Reno 1984 Nats: RC Scale

RC Scale

By Bob and Dolly Wischer

THIS PORTION of the Reno Nats was characterized by high-quality airplanes, generally above-average piloting, and obscene weather. An offshore hurricane in the Pacific pumped in strong crosswinds, complete with blowing dust, sand, and errant tumbleweed that plagued attempts at scale-like flight for most of each day. Two hours of relative calm on Sunday morning permitted a few flights under reasonable conditions. A contestant's T-shirt labeled "Dust Bowl Nats" told the story.

Entries and classes

• Total entries reduced from 1983: 58 in all classes.
• Flights made: 43.
• Class breakdown:
• Giant Scale: 18
• Sport Scale Expert: 14
• Sport Scale Sportsman: 22
• FAI Scale: 4 entrants, only two flights (hardly a contest)

Weather, altitude, and flying

Wind was the dominant factor throughout the contest. In each of the three main divisions higher wing-loading airplanes tended to finish first; in Sport classes very light models won. Under less windy conditions lighter aircraft could have boosted flight scores and placed higher.

Effects of altitude were negligible during the Scale flying days because the nearly 100° temperatures that had been prevalent earlier in the Nats week were absent. Several crashes occurred, but these could not be blamed on altitude. For example, a Giant Scale Aeronca K lost height in its three-turn spin and finished the maneuver about 50 ft above the desert; aside from a tendency to stall in overly steep climbs, other maneuvers were largely uneventful.

Frequency problems were non-existent during Scale flying days.

Static judging and documentation

Static judging took place under ideal conditions in the air-conditioned Reno Convention Center, a newly completed complex containing three immense halls and many meeting rooms. Models were aligned in rows with judges on one side and spectators on the other. Spectators were permitted closer views than judges preferred, so Event Director Bob Underwood required models to be viewed from a distance of 15 ft from the nearest part of the airplane (not from its center). The system worked well and made good use of the large space available.

As in past Nats, scale documentation — or its absence — played an important role in scoring. Excellent airplanes, well flown, had little chance of placing high because photos or color three-view drawings didn't match the model. Regional contests appear to be more relaxed about documentation; at Nats the rules were strictly followed and modelers faced tough static judging. Next year's Chicopee Nats should show improvement, as East Coast scale modelers will have two years to improve their presentation books.

Ducted-fan models and popular types

• Ducted-fan models, expected to be numerous at a West Coast Nats, were represented by two entrants; only one was flown.
• Piper Cubs and derivatives dominated quantity again with six entries.
• Other popular model types included Lasers, CAP 21s (three), and the ASA-200 (a CAP 21 look-alike).

Bob Baker's F7U-3 Vought Cutlass (ducted fan) lost a wing on landing but earned the NASA (National Association of Scale Aeromodelers) Flight Achievement Award.

Sport Scale — Sportsman

Maury Maroney won the Sportsman class and was genuinely surprised at his overwhelming 10-point margin over second place. His 74-in.-span Lockheed P-38L (Royal kit) was the only twin-engined model flown in RC Scale; the 12-lb fighter had a wing loading around 40 oz per sq. ft. and proved impressively smooth on takeoff and landing despite the crosswinds. It produced the highest-scoring flight and placed high in class standings.

• 2nd place: Richard Hanson with a Dolotel — a much lighter aircraft (about half the P-38's wing loading) that scored well due to maneuverability and piloting skill.
• 3rd place: Rich Banfield with a Corben Baby Ace — aided by the highest static score in the class.

Six of the models flown in Scale used four-stroke engines (e.g., a Saito 1.20).

Sport Scale — Expert

Hal Parent won the Sport Scale Expert class with a Bell Airacobra P-39D designed and built to maximize scoring potential.

• Hal exaggerated panel lines and weathering so they read well from the 15-ft static judging distance. The structure was balsa covered with aluminum Monokote, finished with K&B dope and lacquers, and weathered to show the aluminum substrate in strategic locations.
• Hal also paid attention to believable systems operation: landing-gear retraction was intentionally slowed and sequenced so the three legs and gear doors operated independently and visibly. Gear extension and retraction were demonstrated in separate slow, low passes for the judges. Flaps were available as a flight option.

