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(Ed. Note: One of the most frequent questions we receive from Sport Aviator readers concerns just what is a “Scale” model. The Scale model world, models of actual full size aircraft, is wide, varied and fascinating. In addition to RC scale, there are control-line models of full size airplanes, Free Flight models and RC aerobatic models such as those competing in the International Miniature Aerobatic Club (IMAC) contests.
Since the Scale NATS has just ended, we thought Sport Aviator readers would be interested in learning more about the world of Scale modeling using this national contest as an example. So we asked one of the contestants who is also a very skilled writer and excellent photographer, Benny Lanterman, to introduce us to the world of scale modeling as it shows itself at the National level.)
I have just arrived at home after flying at the NATS and now I am sitting in front of the computer thinking about what to write in this article. The article is to be directed toward the beginning modeler to help in his or her consideration of whether or not to get into scale modeling – a worthy direction, I think.
“Scale models” are miniature versions of full size airplanes. They are built to a certain scale, such as 1:6. This means that 1 inch on the model equals 6 inches on the full-size airplane. Another way to say this is that the model is 1/6th the size of the full-size version.
Putting myself in the shoes of a newer model pilot is easy for me because I have only been flying scale models for just 2 years with a grand total of two contests (flying in the Fun Scale event) under my belt. I am definitely a beginner in this field of modeling. Oh yes, flying scale models has proven to be both challenging and a great deal of fun! And you will meet the nicest people flying model airplanes and most will be willing to help the beginner with tips and by sharing their secrets.
Let me give a bit of background – I am an aeronautical engineer and I have been flying RC airplanes for 40+ years. I have always thought that the big aerobatic airplanes were the “best and most desirable” kind of airplane to build and fly. Performing multiple rolls and spins were certainly appealing to me (and still is) while scale seemed to be something that old men that have lost their edge in flying skills participated in. The typical scale contest of many years ago also seemed to result in far too many crashes to cause me to become very interested in pursuing this aspect of the hobby.
Guys and girls - scale modeling has changed. With the reliability of modern RC equipment and the availability of some really fine kit offerings, including the Almost-Ready-to-Fly (ARF) varieties, scale modeling has become practical for all of us. If you have ever dreamed of flying your own P-51 (this writer’s personal favorite), or if watching a low altitude high speed pass performed by one at an air show makes your hair stand on end, perhaps you should take a look at building and flying scale models. Oh yes, there are some outstanding scale aerobatic airplanes that serve to fulfill both the aerobatic and scale requirements of all of us. (Ed. Note: If you really want to fly a P-51 Mustang, check out the Hangar 9 Mustang PTS Basic Trainerin Sport Aviator’s “On The Flight Line” Section.)
Radio controlled scale models of almost all airplanes have been built but some configurations are more practical than others. Perhaps the most difficult airplanes to model are the very early designs such as the Wright Brothers’ airplanes with their many struts and wires that tend to be a little more fragile than a more modern design.
Certainly a twelve-engine powered flying boat would present some engineering challenges that would make it a less desirable airplane to deal with. The beginning modeler, looking for a scale airplane to build, would be advised to look through a model airplane magazine and survey the kits that are offered by the various manufacturers. They have generally discovered the airplanes that work well for everyone. (Ed. Note: In addition to the Mustang PTS, Hangar 9 also produces a Plug-N’-Play Piper Cub that is an excellent Basic Trainer. This airplane is also reviewed in Sport Aviator’s “On The Flight Line” Section.)
Scale models of a plane like the Piper Cub fly so much like a basic trainer that the transition to scale flying is very easy. However a scale model of an F-104 powered by a modern model jet engine will require mechanical and flying skills that the beginner might not have. If you are interested in scale modeling you should be very realistic about your flying skills and about your choice of airplanes to model. However, don’t give up your dream of that perfect airplane – there is a scale modeling class in competition called Team Scale. Team Scale was designed for those of us that build better than we fly – it allows you build that perfect scale model and but permits a steady-nerved experienced pilot to fly your model in the actual competition. This event has probably saved a lot of beautiful scale model airplanes from the bad flying skills of their creators!
There are several classes of scale modeling ranging from the beginner’s event of Fun Scale to the very difficult Designer Scale class. The classes are defined in the AMA Rulebook, Page 149, and there is a class in competition just right for you.
OK, you say you don’t want to fly in competition. That is fine of course. It isn’t necessary to enter a scale competition to enjoy flying scale models – but to be honest about it -- it is just plain fun to display your work to other modelers and have them appreciate it. Also, at the end of the day, it is great to be rewarded with a neat trophy that is representative of your abilities. I’ll present some photos of the winners of this year’s NATS at the end of this article. I believe there is a big wide smile on the face of all of them and you definitely couldn’t pry the winner’s plaques from their hands.
The 80th National Aeromodeling Championships (all of us hard core modelers call it the Scale NATS and it is easier to roll off of the tongue as well as type) is a good place to take you through a typical contest and to look at some different kinds of successful scale models. Years ago, the NATS were sponsored by the Navy and the NATS would move to a different naval base each year. Winning the Nationals Aeromodeling Championships in scale was the most desirable goal attainable if you were interested in scale competition. Today, the NATS is held at the AMA’s great facility in Muncie, Indiana and winning the NATS is still a desirable goal.
