Red Flag F2D contest in Phoenix
by Rich Lopez [email protected]
I need to correct an error that was in my November 2011 column. I misnamed the winner of the Los Angeles F2D Fast Rules contest. The winner's correct name is Alex Rennick, not Kevin Rennick. Kevin Hebestreit is Alex's flying partner.
Alex won the Phoenix Red Flag F2D contest in November 2011, and it is only fair that his name is correctly listed.
Alex has been flying CL Combat seriously for roughly five years and is starting to show up on the podium. I am glad he has stuck it out through the learning phase and the mistakes everyone makes in his or her early competition years.
The people who attend serious F2D contests don't cut a beginner any slack because they want to keep novices motivated. Those who know Richard Stubblefield, George Cleveland, Andy and Bobby Mears, James McKinney, or me know that we don't hold back. We share information and flying tips before the start of the match and after it is over; however, we go all out during the four-minute match.
Sixteen pilots attended this last contest of the year before the cold, rainy season began. Roughly 12 pilots were entered in the F2D Fast Rules warm-up held on Friday. Bill Maywald had been on a hiatus for a number of months but won the contest, showing no loss of flying skill.
I am not so sure that flying for kills the day before an F2D contest is good for the brain–muscle memory. A kill in F2D competition usually results in a loss for the pilot who got the kill. The best the pilot can hope for is a rematch.
Ask Chuck Rudner and Howard Williams about this possibility. They were ready to have a fourth attempt because they each took kills when Howard finally cried "no más" and intentionally stepped out of the circle.
Bobby and Andy Mears are always tough competitors who are used to flying in all sorts of weather conditions. Rumor has it that they even flew in the Lubbock, Texas, dust storms that passed through in the fall of 2011. Both were sharp and ended the contest in a tie for second place. They chose not to fly it off to avoid creating sibling rivalry. I took fourth place.
Chris Jensen accompanied his dad, Don, on this trip and showed he still has a great deal of ability. I committed a pitting foul that got him disqualified and put him out of the contest. I hope to make this right at his next competition.
Leonardo Silva stopped harvesting avocados in Mexico and enjoyed flying models for the weekend.
The equipment has changed little in the past several years. There are newer versions of standard engines, but nothing has come along that is markedly better than others.
The 2012 FORA seems the same as previous models. Most pilots have settled on either FORA or AKM engines. The AKM is difficult to obtain and costs roughly twice as much as a FORA. Andrey Nadien, a 2012 USA Team member, uses AKMs. I suppose his Russian background helps him get the engines and parts from the AKM works in Moscow.
Many thanks to all of the Red Flag officials—Leonard Rennick, Steve Stewart, Jeff Hanauer, Lance Matassa, and Sergio Garza. Thanks also to the ladies from Lubbock, Jan Mears and Arlene Pyle, who used their computer skills to formulate the matches and keep track of all the wins and losses.
Lance Matassa is one of the main contest organizers in Phoenix and has been talking up a series of contests in the southwestern United States. He is hoping to implement this idea soon and would like input from pilots living in that area. Lance is also organizing the VooDoo Combat Team and has many different T-shirts and hats with the original VooDoo logo made famous by Riley Wooten. Look in the "Sources" section to contact Lance via email.
Miniature Aircraft Combat Association
I spoke with James McKinney at the Phoenix Red Flag contest about the status of the Miniature Aircraft Combat Association (MACA). James is the webmaster who is keeping the MACA website up to date. It has been several years since we last had a hard-copy newsletter and an editor to organize it. In 2012, the organization will make a concerted effort to increase the membership, organize competitions, and keep people informed about all aspects of CL Combat.
MACA began as the brainchild of Howard Rush and Bosta designer Neal White in 1974. The idea was to unify all of the Combat fliers across the country and promote this aspect of the hobby.
For the past several years, MACA has not charged dues; however, it has become imperative to reinstate the dues policy. The $15 annual dues check can be sent to Gene Berry, the MACA treasurer, at the address listed in "Sources."
MS Engines
A new engine called the MS is available. It looks similar to the original FORA; however, the case seems to have been redesigned, incorporating strengthening webs around the bottom.
Chuck Rudner and I have each purchased a couple of MS engines to test and play with in the winter months. The MS mounts the same as a FORA or ZALP, using the same mounts.
Vasyl Yuvenko in the Ukraine and Alberto Parra in Spain are offering the MS for sale. It lists for $215 from Yuvenko, plus a $35 shipping charge and the cost of Western Union's money-transferring services.
Securing the Muffler
Keeping mufflers tight on engines can be a problem. Specially designed muffler supports attach to the rear of the engine mount where it attaches to the model. The incorporated streamer hooks are common and are used by most Combat pilots.
These units weigh roughly 7.5 grams. I tie the muffler to the engine using string. This method works well and is initially lightweight; however, string becomes heavier as it absorbs oil from the exhaust. This method keeps the top of the wing clear of extra stuff that can interfere with a shutoff device. I made streamer hooks that attach to the bottom of the model.
Keep an eye on the rubber muffler bushing that fits over the engine exhaust spigot and inside the muffler inlet. It tends to become hard and brittle with age and repeated exposure to heat followed by cool downs. Bits of the rubber bushing can break off and lodge in the 6 mm exhaust openings, resulting in erratic engine runs.
You may not notice a piece of broken bushing at first because it will fall to the bottom of the muffler. I had started to take an engine apart when a bit of the bushing fell out as I removed the muffler. The engine was fine and the mystery was solved.
SOURCES
- Lance Matassa
[email protected] [email protected]
- Vasyl Yuvenko
- MACA
- Gene Berry, MACA Treasurer
4610 89th St. Lubbock, TX 79424
- Alberto Parra (Club Tamarán)
[email protected] www.clubtamaran.com/v&v2010.htm
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
