RC SCALE
Jack Buckley’s Tiger Moth makes a slow, beautiful pass on its way to winning Expert Scale at the AMA Nats.
MAKING CHOICES AND FOLLOWING THROUGH
By Stan Alexander | onawing4602@att.net
SCALE MODELS ARE GREAT fun, no matter what size they are. As many say, the larger they are, the better they fly. I’ve found this to be true.
Scale modelers are somewhat aviation historians as well. We try to find out the history of the aircraft we build and fly. Some compete, while others would rather enjoy Scale fly-ins that are scattered across the country.
Several types of modelers compete in Scale competition. Many buy a model and compete in Fun Scale. This class is broken down into Novice and Open classes. There is also the kit builder, who constructs his or her model and finishes it from a kit or purchases it from a kit-cutting company with plans.
Then there is the rarest of modelers—the scratch builder—who draws his or her own plans, cuts his or her own wood, builds the airplane, and then finishes and flies it.
One modeler whom I know has a wealth of knowledge and is what I call a true scratch-builder. Jack Buckley has won numerous contests with his 1/3-scale de Havilland DH 82A Tiger Moth. The full-scale aircraft is located close enough to Jack that he was able to visit, meet the owner, and photograph it extensively. He even took a ride in it.
It’s great if you are building a Scale masterpiece to have a sample of the paint from the full-scale aircraft, as well as being able to photograph both the inside and outside of the subject aircraft from all angles. Jack used a set of ribs from another design in this model.
The Tiger Moth’s wingspan is 134 inches and it weighs 40 pounds dry. The engine powering the gentle flier is a Desert Aircraft DA-50 gas engine, and it’s
Scale details on Jack’s model include the rib tapes, scale fittings, and the pitot tube. What else can you see?
This picture gives you a good idea of all of the details that you can add to a large model such as the Tiger Moth, including a full cockpit, instruments, a pilot, throttle, and an aerobatic harness.
controlled by a Futaba radio system. Jack molded all of the parts, such as the cowling, wheel pants, fuel tank, and oil tank. I hope you have a chance to see this masterpiece!
Build Tip of the Month
If you are building a really large model, why not check out wheelchair parts companies for wheels? They have different sizes and materials that can be used with some modifications. One company that even has large white tires is WheelchairParts.net.
RCScaleBuilder.com
RCScaleBuilder.com is one of the best sources for Scale modelers who are looking for hard-to-find parts. Check out the website and all of the information that is available.
Imagine one place where you can find updated source lists for companies around the world, documentation, build threads for almost every Scale kit produced, as well as plan-built airplanes or eight different Balsa USA Fokker D.VII builds. The membership dues are truly worth the small fee to join the group. It’s money well spent.
NASA Scale Classic
The RC Scale portion of the National Association of Scale Aeromodelers (NASA) Scale Classic will be held September 15-17, 2022, at the Butler Aircraft Modelers Society (BAMS) field in western Pennsylvania, approximately 35 miles north of Pittsburgh. The club has a manicured grass field with an unobstructed overfly area. Dry camping is welcome
Arizona; the Texas Scale Championships; AMA’s RC Scale Nats; and the 2022 Top Gun Invitational. Additional qualifiers will be announced on the U.S. Scale Masters Facebook page.
Fair skies and tailwinds.
This RCScaleBuilder.com page shows some of the different interests in Scale modeling that are available to view on the website.
This Curtiss Jenny was built by John Cole. It was finished as a Hedden fishing advertisement back in the day, which was very colorful and interesting. This is the type of model you can expect to see at the U.S. Scale Masters Championships.
(meaning no hookups or water). Motels and shopping are nearby as well.
Classes include Sportsman, Expert, Designer, Fun Scale, Team Scale, and Open Scale. Anyone can attend and fly in either Novice or Expert Fun Scale. The other classes you need to qualify for at one of the NASA Open Scale contests that are held across the country.
U.S. Scale Masters Championships
The U.S. Scale Masters Championships will be held October 19-23, 2022, in Mesa, Arizona. The Arizona Model Aviators will host the event. It’s been 20 years since the Masters were held there, and the club is truly looking forward to this year’s event.
Contestant eligibility is based on a qualification process, with past grand champions and contestants from the 2018 championships prequalified. More information about the qualification requirements is available on the website that is listed in “Sources.” Current qualifier events include the 2021 Hemet, California, Regional Qualifier; the 2022 Gunsmoke in Mesa,
A crowd inspects the Scale models at the Arizona Model Aviators field in Mesa AZ, where the U.S. Scale Masters Championships will likely be held in October 2022.
SOURCES:
National Association of Scale Aeromodelers Facebook Group
www.facebook.com/groups/410907139050612
Desert Aircraft
(520) 722-0607
www.desertaircraft.com
Futaba USA
(256) 461-9399, ext. 8, 3
www.futabausa.com
WheelchairParts.net
(866) 727-8626
www.wheelchairparts.net
U.S. Scale Masters Association
www.usscalemasters.org
U.S. Scale Masters Association Facebook Page
www.facebook.com/scalemasters
Arizona Model Aviators
www.azmodelaviators.com
