RADIO CONTROL COMBAT
Greg Rose, 1312 NW 196th St., Edmond OK 73003
One indication that RC Combat is booming is the number of manufacturers that have begun to kit models or have added to their current model lines to fill the growing demand. It was not too long ago that we were forced to pick our way through swap shops, looking for a few out-of-production kits that might be suitable for use.
Today it's an entirely new picture (except that picking your way through a good swap shop is still a lot of fun) with more than a dozen active kit manufacturers producing models for 1/12-scale RC Combat! Changes on the manufacturing scene have filled this month's column, but before I move on to them, I have to correct some omissions from an earlier column.
A few months ago I suggested some sources for information on prototypical paint schemes for Scale RC Combat fliers, and I inadvertently left out the largest single source of Scale information available.
- Scale Model Research (Bob Bankas), 3114 Yukon Ave., Costa Mesa CA 92626; Tel.: (714) 979-8058. Scale Model Research has serviced the Scale community for years and offers "the world's largest collection of aircraft documentation." With 35,000 pages of three-views and line drawings, backed by more than 7,000 Foto Packs (200 just on Mustangs!), it's clear that Scale Model Research offers an impressive amount of information. The company also produces an annual Scale Aircraft Documentation and Resource Guide, featuring several articles of interest to scale modelers. The lead article in this year's guide is an excellent primer on Scale Combat. With a resource of this size available, the problem may not be finding a good paint scheme for your fighter, but deciding which one to use!
There are two companies that produce decals in 1/12 scale that should also be mentioned:
- Major Decals, 21 Fisher Ave., East Longmeadow MA 01028.
- Model Graphics, 121 Cove Rd., Hemphill TX 75948.
Both offer pressure-sensitive decals in a wide variety of 1/12-scale markings. Regardless of which model you choose to build, these accurate scale markings can really dress up your project.
The Microburst 1/2A Open RC Combat design is now kitted by ShearWind Products, 2015 Hickory St., Ft. Lupton CO 80621; Tel.: (303) 857-1306. The company name and phone number for the Microburst that appeared in an earlier column are no longer valid.
Manufacturing News
- Pica Products, 2675 NE 188 St., Miami FL 33180; Tel.: (305) 932-8008. Pica has recently introduced three new 1/12-scale models designed for sport and RC Combat flying: the Pica Me 109, P-51 Mustang, and F-82 Twin Mustang. The kits feature a unique laser-cut "laser lock" design that snaps together to shorten building time and forces proper alignment as each progressive step is locked in place. The kits include ABS-formed cowls, a PETG-formed canopy/turtledeck that also cuts building time, CAD-generated plans, preformed landing gear, and pressure-sensitive decals.
- Al Culver Kits, Box 469, Potlatch ID 83855; Tel.: (208) 875-1347. Al Culver has introduced its second kit for Combat fliers. In addition to the Ki-84 Frank already produced, Al has added the Romanian IAR 80 fighter. The IAR 80 features cut-foam fuselage and wings, balsa tail assembly, formed PETG cowl, and vac-formed clear canopy. Being an indigenous Romanian design, the IAR 80 is not as well known as some other fighters that served alongside it, yet its clean design allowed it to perform well despite limited horsepower. The IAR 80 soldiered in front-line service throughout WWII, switching sides when Romania joined the Allied side late in 1944. Those same clean lines help build a very nice-looking model.
- JDB Aerotec, 2202 Beck Ln., Lafayette IN 47905; Tel.: (765) 474-1738. JDB has introduced another scale RC Combat flier, a 52-inch-span Lockheed P-38 Lightning. The kit features cut-foam wing and fuselage pod-and-booms with a balsa tail assembly. The 52-inch-span kit includes lightweight fiberglass cloth cover for foam parts and a clear vac-formed canopy. It is designed for two .15-size engines.
- Hobby Hangar, 1862 Petersburg Rd., Hebron KY 41048; Tel.: (606) 334-4331. Hobby Hangar has expanded its kit line, adding four models formerly produced by Ron Daniels Designs. Joining Hobby Hangar's P-47B Thunderbolt are four Hawker designs: the Typhoon, Tempest Mk. V, Tempest Mk. II, and the Sea Fury. All of the new Hawker designs feature laser-cut balsa and plywood parts, vac-formed cowls for the inline designs (the Typhoon and the Tempest Mk. V), vac-formed canopies, and full landing gear hardware and door covers for the sport flier. Hobby Hangar also offers a "dress-up kit" to allow the sport flier to add details such as cannon barrels and bombs. The kits have been powered by a variety of .15–.26 engines and reportedly keep their good flying characteristics throughout this power range. Also in store at Hobby Hangar is a "bubble-top" version of the P-47 kit that they currently produce as a "razorback."
- War Zone Models, 17 Essia Dr., Rochester NY 14612; Tel.: (716) 227-0592. War Zone has introduced the Curtiss P-40B Warhawk to its line of Combat kits. In anticipation of any upcoming changes in RC Combat rules, War Zone is producing two versions of the P-40: a "210S" version with a 39-inch wingspan that meets the .20 requirements, and a 41-inch-span "2610" version. The kit features cut-foam fuselage and wings, balsa tail assembly, and a vac-formed canopy and cowl. War Zone has also introduced a new feature on the P-40 that has been incorporated into existing P-47 Thunderbolt, F8F Bearcat, and Ki-84 Frank kits: clear PETG cowls. In addition to having better impact resistance than polystyrene, the clear cowls make it much easier for the builder to make engine cutouts and cowl-mounting holes.
I've run out of room, but not news. There will be more news and pictures next time. Until then, fly Combat, fly safely, and always be sure to check your six!
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
