CONTROL LINE COMBAT - 2003/04
Rich von Lopez 8334 Colegio Dr., Los Angeles, CA 90045
Origins and early organizers
The year 2003 will mark the Miniature Aircraft Combat Association's (MACA's) 30th year of existence. MACA had its origins in the Midwest and was started by a group of Combat aficionados interested in the event's promotion, exposure, and well-being.
A few of MACA's organizers are still involved, while others have faded into the past. Early individuals who made MACA a reality include:
- Howard Rush
- Gary Frost
- Gary James
- Neal White
- Tom Southern
Howard and Neal designed successful Combat models: the Nemesis and the Bosta. The Bosta was an elliptical-wing design that was a bit more difficult to build than the average Combat design. Many of the Bosta's successes came at the hands of Chicagoland favorite Bob Burch.
Gary Frost was MACA's first president. MACA has always been a volunteer organization, with most officers donating time and money to keep it going.
Newsletter and membership roots
The newsletter MACA News holds the organization together and provides members with something tangible. (There is also a Web site.) Tom Southern was the first newsletter editor. I learned about MACA in American Aircraft Modeler magazine while reading Howard Rush's Combat column. There was a brief mention of MACA and an address for information. I have been a member since day one in 1973.
The MACA Top 20
The MACA Top 20 started out as the MACA Top 10. The aim was to recognize pilots who consistently placed high in many contests and to assign top pilots a national number or plate to display on their models. The original concept counted only Fast Combat points, since that was the premier event. Northern California pilots wanted points from Western Associated Modelers (WAM) to count as well, and MACA agreed. WAM B/C Expert-class points were included because WAM had some top-quality pilots.
Notable WAM pilots included:
- Neal Carpenter
- Norm McFadden
- Rich Brasher
- Gary Kearns
- Ron Sheldon
- Terry Prather
- Ed Bridant
- Doss Porter
- Drew Lance III
- Mike Petri
- John Salvin III
I had a win or two at WAM contests 50 pounds ago.
The new Top 20 will be released soon and has been changed to include almost all Combat events. The number-one recognition goes to the pilot who amasses the most points in FAI (Fédération Aéronautique Internationale), Slow, Fast, and Speed Limit contests. I don't believe diesel contests count. For Top 20 pilots there are free T-shirts and the respect of their peers. I will give the final results in my next column.
Membership and rules involvement
If you are interested in joining MACA, send a check for $15 to:
- Gene Beery, MACA Treasurer
- 4610 89th St., Lubbock, TX 79424
As the officially recognized Special Interest Group of the Academy of Model Aeronautics, MACA makes recommendations on rules changes. If you want a voice in rule matters, a MACA membership is in your best interest. MACA needs active members who are willing to write technical articles, contest reports, or give opinions on Combat-related items.
Events and contest news
- Bladder Grabber: This year the Bladder Grabber will be moved to August 2–3 in an effort to get dry weather. In 2002 the Bladder Grabber offered $16,000 worth of prizes to the top five pilots. It's well worth the trip to Snohomish, Washington.
- Riverside Combat Challenge: I have not heard the actual date for the Riverside Combat Challenge in California, but I suspect it will be the last weekend in June.
- Toys for Tots Contest: In Southern California, the annual Toys for Tots Contest was held the weekend of December 7–8, 2002. This charity event gives modelers a chance to compete in one last contest for the year. Combat World Champion Mike Willcox won the 1/2A and the 80 mph events. The entry fee for Toys for Tots is a new, unwrapped toy for a needy child.
- Beach and Brunch — "Last Kill of the Year": I hosted the annual Beach and Brunch 1/2A Combat event on December 31, 2002. This Lee Dee .049 contest determines who gets bragging rights for the last kill of the year. We start with brunch at my house, then fly at the beach for a fun four hours. A homemade trophy is given to the first person who gets a kill and then passed on to subsequent killers; the last person to score a kill keeps it. It's a great way to finish the year.
Trends, classes, and equipment
- 1/2A events: Expect more 1/2A events on 42-foot lines. The Cyclon and Rao .049s are so powerful and reliable that 35-foot lines make them too fast for decent matches. A common trend is to host a 1/2A contest on the Friday preceding a Fast Combat weekend.
- Speed-limit events: Speed-limit events (typically 75 or 80 mph) continue to grow and provide novice and returning pilots a chance to compete. I like the speed-limit concept as an entry-level event — there are no model or engine restrictions, so old equipment can be competitive as long as it does not exceed the speed limit.
- Slow Combat: The official Slow Combat event is struggling and may fade away. It was a good idea, but big, heavy models requiring Nelson engines and hitting 110 mph pushed the event out of entry-level reach.
- F2D / FAI Combat: F2D (FAI Combat) will continue to have a strong following among competition and sport fliers.
- Team Trials and FAI equipment: This year's Team Trials will probably be held the weekend before the AMA National Championships in Muncie, Indiana. The availability of FAI equipment has made it a popular event. Most FAI engines are reliable and produce significant power on 10% nitro fuel; they usually do not blow glow plugs and are easy to start, making them attractive for sport flying. F2D models also have less pull than the fire-breathing "Mogombo"-powered Fast Combat models.
Plenty of good equipment is available from various sources, making Combat an easy event to get involved in. Gone are the days when the pilot who could start an engine on a match won the match. Today's winners are well practiced and apply their skills. Yes, luck still enters the equation, but good preparation and practice help foster good luck and eliminate bad luck.
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
