Scale

Scale is the most challenging category that a modeler can undertake. If it works on the full size aircraft, then your scale model should also have the same operating features. This is almost impossible to do, without a system that gives you the optional controls to do it with. For years these extra options were done with timers, cross linkages, or piggybacking control functions. These methods often would impede the normal steady flight of the model. Realistic flight attitudes count when the judges add up the points. You won't do well if you have functional options, but the airplane has erratic flight characteristics or the options don't function realistically. An example of realistic function would be Retract Gears...if you have the gears on a W.W.II fighter, retract and extend at the same time, in theory and depending on if the judges are picky...loose points....! The gears on almost all fighter aircraft, even today, are hydraulic and therefore retract and extend in sequence or one at a time with a pause in between. Also, if you use air for your gears, make sure that they don't slam up and down, in and out of the plane. This is not realistic and eventually it will damage your aircraft. A slow operating speed is far more realistic and accurate.

Your scale model must also look like the full size plane, in color and markings, and you must be prepared to show "documentation" of scale size, color and markings to the judges. This documentation is called a "3 View". Using the North American P51-B as an example...here are the documentation's that could be presented. Remember that the documentation, if in color, must also be the color of your model. Any one of these forms of "3 view" are acceptable.
If you present the black and white print, you must include another form of documentation to authenticate your color scheme. Squadron Signal Publications is a great source for this kind of material. They have books on almost every aircraft, that include several, if not all, of the versions of the plane as well as multiple kinds of paint schemes.

Simple Black And White Print.
Must include dimensions and size legend.

Color Print Including Markings. Must include size legend.

Multi-View Complete.

You may substitute your AMA number as long as it is in the same position as the registry numbers on the full size aircraft, without any loss of points. It is also allowed to have a side mounted engine with the cylinder head protruding, without loss of points. Mounting the engine inverted, however, does give a much cleaner look. No matter which documentation you choose to submit to the judges, make sure it is complete and shows all of the details that are needed. It also helps if you can show documentation for the features of your plane. Such as, photos of open engine cowlings (if your model has them) open gear doors, bomb placement, wing gun placement, close shots or detail of the landing gear, etc.

Speaking of color schemes. If you have a pilot figure in your plane you need to make sure that he is painted with the right colors for the period, squadron, branch of service and theatre of operation. The below example is typical of W.W.II. You will not loose any points if you don't have a pilot, but in the event you do have a pilot he needs to be accurate. Iron Aces pilot shown as the example.

A very common mistake is to use the wrong "stars n bars". Mostly all of the stars and bars in the second world war were like the ones in the 3 views. Later versions had a red surround border or a red stripe in the bar, or both. Some had no bars at all... It is very important to research your plane, completely.

Things that would determine which stars and bars to use, might be, year plane was built, branch of service, theatre of operation, squadron assigned to, color scheme, etc. Don't ya just love the detail and things you can learn?

The event that you are entered in, will determine the kind of documentation, as well. For example. In FAI Scale, the judges view your plane up close and personal. They will even scrutinize your cockpit and instrument detail. While Sport or Stand-Off Scale events, the model is judged from approximately 20 feet away. The more closely you are going to be judged the better your documentation needs to be. Craftsmanship points are also important, so take your time in the finishing stages of building your model.

Another option that I like to do with my planes, is to have an opening canopy. One technique requires that you get 2 extra canopies from the kit manufacturer. Leave one of them in tact. Cut the window sections out of the other two. Use one of the cut canopies for the outer frame and the other for the inside frame. Glue them together with epoxy or plastic zap.

Once you have glued the canopy to the fuselage, you can carefully cut away the section of the canopy that would be the sliding bubble or cage section. (cage version shown). I use an old CD ROM mechanism from an old computer, to be the operating device. A mini servo operates a dbl. pole dbl. throw switch, which opens or closes the canopy. This device is on a toothed track and is very positive, and the speed of operation can be controlled by the number of battery cells you use. Generally speaking I use just one, 1.5v battery for this operation. The track gives approx. 3" of travel = 3" of opening.

The canopy, on each side at the front, has a tab that connects to the gear rail via a long flat bar. The tabs come up through the sides of the cockpit floor and then connect to the canopy. The mechanism is mounted to the bulkhead, centered. At each end of gear track travel is a micro-lever switch with reversing diodes. These switches cut power at each end of the track and the track can be adjusted from 0 to 3.5" of travel. The mechanism is controlled by one servo to a dbl. pole dbl. throw switch, which flops the motor voltage in order to change travel direction.

