CONTROL LINE SCALE
Bill Boss, 77-06 269th Street, New Hyde Park, NY 11040
The strange, unusual-looking unpainted P-51C in one of this month's photos is the work of Norman Skuderin of Cleveland, Ohio. This unique version of the Mustang was flown in the 1949 Cleveland Air Races. According to Norman, the plane was owned by aviatrix Jacqueline Cochran and flown in the 1949 air races by Bill Odom.
This Mustang was highly modified. The lower cooling scoop (so distinctive on a Mustang) was removed to streamline the fuselage. Modified fuel tanks that housed cooling radiators were added to the wingtips. At the time it was thought that the exhaust from the wingtip cooling system and a special propeller would add speed to the racer. Unfortunately, additional speed was not attained, and the model met with an early demise; it crashed during its first race.
Skuderin's model was built from Brian Taylor plans, has about a 60-inch wingspan, weighs eight pounds, and is powered by a Fox .78. Norman liked this great-looking Mustang so much that he installed a copper version on his house in the form of a weather vane. Norman will keep us posted as to what the finished model will look like and about his success in the flying department.
The de Havilland Otter by Jerry Blasczyk of Cornwells Heights, Pennsylvania is a great CL Scale subject. The model's high-wing configuration, somewhat long nose moment, and tricycle landing gear make it a stable CL Scale model—both in the air and on the ground. The model weighs about eight pounds and is powered by two O.S. .25 FSR engines.
One of the main features of this model is the dual flap arrangement and operation. The prototype featured full-wing-length dual flap operation that enabled very short takeoffs and landings. Blasczyk incorporated this flap operation in his model; it is shown in the accompanying sketch.
A torque tube runs through the wing and pushrods at appropriate places along the wing are used to lower or raise the primary flaps. Spring tension holds the secondary flap against the primary flap as it moves. The torque tube is driven by a geared motor that Jerry obtained from Hobby Lobby. The motor comes with several gears so the speed and torque output can be changed to suit your needs.
Circuitry for the operation of the motor gear drive is basically the same as that for operation of flaps on Jerry's P-68 Victor, shown in this column in the January 1988 Model Aviation. The major difference is that an electric servo operated the single, shorter flap in the P-68 Victor, while in the de Havilland Otter the servo was replaced with the geared drive. This was because of the torque required to operate the full-length flaps and overcome tension created by the secondary flap arrangement.
As noted in the January 1988 column, relays and other parts used to make up the electrical portion of the system can be found at Radio Shack or a similar store. Battery supply voltage in the model was adjusted for the geared motor arrangement.
Those interested in more information about the flap operation or a copy of the January 1988 column, please send an SASE to the address at the top of this column.
NASA Projects
At the time of this writing there are two new projects underway by the National Association of Scale Aeromodelers (NASA):
- CL Scale Flight Judging Guide.
- Major update and revision of NASA's Scale Data Source List.
The CL Scale Flight Judging Guide (to be submitted to the AMA as a rules proposal) is based on a comprehensive review of AMA CL Scale flight rules and attempts to provide uniform guidelines for executing and judging flight maneuvers and scale operations of CL Scale model aircraft. The guide is intended to inform contestants of what is expected from flight presentations and provide judges with a uniform method of rating a model's flying performance.
The flight guide is the work of a committee consisting of Scale modelers from across the country:
- Fred Cronenwett (west coast)
- Gerald Deneau (Aurora, Colorado; western region coordinator)
- Mike Welshans (Midwest/central)
- Charles Bauer (Midwest/central)
- George Kite (Midwest/central)
- John Wright (Midwest/central)
- George Connors (east coast)
- William Reynolds (east coast)
- Bill Boss (east coast)
The second project was a complete update and reformat of NASA's Scale Data Source List so subjects are easier to find. The new format shows listings by five major categories:
- Government Agencies, Museums, and Libraries
- Books, Periodicals, and Journals
- Photos, three-views, and Documentation
- Scale Model Construction Plans
- Specialist Organizations
Each item in each category contains the name, address, and cost associated with the data source. In addition, there are columns and a legend on each page that define what resource data is provided by that listing.
At this writing (early July 1994) I have been informed that the Scale Data Source List will be going to all current NASA members with the next issue of Replica, the NASA newsletter. Those who are not NASA members can obtain a copy by becoming a member; send $8 to Burt Dugan, NASA Secretary, 11090 Phyllis Dr., Clio, MI 48420.
Since the CL Scale Flight Judging Guide is intended as a rules proposal, I am not sure what its availability will be on an individual basis. I'll keep you informed.
A well-deserved thank-you to Gerald Deneau of Aurora, Colorado for his great work coordinating and producing the CL Scale Flight Judging Guide and updating the Scale Data Source List. A great job by a dedicated Scale modeler.
Wanted
Information in the form of photos, drawings, and any other documentation for an aircraft known as the TG-8 Glider. The information is being requested by John Gibbons, who is involved in restoring or making large-scale models of various aircraft for the Warner Robins AFB Museum. John says the aircraft was built by Piper, Aeronca, and Taylorcraft for the U.S. Army and Navy for training purposes. The Navy version of the aircraft was designated XLNP-1.
John said Piper built about 250 for the Army in 1941–1942; these could be converted from glider configuration to a powered J-3C aircraft in hours. Anyone with information on this unique aircraft can contact John Gibbons at:
John Gibbons 304 King Forest Drive Warner Robins, GA 31088
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 very top of this column.
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
