Control Line: Scale
Bill Boss 77-06 269th Street New Hyde Park, NY 11040
AESOP (Almost Exact Scale Only Profile) and the Grumman XP-50
AESOP 1/2A models by Ron Kirchner of Encino, California, were the subject of my September 1989 column. In that column I discussed Ron's simple construction techniques and the sizes of his various models. Ron is back with another attractive creation: a Grumman XP-50 profile model.
Ron enlarged an outline three-view drawing (found in Lloyd Jones's U.S. Fighters) to create the plans. With a wingspan of 21 in. and a length of 16 in., the XP-50 model is roughly 1/24 scale.
A couple of features make this model different from Ron's previous AESOP designs: the engine mounting and the method used to operate elevators that have dihedral. While the elevators could have been made flat, Ron prefers to retain as much of a scale appearance as possible.
To keep the elevator dihedral and still provide proper control, Ron used a double bellcrank and pushrod system. The control sketch is drawn as seen from the underside of the model. To ensure both elevator halves have the same deflection for up and down control, the linkage holes in Bellcranks A and B must be located exactly the same on both sides. The same care must be taken when mounting the bellcranks to the model.
Although this idea was used on a profile model with exposed controls, it can be used on full-bodied models that have sufficient room in the rear fuselage for installation.
Another unique idea is the engine mounting. Ron rotated the 1/2A engine tanks 90 degrees and mounted the engines at 45-degree angles toward the outside. This arrangement allows easy access to the tank fillers and needle valves while preserving a scale-like outline for the engine nacelles. For materials used and more construction details, see the September 1989 column.
Once again, Ron has produced a good-looking, well-flying model that is within the capabilities of most Junior-class modelers. It's also the type of model that Junior-age members can use to get started in the new Profile Sport Scale event.
Aircraft Dope
Have you ever wanted to build a light civil aircraft using the same dope as full-scale planes, only to find you had to buy a large quantity? Not any more. Jim Correl of ABC Hobbies carries Randolph Dope in 29 colors (each with an appropriate color chip).
Available sizes and price range:
- 1/2 pint, pint, quart, or gallon
- Prices range from about $4.50 up to $25.00 for the gallon
Jim includes an information sheet on how to apply the dope. Order from: ABC Hobbies 2703 Knob View Drive New Albany, IN 47150 Tel: 812-944-5557
You can obtain a Randolph dope color chip chart from: Randolph Products Co. P.O. Box 830 Carlstadt, NJ 07072-0830
Books and Sources
I recently obtained a new publication, Flying Model Warplanes, which should interest nearly all serious scale model airplane enthusiasts (CL, RC, or FF). This book (over 300 pages) is probably the most comprehensive listing of kits, plans, and semi-kits available today. Listings include wingspan, length, motor, flight mode, company, price, designer, and availability of cowlings, canopies, and retracts. The book also includes appendices on documentation found in model magazines worldwide and international organizations.
The book was compiled by John C. Fredricks and is respectfully dedicated to Edward T. Packard of Cleveland Model and Supply Co., one of aviation's greatest friends. This international guide to plans and kits can be obtained from:
Air Age Publishing 251 Danbury Rd. Wilton, CT 06897
Price: $14.95 plus $2.95 S&H.
Book sources seem to be appearing all over the country. One recent listing came from Herb Gifford:
Herb Gifford 417 Hoover Rd. Catasauqua, PA 18032
Herb sells used books and a selection of back issues of magazines such as Wings, Airpower, Sport Aviation, etc. This may be the source for that hard-to-find data needed for your latest scale project; write to Herb for his book listing.
Contest Activity
Arthur Weber of Brookfield, Wisconsin, is a Contest Director in the Circle Masters Flying Club of Milwaukee and would like scale modelers in the Midwest to know they will offer the Sport Scale event in their Annual Scale/Stunt Contest. The contest, normally held on Father's Day each year, is being pushed back a week or two in 1992 because of the early 1992 Nationals date. Watch the AMA Contest Calendar in this magazine for the exact date.
A couple of the pictures in this month's column were provided by Arthur; they show RC kits converted to Control Line use. Arthur also suggested that RC kit manufacturers include CL conversion information in their scale kits. If you use an RC kit for CL, consider writing the manufacturer to request CL conversion data—if enough CL pilots ask, manufacturers might again recognize Control Line modeling.
Please send ideas, notice of upcoming CL Scale events, contest reports, and especially photos of CL Scale activity to me at the address at the top of this column.
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
