CONTROL LINE: Scale
Mike Stott
I HAVE RECEIVED several comments on the article referring to the enlargement of 3-views that I wrote a few issues back. Mr. Le Roy Weber of Rio Vista, Calif., sent in an idea that should be a big help. Le Roy has had experience in judging world class scale models and has represented the U.S. as a judge in the World Championships. He points out that at the same time you enlarge your 3-views, you make your scale ruler that will be used in judging your models at the contest.
The scale ruler on one side is to read the dimensions off the 3-views that will correspond to the model, not the real airplane. In other words, if on the 3-views the wing span measures 15 in., and your model's wing span is 60 in., you should make 60 equal marks on the ruler which will represent inches within the 15 in. Then, when you lay down the scale ruler on another part of the 3-view drawing, say the tail surfaces, it should read the number of inches for the tail surfaces on the model. This method will aid you in enlarging your 3-view drawings and also give you an accurate scale ruler to be used in judging.
While we are on the subject of enlarging 3-views, it has been brought to my attention that you can obtain proportional dividers at local drafting supply outlets. These dividers can be set on any given multiple. After setting the multiple on the dividers, one end is used on the 3-views and the other end gives you your enlarged dimensions. The only drawback is that you need a large set of proportional dividers which could cost in the vicinity of $20.00.
Dan Osdoba has been added to the list of highly competitive scale modelers that have come out of Mankato, Minn. Dan took first at the 1977 Nats in Senior Scale, but was awarded second place in Open, which earned him a position on the U.S. Team for the 1978 Scale World Championships.
The comment has often been made that CL Scale is losing interest. What can we do to revive it? Perhaps we need a more united effort in encouraging new members to try scale and to help them to reach their goal. Not helping them so much in the actual building, but in briefing them on some of our tried and true secrets and, in general, giving them lots of encouragement. Conducted on a one-to-one basis, this possibly would be more effective in retaining the modeler's interest than some campaign aimed at the masses. Many modelers don't need help to get interested, but do need encouragement to remain interested.
Mike Stott advises that he will not be able to continue the CL Scale column beyond this issue. Beginning with the January issue, Mike Gretz will be in charge. His address: Mike Gretz, Box 142, Montezuma, IA 50171.
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
