1995 Scale Masters

Bob Pickwoad (bobpi@primenet.com)
Mon, 18 Sep 1995 17:38:22 -0700

Hi, all

I'm finally recomvering from my "power run" to Ohio from Phoenix so I
thought I'd just share, for those interested, some thoughts on the WWI
entries. WWI aircraft were actually very well represented and there appears
to be a resurgence of this type of model at these meets.

There were 3 Fokker DVII's, 2 of which were 1/4 scale, and 1 1/3 scale; 4
Nieuport 28's, all 1/4 scale from the Proctor kits; 1 1/6 scale Jenny from
the Proctor kits; 2 Albatros DV's, 1/4 scale from (one guess allowed) the
Proctor kits, a 1/5 scale Phalz DIII, a 1/4 scale Sopwith Pup, and a 1/3
scale Fokker EIII. Proctor Enterprises also brought along, but did not fly,
the prototype for their 1/4 scale Fokker DVII kit, to be realeased in the
near future.

Most of these were flown in a very realistic manner including several
tip-overs on landing and many bruised wingtips were the result of landing on
a hard runway with a substantial 90 degree crosswind. The big EIII looked
especially real as it slowly plowed through the air (and I do mean slowly).
It utlized wing warping and was, at least to me, very impressive. The
judges, however, favored the WWII and jets, so regardless of how these guys
did, they really didn't have a chance to place high in the standings. I
thought that the Nieuports and Albatros's were the best flying of all the
models, but I'm biased towards the Proctor product.

I spent an evening with Dick Heining (sp?), the owner of Proctor
Enterprises, and learned the following: the lawyer for Ralph Beck, the
designer of the Jenny and Albatros, has convinced Ralph to absolutely forbid
the use of any of his plans, so Proctor is in the process of re-drawing the
plans and modifiying the kits. What the final result will be, as far as
scale accuracy, remains to be seen. The kits were not totally accurate in
any case. Interestingly, the design of the scale engines that are included
in these kits is also under the blanket of this legal hold, so these weill
have to be modified as well. Makes a lot of sense, right?

As a result of the poor standings of the WWI entries much discussion was
evident as to what one must fly to compete in events such as these to do
well. The bottom line seems to be that the a/c must be big, fast, and
preferably not have a propeller. Kind of leaves us WWI types out for the
latter two requirements. So, Dick Heining and a few of us are actively
engaged in pushing for a separation of classes and the resurgence of a major
type of WWI event in the west to compliment Rhinebeck. I've competed at
Rhinebeck several times before I moved west, and as good as it is, it's just
a bit too far for most of us out here west of the Mississippi. We also feel
that the weather is a bit more predictable in the Southwest (it was raining
and overcast in Ohio, not to good for the fabric and wood).

As this idea progresses (or, degresses) I'll keep y'all posted. I hope it
happens, not so much for the idea of competition, but to keep alive the
spirit of WWI aircraft. Many guys have gone to the "heavy metal" just to be
able to compete. and this is a shame.

As always, however, it was great to associate with fellow modelers with
the same interests and debate the correctness and/or authenticity some of
the details of our planes and those of others. All in all, it was a great time!

Bob Pickwoad, Phoenix