One thing let’s do - I must confess that I will want to be using terms like “beautiful”, “awesome”, “fantastic”, “shiny”, “marvelous”, etc. to describe each and every one of these airplanes. However, after a while it will start to be repetitive, tiresome and the words loose their impact. So I won’t use those words in this article! Even in these tiny photographs you will be able to see for yourself how beautiful these models are. Just imagine the impact that these models have in the flesh (or paint and covering). Of course you can come to the Scale Masters contest which will be held in Muncie from October 18-21 of 2006 and see some more great examples of this art form.
Two other things –
1. I wish to apologize to the three guys that I don’t have a photo of but in my defense I have to say it is very difficult to keep track of all of them!
2. If I didn’t get your model data sheet I can’t say much about it.
Photo 1
One of the first things to be done at a contest is to put your model together, not too many of us have cars/trucks big enough to leave the airplanes assembled! Claude McCullough and Scott Christensen are assembling Claude’s Waco biplane in the parking lot. The actual “scale judging” will be held indoors in the basketball arena in the background where it is nicely air-conditioned. This is Indiana in the summer remember!
Part of each models total “score” for a contest is made up of what the “scale judges” think of the model’s appearance and workmanship. The builder must supply information about the full-size airplane, color charts, 3-view drawings, photos and the like, that will be used to judge just how accurately the builder is recreating the full-size aircraft. The second part of the total score is made up by just how well the model performs in flight. These airplanes are not “hangar queens” meant for museum display. They fly!
Claude has been building scale models since I was a teenager (several decades ago) and still produces a new high quality model almost every year. With a biplane the size of the Waco, he must attach wings and flying wires individually and it is a time consuming process - but the results are worth it. One of the challenges of scale models like this one is to make the attachments for the wing, etc. without detracting from the scale fidelity of the model.
Claude’s model is of the full-size Waco that was sold to the Cuban Air Force during the pre-WWII period. The full-scale Waco was designed to carry a machine gun on the lower wing and it can release bombs. The Waco was entered in the Team Scale event and was ably piloted by Mike Gretz. The Waco is Claude’s own design and spans 99 inches, weighs 33 pounds and is powered by a Saito 300 4stroke glow engine.
Photo 2
Greg Hahn is busy preparing his B-25 Mitchell bomber for judging and apparently has a lot of help! Greg’s experience with the model and this process will help prevent the mistakes that these kinds of distractions might cause. Greg always seemed ready to talk about his B-25 and the model certainly attracted a crowd whenever it was brought out. A beginner should be careful of being distracted by other people while he is preparing his model for flight - trust me I learned this from personal experience and we won’t go into the details here. As with full scale airplanes, a checklist of things to do before flight is a very good idea for all flyers.
Greg’s B-25 is a great example of a large multi engine airplane. The B-25 has operating flaps, retracting landing gear and is capable of dropping scaled bombs from its operating bomb bay. An airplane of this size requires a lot of work to build and campaign in contests but all that work results in a model that is difficult to differentiate from the real thing while on the ground or in flight.
Photo 3
Sometimes you have to get down on the model’s level! Dave Turner is verifying that all is ready on his T-34 for the static judging. The T-34 has been kitted in several sizes over the past few years and always results in a good flying model. This version is from the Top Flite kit and weighs 16 pounds. An OS .91 2 stroke powers the airplane. It has retracts and an onboard glow system. Another benefit of this model is that the full-size aircraft has been used successfully in many full-scale aerobatic displays. This gives the modeler a large choice of maneuvers to choose from and to perform in the flying part of the contest. Airborne maneuvers must be representational of what the full size airplane could do. Scale B-17 Flying Fortress bombers do not get points for doing loops or rolls but T-34 fighter trainers do.
In all classes of scale at a scale contest, there are five mandatory maneuvers to be performed during flying and the modeler has a choice of five other maneuvers to add to his flight routine. As long as you can prove that the full-scale airplane performed the maneuvers in flight, the maneuvers will be allowed. This means that a 1903 Wright Flyer shouldn’t be seen performing three loops as one of its elective maneuvers while a slow flyby would seem reasonable.
 
Photo 4 Photo 5
What are these guys staring at so intently? They are the Scale Judges and they are looking at Art Shelton’s Eindecker as it is being presented during the scale-judging portion of the contest. Their job is to analyze the scale models using the guidelines in the AMA Competition Rule Book and their decisions are based on the data presentation that the contestant must provide. Judging these models accurately is a time consuming job and the judges do it well. The contestants all thanked them for doing this job with thoughtfulness and care.
Photo 6
In the judging process the judges look for scale fidelity in all respects. However, in the AMA classes, they must remain a set distance away from the models as seen in the photo above. The builder of the model can rotate the model at the request of the judges but that is all. Scale judges always seem to have good eyesight – they save the guys with bad eyes to judge the flight maneuvers. (Easy guys, that’s an attempt at a joke).
 
Photo 7 Photo 8
Photo 7 is the cockpit of Larry Folk’s Super Cub. Not only does the airplane look real in all respects, but also the pilot appears to be having a great time too. On the wing you can see the details of the airplane’s vortex generators. If the scale modeling is well done, you will have the impression that the total airplane has just been shrunken. Even the radio control equipment will be hidden from view.
Photo 9
This is Larry Folk’s Super Cub in a fly-by. These are the times that all of the hard work to make a quality scale model seems worth it. The Piper Cub or Piper Super Cub airplane makes an excellent first time scale airplane. The airplane has simple lines, it can be well documented and it has good flight stability. This enables it to be flown by a pilot fairly new to the sport.
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