RADIO CONTROL COMBAT
Greg Rose, 1312 NW 196th St., Edmond OK 73003
With the Radio Control (RC) Combat movement continuing to grow in the United States, it isn't surprising to find that there are almost as many ideas about Combat as there are Combat fliers.
Although Open Class B and 2610 Scale Combat remain the most popular events, other events such as Slow Survivable Combat (SSC), SSC Scale, Open Class C, Pizza Box Flyers Combat, World War I Combat, and others have grabbed the attention of several Combat fliers.
As I mentioned a few columns ago, the third largest Combat event at this time is SSC. Its popularity has resulted not only in a lot of activity but a recently announced rules update. The "SSC Rules Change—Mid Year 2003" revision to the Radio Control Combat Association (RCCA) provisional rules don't affect the spirit of the event but do help clarify a few critical points.
SSC Rules Change — Mid Year 2003
The changes can be summarized fairly easily:
- The word "stock" was removed from the engine description, allowing a finer needle valve to be substituted and muffler baffle plates to be removed.
- The pilot is given a choice as to the method used by the technical inspector to test peak rpm, with either "pinching" the fuel line or "full access to the needle valve" as options. The actual peak rpm number remains unchanged at 17,500 rpm (with a Master Airscrew 8 x 3 propeller); only the method of performing the test has been updated.
- Random rpm checks have been added in every heat flown in addition to the complete precompetition checks already in place.
- Clearer options are now provided for bringing an engine that exceeds the maximum allowable rpm into compliance. Allowed measures include changing fuel, restricting exhaust or intake airflow, and mechanical or transmitter travel adjustments to limit carburetor opening.
For up-to-date information on the SSC rules and the SSC midyear rules changes for 2003, check the RCCA Web site at www.rccombat.com and follow the "Rules" link.
SSC Specifications
Other than the aforementioned changes, SSC has remained the same:
- Only .15-size engines are allowed, and they must be priced $60 or less.
- Only unmodified Master Airscrew 8 x 3 propellers are allowed.
- All engines are tested before combat to ensure that they cannot be made to exceed 17,500 rpm.
(The engine requirements were drawn up around the ubiquitous O.S. Max .15 FP and its lookalikes. I have five of these engines sitting idle since the changes in the old 704 Scale rules allowed introduction of some much-needed, more powerful engines.)
Design Requirements
The design requirements for the models remain unchanged and are simple:
- Minimum weight: 2.5 pounds
- Minimum wing area: 400 square inches
The freedom built into the design requirements has even allowed a "cartoon scale" version of SSC Combat to develop.
Kits, Plans, and Builders
As would be expected with any event growing in popularity, several SSC and SSC Scale kits are now available. Several free SSC plans can be obtained through the Internet. With simple rules and costs held in check, SSC can only grow in popularity as more fliers decide to get involved in RC Combat by choosing SSC.
#### Hat Trick Enterprises
One source you can't do without is Hat Trick Enterprises:
- Address: W8530 CTH S, Beaver Dam WI 53916
- Tel.: (920) 887-3225 (evenings only)
- Web: www.hattrickrc.com (or link through RCCA's "Kits and Plans")
Mike Fredricks at Hat Trick has long promoted SSC and SSC Scale, and the company offers several kits.
For SSC Scale, four kits are offered:
- Messerschmitt Me 109
- P-51 Mustang
- F4U Corsair
- Hawker Hurricane
All four designs feature a cut-down fuselage and wings with slots for fiberglass reinforcing rods and Coroplast tails.
For SSC (nonscale), the Mini-Choker, with its long span and E203 airfoil, is a competitive design and is recommended for experienced pilots.
Hat Trick also offers a Combat Promotion Guarantee: if you purchase several kits for your club to get Combat started and the members don't latch on, Mike offers a "no hassle" return of any kits you cannot sell. You pay the return shipping and Hat Trick will refund the cost of any unsold and complete kits purchased from them. Check the Hat Trick Web site for complete details.
#### Simple Plastic Airplane Designs (Spad)
Another "must visit" for SSC fliers is Simple Plastic Airplane Designs (Spad):
There you will find free plans for three SSC Combat designs under the "Spad Originals" link:
- SRR (Sassy's Rudder Rail): a rudder-and-elevator Coroplast design for SSC by Sassy.
- Spad H.O.R.: a V-tailed design by Collin "Kraut" McGinnis (the exact meaning of H.O.R. is not specified).
- Gnat: a flat-airfoil design by Gene "Tattoo" Tuinstra (named for the small, fast-moving insect).
I found the Gnat appealing and started building one the day I first saw the plans.
#### Other Resources
Another good Web site for fliers interested in SSC—especially SSC Scale—is Lou Melancon's site:
The site has several pages about SSC design, building tips, events, and flight reports.
In addition to the plans and kits mentioned, there are several other kits and designs that can be used for SSC Combat. If you have a simple sport .15-size engine sitting on your shelf, you are halfway there—put it to good use and go have a ball with it in SSC Combat!
Final Notes
That's all for now. Until next time, fly safely, fly Combat, and don't forget to check your six!
MA
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
