RC combat: Become a weekend warrior in aerial action

Model Airplane News, Dec 2001 by Reid, John S

Every time I stand on the flightline preparing for an RC combat competition, I get a feeling of intense I excitement that never diminishes no matter how many times I compete, When the contest director shouts "Ninety seconds begins now!", I feel the adrenaline start to pump. This rush is what draws so many RC pilots to fly combat. I love the challenge of testing my flying abilities in competition with other combatants. But you don't have to be an expert to enjoy it; new people join all the time, and any intimidation that the beginner feels in his first event is soon overshadowed by the thrill of battle, There is nothing quite like the feeling I get as I station my scale Hawker Hurricane above my first intended victim. If I miss cutting that streamer, I drop into position behind another plane and try again. The game of stalking and evading has begun, and I am hooked!

The objective of remote-control combat is to re-create the excitement of WW II-era fighter combat in an enjoyable, safe, 1/12-scale competition that will be interesting for spectators and challenging for contestants. Combat is simulated by attaching 30-foot ribbon streamers to the models. The object is to pursue opposing pilots and cut their streamers while keeping yours intact. Points are awarded for the number of streamers you cut and the remaining length of your own streamer at the end of the combat round. Think of it as the RC equivalent of flag football; it's fast, it's exciting, and once you try it, you'll never look at flying in quite the same way again!

The RCCA

The organization that governs RC combat is the Remote Control Combat Association (RCCA). Its goal is to provide a fun, safe and organized system for this popular and exciting facet of the RC hobby. The RCCA is working with the AMA to bring RC combat to more modelers; the AMA presently holds combat events on a provisional status, and it has formulated a set of rules governing all RCCA events. Here is an overview of the RCCA regulations:

* Classes. Most contests have Open and Scale classes. The Open class includes any plane that has a single engine under .30-cubic-inch (ci) displacement. If there are enough participants, the Open class is often broken down into three subclasses, according to engine size:

1/2A: up to .061ci; A: up to .15ci; B: up to .30ci

* Weight for any class cannot exceed 3.5 pounds dry.

To qualify for Scale combat competition, the model must be a 1/12-scale replica of any plane in service between 1935 and 1955 that was armed with guns used for offensive purposes (no bombers). Scale is divided into two classes, again according to engine size:

2105: single engines up to .21ci

2610: single engines up to .26ci, or twins with a combined displacement of up to .30ci

* Single-engine planes may weigh a maximum of 3 pounds dry.

* Multi-engine planes may weigh a maximum of 4 pounds dry.

* Any plane legal in 2105 can be used in 2610; both Scale-class planes can compete in Open class.

* Points. The contest requires the attachment of a 30-foot streams to your plane, and you must fly with other planes in a designated combat zone. Your mission is to cut the streamers on the opposing planes while keeping your streamer intact, thereby scoring points. After four or five rounds, all points are tallied and the pilot with the most points wins! Pilots score points for a timely launch, staying airborne for the duration of the round, snagging opponents" streamers and landing with their own streamer as intact as possible. Judges may assign point deductions for non-engagement or for crossing the designated safety line. Repeated safety violations can result in disqualification.

For more information about RC combat events in your area, or to see about becoming a member, visit the RCCA website at www.rccombat.com. You may also email the president of the RCCA, Chris Shepherd, at shep@rccombat.com, or send mail to: RCCA, 19130 Madden Rd., Churubusco, IN 46723.

BECOMING COMBAT-READY

RC combat can be tough on equipment. During a fast and furious dogfight, some casualties will inevitably occur among the airplanes. But you can do a few things to your model to make it more durable without sacrificing performance. I learned most of the following modifications from my RC combat buddies: Combat fliers are always looking for ways to strengthen planes without adding too much weight. Decide for yourself whether these methods will work for you.

1

I always begin by using basswood spars; you can use carbon-fiber rods, but I prefer to use those for the leading edge. As shown in the photo, attach the carbon-fiber rod to a leading spar with thick CA or epoxy. Be sure to rough up the rod with some sandpaper to give the glue some bite. Next, sheet the entire bottom and the front half of the top of the wing. Set it aside, and let all glue joints dry completely. Double-check that all of the joints are completely dry and solid!

2

Purchase some minimal-expansion spray-in-place foam (the kind that is sold at home improvement stores to insulate houses). It is vitally important that you use minimal expansion foam, or it will blow off your sheeting when it expands-a big mess! Fill each wing bay about 1/4 full. The foam adds reinforcement to the open bay areas and bonds all parts of the wing together, making it incredibly strong.