BC V6R 3A6, Canada. Pre-entry date: June 13, 1986.

Paint formulas (Hobbypoxy) — German Luftwaffe colors

Hobbypoxy released paint formulas for Scale builders covering German Luftwaffe WWII colors. Notes:

  • Cross and swastika insignias: black and white. Use Hobbypoxy HBL Black and H10 White. Insignias were semi-gloss; a ~50/50 mix of Gloss Hardener and Flat Hardener will produce the slight sheen required.
  • Registration and unit code markings: flat finish, commonly in black, white, red, yellow, and blue. The formulas presented are for:
  • 40 Yellow
  • Z3 Red
  • 24 Dark Blue

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