Radio Control: Scale
THE WIDE variation in quality and quantity in proof-of-scale presentations by competitors must have a pronounced effect on the judges' decisions and the scores obtainable during static judging. At Las Vegas, where the Tournament of Champions had assembled more superb scale models in one place than ever before, the presentations were extremely variable. Some were the best quality while others contained far too much material or too little. Competitors were overlooking a source of higher points in their scores for presentations that would please the judges. One of the better presentations was that of winner Bob Nelitz for his De Havilland Chipmunk (July 1977, Model Aviation). His book began with a table of contents describing the method of division by which the plane was broken down into major components. This was followed by a description and principal dimensions. A note to the judges stated that photos were to verify construction only. Each subsequent section of the book contained an exploded isometric drawing showing a portion of the plane.
Radio Control: Scale
PROTECT THOSE PLANES: 1977 was the year of travel for us. Two trips to each coast, most of which was in the family van, could have been damaging to the scale models that rode over the short, thick, truck springs. A sectional sofa from our living room, with springs, and a five-inch-thick foam upholstery pad, is carried in the van for protection; the models ride in regal splendor, safe from vibration and road shocks. Four years ago, when the van was new, we carried the Douglas M2 Mail-plane without protection for 1600 miles through New England, and then to the Kitchener-Waterloo Scale Rally in Canada. On its first flight the aileron servo locked in right turn and the Douglas spiraled steeply to its end, or so we thought. One of the wires to the aileron plug had crystalized due to vibration. Even when carried in a car or wagon, planes should be protected with foam when being transported for any distance.
Radio Control: Scale
VACUUM FORMING Plastic Parts: While the Mattel Vacu-Form is useful for producing small plastic parts, their size is limited to approximately a 3-in. length. Larger parts, such as a canopy, require an apparatus of greater dimensions and an unlimited source of vacuum. In the past, anyone wishing to mold larger pieces had to construct a vacuum frame from scratch materials. A kit of prefabricated parts for such a frame is now available, which will vacuum mold 8 1/2 × 17" plastic sheets of various materials. The kit consists of wood and metal parts to build a vacuum box with a perforated aluminum sheet top, and the frame needed to tightly grip the edges of the plastic. A three- or four-hour assembly job results in a ruggedly structured tool to vacuum form parts as large as 6 × 12 × 3" high. Included are detailed instructions for assembly as well as the forming process, with many hints on materials and handling.
Radio Control: Scale
WE RECENTLY received a letter indicating that someone is trying to breathe new life into the AMA Precision Scale event. This from Larry D'Attilio, contest director for the Milwaukee Flying Electrons Seventh Annual Pattern-Scale Contest. In addition to his duties as CD, Larry is highly qualified to speak on the subject of RC Scale, as he is a top grade scale modeler. The first portion of his letter is an announcement of the coming contest. Following that are some probing questions, with enlightening answers, concerning our hobby and sport, from the view-point of a contest oriented person. "The Milwaukee Flying Electrons, one of America's largest R/C clubs is hosting its Seventh Annual Pattern-Scale Contest on August 19 and 20, 1978 in Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin (a suburb of Milwaukee).
Radio Control: Scale
INFORMATION SOURCES: The book "Veteran and Vintage Aircraft" by Leslie Hunt (The Garnstone Press Limited, 59 Brompton Road, London SW3 1DS) contains a listing of the world's aeronautical museums and collections of civil and military, as well as individual display and privately owned aircraft. The era covered includes the two World Wars and the period between. Nine thousand fascinating and rare machines are described and listed according to location with a cross index to plane names. The book contains a list of useful addresses and the locations of the world's major aviation collections, a large percentage of which are here in the U.S. Knowing where to gather information on the plane of your choice is a long step in the direction of accurate documentation and construction.
