Control Line: Scale
Bill Boss
NASA news item
In the Summer 1982 issue of Replica, the newsletter of the National Association of Scale Aeromodellers (NASA), President Bob Underwood commented on FAI Scale rules and the present method of team selection for world competition. While Bob's remarks were directed toward changes in the RC Scale event F4C (which he suggests NASA propose to the FAI via AMA), many of his thoughts may also apply to the CL event, F4B.
Bob's suggestions
Bob suggested the following changes for RC Scale:
- Increase engine size for single-engine models from the present .61 ci (10 cc) to .91 ci (15 cc).
- Make the limit on multi-engine models 1.20 ci (20 cc) regardless of the number of engines.
- Change the weight limit from 13.6 lb. for all models to 15.6 lb. for single-engine models and 17.6 lb. for multi-engine models.
- Eliminate any reference to wing loading.
- Eliminate bonus percentage for various types of aircraft and mechanical options.
Comparison to CL rules
I compared Bob's suggested changes to the equivalent CL rules and found:
- CL already sets engine size for multi-engine models at 1.22 ci and single-engine models at .61 ci. I suggest increasing CL single-engine models to .91 ci, as proposed for RC, to permit use of .65 ci and larger engines that are now widely available.
- I would not suggest changes in model weight requirements for CL, since the rules due to become effective in 1983 seem adequate (see page 85 of the 1982–83 AMA rule book).
I also believe the remaining items — wing loading and bonus percentage for various model types — should be considered for CL, since Bob's reasoning for RC can apply to CL.
Wing loading and bonus percentage
Bob recommended eliminating the wing loading requirement as presently employed because excessive wing loading is a self-governing problem: if a model is too heavy, it will either self-destruct early or perform so poorly it will not be competitive.
He also proposed eliminating the flight bonus percentage because the rule has not achieved its original intent of rewarding models of more complex subjects.
Team selection process
Bob discussed the FAI team-selection process used for U.S. world Scale teams. Currently, the once-a-year Nats Scale event is the primary vehicle for team selection. While RC has explored other avenues in recent years, the Nats process remains the only one for CL.
NASA officials want ideas on changing the process so final team selection:
- Is as fair as possible,
- Involves a maximum number of scale modelers,
- Ensures the best team is sent for that year.
Send comments to:
- Bob Underwood, 4109 Concord Oaks Dr., St. Louis, MO 63128
- John Preston, 7012 Elvira Ct., Falls Church, VA 22042
Demonstration day
Paul Smith, Sterling Heights, MI, reports that the Cloudbusters MAC (based in Royal Oak) put on a very successful model show at the Ford Sterling Heights plant. The demonstration, held as part of the plant's 1982 Open House program, featured most types of CL models with a special emphasis on Scale.
Although participating in the Open House was new this year, the Cloudbusters have a long-standing relationship with plant management and use the plant's parking lot as a flying site on weekends. The accompanying photos showed several Scale models that were displayed or flown. Activities like this help promote the hobby and sport. If your club engages in similar CL Scale activities, please send a few words and pictures for the column.
Turn off that charger
Many homeowners use auto-timers to turn lights on and off when away. These programmable timers can also be used to control charging times for rechargeable batteries used in flying and starting models.
If you are reluctant to leave batteries charging overnight for safety reasons (especially Ni–Cd and wet cells), program the timer to turn the charger off late in the evening and back on in the morning when household activities resume.
Plastic odds and ends
Packaging materials from hardware stores, supermarkets, toy stores, and hobby shops can be repurposed when building Scale models. Imagination and a variety of package shapes and sizes go a long way.
Some examples:
- Egg-shaped containers for stockings can be used to make a display spinner on a medium-size model (not recommended for flying use).
- Dome-shaped glow-plug containers can be used as tail turrets on small bomber models.
- Pre-curved clear packages can serve as windshield parts.
- Small square or oblong packages used for screws and washers can be used as windows in airliners or other larger models requiring fuselage windows.
One day we might even find a use for the item that came in the package!
Send photos, building tips, and club Scale activities to: Bill Boss 77-06 269th St. New Hyde Park, NY 11040.
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
