Author: J. Troy
Edition: Model Aviation - 1999/12
Page Numbers: 40, 41, 42, 43
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Radio Control: Scale

Jeff Troy, 19 East Mt. Pleasant Avenue, Ambler, PA 19002

Overview

Radio Control (RC) Scale events at the 1999 National Aeromodeling Championships offered five AMA events: Fun Scale, Sportsman Sport Scale, Expert Sport Scale, Designer Scale, and Team Scale.

The events began Friday, July 9, with static judging at the Horizon Convention Center in downtown Muncie, Indiana—home to the Academy of Model Aeromatics since the early 1990s. Except for Fun Scale (whose models only have to resemble the claimed prototype), each model faced rigorous static judging.

Events and Judging

With the exception of Fun Scale, every model went through a virtual gauntlet of static judging. Sport and Team Scale models were scrutinized for craftsmanship, accuracy of outline, finish, and color-and-markings from a distance of 15 feet. Designer Scale entries were subject to the same criteria, except judges could examine the models up close (zero feet); each airplane had to be the pilot's original design. Wherever the judges chose to look, the model had to accurately represent how the full-scale airplane would appear. Cockpits, wheel-well interiors, bomb bays, and open access compartments could be inspected.

Static judging continued until late Friday afternoon. No static score was awarded until the pilot had made at least one flight attempt and received a flight score of at least one point.

The first of four rounds of flight judging began Saturday morning: two rounds on Saturday and two on Sunday. Contestants awoke to a dreaded crosswind, but the experienced event directors and flight judges allowed the mandatory takeoff maneuver to be performed straight down the runway or on an adjacent cross-runway, nearly dead into the wind. This helped many models—especially lighter World War I and civilian types—make a better first impression on the flight judges.

Contestants and Aircraft

Many well-known builders and pilots attended, and the contest also featured up-and-coming pilots and several talented first-time competitors.

Notable contestants with incredible airplanes included:

  • Dave Platt
  • Terry Nitsch
  • Mark Frankel
  • Mike Gretz
  • Claude McCullough
  • Bob Underwood
  • Jeff Foley
  • Hal Parenti
  • Gary Parenti
  • Charlie Nelson
  • Greg Hahn
  • Mike Barbee
  • Skip Mast

A midday break gave spectators and press plenty of photo opportunities and a chance to discuss the craftsmanship with pilots. The author interviewed several Nats contestants in the static area, pits, and flightline.

Notable Models and Interviews

  • AeroTech Models' Wayne Siewert (Minneapolis, MN) described his Team Scale entry, a "razorback" P-47RE flown by Jim Sandquist of Saint Joseph, IL. The 82-inch, 1/6-scale "Jug" ("Juggernaut") is an all-carbon-fiber airplane (no balsa on the exterior), weighing 33.6 pounds on the AMA scale. Power is a Brison 4.2 with Carpenter CH ignition, swinging a 22x10 prop at about 7,400–7,600 rpm. The radio is a Futaba PC; landing gear is Robart. The P-47 is available from AeroTech as a kit; a bubble-canopy D variant is also available.
  • Charlie Nelson (Berlin, MA) flew a WACO YKS-7, powered by a Seidel seven-cylinder engine, finishing fifth in Designer Scale. The model is constructed of balsa and plywood, covered and painted with the Stits system. Charlie made the cowl from a mold and fabricated many aluminum parts. Prop is a 22x10 Zinger; radio is an Airtronics Stylus. The model features a fairly complete interior, fiberglass-cast ailerons with corrugations, an operational anticollision beacon, position lights, and retractable illuminated landing lights. Charlie first flew this model in competition at the 1999 Top Gun in West Palm Beach, FL; it had been badly damaged on the ground by a gust before its initial flight and required several weeks of repair.
  • Dave Platt's T-28C Trojan was an excellent Scale subject with tricycle gear and a low wing. Dave finished seventh in Designer Scale. The 1/6-scale C variant has an arrester hook, an 82-inch wingspan, weighs 24 pounds, and is powered by a Moki 1.8. Dave said he planned to retire the model after this contest. The Trojan is featured in Dave's six-part Black Art Scale instructional videotape series. The finish was K&B Superpoxy over K&B glass.
  • A strong kit presence included an 81-inch Top Flite Gold Edition Beechcraft Bonanza V35B built by Rolland Mast and flown by his son Ryan Mast (Hudsonville, MI). The model uses Top Flite's scale interior, K&B cloth covering, Hobbypoxy paint, an O.S. FX .61 Ringo engine, Robart 600-series pneumatic retracts, Top Flight custom lighting, and Zinger 15x8 props. Futaba provided radio guidance for the 17-pound Team Scale entry.
  • David Fogarty (Boca Raton, FL) flew a Designer Scale Curtiss Junior, an uncommon subject on the contest circuit. The 95-inch, 1/5-scale model weighs 17.25 pounds and is powered by an O.S. Max .91 FX engine with the fuel tank in the fuselage. Construction is prototypical with tubing in the boom and pod and precise rib shapes and locations. Fogarty finished ninth. The Curtiss was finished using the F&M Stits Scale Finishing System; Fogarty praised Stits as a very forgiving and effective fabric covering.

Fun Scale and Other Classes

Several modelers used Fun Scale to experience Scale competition without the pressure of advanced classes. Notable Fun Scale entries and placements included:

  • Joe Franklin — Gee-Bee Model E Sportster (11th)
  • Mark Brewer — Balsa USA Eindecker E.III (8th)
  • Hank Kiel — CAP 232 (9th)
  • Joe Lewis — CAP 232 (3rd)
  • James Hess — WACO (12th)

Some Expert pilots, including Bob Underwood, Jeff Foley, and Dave Fogarty, also flew in Fun Scale for a lower-pressure event. Muncie's Gary Bussell won Open Fun Scale; Bob Underwood finished second.

Results and Awards

  • High static score for the Radio Control Scale category (96.333) went to the Team Scale entry built by Claude McCullough and piloted by Mike Gretz. Claude and Mike are well-known for many designs for Sig Manufacturing Company. Claude's 32-pound WACO biplane (WACO S3HD-A, often called the WACO D) was built from factory drawings; it is powered by a Saito 300 opposed twin and finished with Sig dope over Sig Supercoat.
  • Other notable finishes:
  • Charlie Nelson — 5th in Designer Scale
  • Dave Platt — 7th in Designer Scale
  • David Fogarty — 9th in Designer Scale
  • Fun Scale top placements noted above

Officials, Organization, and Sponsors

Complementing the contestants was a large effort by dedicated staffers and volunteers. RC Scale Event Director Dale Arvin headed a crew of talented officials responsible for scorekeeping, impound operation, static and flight judging, field maintenance, and more. A sincere debt of gratitude is owed to each hard-working, selfless individual.

The AMA hosts the Nats Scale events in cooperation with its Scale Special Interest Group, NASS—the National Association of Scale Aeromodelers. NASS sponsors made significant contributions.

Contributors and sponsors included:

  • Multiplex
  • Futaba Corporation of America
  • Bob Violett Models
  • Airtronics, Inc.
  • JR
  • The Zap Gang
  • Pacer Technology
  • Robart
  • Red Max Fuel
  • Jerry Bates Plans
  • Powermaster Fuel
  • Dave Brown Products
  • Williams Bros.
  • CB/Tatone
  • Byron Fuel
  • RAM Radio Controlled Models
  • Scale Model Research
  • Bob Smith Industries

Conclusion

If you've never attended a Scale Nats event, plan on doing so next year. It's an experience you'll surely keep with you forever.

Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.