RADIO CONTROL COMBAT - 2003/05

May 2003 117
WAG THAT TAIL! The start of a new flying season is a great
time to begin a good new habit in flying Radio Control (RC)
Combat. Unlike sport models that are usually taxied out to the
runway for takeoff and therefore demonstrate that they are under
radio control, Combat models are normally hand launched into the
sky.
Since we often leave Combat models in a “ready-to-run”
configuration, even test-starting the engines before a round is called,
many models can be started without the receiver turned on. With a
quick hand launch we can suddenly be moving sticks that have
absolutely no effect on the model that just left our hands.
This can’t happen, you say? It has happened, and I have seen it
happen more than once!
To avoid the problem, just before launching I wag that tail! A
strong, positive, full up-and-down command gives me confirmation
that my radio is responding before the model leaves my hand. It’s a
good habit to get into. It will save you embarrassment, help you fly
more safely, and keep your rebuild time down. Use this method
each time you hand launch any RC model!
I received a letter from someone who read the report on the RC
Combat Nationals in Muncie, Indiana. He suggested that I had
confused my Scale models and captioned one of the photos wrong.
The caption was correct, but I admit that the photo captured the
model at an angle that made it a little difficult to see the scaleness.
The letter brings home a current debate within the RC Combat
community. Just how “scale” is Scale RC Combat supposed to be?
As with any Competition Regulations (AMA rule book) event,
the answer should come from the rule book. The rules for how
scalelike the model has to look are simple. I’ll summarize them, but
you should read the AMA rule book before you show up for a
contest to be sure your model will conform to the rules. If you don’t
have a copy of the AMA rule book, you can download the Scale RC
Combat rules at the Radio Control Combat Association’s (RCCA)
Web site at www.rccombat.com.
For 2610 Scale Combat, the rules require that the models be “a
1/12-scale replica” and “must resemble their full-scale counterparts”
with “no more than plus or minus 10% deviation from overall scale
outline.” However, some “minor modifications that improve flight
characteristics” are allowed if they do not alter the basic
resemblance to the original aircraft.
“Fuselages must be three-dimensional” and landing gear must be
included on any aircraft if the full-scale aircraft had fixed
(nonretractable) gear. A canopy must be in place, but it does not
have to be transparent.
The airplane must begin an event with a cowl in place (if the cowl
is lost during the event, a flier may continue to use the model), and as
in other AMA Scale events, the nonscale appearance of the muffler
and/or engine sticking out of the cowl is ignored.
Protrusions on the leading edge of the wing (guns, cannon, etc.) are
not allowed, whether they are scale or not. Twin-engine designs with
uncoupled engines are required to have two functioning engines.
Unlike most other AMA Scale events, which require the
prototype to have flown to be considered a Scale subject, the Scale
RC Combat rules allow modeling of any prototype produced,
regardless of whether or not it ever flew. The accuracy of scale for
any model is determined by the contest director (CD) with “a simple
visual inspection at 15 feet.” The CD may request a three-view
drawing or photo to help determine scale fidelity.
When it comes to the paint job, the rules state that models are to
be finished in “prototypical manner” and “unusual color schemes
Greg Rose, 1312 NW 196th St., Edmond OK 73003
RADIO CONTROL COMBAT
Is Billy Wiggins’ Firefly scale enough? The CD will decide, but
Billy carefully read the rules before building.
Lesser-known subjects such as Lou Melancon’s Boeing XF8B
should have documentation for the CD to use.
Gene Smith’s Kawasaki Ki-64 Rob sports a paint job that is
typical of many Japanese fighters of the time.
118 MODEL AVIATION
are allowed when supported by a simple
photograph or drawing documentation.”
A recent letter from the technical
committee of the RCCA summed it up well.
In part, the letter stated that “everyone
should keep in mind that the sprit of Scale
Combat is to re-create planes that appear as
WW II fighters in combat. It is not a finescale
event. We don’t want to be so heavyhanded
in scale issues that we discourage
participation. At the same time, we don’t
want to be so loose with requirements that
the original spirit is lost. The final say
particularly on the 15-foot judgment is in
the hands of the CD.”
For a competitor in Scale RC Combat, it
is important to remember two things: first,
the burden of proof of scale fidelity rests
solely with the pilot of the model, and
second, determining what is “scale” enough
is ultimately at the discretion of the CD.
You can help make sure things go
smoothly during a contest by being
prepared and bringing a small document for
the CD. List the basic dimensions of the
full-scale aircraft (span and length), include
a simple three-view (I downloaded mine
from the Internet), and if you have an
unusual color scheme, have supporting
evidence included on the sheet to help the
CD quickly judge if your model is “scale”
enough.
A little preparation beforehand can help
keep things running smoothly at an event.
As I write this, 2003 is only a few days old,
yet the first two RC Combat events of the
year have already been flown! I received an
E-mail from George Kerr of the Mile-Hi
R/C Flying Club in Aurora, Colorado,
telling me of the club’s first Combat event
of the new year, held January 4. The club
plans to host a Combat event each month in
2003.
Seven pilots braved cold winds, gusting
to 25 mph, to get in the first blows of the
new year. Brian Neff placed first the Open
event, beating his father in the process. You
can read the full report at the Mile-Hi R/C
club’s excellent Web site at
www.milehirc.com.
The coming of a new year also brought the
2002 National Points System (NPS) to a
close. Who were the most successful
Combat pilots of the year? It looks like A.J.
Seaholm has taken top honors in Scale and
Open, pushing the 2001 top flier, Mike
Fredricks, into second place in both events.
Third, fourth, and fifth places in Open
were taken by Daniel Vaught, Ben Morrow,
and Billy Wiggins. Third, fourth, and fifth
places were taken by Andy Panoncillo,
Scott Gilkey, and Neal Rohrke in Scale.
The new season looks like it will be the
hottest yet, with plenty of old hands.
Combat is still growing in popularity, so get
out and join the fun!
Until next time, fly safely, wag that tail,
fly Combat, and don’t forget to check your
six! MA
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