CONTROL LINE: SCALE
Editor
Bill Boss 77-06 269th St. New Hyde Park, NY 11040
Electronic control-handle upgrade
In the 10 February 1999 column I featured a new electronic Control-Line (CL) handle designed by Bill Young of Flagstaff, AZ. That version was being tested on CL models powered by electric motors; the trigger provided full-range throttle control but would automatically stop the motor when released.
Fred Cronenwett sent a video showing the handle has been upgraded to work with glow engines. Key features of the revised handle:
- Minimum-throttle preset can be set; pressing a button releases the preset to allow engine shut-down.
- Multiple channels (three-channel capability) are available for flaps and other functions.
- All controls are on the handle, eliminating the need for belt-hung converted radio systems and reducing the need to look away from the model to reach a belt box.
- For carrier operations, the third line can be eliminated (reducing drag) and a small servo can handle throttle, hook release, flaps, etc.
For full details and pricing write to Bill Young, 4403 E. Rustic Knolls Ln., Flagstaff, AZ 86004.
Circle safety
Circle safety is a continuing reminder in model aviation. Recent incidents underscore the need for constant vigilance:
Mel Mondschein (Garden State Circle Burners Club, Wharton, NJ) had a hard landing with his P-38 Lightning. The nose gear was bent back and the wooden prop struck pavement, shattering into many pieces. Several prop fragments were found embedded in the fuselage. Fortunately this occurred away from judges, spectators, and pit crew. The photo that accompanied the report showed multiple holes in the nose section and prop pieces still lodged there.
Safety reminders:
- Always maintain a reasonable distance between the active part of the flying circle and judges, pit people, and spectators.
- Use common sense when starting engines, handling field equipment, and flying. Keep hands and fingers clear of spinning propellers.
Mel’s P-38 details:
- Built from Royal plans
- 71-inch span
- 11 pounds
- Powered by two K&B .45 engines
- Flap and throttle operation (flaps via standard three-line system; throttle via servo)
- Painted in “Strawberry Blonde” scheme of Richard Bong’s 49th Fighter Group, 8th Fighter Squadron
- The full-scale aircraft flew its last combat mission on December 25, 1944
An Orange County R/C Club “Eagle” Newsletter item reinforces the need to watch starter placement and transmitter controls. One modeler’s starter cord caught the transmitter throttle control when returning the starter to his field box, unexpectedly sending the engine to full throttle and resulting in a trip to the emergency room. CL fliers using converted radio/electronic servo systems must ensure transmitters, throttle controls, and servo devices are clear of anything that could accidentally trigger dangerous operations.
Contest activity
- The 16th Annual Virgil Wilbur Memorial AAA Contest will take place at the Whittier Narrows CL flying site in South El Monte, CA. Contact Fred Cronenwett: (818) 718-5871 or clscale@gateway.net for schedule and details.
- The Garden State Circle Burners (GSCB) will offer CL Profile, Fun, and Team Scale (GSCB rules) at their meet on October 10, 1999, at the club field on Two Bridges Rd., Lincoln Park, NJ. Contact Contest Director Roy Ward, 19 Hewlett Rd., Towaco, NJ; Tel.: (973) 402-0925 for event details and GSCB rules.
Tools and maintenance
X-Acto blades can last longer with a Washita whetstone. The Washita is an extremely fine-grain stone used for finish-honing to a razor edge. Recommendations:
- About 10 strokes on each side of the stone will return an X-Acto blade to original sharpness.
- Use a 1/2 x 4-inch stone (available in hardware and sporting-goods stores for about $10).
- Apply plenty of oil (3-In-One or similar) before each use to suspend metal particles and prevent the stone’s pores from clogging.
- Wipe the stone with a paper towel after each use.
The cost savings from not buying replacement blades will pay for the stone over time.
Book review
Two Warbird Tech Series titles are recommended:
- Volume 7: The Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress by Frederick A. Johnson
- Excellent photos and drawings of cockpit instrumentation, general assembly, and gun-turret installation data
- Covers B-17 development, combat use, and postwar experimentation
- Volume 8: McDonnell Douglas F-4 Gun Nosed Phantoms
- Covers the F4H-1 production version, Air Force F-110A, F-4E, F-4F, and F-4J variants
- Good coverage of cockpit detail and exterior armament
Each book is 100 pages with a few color photos (four pages). Obtain from Zenith Books, 729 Prospect Ave., Box 1, Osceola, WI 54020-0001. Price: $16.95 each, plus shipping and handling.
Your help is needed
This column is yours — a place to show other CL Scale modelers what you’re doing. Please send:
- Ideas and photos of CL Scale activity
- Notices of upcoming CL Scale events (ideally four months prior to the event)
- Contest reports and news
Send submissions to Bill Boss at the address above. Thanks for your past contributions; I look forward to hearing from many more of you.
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
