Control Line: Scale
Bill Boss 77-06 269th Street New Hyde Park, NY 11040
WRAM Show — White Plains, NY (February)
February in the Northeast is show time for most modelers, and as usual they swarmed by the hundreds to the WRAM Show at the County Center, White Plains, NY. The newly renovated facility provided space on two levels for about 150 exhibitors, improved swap‑shop operations, food concessions, and special areas for model display and competition. The new arrangements seemed to accommodate the crowd much better than in past years — you didn't need a Herculean effort to get from one exhibit to another.
As usual my trip had two purposes:
- To see modeling friends I only encounter at shows or the Nats.
- To look over exhibitors' wares for items that might be useful to control‑line (CL) modelers, particularly in CL Scale.
Although the show was strictly RC‑oriented, several exhibitors displayed products of interest to CL modelers, especially those involved in CL Scale and Sport Scale.
Notable Exhibits and Products
#### Impact Engineering
- Address: 2100 Stonehill Ct., Arlington, TX 75006.
- Shock‑absorbing struts for Sport Scale models and retractable gear systems. Available styles:
- Straight
- Angled (wheel at 30° to upright)
- Offset yoke
- Straight for double‑wheel mounting
- Strut assemblies handle three weight classes: 5–8 lb., 8–12 lb., and 12–18 lb.
- Struts include scissor‑link assemblies but are otherwise plain; additional attachments may be required for Precision Scale models.
- Stainless steel custom canopy and detail panel assortments for dressing up windscreens, sliding canopies, and adding simulated access panels, inspection plates, hatches, etc.
- Available for Top Flite Warbirds (A6M Zero, F4U Corsair, P‑47 Razorback, P‑40 Warhawk) and several Byron Originals Warbirds.
- For full details and price lists, write to Impact Engineering.
#### Major Decals / Northeast Graphics
- Northeast Graphics, 21 Fisher Ave., East Longmeadow, MA 01028.
- New nomenclature sheets (pressure‑sensitive and water‑transfer) including standard markings: NO STEP, RESCUE, WARNING, NO PUSH, DANGER, etc.
- Nomenclature available in .40, .60, and Giant sizes; colors black or white for light‑ or dark‑colored aircraft.
- Expanded line of letters and numbers in 10 colors, sizes from 1/8" to 2" in 1/8" steps.
#### The EDJER
- A handy workshop device for sharpening X‑Acto blades.
- Equipped with a reversible sharpening block containing two 200‑grit ceramic stones for No. 11 and No. 16 blades.
- Includes a saddle that holds the X‑Acto handle (with blade) at the exact sharpening angle; a few strokes restore the edge.
- For details: The EDJER, P.O. Box 8, Moorpark, CA 93020.
#### Harry B. Higley & Son, Inc.
- Address: P.O. Box 532, Glenwood, IL 60425.
- Wide line of shop tools and specialty items: taps, dies, hex wrenches, long drills, prop‑hub nuts to fit most engine shafts, nuts, bolts, screws, and more.
- A must‑visit assortment for the modeler’s shop.
Show Observations
- Many kits and models on display were very large (Giant Scale) and thus of limited direct use to CL modelers, but accessory and hardware vendors offered items adaptable for CL use.
- Panel detail kits and canopy detail assortments are particularly useful for dressing Scale models and improving static presentation.
Responses to the January Column — Sport Scale Discussion
Response is something we hope for when writing about our event in what might seem to be a controversial manner. My January 1989 column discussed some of Mike Keville’s (Lakewood, CA) thoughts on our Sport Scale event — specifically, that Sport Scale was getting too complex and that civilian‑type, non‑aerobatic monoplanes were at a disadvantage. The responses received were not overwhelming in number but were lengthy and thoughtful. Below is a summary of the most important points and the general consensus.
Unanimous Points (Summary)
- Profile Scale is acceptable as an event, but it should not be considered an entry‑level event.
- Profile Scale should remain a local/fun event and not be elevated to official competitive status or used as an entry path to full Scale competition.
- Many respondents recommended dropping AMA CL Precision Scale in favor of adopting the FAI CL Scale rules for the senior class of Scale modeling.
Judging and Flight Evaluation
- Proper application of existing rules would enhance Sport Scale and provide equal chances regardless of aircraft type.
- Judges should not award additional static points for a more sophisticated WWII fighter over a well‑executed civilian type (e.g., Taylor Cub) if both match three‑views and workmanship.
- Flight judging needs improvement. Respondents felt simpler single‑engined civilian aircraft could compete effectively if allowed to utilize available flight options.
- With the six selectable flight options, a simple model that has one or two operating features can still fill out a full flight plan; taxi laps and touch‑and‑go maneuvers count toward the allowable options.
- The key is for judges to evaluate how closely the model's flight matches the prototype (scale speed, etc.) and for modelers to practice and know their aircraft well.
Profile Scale
- The consensus is to leave Profile Scale as a local, fun‑flying event. Profile models do not fully represent the full‑scale aircraft and, if made official, could become more sophisticated and drift away from their original entry‑level intent (as happened with Profile Navy Carrier).
Precision Scale / FAI Rules
- No objections were raised to current Precision Scale rules as written, but many respondents favored adopting FAI CL Scale rules for the senior class.
- Using FAI rules is not expected to obsolete many current models and might encourage building more competitive full‑bodied models, improving U.S. prospects at Scale World Championships.
Comments from Joe Eiben
Joe Eiben (CD, Scale judge, Director of the National Plans Show 1975–1985, and Nats Scale winner) added the following observations:
"In addition to my comments that judging needs to be top‑shelf in order to control the discrepancies, we need to eliminate the apathy of the Control Line flier and the Sport Scale flier.
"With the multitude of good RC Scale kits and associated accessories on the market, there is no reason why our event cannot be flooded with good‑looking, full‑bodied aircraft flying excellent flights.
"We seem to be constantly concentrating on scratch‑built models. The RC contingency enjoys the fun of flying good‑looking Sport Scale models made from kits. Why the CL Sport Scale modeler doesn't look to this source as a means of putting together a fine‑looking, great‑flying model is beyond me. Perhaps we are too cheap.
"There is virtue in that we can't buy a decent kit, be it fiberglass or whatever, and install a set of retracts and a retract servo, and with a minimum of engineering, have an aircraft that is capable of employing throttle, operating flaps and landing gear, and putting in a fine‑looking Scale flight? Inexpensive electronic control systems are now available, also. We need to bring this part into the flightlines.
"This apathy manifests itself in another area. If you will look at the contents of our own magazines, you will see just how willing CL Scale modelers are to contribute any articles to bolster our art. You yourself know how difficult it is just to get contributions for your column.
"Sure, Scale and Sport Scale Control Line flying certainly does not enjoy the participation it once did; however, we need to quit looking for excuses. If we are prepared to go the proper ways and be willing to take the initiative ourselves, the change in good luck would appear.
"We need good‑looking models that fly well so we can promote this particular event and have good public support for those of us attempting to do something to stimulate interest."
Closing / Call for Contributions
There is plenty of food for thought in these responses. I hope to hear from many of you. Please send comments, contest activity reports, and especially photos of CL Scale activity to me at the address listed at the top of this column.
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
