Scale Masters
The US Scale Masters meet has been one of aeromodeling's premier events for more years than most of us can remember. Its tremendous staying power is the result of years of first-class organization and a format that strongly appeals to serious contestants, interested spectators, and industry sponsors.
1995 US Scale Masters Championship
The 1995 US Scale Masters championship was held September 6–10, hosted by two energetic nonprofit area clubs: The Ohio Radio Kontrol Society (TORKS) and the Westerville Model Aeronautics Association.
Scale Masters is operated by committee, with founder and promoter Harris Lee at the helm. As the event relocates geographically each year, the Contest Director is selected from the target region's talent pool. The selection couldn't have been better for 1995—the position went to one of the most experienced modelers in RC Scale events, Terry Nitsch.
Scale Masters is an invitational. Unlike AMA-sanctioned events (which only require an AMA license and the ability to perform the required tasks), Scale Masters requires contestants to qualify for the finals. Entrants must have placed in the top 30% of a regional qualifying event, the AMA Nationals, or a previous Scale Masters final to compete. Those who made the cut were sent invitations to attend this year's meet, which was held at Darby Dan Airport near Columbus, Ohio.
Darby Dan is a picturesque, country-style airport that is as clean and tidy as it can be. It has a long, smooth, paved runway; a hangar and apron area for exhibitors; and plenty of room for parking. The availability of Darby Dan and the enthusiasm and professionalism of the two host clubs ensured success for the flying portion of the meet.
Static Judging and the U.S. Air Force Museum
For static judging, arrangements were made to use the U.S. Air Force Museum at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in nearby Dayton. There is enough room in one of the enclosed exhibit buildings to take off and land a Piper Cub with a full rollout—more than adequate, and a picture-perfect location for a first-class aeromodeling event.
The museum operators allowed all contestants, guests, sponsors, and officials complete access to the aircraft after the museum’s normal operating hours. Static judging and registration were held Thursday, September 7, from 8 a.m. until the museum closed. A dinner and the private museum session ran from 5:30 to 10:30 p.m.
The U.S. Scale Masters Judging Guide is specific about flight and static judging criteria, so few delays were experienced with the 60-plus contestants and their aircraft.
Static scores are based on three categories:
- Accuracy of Outline — maximum 40 points
- Outline is divided into four subdivisions: Wings, Fuselage, Tail Group, and Landing Gear
- Finish, Color, and Markings — maximum 30 points
- Craftsmanship — maximum 30 points
When all was said and done, the 97.5-point high static score went to Charlie Nelson (Berlin, MA) for his 93-inch WACO VKS-7F cabin biplane. Charlie has a long and successful contest history with WACO airplanes, and he seems to get better each year. The biplane is a larger-than-usual model for Charlie; it carries a Seidel seven-cylinder radial engine and an Airtronics Vision 8-P computer radio system.
Four 97-point static scores were awarded: Dennis Crooks, Kim Foster, David Hayes, and Corwin Miller tied for the second-highest position.
Flying Events and Spectators
The flying events began Friday, September 8, with two flightlines set up in each of the two flight areas. Two rounds were scheduled for Friday, two for Saturday, and a single final round was slated for Sunday.
Spectator attendance was a pleasant surprise. Darby Dan's apron and exhibit areas were packed shoulder-to-shoulder from the entrance to the flightline. Many first-time viewers were amazed at contemporary model aircraft—clearly a positive step for aeromodelling in Columbus and the surrounding areas.
Walking the flightlines, ready areas, and pits provided plenty of opportunity for good photos and conversation about radio-control scale aircraft. There was an exceptionally wide cross-section of models: WW I airplanes, civilian aircraft, ducted-fan jets, and WW II fighters. The variety speaks to the professional quality of judging at Scale Masters—judges are well-educated in contest procedures, impartial, and base scores on the documentation supplied by the builder.
Sunday brought the sun and the final round of flying. When the last of the nitro had cleared the air, the 1995 US Scale Masters Champion was Terry Nitsch.
Results
The top competitors were:
- Terry Nitsch
- Dennis Crooks
- Jeff Foley
- Eugene Job
- Garland Hamilton
- Kim Foster
- Dave Lovitt
- Nick Zirolli Jr.
- Charlie Nelson
- Dave Ribbe
Scoring and results were provided courtesy of computer operators George and Pat Reverman using the Simply Scale Scoremaster program developed by Cliff Tacite. The Scoremaster program was implemented at the US Scale Masters and Top Gun Invitational events.
Highlights
- Terry Nitsch's first-place Minute Men BVM F-86 Sabre — Dry-Set Markings, Coverite chrome Presto finish.
- Dave Ribbe placed tenth with his super-clean Bob Violett Models F-16.
- The interior of Jim Sandquist's Stinson L-5 Sentinel (from Vaillancourt plans) featured Sig Koverall, Randolph dope, and Dry-Set Markings detailing.
- Eduardo Estevez (Brazil) entered a Rearwin Skyranger that earned a 94.5-point static score and flew well despite crosswind.
- Gerald Garing's TravelAir 4000 featured punched metal louvers, full cockpit detail, and chrome-moly landing gear.
- Bellanca fans enjoyed Doug Crumley's 1/4-scale Decathlon. The 96-inch-span model is from a Pilot kit.
Sponsorship
Hobby-related sponsors included:
- Pacer Technologies (Hershel Worthy)
- Robart Manufacturing (the Walker family)
- Airtronics (the Renaud family)
- Dry-Set Model Markings
- Futaba
- Horizon Hobby Distributors
- R/C Aviation & Country Club
- Radio Control Modeler Magazine
- Scale R/C Modeler Magazine
- Ace R/C
- Model Airplane News
- Proctor Enterprises
- R/C Report
- Foley Manufacturing
- Glenn Torrance Models
- Hansen Scale Videos
- Propwash Video Productions
- Sheldon's Hobbies
- Valley Aviation
- CORKS RC club
Non-hobby-related sponsors included:
- Dinneen Excavating
- New Jobs, Inc.
- Barbee Concrete & Construction
- Hayden Pontiac/GMC Trucks
- Artas Weather Check, Inc.
- Audio Encounters
- Columbus Orthopedic Prosthetic & Orthotic Center
- Joe David
- Gerry and Kelly Kerr at Distinctive Brass
- Jennings Products
- Newman Optics
- Paul Reiner
- Columbus Distributing Co.
- Gold Car & Equipment Company
Final Notes and Acknowledgments
What a contest: plenty of awards, world-class models, fair and professional judging, and first-class contest staff. An entertainment-filled Saturday evening banquet added to the event.
After three days and five rounds of flying, only one airplane (out of more than 60) was lost. The problem was attributed to an onboard mechanical failure rather than pilot error or radio failure.
Compliments to Mr. and Mrs. Harris Lee, Terry Nitsch, Sam Wright, Kent Walters, and the many dedicated people who contributed their time, money, effort, and personal attention to every area of the Scale Masters' success. You made it work, and it worked very well.
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
