Control Line: Scale
Bill Boss 77-06 269th Street New Hyde Park, NY 11040
Rules Change Proposals
Rules change proposals for Control Line Scale events in the present rules change cycle are minimal in number and are listed in the December issue of MA starting on page 135. It appears that only three of the 51 Scale proposals submitted — or that would — have a direct effect on our CL Scale rules if passed. I would like to call your attention to them by repeating them in the column so that they are not overlooked or bypassed as ones that do not pertain to CL events.
- Proposal SC-90-27 would prohibit the intentional entry of an FAI or AMA Precision Scale model in the CL and RC Sport Scale events.
- Proposal SC-90-30 would streamline all Precision Scale events by deleting the requirement to measure the model.
- Proposal SC-90-46 would increase the engine size and weight limits of CL Scale models: "0.10 cu.-in. displacement per pound of model (dry) weight — two-cycle, 0.133 cu.-in. displacement for four-cycle engines up to the weight limit of GI per Scale. Displacement shall be a total of all engines, not of an individual engine."
While I am not going to make any extensive comments on the above proposals, a few words are in order to stimulate some thinking, and maybe spur you to make comments on them — especially to your individual district Scale Contest Board Members.
Proposal SC-90-27
This proposal puts forward a basic idea that I believe is shared by many Scale modelers, and one I would like to see come about. However, the administration of such a rule or program would be another matter. When a new model comes on the scene, who is to say whether it is to be entered in Precision or Sport? The rule would be good when both events are offered at a contest, but what about a contest that offers only one of the events? Do we allow Sport models to enter Precision if offered, and turn away Precision in Sport if only one event is offered?
Proposal SC-90-30
The intent of this proposal is to help reduce the administrative effort (and time) required to judge Precision-type models. While time may be saved by the judges, does eliminating the ruler somewhat downgrade the event and bring it closer to the concept of the Sport event? Will judging still be done on the hands-on, so to speak, or from a distance as is now done in the FAI event? What about the individual judge's concept of how the three-view has been interpreted by the modeler, rather than going by a ruler measurement that is supposed to be the modeler's own reference system when compared to the three-view?
Proposal SC-90-46
This proposal would increase the upper weight limit of CL models to 40 pounds, which is the current limit of RC Giant Scale models. As noted in the proposal, maximum allowable engine displacement would increase on the basis of the dry weight of the model. The maximum displacement of two-cycle engines would then be 4.0 cu. in. Do we need new weight and engine sizes when the vast majority of CL Scale modelers do not build and fly models that even approach present limits? What about the safety factor with such weights, in size, present handle and bellcrank construction, and so on? Who among us could handle a 30- or 40-lb. model on 60 ft. of wire even if it only pulled three or four g's? If Proposal SC-90-33 or SC-90-35 should pass, would the CL model's upper weight limit be 55 lb. in this proposal?
While I have not covered all aspects of these proposals, I hope these remarks will provoke thought and encourage you to comment to your district Scale Contest Board Members.
Kits
An item in Direct Connection, newsletter of the Knights of the Round Circle, indicates that Sterling Models, according to a letter from manager Tom Haldis, is once more releasing their famous CL Scale kits as well as the profiles. The Stearman (kit C-12) and Great Lakes (kit C-13) are now available. The Waco (kit C-4) and SE-5 (kit C-6) are scheduled for early in '89. All of these kits have wingspans of about 36 in., and are worthwhile considering as starting projects (especially for youngsters) for those interested in trying their hand at CL Scale.
Contest activity
The Garden State Circle Burners (New Jersey) once again held a tremendously successful Control Line Scale competition and model flying show. The event took place on Sunday, September 25, 1988 at the Bendix Corporation parking field, which is adjacent to Teterboro Airport on Industrial Road and just off Route 46. The site is all macadam covered — great for Scale models. The weather was clear, but a little cooler than expected.
As has been the case for many years, George Gaydos was again the promoter and Contest Director for the meet. The contest events were Precision, Sport, and Profile Scale, and had a total of 18 entries: five in Precision, seven in Sport, and six in Profile. Trophies and merchandise were offered to seventh place in all events, which meant that all entrants received some sort of an award at the end of the day's flying. In addition to the regular awards, there were special awards for Best Finish, Best Flight, and Best Crash.
Competition in the Precision and Sport events was very close, with only 13 points separating first and second places in the Precision event, while only a one-point difference decided the Sport event winner. Nick Mango (Hewit, NJ), flying an F4U Corsair, had a 434-point score to beat out Wayne Gilchrist (Wayne, NJ), a former Navy carrier flier and newcomer to the CL Scale ranks, who flew a P-39 Airacobra to a 421-point score.
The Sport event was a battle between John Patroia (Marshfield, MA), flying his '85 Nats-winning Akro, and Ed Rhoades (Cinnaminson, NJ), flying his '88 Nats-winning AD-4 Skyraider. When the flying was all done, Patroia bested Rhoades by one point to take first place in the event. Even third place was close in the scoring, with Nick Mango accumulating 180 points with his F6F Hellcat.
In the Profile class, Pete Hermans (Whippany, NJ) stood all by himself flying a P-39 Airacobra to a 189-point score. His nearest competitor was Augie Buffalono (Clifton, NJ) with 151 points for his F4U/F9F Tigerjet entry.
While the turnout was not what Gaydos expected (more than 25 were anticipated), the competitors who did show up had a great day of Scale flying. It appears that rain to the north and south of the contest area kept several from attending. If you live within a reasonable distance of Teterboro Airport and haven't been to one of the GSCB Scale meets, I urge you to do so this fall.
Contact
Please send ideas, comments, contest activity reports, and especially photos of CL Scale activity to me at the address listed at the very top of this column.
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
