Author: Rich Lopez
Edition: Model Aviation - 2011/03
Page Numbers: 129,130
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Control Line Combat

Rich Lopez [[email protected]]

F2D rules change

F2D rules changes for 2011: The change that will affect F2D (FAI Combat) competitors the most is a reduction in the size of the muffler/silencer outlet from 8 mm to 6 mm. Experimentation with new muffler shapes and with modifications to existing units has already begun around the world.

In Southern California, Russ Hester made some flanged inserts that fit into existing 8 mm mufflers and extend into the muffler chamber approximately 1/8 inch beyond the flat outlet and into the tapered part of the chamber. He then flared the 1/8-inch extension with a tool similar to a center punch so that it presses against the tapered part of the muffler body. A sharp tap with a hammer is enough to accomplish this procedure.

Russ experimented with an old, broken muffler and then with a new one. We put the new muffler on one of my ZALP engines and ran it. There was a noticeable reduction in sound and only a slight speed loss. We did not time the engine with both muffler sizes during that session. Chuck Rudner has made a similar insert for a FORA muffler, and we got a time of 18.39 seconds for eight laps. Only 20 minutes earlier we had recorded a time of 17.69 seconds with the 8 mm-outlet muffler. We used the same propeller and the same fuel. We believe that with a bit of experimentation with propellers we can recover some of the lost 0.7 second.

Russ also made an insert with a stinger that was roughly 1-1/2 inches long. The engine ran poorly and the stinger idea was promptly scrapped. I ended up with the discarded stinger and cut off a 3/8-inch slice that I press-fit into the end of a muffler. I will try that to see if it remains in place or blows out the back end once the muffler heats up.

Combat News Distribution

I am writing this column a day after the release of the new Facebook format. Communication in this day and age—through smartphones, the Internet, Skype, Twitter, blogs, live news feeds, and personal pages—makes us expect news instantly, regardless of topic or where it occurs on the planet. Writing letters has become a lost art, giving way to text messaging in a new abbreviated language that our English teachers of the past must abhor.

I can write about topics that are not subject to time constraints, since there is a time lag of roughly three months before they appear in print. However, several websites can provide current information and quantities of photographs that I can only dream of providing through a magazine column. The Combat fliers in New England have a site that I suggest you look at, and the modelers in the Pacific Northwest have a good site that provides contest announcements, results, reports, and photographs. Lester Haury sent me a link to a blog that has construction tips for his kits. The AMA provides daily results and photographs via NatsNews during the National Championships. There are sites where you can see what is going on in Europe, and the FAI site features current information and rules.

Cup of F2D

Mark Rudner and Greg Wornell organized the New England Cup of F2D, held the weekend of September 25–26, 2010, in Kingston, Massachusetts. The flying site was Silver Lake Regional School, which was secured by a local constable and Combat pilot Brian Stas, who happened to live across the street. The flying can only be described as "plush."

The entry fee covered morning coffee and pastries, drinks throughout the day, lunch, fresh locally grown apples, and a designer cake with a Combat theme to celebrate the end of a successful competition. Jeff Vader and his son took photographs throughout the competition. This contest could not have taken place without all of the effort that local pilots put forth. Mark Rudner has written a full report acknowledging all of the volunteers.

Alex Prokofiev won the competition with excellent, clean flying. James McKinney broke a huge number of models on his way to second place. Lester Haury finished third.

Bladder Grabber (Seattle, WA): Although I could not attend the 2010 Bladder Grabber, I heard that the 15 pilots who flew 1/2A Combat on Friday had a great time. There were 19 entries in the Fast event on Saturday and Sunday. You can visit the Flying Lines website (included in the Sources) to see the entire list of entries and a great number of action photos. The organizers tried a new format, whereby all pilots flew a set number of rounds before getting into the final podium-placing matches.

The Beaver State Combat Team came out of its lodge to show the world that it is alive, well, and can still fly Combat. Gene Pape won, with his teammate John Thompson taking second.

Red Flag (Phoenix, AZ): David Owen of Tennessee won the November 2010 F2D triple-elimination contest in Phoenix, Arizona. He is a former US World Championship team member. Andy Mears of Lubbock, Texas, finished second, and Leonardo Silva, a Mexican team pilot, was third. The 13 contestants had a great time and enjoyed the beautiful weather and strong competition.

Sources

Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.