Other Expert-class highlights:

• 2nd place: Joe Tschirgi with a very light 1/4-scale Ponnier Scouting Biplane (wing loading ~14 oz per sq. ft.). Joe's model had the highest static score in the Expert class and handled the gusty winds with skill; one landing was essentially a near-vertical descent to touch-down with no forward roll.
• 3rd place: Steve Ellison with a Great Planes prototype CAP 21. Steve's flying earned the high flight score in the Expert class. His model weighed about 8 lb with wing loading near 23 oz per sq. ft. and was recently re-engined with an O.S. 61 FSR.

Giant Scale

Giant Scale again had strong representation with 18 aircraft.

• 1st place: Aeronca K. The K had a wing loading of about 20 oz per sq. ft. and was vulnerable to winds; one useful flight was made early Sunday before the wind intensified. Taxiing was impossible in the wind; takeoffs were made across the narrow runway with an immediate turn to avoid flying behind the judges. Prop changes (17-7 to 16-6) and 15% nitro fuel for the O.S. Gemini twin helped performance at altitude. Realism suffered on windy flights as expected, but the three-turn spin was the K's highest-scoring maneuver and it registered the highest-scoring single flight in the Giant class.
• 2nd place: Charles Fuller with a Waco Taperwing (scratch-built, 92-in. span, 30 lb) — he had the highest static score. The model used a Kawasaki 315 and was little affected by wind.

Bob Baker's 1/5-scale ducted-fan Vought Cutlass F7U-3 (chrome Monokote finish) earned the NASA Flight Achievement Award despite losing a wing on landing.

FAI Scale

FAI Scale was a disappointment compared to 1983. Four planes were entered but only one round was flown; two models made flights.

• 1st place: Bob Wischer's Piel Beryl (an elderly entry flown in its ninth year). The flight was impaired by a severe up-elevator trim condition that made the model difficult to manage.
• 2nd place: Hal Parent's Grumman F8F-2 Bearcat (Hal's piloting helped salvage the event).
• Two other entrants did not fly (one by choice because of rough site/weather, one because the model refused to leave the runway).

Notable aircraft and incidents

• George Miller's twin-ducted-fan A-10 Warthog drew much attention but did not complete a flight: one of the K&B 7.5 engines quit on the takeoff run and the retracting gear collapsed. The 1/4-scale model (built from Koku-Fan drawings) featured a servo-controlled canopy and multiple rockets.
• Earl Thompson attended with three airplanes entered across RC Scale events:
• Giant Scale: 1/4-scale Christen Eagle (Tartan Twin engine, black K&B epoxy finish, ornate MonoKote pattern).
• Sport Scale Expert: Hawker Hurricane built from Brian Taylor plans, finished with model-railroad Floquil paint protected by K&B epoxy flat top over Koverall and nitrate clear dope (placed 4th).
• FAI entry: Messerschmitt Me-163 Komet with a radio-controlled towing tractor operated from a single transmitter (Earl elected not to fly it in the windy conditions).
• Gary Smith built an ASA-200 (CAP-21 fuselage modified with a model-like wing) from a Dick Hanson kit. The 1/4-scale aerobatic model (81-in. span, 10.5 lb) used an O.S. .61 VF geared 1.4:1 and was MonoKote covered. Photo documentation was obtained from the owner in France.

Rounds, pilots' meetings, and results

To avoid risking valuable scale models, pilots held a meeting on the runway after the first round to decide whether to continue in the adverse weather. Hoping the wind would diminish for Sunday (it did not), a vote was taken to attempt three more rounds on Sunday.

• Sunday morning: flying was to begin at 7:30; the impound held about a half-dozen transmitters. The wind eased until about 10:00, then returned in force. After the third round, most modelers packed away their planes for protection.
• A fourth-round vote allowed only seven models to make fourth-round flights in the wind; one of those was severely damaged. The fourth round had no effect on final standings; calls for more flying to improve scores were denied.

Acknowledgments

Thanks to:

• Bob Underwood, Event Director, and his daughter Cathy (scorekeeper) for an event well run.
• Dave and Sally Brown, who kept the flight line moving.
• The flight judges, who endured the pelting sandstorm while watching model flights with eyes burning from wind and dust.

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