CONTROL LINE COMBAT
Rich von Lopez, 8334 Colegio Dr., Los Angeles, CA 90045
2004 World Championships — proposal for a preliminary contest
The topic of an event that will take place in the year 2004 may seem a bit premature, but it is worth consideration now. The 2004 Control Line World Championships (WC) will take place in Muncie, Indiana.
While at the 2002 WC in Sebnitz, Germany, I suggested holding a preliminary contest before the WC that would be open to all competitors and flown as a triple-elimination event. The rules would be those used for Fast Combat; the only exception would be that competitors must use Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (FAI) models and fuel.
This format would give all of the Americans who do not make the U.S. team a shot at the Europeans and at all of the others who are present at a WC. The idea behind the use of the Fast rules is to limit the carnage to the fleets of WC models and to give the non‑Americans a taste of how we fly Combat in the U.S.
To make this event attractive to the foreign competitors, I proposed a $2,000 cash prize, or even more with sponsorship. I am certain that if we offer cash through fifth place, most of the top fliers would arrive a few days early to have a go at the dough. The British, Germans, Russians, French, Spaniards, and many others seemed keen on the idea. I am hoping that we can talk this up and make it a reality.
In 1984 at the WC in Chicopee, Massachusetts, we did have a preliminary contest that drew more than 20 entries, with no advertised money. Jeri Karger of Germany won that contest and was surprised when he received three crisp $100 bills to boot. I have not read or heard of any of the overseas contests being flown for money.
A preliminary contest run with Fast Combat rules would certainly require fewer officials than a full‑blown FAI competition. Give it some thought and write to me and to the Miniature Aircraft Combat Association (MACA) with your input.
Summer 2002 Fast Combat events
During the summer of 2002, many pilots participated in a couple of the larger triple‑elimination Fast Combat contests.
Bladder Grabber (BG) — Snohomish, Washington
- Sponsored by Bob Carver through his Sunfire Corporation.
- Not only is there cash for the top finishers, but approximately $16,000 worth of high‑end stereo equipment was awarded in 2002.
- The 2002 Bladder Grabber saw a young lady named Milissa Huber, flying in her first BG, put kills on some of the top pilots.
- Top finishers (2002):
- David Owen, Nashville, Tennessee — 1st
- Jeffrey Rein, Pacific Northwest — 2nd
- Tim Strom, Pacific Northwest — 3rd
- Mitchell Cleveland, Kenner, Louisiana — 4th
- Darrin Albert, San Diego, California — 5th
This contest has the best payday for Combat pilots anywhere in the world. Watch for a date change for this event; it may move to August in 2003.
Riverside Combat Challenge — California
- Organized by Bill Maywald, MACA newsletter editor, who obtains sponsorship for the contest.
- $2,000 in cash was given to the top three places at the 2002 edition.
- Riverside in August is hot; temperatures in 2002 were roughly 105°F. Fortunately, many shade trees provide camp areas.
- Bill Maywald has made it a tradition to provide lunch for the competitors on both days of the contest.
- Top finishers (2002):
- Richard Stubblefield, Houston, Texas — 1st
- Russ Graves, Long Beach, California — 2nd
- Greg Hill, San Diego, California — 3rd
The Riverside Combat Challenge is flown on the American Youth Soccer Association facility. This group has asked if the contest could be moved to June in 2003.
Allenplane kits and parts
For pilots who still like to build kits, Bill Maywald is offering an improved version of the Allenplane. The foam cores for this model are computer‑cut and accurate. Pricing: $35 for one kit or $30 each if you order six or more kits.
Bill also offers metal engine mounts and double‑bellcrank shutoff systems. I built some of the Allenplane kits in the past, and they just fell together. This is a good alternative to the ready‑to‑fly Russian‑style models.
Contact
- Bill Maywald
719 Allen Dr., Corona, CA 91719 Tel: (909) 280‑9720
Give this preliminary‑contest idea some thought and send your input to me and to MACA.
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
