CL Combat
Rich von Lopez, 8334 Colegio Dr., Los Angeles, CA 90045
Introducing the hobby
The topic of introducing our hobby to potential participants comes up again and again. There are several ways to get people involved.
Most people like to do things with their hands and interact with others, not only of their own age, but with various age groups. Knowing that, you may want to invite a companion from work and his or her son and daughter out for a session of flying.
Get them to help you with getting the model into the air. They can fill syringes with fuel, hook up the battery to the engine, run the lines out, and perform other routine tasks. That will make the newcomers feel like they are being productive in the effort of getting the model into the air.
Offer to help them build their own model. If they want to purchase their own airplane, make certain that you accompany them to the hobby shop so they get all the correct items. The process of purchasing the right equipment may seem trivial to you as the experienced modeler, but it can be rather confusing to new modelers.
If you live in a part of the country where there are no hobby shops in the vicinity and you have to mail-order all of your supplies, it becomes more important to give newcomers advice about what to purchase and to make sure their orders are complete.
It helps tremendously if you can share some of your supplies with newcomers. Most of us who have been in the hobby for several years have accumulated extra kits and raw materials. These extra supplies may be better used in the hands of the newcomers than on the shelf.
Repairing and teaching
How about those damaged models that are stacked up in the corner of the garage? I'm willing to bet that some of those can be salvaged and repaired. Have the newcomers participate in the fixing effort. Teach them how to use epoxies and cyanoacrylate glues correctly and safely.
I like to mix epoxy on business cards. Throughout the years, I have changed jobs and ended up with loads of outdated business cards. They can be tossed away after they have been used once. At one time I used an old screwdriver to stir the epoxy; now I use coffee stir sticks. I learned this trick from Pat Willcox. One day he showed up at my garage with a large handful of Starbucks coffee stirrers. They are flat, and their eight-inch length makes them very handy to apply patches to various surfaces.
I have on hand some of my excess equipment for newcomers. I mean ready-to-run models, complete with engines and binders. They appreciate receiving good equipment that will work from the get-go. The models I sell are a mix of my first-line units and those that have been replaced by newer and better systems.
I have also given away countless damaged models to spectators or to hobbyists from other disciplines. In some cases, these give-away models return to the flying field in repaired condition. Some of the others end up in the trashcan after they are dissected for a closer look. A lot of information can be gained by examining a model cadaver.
Whittier Narrows and the flying community
In the past six months we have had several newcomers at Whittier Narrows in South El Monte, California. This is a true modeling facility that has two paved flying circles for Stunt or Racing and one paved area for Team Racing or Speed flying. There is even a cement carrier deck and enough grass area for several Combat circles.
Adjacent to the Control Line (CL) area is a first-class Radio Control field with a freshly paved runway. A host of pilots use the facility regularly and can be considered the resident professionals. Among this group are Chuck and Mark Rudner, Pete Athans, Don Repp, Russ Graves, Bill Maywald, Terry Kerger, Don and Chris Jensen, Ron, Ronnie, and Gary Cash, myself, and many others.
This means that on any given Saturday or Sunday, you can find someone who will help you with whatever you are trying to fly. I like to think of our group as friendly and approachable. I know it is hard for some newcomers to get up the nerve to ask someone for help and guidance. We like to go over to where the new pilots are set up and see if we can lend a hand.
The Rudners always bring out the portable generator to trim airplanes. They make the generator and iron available to anyone who needs it. They will also show newcomers how to take warps out properly. Don Repp has altered his usual Sunday flying routine to Saturdays, so he can help Norm, Tom, and Randy. Those guys have advanced to the point where they are very successful on their own.
Ready-to-Fly models and practice
The availability of Ready-to-Fly (RTF) models has helped CL combat; it keeps the old-timers flying on a regular basis, and it keeps the new pilots trying their hand at learning week after week.
When I did a great deal of competition flying, I would build and build and build models. I got to the point where I thought of it as a second job—a production-line factory job, at that. It became drudgery and unpleasant. This hobby is supposed to be fun and relaxing. I still like to build new models—especially those that incorporate new design elements. Building one or two of those units can be loads of fun.
The RTF model can provide a ready-to-compete fleet that can be mobilized in a couple of hours. They also provide you with a stable of models that can be used each weekend. Although I don't like to overuse my first-line Fast Combat models, it is necessary to fly that size of model from time to time so I don't lose the feel that is required to fly them effectively. The RTF models can be used to get lots of regular practice.
Sources for RTF and kits
There are currently two reliable sources of RTF CL combat models.
- Modelzklub of the Czech Republic. Tomas Mejzlik is the proprietor and the guy with the foresight to create a successful company.
- Address: Bavorov 14, 644 00 Brno, Czech Republic, Europe.
- Tel.: 011-420-5-4123 8888
- Fax: 011-420-5-4123-8887
- E-mail: [email protected]
- Write to get Tomas's latest catalog. He has everything you need to get into the air and to stay there.
- GRS Models (George Cleveland).
- Address: 2121 Causeway Blvd. No. 158A, Metairie, LA 70001
- Tel: (504) 484-4640
- E-mail: [email protected]
If you want to build models from kits, contact Bill Maywald for quality Allen plane kits:
- Address: 719 Allen Dr., Corona, CA 92879
- Tel: (909) 280-9720
- E-mail: [email protected]
These manufacturers are tried and true. You will be satisfied with the products you purchase.
MACA and competition
Newcomers may want to join the Miniature Aircraft Combat Association (MACA) — the official Special Interest Group of the Academy of Model Aeronautics for CL Combat. MACA News is the official publication of the organization, and it's the vehicle through which opinions are expressed and recommendations on rules changes are made. It contains many building tips, contest reports and results, and, occasionally, technical articles.
The annual MACA dues are $15; send your money to Gene Berry, 4610 89th St., Lubbock, TX 79424.
MACA lists the top 20 pilots each year, based on performance in contest situations. This year the number-one pilot is Don Cranfill, followed by Bobby Mears in second and Phil Cartier in third.
Fourth place went to Louis Lopez, followed by Richard Stubblefield in fifth and Roy Glenn in sixth. Neil Simpson was seventh, Gary Minor was eighth, I was ninth, and Mike Willcox was 10th.
The 11th through 20th places went to Mitch Cleveland, Roy Krupa, Lee Liddle, Mark Rusner, George Cleveland, Chuck Rudner, Ed Brays, Ron Colombo, Don Jensen, and Andy Minor.
Returning pilots
A smaller group of Combat pilots has come onto the scene recently. These are the guys who flew many years ago, but got sidetracked by jobs, marriage, children, the military, or a number of other things.
These pilots come out to the field with older equipment that may or may not work well. They catch on fast and readily adapt to the new equipment. They like the idea of not having to build models and of being able to fly good models on a regular basis.
Some of these guys remember the good old days, when contests were won or lost by who could get his engine started. They are pleasantly surprised at how well modern engines start and how easily they needle. These are also the fliers who might bring their children to the field for a few lessons. They love the idea of 80 mph Combat and the fact that models can be used for Fast Combats as well.
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
