CONTROL LINE COMBAT
Rich von Lopez 8334 Colegio Dr., Los Angeles, CA 90045
Recovery and workshop time
These past few months I have been at home recuperating from surgery for tongue cancer that I had in late August 2004. I have always liked my time off from work, but this is not the way I wanted it to happen. On the bright side, the time I have been able to spend in the workshop has been wonderful.
I built some old all‑balsa models from kits that had been sitting around. In the mid‑1970s the Nemesis II, designed by Howard Rush, was the hot model to have. I built a batch back then and decided to construct four more while I was off. I also built a Spectrum from a Dumas kit.
Vintage models and engines
In the 1970s most serious Combat pilots were using SuperTigre G‑21‑35 engines. I never got rid of my old SuperTigres, so mounting them on vintage models seemed appropriate. The models still fly well, but they are certainly not in the same league as Nelson‑ or Fora‑powered airplanes. The Nemesis II and the Spectrum are tiny compared to the models we currently fly.
Working with balsa throughout a model's structure was good therapy, but it’s not something I want to do regularly. There are too many advantages to foam models to consider all‑balsa aircraft for contests again. I almost went into shock at the hobby shop when I had to buy a few sheets of balsa—the cost has gone way up since the early 1980s. The bottom line is that I now have a fleet of balsa models I can take with me to the 1960s, when time travel becomes a reality.
SuperTigre rear main bearing replacement
One of the weak areas of the SuperTigre G‑21‑35 was the rear main bearing. The original bearing used a metal retainer (likely brass or steel) with folded‑over tabs that could break and lodge between the piston and liner, ruining the engine. We used to replace them with riveted or spot‑welded retainer bearings, but even those could fail.
These days most of us use bearings with plastic or phenolic retainers. Knowing modern retainers don’t break, I searched for a suitable replacement for my six vintage SuperTigres. Boca Bearings has a replacement that eliminates the problem:
- Supplier: Boca Bearings
1500 SW 30th Ave., Suite #3, Boynton Beach, FL 33426 Tel.: 800‑332‑3256 Web: www.bocabearings.com
- Bearing specs: 28 mm outside diameter, 12 mm inside diameter, 8 mm wide
- Item: MR 6001‑Z/TH9/C3/C
Engine condition and flying impressions
My SuperTigres were in reasonable condition since the last time I ran them. A little fuel in the venturi and exhaust port freed them right up; any sign of stickiness disappeared quickly.
The SuperTigre G‑21 is a bit heavy at 256 grams and made the Spectrum so nose‑heavy that loops were huge. It was no fun to fly, so the Spectrum is hanging in the workshop as a conversation piece. The four Nemesis IIs balance well and fly great with the G‑21. I may try a SuperTigre C‑35 on the Spectrum since it weighs about 231 grams as I have it set up.
If you’re into vintage equipment, you might recall SuperTigre made a rear‑intake G‑21‑35 that produced a bit more power than the front‑intake version. The downside was the added length and weight; the rear‑intake version weighed about 273 grams and required a special model.
I am including a photograph of these three types of SuperTigre 35s so you can visualize what I’m referring to.
Goof Plugs for fuel bladders
A small, cheap item I use for making fuel bladders are Goof Plugs (designed for PVC repairs). They work perfectly for bladders and are expendable and easy to use.
- Cost: roughly $2 for a package of about 20 Goof Plugs (enough to make ~10 bladders)
- Preparation:
- Drill a small hole in the end you’ll use to feed fuel to the engine.
- At the plug end you can cut off the small tip with a single‑edge razor or X‑Acto knife so it doesn't protrude (optional—leaving it on doesn't hurt).
- Where to buy: I found this brand at The Home Depot; other brands can be found at Ace Hardware.
In the past some pilots machined plug ends and fittings for bladders, which was too much work for an expendable item. Goof Plugs simplify the job.
Red Flag, Top Gun and contest background
I’ve been reading online that Arizona fliers are putting together a Fast Combat contest for early April to be named "Red Flag," after the Air Force exercise. Gary James posted an excellent explanation of Top Gun and Red Flag and what they were designed to do for the armed forces. Gary flew F‑14s, A‑7s, and F‑4s in the Navy.
Briefly:
- During and after the Vietnam War, weapons schools were developed to improve pilot performance and kill ratios. The Navy’s Fighter Weapons School at Miramar (often referred to as "Top Gun") trained F‑4s, F‑8s, and F‑14s.
- In the 1980s the Air Force created a weapons school at Nellis AFB, and each year hosts a large war‑game exercise called "Red Flag," inviting Navy and foreign forces to participate. "Red" denotes the opposing forces.
"Top Gun" was also the name for the first big contest of the year for many years, held in Tucson, Arizona, in March. Burnout among organizers is a real issue—helpers and officials drop off after many years, making contest organization difficult. I hope to make it to the Red Flag contest to support the organizers and fly a few matches.
Combat DVD
Mike Willcox has been producing Combat videotapes for many years—editing film is his profession. He filmed the 2004 Control Line World Championships, competed (as defending World Champion), and served as mechanic for Mark Rudner and David Owen. He spent many hours editing the footage into a DVD that’s both entertaining and informative.
The DVD shows what the best pilots do in the center circle in terms of body positioning and hand movements, with close‑ups of engines, models, and pilots—helpful for putting faces to names. To order, contact Mike via email: [email protected]. I don't know his price, but it’s well worth it.
Upcoming contest: 34th Northwest Control Line Regionals
- Dates: May 27–29, 2005
- Location: Albany Municipal Airport, Albany, Oregon
- Events: Combat events will include 1/2A, Fast, 80 mph, and Vintage Diesel; 38 other control‑line events will be flown.
Contacts:
- Contest Director (CD): Craig Bartlett
205 NE Cedar Ln., Corvallis, OR 97330 E‑mail: [email protected]
- Alternate contact: John Thompson
2456 Quince St., Eugene, OR 97404 E‑mail: [email protected]
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
