RADIO CONTROL COMBAT
Greg Rose, 3429 Elmy, Orion, MI 48359
Youth in RC Combat?
You bet! The excitement of scale and non-scale RC Combat attracts new fliers to model aviation, and many of them are young. The fast pace raises the action to a level higher than any video game, and the younger flier's fast reaction time may help when pitted against more experienced fliers.
Notable young pilots
- Lani Dawn Nishimura (12), Chicago
Lani Dawn's interest was sparked by RC Combat. Her father wrote that the group photo in a previous article shows the type of aircraft she wants—one that looks like a "fighter." Lani Dawn joined the PALOS RC Flying Club near Chicago and soloed within two months. She now flies a Great Planes Fun-One to hone her skills and is building a Precision Aero Wild Thing as a combat trainer. Her father says her "heart is in RC Combat."
- Jeff Gray (12), O'Fallon, Missouri
Jeff has flown control line for seven years and is co-building a Great Planes Trainer 40 with a friend. He asked for advice on what type of RC Combat model would be good to start with. The recommendation was an intermediate trainer (like the Wild Thing) to bridge the gap between the Trainer 40 and a first fighter. Even though Jeff wants a P-51 Mustang, all new .40 combat fliers—regardless of age—are advised to choose a kit or plans with the largest possible wing area.
- Steve O'Hearn (16), Cottage Grove, Minnesota
Steve has flown RC Combat for two years with the SodBusters of Minneapolis. He started on a PT-40 trainer, moved to a Sport 40 intermediate trainer, and in his second year built his first .40 scale fighter, a Ziggs Original Spitfire. Steve is active in the Northern Campaign (a round-robin scale RC Combat series hosted by three clubs in the Minneapolis area). He has not missed five combat events to date, ranks ninth in the Northern Campaign standings and fourth in his club. His second .40 fighter, a Me 109, was built from a Bent-Prop kit.
- Other SodBusters youth
Steve is the oldest of three young combat pilots with the SodBusters. The others are Rustin Wigton (12) and Chris Parent (15). Chris, an instructor at SodBusters and a five-year veteran of RC flying, began RC Combat in 1994 and now flies a Ziggs Original Corsair. The Corsair is slower than some other combat planes, but Chris says, "I know I can get it because I've done it; it just takes time." Chris likes RC Combat because it's different and not expensive. His student Rustin Wigton will fly his first-year non-scale combat event in a Precision Aero Wild Thing.
- Daniel Ligon (9), Austin, Texas
Daniel flies with the Austin Radio Controlled Association (ARCA). He started learning RC six years ago with instruction from his grandfather. On flying with older pilots he says, "I just like to fly. Sometimes they tease me, but they help me, and we're all friends." On being the youngest, he says, "Well, it always feels like I have something to prove." Does he enjoy RC Combat? "Oh yeah! It's the best thing I've ever done; it's really exciting!"
The fast-paced fun of RC Combat is a natural draw for any pilot—young or old, new or experienced. Try it; like Daniel says, "...it's really exciting!"
Scratch-Built Beauty of the Month
Although he is definitely not a teenager, this issue's Scratch-Built Beauty of the Month goes to Robert Caso and his beautiful Hawker Typhoon, built from CRX Scale plans. Rob used HobbyPoxy paint over SuperShrink Coverite on the wings and a dope-and-paper covering on the fuselage. The insignia are from Major Decals, but the letters and striping were painted on. Rob made the vacuum-formed canopy and fiberglass cowl himself, and he offers them to other scratch builders. He describes the Typhoon as a "very stable and predictable flier."
Contact information
- Robert Caso / Caso Combat Cowls
41 Estate Rd., Boyertown, PA 19512 Tel.: (610) 369-0822
- CRX Scale Plans
4709 Green Meadows Ave., Torrance, CA 90505 Tel.: (310) 378-5679
Well, that's all for now. Until next time: fly safely, get involved with young modelers, watch that streamer, and be sure to check your six.
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
