RC Scale

Author: Stan Alexander

Scale or not to Scale?
That is the question …

Strange title, isn’t it? Humans seem to always push the limits, change the bar, or invent new technology that causes change—and in some places, problems. As an example, look at the UAVs now in the news all of the time.

In Scale modeling circles, you have many choices that you didn’t have 20 years ago. Some will say you had these choices then, but now they are more “scale.” Different ways you can build an RC Scale model are as follows:

RTF: Ready to Fly aircraft usually require you to charge the battery, bind the transmitter, maybe put the wing on, and go fly. There’s not much to it. No “modeling skills” to speak of are required.

ARF: Almost Ready to Fly aircraft come with the big parts, most of the hardware, wheels, and some instructions. You’ll need to order the radio equipment, engine or motor, and any items needed to make changes to the model, balance it both front to back and side to side, and make sure all of the control surfaces are correctly joined. Manufacturers have made it so that you can either fly the aircraft with electric, gas, or glow power, so there are many more choices in this category. I think Sig Manufacturing coined the phrase “EG,” meaning electric or glow power.

Fiberglass/foam/carbon fiber: Fiberglass and foam have been around for many years. Carbon-fiber kits (which are expensive) are often extremely accurate, although I’ve sometimes seen the carbon-fiber weave through the paint—not cool!

Kit-built models: Are they still around? Yes, there are a few. Several companies still have scale kits—many are advertised in this magazine, while others are available online. You will get a feeling of accomplishment from building a kit. Top Flite still has them, and Sig Manufacturing and Balsa USA have large lines of scale kits. There is also a host of small kit manufacturers, as well as several laser-cut kits for all aircraft sizes.

Plan-built models: Plan-built is where you take a set of plans drawn by someone else and either purchase a short kit, a kit, or cut your own parts. In this day and age, the latter are few and far between. It’s time-consuming, but it is fun! Have you tried it? Try it on something simple and use a set of plans from a well-recognized designer who is known for parts accuracy and fit.

Scratch-built models: These models are built by real craftsmen. You don’t see many of them around anymore. In many ways we have become an ARF society. But a scratch builder draws his or her own plans or blows up a set of three-view scale drawings and then adds the bulkheads, ribs, and all of the other parts that are in a kit-built model.

In many cases, a scratch builder forms the model from fiberglass molds that he or she has made plugs for, then pulls the parts and if it’s correct, finishes and assembles the model. A few of these craftsmen include Bob Underwood, Hal Parenti, and Bob Patton, as well as an aeromodeler whose aircraft have been featured in these pages, George Maiorana.

CNC-built models: A new form of modeling has arrived in the Scale ranks, the Computer Numeric Controlled (CNC)-built aircraft. How should it be categorized? I would love to hear readers’ thoughts about this.

Help Is Available

There are many online resources for modelers who want to build Scale models. Sometimes it’s a kit

Bob Patton assembling a scale T-34B model — Bob Patton assembles his scratch-built fiberglass/foam 145-inch wingspan T-34B at the NASA Scale Classic. Bob constructed the molds then pulled the parts for this model.

as the Nats, in Sportsman, Expert, Team, or Designer Scale categories. Or you can still go and compete in Fun Scale Open or Novice Scale. Control Line Fun Scale and ½A Scale are also open to everyone.

The event has themed categories for RC. This year, it’s Golden Age Air Racers, pre-World War II. This competition is also open to everyone.

Top Flite P-47 model flying over a grass field — One of the most popular ARF warbirds on the market is the Top Flite P-47. This one belongs to Jim Martin, the contest director of the Scale Nats.

U.S. Scale Masters Championships

The 2015 U.S. Scale Masters Championships will be held at the Houston metro-area Bomber Field on October 8-11, with registration on Wednesday, October 7. The field has a large spectator area, camping, and family

B-17 model bomber flying over a grass field — This B-17, built and finished by Mike Grade, is a fiberglass/foam kit by WingSpan Models. The 138-inch wingspan bomber is powered by four Hacker A-60 electric motors and features beautiful weathering and details. There will be more about this model in a future column.

manufacturer, such as Top Flite or Sig Manufacturing, or it could be a website such as RCScaleBuilder.com, which has a wealth of information and products for Scale builders. Vendors that supply parts, such as Robart Manufacturing, are also good sources. I purchased ¼-scale J-3 Cub landing gear for my Pietenpol Air Camper from Robart Manufacturing, but there are many other companies.

Start thinking about what you would like to build for next year—be it a plan-built model with a kit from a kit cutter, or a kit-built model, or if you don’t have

much time, an ARF warbird. Make a selection and plan your next move!

NASA Scale Classic

The National Association of Scale Aeromodelers (NASA) Scale Classic will be held September 25-27, 2015, in Lexington, Kentucky, at the Lexington Model Airplane Club field. So how do you get to participate? Finish in the top 30% at a supporting Scale contest, such as

entertainment. For more information, visit the U.S. Scale Masters Association website listed in “Sources.”