Scale
Bud Atkinson
HERE IT IS, a new year, a new magazine, and above all for me a new column writer—and I mean new! As this is my first attempt at putting together a column every month. I have done articles in several magazines on building and designing of RC Models, but never as demanding as this undertaking.
The really bright spot is the subject—Scale—which is, to me, what it's all about in RC modeling. You know that no matter how simple or how complex the model you are building may be, realism always comes to the surface in paint jobs, trim, extras such as wheel pants, canopied pilot or whatever meets your fancy.
We are all trying to produce and fly our models in a way that most resembles the full-size aircraft so what is more natural than to try to build and fly a RC model that you seek to duplicate from the full-scale bird. This is Scale! And this is what we will report on each month.
I hope that all of you out there in RC Land will bear with me on this venture as we may have a slow start—but with your help, with pictures, information or anything of interest pertaining to this subject we will get this Scale column off the ground.
One important factor at this time is the Stand-off Scale rules which are stirring the attention of Scale-minded people. This is good. It shows that interest is here, in Stand-off Scale, be it pro or con. Some of the proposals are somewhat unreasonable. I think we should establish rules that improve the event and simplify it rather than make it more complicated to compete in.
The present controversy is becoming rather heated, pro or con. One possible operation I'm unhappy about is flaps. I think we need some improvement on this. At a recent contest no points were given for flaps because the judges claimed they could not see them in the air! This is a problem, because there are very few airplanes on which you can see the flaps in the air, especially split flaps. I think the flaps should be demonstrated to the judges on the ground to their satisfaction, and also operating on landing and be judged according to information presented per the full-size aircraft.
There are those who say let's forget the flaps, retracts, bomb drop, and all other operations. In essence, they are saying only a J-3 Cub or like airplane could be allowed. I believe all aircraft should be permitted in Scale, Stand-off and AMA with no restrictions. If you can prove something was done it should be allowed. I think that's what makes Stand-off Scale the popular event it is.
I also think this is what is hurting AMA Scale. The rules more or less lean to the simple J-3 type airplane. I think AMA Scale needs to be completely overhauled to attract more people to it, or it's going down the drain. The first thing I think, the name should be changed to FAI Scale and Stand-off Scale should be called AMA Scale.
Well, so much for the soap boxing this month. There is not much going on in the way of competition, but this is the building time of the year for most of us. The picture with the column is my R-1 Fireball from a year or so back, which has a round or egg-shaped fuselage. I have been asked several times by interested modelers what is the best way to build this type of fuselage, so in the next month or so, we will give a run down on how to easily do this, with some other tips on building your next scale model. Let me hear from you if you have a unique idea on construction, or insulation, or what have you. That's what it's all about. "Let's talk about scale."
I see by the coming contest information there are several WW-II Stand-off type contests for this year. This is great. There seems to be no end to the scale prospects of the WW-II era and there is something about a military bird making a fast fly by, be it a P-51, Spitfire, or ME-109.
The winter Nats in Tucson was a great example of the 26 Scale entries. I believe about 75 percent were WW II airplanes. It was one of the best array of stand-off birds I have seen. Most of them were expertly built and the flying was something to behold! First and fifth place were only 4 1/2 points apart. I think most of them could have placed in pattern. How about this: a B-24, P-38, P-82, Corsair, P-51, P-40, P-39, Hawker Sea Fury, ME-109, Focke-Wulf 190, T-28, PT-17, and several postwar military birds. Even several WW I type things with three wings. If not for the size you might think the Confederate Air Force was there. One of the reasons Stand-off is gaining in popularity is because of the variety in aircraft possibilities. I think this is what is hurting AMA Scale.
That wraps it up for this time. Let's keep those cards and letters coming from out there in RC Scale Land. Send to Bud Atkinson, 734 N. 6th St. Terr., Blue Springs, Mo. 64015.
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
