RADIO CONTROL COMBAT
Greg Rose 3429 Elmy, Orion, MI 48359
Editor's note
This is clearly a shameless attempt to curry favor, and I'll only tolerate it 30 or 40 more times before I put a stop to it! I mean, grab your hat—it's too late to save your boots.
A few months ago, Model Aviation's managing editor Jim Haught wrote in his "Haught Corner" about the importance of keeping the "magic" in flying. I couldn't agree more. If I were to boil everything right down to the basics, the reason I fly—and the reason most of us fly—is for the fun. Period.
We need to keep in mind that modeling events must be enjoyable, or no one will want to fly in them. I've written much about safety rules in this column, but this time I'm going to put that all aside and just talk about some people having fun.
Keeping in mind that fun is the operative word in modeling, two clubs in Minnesota have figured out a great way to have fun with 3/4 Scale RC Combat. Modelers from the St. Paul RC Club have challenged the nearby Snohomish Sodbusters RC Club to a campaign of four events spread out between May and October.
Each club will host the event twice, with the Snohomish Sodbusters flying for the Allied forces and the St. Paul RC Club using models of Axis aircraft. The meets aren't exclusive, though—any AMA pilot in the area can join in. I've been promised photos and updates on the events, so stay tuned to news on the Snohomish/St. Paul front.
Better yet, pick your own fight with the club next to yours and have a ball. Whether you choose 3/4 Scale or a non-scale event, the dash of club rivalry will spice up everyone's day!
Kit modifications and unique builds
I think I can honestly say I've never built a model from kit or plans without changing something. For many of us, that's part of the pleasure of building. Mark McCool of Nashotah, Wisconsin looks like he enjoyed modifying the recently released Precision Aero Fw 190 D-9 model to the earlier Fw 190 A version.
Mark modified the earlier radial-engine Focke Wulf so he could power his model with a larger .21-size engine. He used microservos to keep the weight down to one pound, 14 ounces, covered his model with MonoKote, and painted the camouflage pattern using Rust-Oleum.
Another kit modification that fits right into the "just for the fun of it" category is a Zigg's Originals Zero modified by Kurt Zeigler into the RUFE floatplane version. Kurt didn't modify the kit to be more competitive or to make it easier to hand-launch; he just did it to see if it could be done. The uniqueness of the model makes it fun for him—nobody else flies a 1/2-scale RUFE floatplane.
Finding that people in far-away places share your interest is always fun, too. The scratch-built beauty of the month goes to a model all the way from Finland. Jukka Takamaa sent a photo of his Me 109, completed in Finnish markings from the 2/II LeLv30 squadron. His friend J. Pikkusaari supplied the nearly finished quarter-scale model in the background.
The Scale RC Combat movement in Europe uses models very similar to the ones used in 3/4 Scale RC Combat, but scoring is done differently. Jukka suggested that perhaps an intercontinental event could be put together in the future.
RC Combat news and new products
- CRX Scale — Gus Morfis, 4709 Green Meadows Ave., Torrance, CA 90505; Tel.: (310) 378-5679. Gus has new designs for 3/4 Scale RC Combat: the French Dewoitine D.520 and the Grumman F6F Hellcat. He's also ventured into jets: for the 3/4 event he added a North American F-86 Sabre (which uses an inconspicuous tractor prop to complement his MiG-15 design). For sport fliers he's offering a 1/2-scale Ar 234 jet twin because "it is kind of a neat-looking airplane."
- J.C. Industries — 1051 Universal Rd., Pittsburgh, PA 15235; Tel.: (412) 795-9344. Makers of the lightweight Sport Bat and Sport Bat 2 Combat models, J.C. Industries has produced a 15-minute video on RC combat with their designs. The video is available to dealers or clubs for $10. Clubs may use the video and return it (in good shape, of course) for a full refund.
- Trillium Balsa — 260 Tillson Ave., Unit #2, Tillsonburg, Ontario, N4G 3B5, Canada; Tel.: (519) 688-3522. Trillium has introduced the Bandit ARC (Almost Ready to Cover) Combat model. ARC is defined as "completely framed up and rough sanded, with the wing test-fitted but not glued, and no hardware installed." All-balsa construction, a 35-inch wingspan, and a ready-to-fly weight of about 2 to 2 1/4 pounds with a .10 to .15 engine and a three-channel radio.
- First Step R/C — P.O. Box 40023, Georgetown, TX 78627; Tel.: (512) 863-7002. First Step has introduced the FS-20 Combat model for non-scale combat events. The model has 468 square inches of wing area on a 39-inch wing and typically weighs about 40 ounces. Powered by a .19 to .25 engine, it requires a three-channel radio and is described as "stable, aerobatic, and fun!"
In memoriam
Before I sign off, I would like to pay last respects to a great modeler and dear friend, Ron Sears. Ron typified the type of modeler we need in this sport. In addition to being a superb craftsman, he was very active with his fellow modelers—always ready to lend a hand to anyone. Even more important, he always brought the same enthusiasm into the non-modeling community and was a true "ambassador of model aviation." He will be dearly missed.
Until next time, fly safely, have fun, but be sure to check your six.
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
