Radio Control: Combat
Greg Rose, 3429 Elmy, Orion, MI 48359
ONE OF THE BEST modeling trade shows is the great Toledo R/C Expo, hosted by the Toledo Weak Signals club. The club puts forth a super effort for a super crowd and the whole modeling community should thank them for their effort in hosting this huge event.
One of the things I enjoy about these large trade shows is having the opportunity to see what's new for modelers. This year's Toledo show was no exception; here is a sampling of some of the things R/C Combat fliers (Scale 704 fliers and non-Scale Combat fliers) might find interesting.
Toledo R/C Expo highlights
- Mey's Hi‑Tech Hobby (10 Starr Rd., Danbury, CT 06810; Tel: (203) 743‑7259) introduced their line of AcuScale scale fighters for the AMA 704 event. The popular P‑51 Mustang and the F4U Corsair are the first two models available, with others promised later. Both models feature durable fiberglass fuselages, foam‑core wings with carbon‑fiber spars, clear vacuum‑formed canopies, precut formers and tail feathers. According to Mey's, the larger Corsair can easily be built under the 22‑pound weight limit for competition in the 704 event. The Mustang and Corsair were both displayed at Toledo and build into very attractive models. Mey's also suggests that the AcuScale models can be flown for sport, converted to electric power, or built as slope soarers. Look for an FW‑190A and a P‑47 Thunderbolt from Mey's in the near future.
- Lynch's Hangar (2525 Center St., Caro, MI 48723; Tel: (517) 673‑7116) showed Vic Lynch's scaled‑up Combat .20 design, now the IMAA‑legal Giant Combat 2.7. With an 81‑inch wingspan, 1,600 sq in wing area, and a weight of about 14 pounds, the Giant Combat 2.7 is a very large Combat model. (Perhaps it's designed for the upcoming IMAA Combat event — NOT?)
- Lanier RC (Box 458, Oakwood, GA 30566; Tel: (770) 532‑6401) displayed their brand‑new Shrike design. This sharp‑looking model has a 35½‑inch span tapered wing with 329 sq in area; the wide fuselage likely adds more lifting area. The large fuselage has ample room for full‑size servos. Even with full‑size equipment the model weighs 28 to 32 ounces when powered by a .10 to .15 engine. With "no plastic other than the canopy," the Shrike represents a new construction type for Lanier — a company famous for all‑plastic ARF designs. The Shrike is their first all‑balsa design, with accurate laser‑cut parts, interlocking formers and tabbed wing ribs that build easily on a flat surface. With its jet‑fighter looks, expect to see more than a few Shrikes in Combat this summer.
- Aspect Aviation (2874 Beland, Keego Harbor, MI 48320; Tel: (810) 681‑5480) introduced the little Hyper Bee. With a stubby 31½‑inch wingspan and 283 sq in of wing area, this .074 to .15‑powered model lives up to its name — especially the "hyper" part. Weighing about 1½ to 2 pounds (depending on engine), the Bee can be used for Open Class Combat or as a "Combat trainer" for 704 Scale events. The Bee has conventional balsa/plywood construction; bright‑yellow covering with black trim looked especially sharp.
Other news
- Zigg's Originals has a new address: 105 Swanton Rd., Madison, WI 53714; Tel: (608) 249‑4480. Zigg's produces several 1/12‑scale kits for R/C Combat, including the Me 109, F4U Corsair, A6M Zero, FW‑190A and F6F Hellcat. Call or write for up‑to‑date product information.
- Great Lakes Hobbies (2709 Mt. Olivet, Kalamazoo, MI 49004; Tel: (616) 349‑8862) introduced their Super Sport .25 for Open Combat and sport flying. With conventional balsa‑and‑plywood construction, the 36‑inch span constant‑chord wing has 375 sq in area. Powered by a .15 to .25 engine, the Super .25 typically weighs 2 to 2½ pounds. The fully symmetrical wing is shoulder mounted to make hand‑launching very easy.
Scratch‑built beauty
This month's scratch‑built beauty award goes to Martin Chorley of Carrollton, Texas for his superbly detailed Me 262. Martin's "stormbird" was built in nine months from Gus Morfis plans (4709 Green Meadows Ave., Torrance, CA 90505; Tel: (310) 378‑5679). It has a planked fuselage covered with 3/4‑oz glass cloth mated to a built‑up wing. The model is covered with Coverite and uses Perfect Paint for its finish. The markings are painted on or are modified Major Decals. Martin used four microservos to save weight; the extra servo is for the rudder to provide control in case of engine failure. Slightly overpowered for 704 with two ASP ABC .12s (combined displacement allowed for twins in 704 Combat is only .21), the model came out right at the 2‑pound weight limit. According to Martin, the first flight looked hopeful, but slight incidence adjustment was required.
Notes and reminders
Due to my travel schedule for my real job, I've fallen behind on correspondence. Thank you for your patience as I try to catch up with your letters. Keep those letters and photos coming — your club's R/C Combat activity is what the sport, and this whole column, is all about.
With the Combat season in full swing, make sure to check Model Aviation's "Contest Calendar" every month for news on 704 and other Combat events in your area. Please remember that every flier's focus should be on safety first. Good hunting, and never forget to check your six!
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
