RADIO CONTROL COMBAT
Greg Rose
1312 NW 196th St., Edmond, OK 73003
When people think about radio control (RC) combat today, most think of Scale and Open Class B. Although Open Class B is by far the most popular form of RC combat flown in the United States today, the Radio Control Combat Association (RCCA) rules actually define four different classes of Open Combat.
Open Combat classes
Using well-established displacement letters used in modeling for decades, the four classes include:
- 1/2A: engines up to .061 cubic inch
- A: engines up to .15 cubic inch
- B: engines up to .30 cubic inch
- C: engines up to .47 cubic inch
Despite its later introduction to the sport, the more popular Open Class B has outpaced 1/2A Scale Combat. The other Open classes are not as popular, but Class C certainly has a core of active supporters.
SSC — Slow, Survivable Combat
During the last year or so a revision to the Class A rules has breathed new life into smaller-engine combat, and 2003 looks like the year that the new provisional set of rules may obtain critical mass and take off. Called SSC for "Slow, Survivable Combat," the provisional rules have a number of differences from other RC combat classes that have helped it gain a loyal following.
Key SSC restrictions and features:
- Only stock .15 engines are allowed — defined as "available from normal retail outlets for non-sale price of $60 or less."
- No modifications to the engine, carburetor, or muffler are allowed, with the exception of removing the muffler baffle plate.
- Only unmodified Master Airscrew 8 x 3 propellers are permitted.
- All engines are tested to ensure a maximum allowable rpm of 17,500 cannot be exceeded. Testing is done "with carburetor barrel full open," and the technical inspector may "pinch" the fuel line to determine the maximum obtainable rpm.
- To prevent one engine from dominating, the rules borrow from some racing classes by requiring that the first-place engine be purchasable for $100 by any other competitor.
These rules, designed to ensure that the engine and propeller are stock, are married to a simple but specific set of model-design rules:
- Minimum weight: 2-1/2 pounds
- Minimum wing area: 400 square inches
The idea is that the resultant lightly wing-loaded airplane, operating on limited power, slows the pace of RC combat and reduces the probability that collisions will result in complete destruction of the model. The rules sound more limiting than other combat rules, but they actually provide everything you need to have a good time at a slightly slower pace and a dramatically decreased cost.
Although an "Open" event, it didn't take long for a "cartoon scale" version of the rules to develop. Several plans for Scale SSC designs that generally resemble scale fighters — albeit with oversized wings to obtain the required 400-square-inch wing area — are available on the Internet. At least two combat kit manufacturers are planning to introduce SSC and Scale SSC kits. Because of the slower flying speeds of the models, SSC should develop quite a following in the combat community. If you've been intimidated by the breakneck speeds of Open Class B and C, consider trying the new SSC class. You may find it to be the perfect way to get your daily minimum requirement of RC combat fun.
New kits and designs
JK Aerotech (10800 S.E. Orient Dr., Boring, OR 97009; Tel.: (503) 663-4081; Web: www.jkaerotech.com) has introduced a new long-spanned fighter to its line of RC scale combat kits. The new Focke-Wulf Ta 152H spans 51 inches, and the prototype topped the scales at a mere 36 ounces when equipped with a Norvel .25 engine and all mini and micro gear.
As do JK Aerotech’s P-51, Corsair, Zero, Fw 190A, P-47, and MiG-3 kits, the new Ta 152H features a tape-over-foam building technique with Coroplast tail feathers and reinforcements. I was impressed by the ruggedness of its construction when a JK Aerotech Zero made a one-point landing (spinner first) at the Nationals in Muncie, Indiana.
In addition to being light, the kits can be built quickly. To speed building even more, the model uses olive-drab tape. Markings are cut tape, and just a few details are painted on.
Hot on the tail of the long-spanned Focke-Wulf for 2610 scale combat is the introduction of two new SSC designs. Called Fat Bird SSC by JK Aerotech, the models are for the new SSC class. The Ki-64 and the P-51 Mustang are planned for introduction this spring and should allow more fliers to get a taste of SSC.
A paint-scheme experiment
A few issues ago I discussed scale paint schemes that allow for good contrast between the bottom and top of your model. Well, I took my own advice to the extreme — way to the extreme, as it turns out — and chose an experimental "splinter" paint scheme for my Pica P-51B Mustang.
Painting the scale pattern of black triangles breaking up the white bottom was time-consuming. Of course, I thought of an easier way to do it after I had struggled through what seemed like endless hours of masking off the fuselage and wings.
Powered by an O.S. .25 FSR and controlled by a Futaba radio, the finished aircraft weighs 44 ounces with two standard servos and one micro servo. Although it does provide a dramatic difference between the top and bottom, the paint job was more trouble than it was worth. Next time I'll choose something much simpler to paint.
Nationals
By the time this issue arrives in your mailbox, everyone involved in RC combat will be thinking of one thing and one thing only: the Nationals. The RC Combat Nationals at the AMA flying site in Muncie, Indiana, is the premier RC combat event in the United States. Be sure to mark July 10–12 on your calendar and come to the RC Combat Nationals!
That's all for now. Until next time, fly safely, fly combat, and don't forget to check your six! I'll see you in Muncie!
Greg Rose
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
