Author: G. Rose
Edition: Model Aviation - 1999/05
Page Numbers: 114, 115
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RADIO CONTROL COMBAT

Greg Rose, 1312 NW 196th St., Edmond OK 73003

A new day has dawned on radio-control Combat in the U.S., with the attainment of official Special Interest Group (SIG) status with the AMA. This status recognizes the RC Combat movement for what it is: a growing force of RC fliers who have proven that Combat can be flown safely and is one of the most fun events the AMA has to offer.

(Okay, maybe I'm a little prejudiced, but I still have a blast every time I fly it, watch it, photograph it, talk about it, or write about it.)

SIG recognition and background

As a SIG, there is a big set of footsteps in which to follow. Existing groups have done a wonderful job of promoting and developing their events and supporting their members. Those groups include:

  • International Miniature Aircraft Association (IMAA)
  • International Miniature Aerobatic Club (IMAC)
  • League of Silent Flight
  • Miniature Aircraft Combat Association
  • National Association of Scale Aeromodelers (NASA)
  • Scale Warbird Racing Association
  • Society of Antique Modelers
  • and others

The names of the people who worked together to obtain SIG status are too numerous to mention. Virtually every member—and many non-members—of the ASDA worked in some way toward obtaining this goal, and they all deserve a big “thanks.”

A special thanks to Sandy Frank, AMA District VIII Vice President, for his efforts in taking our case directly to the AMA and supporting the idea of one SIG to represent all RC Combat fliers at the highest levels. (Maybe I’ll even watch his six for him in Combat; nah, he wouldn’t enjoy it if we cut him any slack in the air.)

It was a difficult job well done by everyone. Now it’s time to roll up our sleeves and get to work building a SIG that all RC Combat fliers will be proud of.

Name and representation

What will the SIG’s name be? As of this writing, it is still the American Scale Dogfighters Association (ASDA), but the name may have changed by the time you read this.

The problem with the ASDA name is that, although the SIG grew from the nucleus of .704-scale Combat fliers, it was built on the idea of including all RC Combat fliers—both scale and non-scale. So “Scale” may be dropped, and perhaps “RC” added, to make something such as the American RC Dogfighters Association, or an entirely new name may be chosen.

Regardless of its decided-upon name, all RC Combat fliers will be represented by their own national SIG.

Joining and contact

You can join by contacting the ASDA Membership Department at:

  • ASDA Membership Department, 20300 Lochmoor, Harper Woods, MI 48225

I would like non-scale Combat fliers of all types to contact me at the address at the top of this column, or contact Sandy Frank at:

  • Sandy Frank, 105 N. Brazos St., Weatherford, TX 76086

We want information about the kinds of Combat events you fly so that work toward a national ranking system can begin.

National ranking and rules

One of the larger challenges the SIG will face is developing a national ranking system for RC Combat pilots, regardless of what Combat event they fly. A certain commonality in rules—especially in safety-related areas—is also planned. This is an area where rules proven successful in one event can be applied to other events to increase fliers’ safety and enjoyment.

It will be much harder to apply common scoring systems. Perhaps a handicapping structure—adjusting results or standings in any one event—can be developed to obtain relative rankings across very different events.

I’m looking forward to the changes in RC Combat that will result from this cross-pollination of ideas.

New and non-scale models

I’ve even built my first non-scale Combat model: a Combat .20. However, ties to the past are hard to break; I couldn’t resist adding a yellow .704 wing. With an O.S. Max .15 FP for power and three standard Futaba servos, the model weighs in at two pounds, one ounce. My grandson, Austin Rose, makes the model seem much bigger than it is—the wingspan is 36 inches!

The Combat .20 is available from Lynch’s Hanger:

The site has details on the Combat .20 and the larger Combat .40.

.704-scale Combat scene

JDB AeroTec has sent a picture of its new Ki-100 kit (which I mentioned in my last column). As does the full-scale Ki-100, the kit uses the same wings, tail, canopy, and rear fuselage as the Ki-61 Tony, but the forward fuselage is reshaped to accept the radial cowl and larger engine in the nose. The kit uses cut-foam construction with balsa tail feathers and a clear vacuum-formed canopy.

Contact:

  • JDB AeroTec, 2202 Beck Lane, Lafayette, IN 47905; Tel.: (765) 474-1738

Reference books

Any scale modeler, Combat or not, may be interested to know that John Fredrickson, author of the five-volume Model Warplane series, is offering his remaining inventory at special savings to modelers. These books are an excellent reference source—especially if you’re looking for plans on obscure designs.

Contact:

  • John Fredrickson, 461 Loring Ave., Salem, MA 01970; Tel.: (508) 745-9849

Scratch-Built Beauty

This month’s Scratch-Built Beauty photo could be entitled, “How did they fit a full-scale Bearcat on Jeff Weiss’s driveway?” Although the model was built from one of Jeff’s Air-Kill laser-cut sport kits that includes landing gear and wheels, I had to include it as a scratch-built to show off the quality of finishing that Jeff obtains when he builds.

The kit is available as a “sport hardware” version (as shown) or a gearless “combat hardware” version at a slightly lower price. Both versions come with a styrene vacuum-formed cowl, a scale-outline canopy, and laser-cut wood parts.

Contact:

  • Air-Kill Products, 14 Shady Lane Court, Sacramento, CA 95834; Tel.: (916) 425-9933

Unfortunately, Jeff did not send details with the photo, but the sharp eye can spot one big difference from most 1/2-scale fighters: a steerable tailwheel is attached to the rudder for control during takeoff. This airplane must look great taking off from a paved runway!

Can you build your kit to look as nice as Jeff’s does? Sure you can—if you’re really good!

Until next time, fly safe, fly Combat, and be sure to check your six! ★

Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.