Radio Control: Combat
Byline
Greg Rose 1312 NW 196th St., Edmond OK 73003
Rule change: Profile fuselages in 3/4 Combat
"Shocked" is probably the best word to describe the feeling that most 3/4 scale radio control (RC) Combat fliers have about the passing of proposal SEB 99-1 to allow the use of profile fuselages in 3/4 Combat.
This proposal, which was not generally seen as a positive direction by many 3/4 modelers, surprisingly passed muster and will be incorporated into the 3/4 rules. Currently, most 3/4 fliers, contest directors, and kit manufacturers do not intend any quick change in the "status quo" of requiring built-up fuselages, but we will watch to see if the profile idea attracts many followers in 3/4 Combat. Stay tuned for new developments on this issue.
ASDA and Scramble newsletter
I received my first issue of Scramble, the official newsletter of the American Scale Dogfighter Association (ASDA). It is the publication for serious 3/4 fliers. Filled with event coverage and helpful hints from cover to cover, Scramble is the first professional publication that covers the whole world of 3/4 Combat exclusively for the RC 3/4 Combat flier.
Put out by D'Best Co., publishers of several other excellent magazines focused on modeling special interest groups, Scramble promises to be indispensable reading. A subscription is included with your ASDA membership.
For information on the ASDA and Scramble, contact: ASDA Membership Department, 20300 Lochmoor, Harper Woods, MI 48225.
New plans from Gus Morfis
Good news for scratch-builders: Gus Morfis Plans (4709 Green Meadows Ave., Torrance CA 90505; Tel: (310) 378-5679), who already offers more than two dozen sets of plans designed for the 3/4 modeler, now offers three new sets of 1/12-scale plans:
- Brewster Buffalo (portly)
- Bell P-39 Airacobra (sleek)
- Mitsubishi "Jack" fighter (produced late in WWII)
As Morfis designs new plans, they use balsa-and-plywood construction with built-up wings and fuselages. All three plans use a new, higher-performance airfoil to improve the models' flight characteristics.
Northwest Tool Supply — Curtiss P-40 Warhawk kit
There is some good news for those who prefer to build a kit rather than scratch-build: Northwest Tool Supply (6711 Rabbit Ct., Waldorf MD 20603; Tel: (301) 843-7601) has added the Curtiss P-40 Warhawk to its line of kits designed for 3/4 Combat.
Joining these Northwest Tool designs:
- Macchi MC-202
- Me 109
- Kawasaki Ki-61
- Hawker Hurricane
The P-40 uses the same quick-building balsa-and-plywood fuselage with a large vacuum-formed top to form the canopy and turtledeck in one piece. As with the Northwest Tool Hurricane, the P-40 uses foam construction for the wings (the other three designs have built-up wings) to decrease building time.
Beginner / entry-level kits
I'm often asked which kits are good beginner or "first fighter" kits that are a little easier to fly than most 3/4 models. The Northwest Tool Hawker Hurricane makes the short list of "confidence building" kits for the 3/4 event.
WarZone Models updates
WarZone Models has a new address: 3177 Latta Rd. #144, Rochester, NY 14612; Tel: (716) 227-0592. WarZone also sent pictures of its three Combat kits:
- Kawasaki Ki-84 "Frank"
- Grumman F8F Bearcat
- P-47 Thunderbolt
Construction on all three kits is fast-building cut-foam. Zig's Originals each feature fast-building cut-foam construction with vacuum-formed cowls and canopies, and all-balsa tail assemblies. As can be seen by photos (for example, Tarheel Hal), the kits can be built into very fine-looking scale Combat models.
JDB AeroTec — SBD Dauntless dive bomber
JDB AeroTec has a new kit for 3/4 Combat: the SBD Dauntless dive bomber. The SBD spans 41 inches and has 325 square inches of wing area. JDB AeroTec, 2202 Beck Lane, Lafayette IN 47905; Tel: (765) 474-1738, also sent photos of its new SBD.
Often overlooked by modelers, the Dauntless sank Japanese ships and was an important Allied weapon during WWII. As a 3/4 model the Dauntless's wide-chord wing is massive compared to some other wings used in 3/4 Combat. The 325 sq. in. wing area allows the SBD to whip around in a heartbeat.
JDB uses cut-foam construction with a somewhat different technique: several pieces of foam cut shorter as subassemblies to build the fuselage. The resultant model takes little time to assemble and follows the prototype contour better than kits using fewer cut-foam parts. The introduction of the SBD brings JDB's kit lineup to eight, including:
- P-40 Warhawk
- Ki-61 Tony
- Hawker SeaFury
- P-51 Mustang (bubbletop and razorback versions)
- Grumman F8F Bearcat
- Grumman F4F Wildcat
Norvel B15 Sport and A15BBR engines
For "new technology" fans, take a look at the new Norvel B15 Sport and A15BBR "high performance" .015-size engines.
With more than three years of development time, Norvel feels confident it is ready to open a new chapter in engine design. Aimed at leapfrogging current ABC technology, the two new Norvel designs offer "sleeveless" all-aluminum motors that use an anodized aluminum oxide ceramic treatment to allow the cylinder and piston to get better lubrication, better sealing, and easier break-in than previously possible with conventional high-performance engine design.
I haven't run one yet, so I can't attest to Norvel's performance claims, but I can attest to the high performance of Norvel's technical support hotline for the entire Norvel line of small engines. Quite a few companies could use Norvel's tech support line as a good example. Let's hope good technical support with easy access to knowledgeable technicians is a growing trend in modeling.
Charles County Windrifters meet
I would like to close with a remarkable photo from a meet at the Charles County Windrifters Radio Control Club in Baden, Maryland. In the original photo I counted 30 3/4 Combat models and a radio-control Hummer, complete with a Red Cross "T" flag!
Winners of the event were:
- Chris Shepard
- Jack Lewis
- Stan Blum
- Mark Wendt
I didn't receive any other details, but it looks as if the Windrifters had quite a fun day of Combat!
Till next time — fly safely and be sure to check your six!
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
