Control Line: Scale
Bill Boss
SHOWTIME—While this column is scheduled for publication in the June 1984 issue of MA, it is being written in February. This is the time of year here in the Northeast when the Westchester Radio Aeromodellers, Inc. (WRAMS) hold their 16th Annual Radio Control Show at the Westchester County Center, White Plains, NY. These shows, like many others advertised as RC shows, do not generally promote Control Line (or other) aeromodeling categories. However, that should not stop CL (or other) modelers from attending. Even if you are not into RC, most manufacturers display many items useful to all modelers, for example:
- fuel tubing
- control horns
- model coverings
- modeling tools
- retracting gear units
- props
- new lines of engines
I particularly enjoy visiting all booths and picking up the latest catalogs each concessionaire offers, even if there is a slight cost involved. These catalogs come in handy during the year as part of a product reference library.
These shows also give you an opportunity to review the old and see what's new in RC Scale models that might be well suited to CL use. As usual, Top Flite was advertising their seven WWII, 60-inch Stand-Off Scale planes that are such good flying models.
Royal Products was on hand with information on their wide range of Precision and Stand-Off Scale kits. The Royal kits range in size from a 32-inch Pitts S-2A to their 84-inch Douglas C-47, all of which are excellent flying models. The majority of these kits are balsa and use built-up construction, which makes for easy conversion from RC to CL models. (See the December 1982 issue of MA for my RC-to-CL conversion article.)
I also liked an F7F Tigercat by RC Kits (706 Easton N.E., N. Canton, OH 44721). The F7F has a wingspan of 72 inches, weighs about 12 lb., and looks like it could be a good Stand-Off Scale (Sport Scale) CL project.
Two other models that I thought would make good Control Line Scale projects (even though they're a little large — 82-inch wingspans) were a TBF-1 Avenger and a Mikoyan-Gurevich MIG-3. The Avenger is said to weigh about 11 lb., while the MIG-3 is in the nine-pound range, with engines of .60 to .90 size recommended. Both of these models are available from Bob Dively Model Aircraft, Inc., 28001 Chagrin Blvd., Suite 206, Woodmere, OH 44122.
A must-stop for me at each WRAMS show is Harry Higley's booth. Say "Hello" and look over his great assortment of specialized model tools. In addition to his widely known tubing- and wire-benders, long wheel-collar wrenches, and special heavy- and light-custom prop nuts, Harry had a very good selection of those generally hard-to-find taps and dies. The taps and dies ranged from a small 2-56 to the 1/4-32, which is the standard glow-plug thread size.
Harry has just added a carbide-tipped scriber and a new book called Master Modeling to his product line. The scriber has a solid carbide point set in a blue-anodized aluminum handle. The Master Modeling book follows the same easy-to-understand format used in Harry's two previous books, There Are No Secrets and Handbook on Miniature Engines. This new book is loaded with many "how-to" pictures and written descriptions covering topics such as:
- scaling up three-views
- layout and building of wings and fuselages
- detailed instructions for making model parts in fiberglass
The book has something for the beginner as well as the experienced builder and is especially good for the Scale modeler who does his own design and parts fabrication. The book is well worth the price of $10.95. For a more detailed listing of items available from Harry B. Higley & Sons, write to P.O. Box 532, Glenwood, IL 60425.
Back to basics.
Bill Skelton (Warrenton, OR) wrote asking: "What is the best place to install the bellcrank and leadouts on a biplane, and how much outboard wing weight should be used?" Bill's question was prompted by the fact that he has just obtained a kit of a Bucker Jungmeister and has not had much (if any) previous biplane-building experience.
The placement of the bellcrank in a biplane is not much different from any other CL model. It should be mounted on—or slightly behind—the center of gravity (CG), which is generally found in the front cockpit area of biplanes. If you build a biplane from a CL kit, the plans will most likely show the bellcrank mounted in this CG area, at a point between the top of the wing and the midpoint of the fuselage. This type of installation requires cutting holes in the fuselage skin for the leadouts. In addition, the leadouts must be supported at some point between the fuselage and the wing tip. This is usually done with a support mounted to the outer wing struts, as can be seen in photos of Ed Robinson's Sopwith Camel. While this arrangement poses no problem for a Sport Scale model (no points are awarded for cockpit detail), it is undesirable for the Precision Scale modeler who requires full cockpit detail.
Another approach to bellcrank mounting in a biplane was demonstrated by Ron Sears in his PT-17, which I saw at the '83 Nats. Ron mounted his bellcrank and leadout wires wholly within the lower wing. This permitted full cockpit detail to be installed and eliminated the need for cutting holes in the fuselage or having the familiar leadout support mounted between the wing struts. The placement of the bellcrank and leadouts did not affect the model's flying characteristics; both arrangements produced great-flying planes.
Regarding outboard wing weight: most experienced scale-biplane flyers use about the same amount of weight as for other CL scale models. Typical recommendations:
- Medium-sized model (4–5 lb.) using .018 line: 1–2 ounces per wingtip.
- Large model (6 lb. or more) using .021 or .027 line: 3–4 ounces per wingtip.
Northwest Regional Control Line Championships
There will be big doings in Eugene, OR over the 1984 Memorial Day weekend (May 26–27). The Eugene Prop Spinners Club, in cooperation with other Northwest clubs and individuals, will be holding the Northwest Regionals '84 CL contest. The two-day contest will have 25 events, with trophies through third place in all events. In addition, $2,000 worth of merchandise prizes will be awarded.
Of special interest to readers of this column is the inclusion of two Scale events: Profile and Pre-Precision Scale. Other major event categories include:
- Combat
- PAMA Stunt
- Navy Carrier
- Speed
- Racing
The contest will be held at the Mahlon Sweet Airport model flying site, which has one asphalt and four grass circles. The site also has bleachers, a PA system, a drinking fountain, and spectator control fencing. In addition to great flying-site conditions, there will be camping space, a concession truck, a hobby shop, and various model-related displays. Lodging is said to be available within a few minutes' drive of the flying field.
On Saturday night, May 26, the Seattle Skyraiders and Flying Lines newsletter will host a potluck party at the field. Sounds like this will be a great contest. For full details—and especially the local rules for the Profile Scale event—write to John Thompson, 1411 Bryant Avenue, Cottage Grove, OR 97424.
Bill Boss 77-06 269th St. New Hyde Park, NY 11040
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
