RADIO CONTROL: COMBAT
Greg Rose — 3429 Elmy, Orion, MI 48359
This is a continuation of the kit manufacturers list I started in the last issue. The following are non-scale designs used for Open RC Combat. Although there are many suitable designs used for the event, these are the ones typically used.
Aerocraft
Address: 432 Hallett Ave., Riverhead, NY 11901 Tel.: (516) 369-9319
Aerocraft kits the Snapper. It's a balsa-and-plywood construction, twin-tailboom kit and includes most hardware required for assembly. It has a 34-inch wingspan with 288 square inches of wing area, and typically weighs 27 ounces. Aerocraft recommends the model be powered by a .12–.15 engine.
Aspect Aviation
Address: 2874 Beland, Keego Harbor, MI 48320 Tel.: (810) 681-1007
Aspect Aviation kits the Hyper Bee. This little model is very maneuverable and can be used for Combat or as a .074 scale trainer. The Hyper Bee's wingspan is 31.5 inches with 283 square inches of wing area, and is typically powered by a .074–.15 engine. The model weighs 1.5–2 pounds depending on engine size. The twin-tailed Hyper Bee has balsa-and-plywood construction.
Capstone RC
Address: 562 W. Schrock Rd., Westerville, OH 43081 Tel.: (614) 899-6313
Capstone RC offers the Pattern Bat. A "plank"-type flying wing, the Pattern Bat has an all-balsa built-up wing spanning 36 inches with 375 square inches of wing area. The model is powered by a .10 engine and typically weighs about 26 ounces. The Pattern Bat design has been used in Combat for more than a decade and is very popular in some areas of competition.
First Step R/C
Address: Box 40023, Georgetown, TX 78627 Tel.: (512) 869-2083
First Step R/C offers two Combat kits featuring foam-core wings and balsa-and-plywood fuselages. The FS-20 spans 39 inches, has 468 square inches of area, is powered by a .19–.25 engine, and typically weighs about 40 ounces. The butterfly-tailed Texas Scorpion also spans 39 inches, has 430 square inches of area, is powered by a .25, and typically weighs about 40 ounces.
G.A.P.P.
Address: 2475 North John Young Pkwy, Orlando, FL 32804 Tel.: (800) 325-4277
G.A.P.P. offers the versatile Diamond Dust, a delta flying-wing design that packs 575 square inches into a 34.5-inch wingspan. At a typical weight of 2.25–2.5 pounds when powered by a .20–.25 engine, the Diamond Dust is an impressive performer. The kit includes hardware and is of mixed construction with carbon spars, laser-cut balsa and plywood, and some components made of Kevlar.
J.C. Industries
Address: 100 "A" St., Pittsburgh, PA 15235 Tel.: (412) 795-9344
J.C. Industries offers the quickly-built Fun Bat. The Fun Bat has a carbon-fiber tailboom, is powered by a .15 engine, and typically weighs 26 ounces. The 37-inch wingspan has 370 square inches of area. The wing uses foam-core board to keep weight down while still offering excellent strength. J.C. Industries also offers a 15-minute RC Combat video.
Lanier RC
Address: Box 458, Oakwood, GA 30566 Tel.: (770) 532-6401
Lanier RC offers the stylish Shrike, which has a jetlike look. The Shrike has a 35.5-inch-span tapered wing and 329 square inches of area. The large lifting-body fuselage allows plenty of space for installation of full-size servos. Weight is 28–32 ounces, powered by a .10–.15 engine. Unlike Lanier's earlier designs, the Shrike ARF features a plastic canopy. Lanier has made assembly easier with accurate laser-cut parts, interlocking formers, and tabbed wing ribs that build on a flat surface. AutoCAD-generated plans, instructions, and flying suggestions are included.
Lews Hobbies
Address: 24640 Clark Rd., Belleville, MI 48111 Tel.: (313) 654-0067
Lews Hobbies offers two Open RC Combat models. The Zip-Lou 15 R/C Combat wing spans 39 inches, has a tapered foam wing with 380 square inches of area, is powered by a .15 engine, and weighs 2–2.3 pounds. The larger Zip-Lou 25 has a 48-inch span tapered foam wing with 468 square inches of area, is powered by a sport .25 engine and weighs 2.5–2.8 pounds — a bit faster than the Zip-Lou 15. Both designs feature Voodoo-like floating stabs to improve elevator response.
Lynch's Hangar
Address: 2525 Center St., Caro, MI 48723 Tel.: (517) 673-7116
Lynch's Hangar offers two designs. Originally designed for Combat, the Combat 20 is a simple balsa-and-plywood design spanning 36 inches with 360 square inches of area, uses a .15–.25 engine, and weighs 36–40 ounces. The Zoomer 20 was originally designed for Sport and fun-fly events but has developed a Combat following. Looking like a Combat 20 with a redesigned tail, the Zoomer has a wide-chord wing that packs 506 square inches of area into its 36-inch span. Designed to handle slightly larger engines than the Combat 20, the Zoomer 20 is appearing more frequently in Combat meets.
Quality Aircraft
Address: 1646 Southwest Biltmore St., Port St. Lucie, FL 34984 Tel.: (407) 879-2772
Quality Aircraft kits the balsa-and-plywood Wild Thing. With a 36-inch span, 362 square inches of wing area, and powered by a .10–.15 engine, it typically weighs about 32 ounces.
The Wild Thing has a large following at the Palm Beach Aero Club (PBAC), which hosts an annual regional "Wild Weekend" event. The Wild Weekend is an Open class event designed for models about the size of the Wild Thing (it started as a one-design event several years ago). Simple guidelines for the model design at this event (a maximum .15 non-bearing engine, 32–40 inch span, 22–30 inch fuselage length, and a weight of 1.5–3 pounds) and a large monetary prize help make the Wild Weekend popular.
R.A. Cores
Address: Box 863, Southbridge, MA 01550 Tel.: (508) 765-9998
R.A. Cores kits the popular Gremlin flying-wing design. The design spans 48 inches and has 550 square inches of wing area. It flies well with a .25–.30 engine and weighs about 3 pounds. The Gremlin kit is offered as a complete kit, a "short kit," or just replacement wing cores.
Sig Manufacturing
Address: 401-7 South Front St., Montezuma, IA 50171 Tel.: (515) 623-5154
Sig Manufacturing kits the Wonder, which has become a popular Open RC Combat model and a common .049 trainer. Powered by an .09–.19 engine, the balsa-and-plywood kit has a wingspan of 37.5 inches, typically weighs 26–38 ounces, and has 338 square inches of wing area.
Although this is not a complete listing, the manufacturers listed above represent a sampling of what is happening in Open RC Combat today. Until next time, build straight, fly safely, and be sure to check your six!
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
