- 53.1 Scope
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Sport Scale Competition comprises three events open to any model rocket that closely resembles an existing or historical
guided missile, rocket vehicle, or space vehicle, that has flown under rocket power. The purpose of this competition is to produce a flying replica of a real
rocket vehicle that exhibits maximum craftsmanship in construction, finish, and flight performance. Sport Scale Competition
differs from Scale Competition (Rule 50) in that the dimensions of the model are not directly measured.
- 53.2 Classes
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The following classes of Sport Scale shall exist:
- 53.2.1 Sport Scale
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Any size model may be entered.
- 53.2.2 Giant Sport Scale
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The model must be at least 100 centimeters in overall length or at least 10 centimeters in body diameter. Vehicles with
significant outer assemblies or winged vehicles qualify if their length plus wingspan totals at least 100 centimeters or if
their girth (as measured once around in a plane perpendicular to the centerline of the model by a length of string around
the components not including the fins or wings) totals at least 31.4 centimeters.
- 53.2.3 Peanut Sport Scale
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The model must be no more than 30 centimeters in overall length or no more than 2 centimeters in body diameter.
When judging this class, the increased difficulty of building a very small model should be considered.
- 53.3 Exclusions
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Sport Scale models of amateur rockets or missiles are specifically excluded from this competition, except when the
prototype is of obvious historical significance.
- 53.4 Non-Flying Prototypes
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Entries in Sport Scale Competition may model a non-flying or inert vehicle if its configuration is reasonably representative of a historical vehicle configuration.
- 53.5 Plastic Models and Kits
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Entries that qualify for Plastic Model Conversion Competition under Rule 55 are specifically excluded from this event. Parts
from commercial plastic kits may be used on Sport Scale models, provided this is pointed out in the data presented with the
model for judging.
- 53.6 Data
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The contestant must supply data to substantiate his/her model’s adherence to scale in shape, color, and paint pattern.
- 53.7 Stages
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If the prototype is a multi-staged vehicle, the scale model may be designed so that some or all of the upper stages are
inoperable dummies. However, a scale model of only the upper stages of a multi-staged vehicle may not be entered without
the operable lower stage(s) unless specific data is furnished to prove to the judges that the upper stage configuration has
flown separately, alone, and as a vehicle itself.
- 53.8 Transparent Fins
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If the prototype is not stabilized by means of fins, or if the scaled fins are not of sufficient size to ensure the stable flight of
the model, the scale model may be fitted with transparent plastic fins to make it stable in flight. However, the transparent
fins and their attachment shall be judged for craftsmanship along with the model.
- 53.9 Judging
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Models shall be judged for static points in the following manner: Scale-like qualities are to be judged from a distance of at
least one meter from the model. Judges may then closely examine the model to judge it for craftsmanship.
- 53.10 Details
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Details that are not visible during judging (e.g., dummy engines, hidden interior assemblies) shall not be considered in
scoring the entry.
- 53.11 Flight
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Each entry shall make a safe, stable flight. If the entry does not make a safe, stable flight, it shall be disqualified.
- 53.12 Static Points
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Static points shall be awarded according to the following schedule:
- 53.12.1 Similarity of Outline: 200 points
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The contestant is required to submit data to substantiate his/her model’s visual resemblance to the prototype. Minimum
allowable data consists of:
- A line, tone, or color drawing; or
- One or more clear photographs, halftones, or photo-reproductions of the prototype, sufficient to show the
outline and general configuration of the prototype modeled
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Any entry not accompanied by the minimum allowable data as listed above shall be disqualified. The Judges may
disqualify any entry that, in their opinion, is accompanied by substantiation data of such poor quality as to fail to
convey a satisfactory impression of the outline and general configuration of the prototype.
- 53.12.2 Finish, Color, and Markings: 200 points
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The contestant should submit data to substantiate his/her model’s fidelity to the prototype. Suggested options include:
- One or more clear photographs, halftones, or photo-reproductions, including at least one in color. The
number of these submitted should be sufficient to substantiate additional views of the model on which the
color pattern and markings differ significantly.
- Other published pictorial representations, such as a color painting, or a drawing from a magazine.
- A detailed written description, from a reliable source, of the color scheme and markings, accompanied by a
drawing of the prototype on which the color scheme and markings described have been included. This
drawing may be neatly made by the modeler.
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Any entry not accompanied by data substantiating the finish, color, and markings of the prototype shall be given zero
points for Finish, Color and Markings, but shall not be disqualified from the competition.
- 53.12.3 Degree of Difficulty: 100 points
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Points shall be awarded according to the difficulty experienced by the modeler in building the model and adapting it for
flight. Minor consideration should be given to whether the model was built from scratch or a kit. Points should be
awarded for parts and details that were individually constructed by the modeler. (To facilitate judging, the contestant
should point out difficult assemblies or construction problems in his/her substantiation data packet.)
- 53.12.4 Craftsmanship: 300 points
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Points will be awarded for neatness, care in construction, craftsmanship of visible details, and quality of finish.
Consideration should be given to the invisibility of body seams and wood grain, the proper curving of curved lines, and
edges made properly sharp or rounded as visible from the substantiating data. The finish should be free of fingerprints,
brush strokes, runs, or other unintentional blemishes; and the paint pattern should be well defined. The details should
be precise, and neither more nor less obvious than on the prototype.
- 53.13 Flight Characteristics: 300 points
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Flight points shall be awarded according to the following schedule:
- 53.13.1 Mission: 200 points
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Mission points are awarded for appropriate and scale-like operation of the model during flight. Examples of such
operations are staging, simulated cloud seeding, operation of electronic payload, and smoke ejection. Any such
operation must comply fully with the safety standards set forth in this NAR Sporting Code. If it does not, the entry shall
be disqualified. The RSO is the only official who may judge the safety qualities of the operation.
- 53.13.2 General Flight: 100 points
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General Flight points are awarded for proper operation of the model during flight, including launch, lack of misfires,
stability, recovery, and lack of damage on landing. No consideration should be given to staging or scale-like flight
characteristics, as these are covered under Mission points; however, if the general flight performance of the model is
adversely affected by the failure of one or more of these aspects, points may be deducted from General Flight.
- 53.14 Scoring
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Sport Scale Competition shall be scored as follows: the points awarded to the entry in static judging shall be added to the
points awarded to the entry in flight. The contestant receiving the highest score is the winner.
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Weighting Factor 20
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