CONTROL LINE SCALE
Steve Ashby 4771 Cinnamon Dr., Indianapolis, IN 46237
Event overview
In these days of weird weather, Mother Nature must have taken a break for pizza and left the AMA in charge of the skies over the L-Pad at the International Aeromodeling Center at Muncie, Indiana, site of the 72nd Nationals Control Line (CL) Scale competition.
With crystal blue skies, slight winds (except for an occasional burp), and temperatures in the mid-80s, the Scale Nats weekend unfolded into one of the best in recent memory. This year's CL Scale Nats was a model of efficiency under the leadership of Mike Welshans. Mike and his group of volunteers were well organized and ran a smooth operation. Tabulation of flight score sheets was completed so expeditiously that competitors could see their totals immediately upon exiting the circle after their flights. Now that's fast!
The competition was fierce and very close, with three of the four events locked in dogfights and remaining in doubt until all flights were completed. An array of aircraft were represented, from Dave Copeman's 1911 Cessna to Charlie Bauer's F-86 ducted-fan jet. Models were flown prototypically with various crowd-pleasing options, including smoke and bomb drops.
Static judging
The competition began Friday, July 10, at the spacious and accommodating Horizon Convention Center in Muncie, where the aircraft were static-judged. After countless handshakes and many long-time no-sees, the parking area and walkways became a beehive of activity as each competitor assembled his or her aircraft, carefully making final adjustments and adding finishing touches.
Models were scrutinized for accuracy of outline, accuracy of color, and quality of craftsmanship. Although there were four categories—Sport Scale, Precision Scale, F4B (an international class), and Profile Scale—the basic judging of each aircraft followed similar criteria. The rules for each category differ, but static judging is one of those nail-biting times when judges have the opportunity to point out every error a competitor hopes will not be noticed.
Flying conditions
The flying portion of the competition began bright and early on Saturday morning, July 11. Various aircraft quickly filled the pit area with a rainbow of colors. The day promised to be a good one with light winds and bright blue skies.
Sport Scale
Sport Scale was the first event of the day. With 12 entries, it was the most strongly attended CL Scale event at the Nats and was very closely contested. Frank Beatty's DGA-3 posted the top static score with 92.67 points.
By the end of the third round, Jack Patrolia's 1/6-scale Stephens Akro held a slight lead. Ralph Burnstine, flying the 1/4-scale Holiday Inn Pitts S2-S, was in hot pursuit. These experienced veterans locked into an intense duel, demonstrating outstanding flying skills. Ralph posted the event's high flight score of 93.17, but Jack held on to win by a scant 1.76 points.
Charles Snyder finished third with his Curtis P-40, flying very smooth and realistic flights complete with retractable landing gear and demonstration of flaps for takeoff and landing.
F4B (international class)
F4B is the event with rules designed for international competition. Though this category had the fewest entries, it had several highlights. The airplanes were of excellent quality; two were previous members of the US Scale team that competed in past Scale World Championships.
This year's F4B had an international flavor as Bill Logan of Ontario, Canada, brought his twin-engine de Havilland 10, the largest CL entry at the Nats. This huge model—spanning 104 inches—flew realistically and gracefully. Despite an engine failure on one flight, the model demonstrated it could stay in the air with just one engine running. Bill finished first and posted the top flight score.
Ralph Burnstine entered his de Havilland Chipmunk (flown at this year's Scale World Championships in Pretoria, South Africa) and had the high static score in F4B with 1,779 points. During one flight, a connector on his electronic control came loose and he lost throttle control. Ralph hung on at full throttle and flew until the fuel tank emptied, then landed smoothly and finished second.
AMA District VI Vice President Charlie Bauer finished third with a 1/8-scale Sea Fury, FB Mk. II. The model spanned 57-1/4 inches and weighed 10 pounds, five ounces.
AMA Precision Scale
Precision Scale also had an increase in entries this year. The top static score went to Ralph Burnstine's Pitts S2-S with 396.33 points. Ralph also posted the top flight score and finished first.
Bill Logan finished a close second with his F.E.2b, achieving prototypical realism by flying this unique pusher design with slow, realistic flights.
Third place went to Jack Sheeks with his 1/8-scale F6F Hellcat. As a US Scale team member, Jack flew this Navy fighter at the World Championships in South Africa; however, he experienced a problem with a retract mechanism that eliminated him from competition after the initial round.
Profile Scale
Profile Scale has developed into a very competitive and fun event, and this year was no exception. It was the second most-entered CL Scale Nats event, and the outcome was in doubt until the last round. Profile gives modelers more freedom to choose subjects and provides a good place to start in CL Scale. Because of the nature of the profile fuselage, construction is not as complex as with a fully built-up fuselage.
There were three generations of Bauers flying in this category: Charlie, his son Peter, and Peter's son Aaron. Aaron has become a veteran, competing in his second Nats at the grand old age of five.
Lyn Green and his P-61 Black Widow grabbed the lead and held off challengers by flying the most consistent flights of the Nats. During four flights, his scores varied by only 2.67 points. He improved with each successive flight, his best being a 93.33, and won by 1.34 points.
Charles Snyder, with his seven-pound, three-ounce de Havilland Hornet 103, exhibited excellent flights and finished third. Dave Copeman and his Nieuport posted the top static score of 89.83 and mounted a serious challenge, improving his position with each round, though it was not quite enough to overtake the leader.
The most unique entry was Charlie Bauer's Profile Scale Boomerang, a Rutan design. By looking at the model it was difficult to know where front or rear was located, but Charlie knew. The 73.4-inch-span profile was very stable and flew smoothly; Charlie consulted with Burt Rutan regarding center of gravity location.
Special recognition and awards
Special recognition goes to four competitors who entered all four events: Charlie Bauer, Ralph Burnstine, Bill Logan, and Jack Sheeks. It takes a major effort to maintain concentration while competing with four different models. Bill Logan was awarded the NASA (National Association of Scale Aeromodellers) Flight Achievement Award for his accomplishments and success with his fleet of airplanes.
The Nats Scale banquet was held Saturday night at the Horizon Convention Center and, in the opinion of those who attended, was by far the best banquet—the food was great and it was well attended. A short meeting after the meal included presentation of an award to Bert Dugan for his many years of involvement and contributions to CL Scale. Bob Wischer was inducted into the AMA Hall of Fame; because of his passing it was a sad-but-proud moment for Bob's wife, Dolly.
Results summary
- Sport Scale: Winner — Jack Patrolia. Runner-up — Ralph Burnstine. Third — Charles Snyder. Top static — Frank Beatty (92.67).
- F4B: Winner — Bill Logan. Second — Ralph Burnstine. Third — Charlie Bauer. High static — Ralph Burnstine (1,779).
- Precision Scale: Winner — Ralph Burnstine. Second — Bill Logan. Third — Jack Sheeks. Top static — Ralph Burnstine (396.33).
- Profile Scale: Winner — Lyn Green. Third — Charles Snyder. Top static — Dave Copeman (89.83).
Conclusion
This year's Nats will be remembered for the great weather and close competition. Of far greater value, the Nats will be remembered for the camaraderie among competitors and the friendships made and renewed. A big thanks to Mike Welshans, the judges, and to all of the people who worked in registration and tabulation.
Get those models ready, make plans for next year, and join the fun!
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
