To me, F3A is those beautiful look a like planes, and scale is IMAC. F3A is meant to be as accurate and majestic as possible, within the rules. This means that the plane takes up the form to best fit the job. By using scale planes, you will get rid of some of this, and thats why it is not used as often IMO. However, there have been a few guys using scale planes in the past. Walking by the pits in the W/C, I saw a Giles flown by a Norwegian, and an Extra, from I don't know where. There is nothing of course, stopping you from using a scale plane, and it might be refreshing to see it. At our level, chances are it won't make a difference, and you will get some good fun out of it. Its also interedting to note that CPLR 'broke the mold' (well, sort of), with the Caprise, which resembles the Cap. That is still IMO one of the nicest F3A planes out there.
My 14c.
Robert.