CL Combat-2012/11

I spoke with Howard Rush about the
origins of the Miniature Aircraft Combat
Association (MACA) in July at the AMA
Nats. Howard and Neal White were inspired
to found MACA in late 1973 or early 1974.
Howard was known for winning the Nats
with his Nemesis II design that was published
in the August 1972 issue of American Aircraft
Modeler (AAM) and Neal was recognized for
his elliptical wing design called the Bosta, also
published in AAM in October of 1973. The
two were roommates at Purdue University in
West Lafayette, Indiana, when they created
these designs.
Howard got the word out about MACA
through his column in AAM. The idea was to
give Combat enthusiasts across the country
a newsletter through which they could share
their ideas, report on contests, write technical articles about model designs and
new engines, keep a current contest calendar, and promote Combat throughout the
country and the world.
Recognition of the best Combat pilots in the United States was done through
the establishment of the MACA Top 20 in those early years, and continues to this
day.
In the fi rst years of the all-volunteer operation, the newsletter went out via
US mail. Chris Sarnowski is the current newsletter editor and he distributes it
via email. The July issue was approximately 35 pages and included some great
photographs of recent Combat contests.
Electronic media gives the organization the ability to quickly and easily send
large fi les to many people for free.
MACA’s current offi cers are: James McKinney, president; Tom Siegler, executive
vice president; Gene Berry, treasurer; Bobby Mears, team trials vice president; Chris
Gay, Nats vice president; Buzz Wilson, 1/2A vice president; Neil Simpson, Slow/
Speed Limit vice president; Andy Mears, Fast Combat vice president; Mark Rudner,
F2D vice president; and Jeff Rein, Top 20.
In the early years, one of the main goals was to get Combat included as a World
Championship event by getting our FAI representatives to submit a proposal at the
annual FAI meetings in Paris. It fi nally happened, and the fi rst Control Line World
Championships (CLWC) to include Combat was held in 1978.
The membership application states that the dues are $15, but we discussed
raising that amount to $50 during the F2D pilots’ meeting at this year’s Nats.
Those involved in the discussion felt that $15 was a nominal amount, equal to
the price of three Nelson glow plugs. Not much can be done with that amount of
money.
One goal is to raise enough money to provide lodging for the judges who travel
and work at the Nats all week.
Although nearly anyone can donate one week of vacation time to be the event
director at the Nats, it puts a strain on a family who would prefer a vacation on the
north shore of Maui or another lovely part of the world. I hope that we can do this
so that Chris Gay will not have to carry
the entire burden of running the Nats.
AMA Nats
I had not been to the Nats since
2004 and decided it was time for a
trip to Muncie, Indiana. I managed to
plant the seed of interest in my fl ying
partner, Chuck Rudner, and he fi nally
convinced himself that he should go.
The fact that his son, Mark, would be
going solidifi ed the deal.
Last year, reports indicated that
Chris Gay had done a great job
renewing interest in the Nats, and
attendance had risen. This year, there
were roughly 25 entries in F2D.
Alex Prokofi ev, who competes for
Latvia, was on his game and came
out on top for the second year in a
row. Andrew Nadein was hampered
by some diffi culties with shutoff
malfunctions and fi nished in second
place. Andrew will be representing the
US at the CLWC in Bulgaria this year.
Third place was a tie between the
Minor brothers, Cary and Andy. They
flipped a coin and the winner, Cary,
designated Andy as the third-place
finisher. Their father, Gary, got a good
chuckle from his boys’ actions. Gary
Bobby Mears flying
against Spain’s
Francisco Mons. Bobby
likes to wear a large
visor for better vision
in the sun.
will also be representing the US as a pilot and mechanic at the CLWC.
Richard Stubblefield was fourth, and fifth place went to Howard Williams. Mark Rudner was sixth and his father, Chuck, was seventh.
It was important to stay hydrated throughout the day, as the temperatures were soaring into the upper 90s and the humidity kept the sunblock slimy.
Flying Combat in these conditions requires that a person be somewhat fit and in tune with the needs of his or her body. Many pilots start off feeling great in the morning, but fatigue sets in in the early afternoon, especially if you are a mechanic for multiple teams.
There is little advancement in equipment, but Alex Prokofiev benefitted from using his electronic shutoffs.
Andrew Nadien (L) and Mark Rudner (R) will be in Bulgaria representing the US at the end of August.
This engine will no doubt need more than just new bearings. This model is sporting a magnetic shutoff.
F2D/Fast Combat, the second event of the week, was held Wednesday. The entries dropped to 14 because a number of people had to return to work. This was an easier event to run—only one model and one mechanic are required, and a kill ends the match.
Bobby Mears flew well and took top honors. Chuck Rudner was second, and I managed a third-place finish. Howard Williams was fourth.
The 1/2A event had 12 entries and Tom Siegler won. Neil Simpson was second, followed by Chris Sarnowski in third, Richard Stubblefield in fourth, and Wayne McDaniel in fifth.
There were six entries in 0.36-size Fast Combat, which Wayne McDaniel won. Ron Colombo was second and Edwin Brzys was third. Mike Evans finished fourth, followed by Phil Cartier in fifth place.
The scores and details of the CL
Combat Nats can be viewed on the
Nats website. See “Sources.”
Bearings Do Fail
If you fly an engine long enough,
a bearing likely will go bad. The first
indication is the engine begins making
unusual sounds, such as rattling. You
may think it is an engine vibration,
an out-of-balance propeller, a cracked
motor mount, or a vibration in the
model structure.
If you have had a midair collision or
hit the ground, check for roughness in
the bearing. The front bearing is more
prone to getting dirt into the race and
around the balls.
The rear main bearing can acquire
dirt through the venturi when crashing
or colliding with another model. If
the aircraft was in an engine-to-engine
collision, small metal bits could have
been ingested. These could damage the
bearing, the piston, and the liner.
Russ Wilcox recently got too close to
our shade tree and bit off a branch with
the propeller and engine. Perhaps some
of that vegetable matter made its way
into the crankcase.
Another indicator of a bad main
bearing is a high number of blown glow
plugs. Sometimes, the plastic cage on a
bearing comes apart and bits go into the
combustion chamber and knock out the
glow-plug element. The balls can also
crack and send the extra chunks up into
the engine.
Bearings are inexpensive when
compared with blowing three consecutive
glow plugs. You will lose power and
performance with bad bearings. You can
often feel “ticks” as you turn them. At
times, they can stop rotating.
Use a high-powered magnifying glass
to look closely at the bearings. Change
any that appear or feel suspicious.
SOURCES:
MACA
www.maca.hobby-site.com:3535
Nats
www.modelaircraft.org/events/nats.aspx