Control Line: Combat
Charlie Johnson
The Bladder Grabber and the Meet
TOPS. The Bladder Grabber has evolved into the premier Combat contest staged in the United States. The event is sponsored by Bob Carver, who donates upwards of $6,000 in stereo components and prizes each year. Anyone who has won some of the goodies at these meets and then goes into a stereo store to purchase additional items knows the VIP treatment they receive when they mention they have Carver Corporation equipment.
The contest drew 38 entries this year from the Western states—and even a couple from Michigan. Besides the outstanding prizes, the meet has good organization and a lot of flying because it is full triple-elimination. Hulan Matthies (Los Angeles, CA) was first and won about $3,000 worth of merchandise. They had to re-grid the southern California power system before he could fire up his new amplifier. Hulan destroyed his fleet of models on his way to the win—as well as a few belonging to Rich Lopez.
Howard Rush got a little low on models on his way to second place, so he used his FAI model—which did the job by winning the match. Adding eight feet of wire to the FAI didn't slow it down much from its usual 115+ mph.
Steve Kott flew in from Detroit and made the journey worthwhile by taking third. Norm McFadden, like Howard Rush, is from the Seattle area and kept part of the glory for the locals by taking fourth.
Competition Corner Phantoms
While I was at the Nationals this past summer, I got a close look at some of the fine models available from Competition Corner, 101 Forest Dr., Advance, NC 27006 — or call (919) 998-5632. They make a series of 1/2A, A, Slow, and Fast models called Phantoms. All are very well done and include just about everything you'll need to complete the model. The 1/2A will even have the covering included.
Bob Dalton saw me flying a 1/2A built from one of his kits and was worried I'd get the wrong impression, since it wasn't one of the better-built models. We'd been epoxying on extra weights trying to get it to fly decently. Bob UPS'd the model Wayne Foster used to win second at the Nationals the past summer. What a treat! A complete model, with spare bladders and instructions. Just add a good TD .049 and hot fuel, and have a good time.
Not everyone gets a factory model to fly, but I'm sure most of us could build one that would fly about as well, since the kits are really well-done. It's very hard to goof up. The 1/2A is very strong and has held up a lot of abuse already.
Pricing:
- Kits run $10 each or 3 for $29 (1/2A).
- AA-size: $15 single; Fast Phantoms three for $44.
- Slow Phantom: $16 for one or $47 for three.
I think after you try your first model from Competition Corner, you'll agree they are much nicer models than anything anywhere near this price range. Clubs might be interested in having 1/2A Phantom Combat using only this one design. The kits come with plans and some very useful tips on building and flying.
Control Line: Combat
Pit-Pac and Gear
A few days after getting the model, I received some pictures of the pit-pac that Bob Dalton uses for both Combat and Racing. He'd seen many pit-box setups at the Nats; some that were bare minimum, and others that were "full-house" and had everything but the kitchen sink. Many of the boxes were so cluttered with non-essential junk that matches were lost from fumbling through layers of stuff trying to find the needed part. Losing the match on the ground is one of the hardest ways to get knocked out of eliminations, but it's common in Fast and Slow — and even worse in FAI, with two models (and 1/4A, where the little deltas are cranky).
Bob's pit-pac is based on the Goldberg Mini-Tote, with a few modifications:
- A fuel can added to one end.
- Sig fuelers mounted to the other end.
- A Glo-Bee mounted on a small tray built into the handle.
- The important stuff placed on top where it belongs.
- A drawer divided into compartments to keep little things from getting mixed up.
- Syringes elevated to keep goop out of their nozzles.
- Primary and backup Glo-Bees positioned so the mechanic can see the meter.
Complete plans and precut plywood pieces necessary to modify a Goldberg Mini-Tote are available from Competition Corner. Most of the hand tools are from Sears, and the plans list them along with their Sears stock numbers. Turn in those cardboard pit boxes and get on the phone to Competition Corner — they'll be able to make you at least look like a pro.
Safety
We should be in the back pages of the magazine by now, so I'll tell you my latest thoughts on safety. Combat is a lot more dangerous than we'd like to admit. The majority of accidents — including minor — were never turned in to AMA's insurance carrier. If I hadn't had my own medical insurance, it would have cost me several thousand dollars. Most spectators wouldn't like the idea of a cut-away model flying into their leg, so rather than ignoring the cosmetic damage, they might want to sue for a large settlement. If the insurance company gets hit by one of these big-time settlements, it will either cut back on coverage or raise rates, which will make it harder for clubs to host combat events.
Safety recommendations:
- Wear eye protection.
- Set up safety lines and keep spectators well back.
- Train helpers and mechanics to be careful when handling hot props and models.
- Use safety tethers on all control-line models.
- Tie the engine to the bellcrank, as is done in FAI.
- Consider good protective helmets for those in the circle.
- Have a Circle Marshal or Event Director control who goes in and out of the circle and give permission before anyone enters.
It may wind up costing you $30 for a license and $300 for competition insurance!
Drinking, Drugs, and Responsibility
The last thing I'd like to bring up — and the main reason for putting it at the end of the article — is the problem of drinking and drugs in our sport. It's happening in all the other sports, and I've really noticed it lately in ours. There are people flying while under the influence of cocaine and other drugs! There are drunk people trying to be jury members, mechanics, and even flying the models.
What you do on your time is a personal decision — but don't be a hazard to the rest of us. In the past couple of years we've had several serious accidents — none of which had anything to do with drinking or drugs. But what if one of these people causes a serious accident? All bets are off on the insurance coverage. You can be prosecuted in most states for criminal negligence and be sued for everything you'll ever see, not to mention the grief you could cause an innocent person.
Do your flying with some of those hot models from Competition Corner and leave the other stuff at home.
Charlie Johnson 3716 Ingraham St. San Diego, CA 92109
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