On the Demonstration Team aircraft, the canopy operation will be Cage slide back..such as in the illustration above. This is because they are demonstration aircraft and we are showing option functions of the handle, not the scale operation of the canopy. This arrangement makes the Cage sliding back more visible to the spectators than the true scale operation would. If we were going to compete with these planes, we would loose points, for the Non-scale operation. The canopy on the B version Mustang opened like the Spitfire, in two sections, as shown in the Multi-View (above).

Besides the 4 mandatory things you have to do, in a contest, there are 6 options that are selected by you and must be shown to the judges, on your flight plan, and then demonstrated in the order listed on the plan. The AMA rule book will outline the mandatory requirements and also list the possible optional functions and the points that can be gotten for each option. Check the rules carefully. Also, pay close attention to any modified rules, that are being done in local and regional events, that are sponsored by local hobby clubs. Many of the modifications that they use are in order to increase participation and generally are far more lenient than AMA rules.

The above Illustration is of Top Flites 63" P-47 Thunderbolt. This is a great subject to take full advantage of the ScaleMaster "Medallist". You can make everything on this plane work!

The ultimate in Scale Operational Features would be remote Engine Start Up, done by the pilot, from the center of the circle. In theory you could use a gear box set up with an electric motor, such as the one below. If I were going to do this, and I just might, I would use a cog belt drive, at the propeller end, this is mostly because of the engine vibration and a tension arm against the belt would takes up slack caused by the vibration.

The electric motor, when engaged, would use your on board 4.8v battery pack to crank over the larger gear and prop, for a self start operation. Once the engine has started and the the start button released, the electric motor would act as a mini generator and could power glow plugs for low speed ignition or to replenish the 4.8v battery pack. Something to think about, huh?

Of course this would be for Scale planes that are large enough to hide the unit in the engine cowling. Perhaps you could do a set up, such as in the illustration, below, which is the kind of set up we are testing for the demo airplanes. Shown is the Kontronic 45-10 electric motor with the KPG 25 Gear box. The axle would be made of solid round aluminum stock, drilled for the motor drive shaft and tapped for allen set screws. The cog wheel end would be "D" nothced and set screw attached. Not shown, on the other side of the engine, would be the spring tension idler arm, to take up belt slack caused by engine vibration. The axle runs through pillow bearing blocks mounted on support braces anchored to the engine mount. In this case, for added strength we are using the OS max aluminum mount that matches the .91 FX engine.
Also shown is the Keleo Creations Scale Exhaust.

The above illustration is to scale for the Gold Edition 65" P-51 Mustang, from Top Flite. The plans were scanned and then all components were added, using their true scale sizes. The illustration has been reduced in size to fit on this page.
Keep in mind, at this point, this set up is only theory and is being tested for the show team planes.

The ScaleMaster Pilot, with proper and complete documentation and reasonable skill, with a thought out and practiced flight plan...can easily take home the gold.

Once you fly the ScaleMaster you will wonder why no one has used it before. We spoil our pilots and let them use their imagination to maximize their fun and take full advantage of their skill.

If you need some inspiration, and would like to see some finished Scale kits, check these out. Even the 100+" wingspans of some of these planes could be made CL. These links are to show possibilities and examples of craftsmanship, not just to illustrate RC planes. Both RC and CL have much to offer and both categories require detailed workmanship.

Remember, many RC pilots started out as CL flyers. Many pilots still enjoy both categories. Click the photo for larger pic and the link below photo to visit their sites.

Philip Avonds P-51B Mustang, scratch built from David Vaughan plans. Won 8th place at the F4C World Championships in Le Bourget, France (1984). If this plane, with this kind of detail and craftsmanship took 8th place... Can you imagine the detail and workmanship of the airplane that took 1st place and Best of Show?

http://www.aircraftinternational.com/gallery/boli_harm_me109/index.htm	http://www.aircraftinternational.com/gallery/boli_harm_me109/index.htm

Pictured above is my Jemco 54" Corsair, Stand-off Scale. Used a Super Tigre blue head 60, for power. If only the ScaleMaster were around when I flew this plane, I could have made use of all six options.
This photo was taken in 1976 while I was working on the TV show "Black Sheep Squadron"

*To Learn More about The Black Sheep, Maj Boyington and the 1970's TV series, click one of the images below*
"BlackSheep Squadron"	Maj. "Pappy" Boyington USMC
The Air Show Team and Flight Simulator Project