RADIO CONTROL COMBAT - 2003/11

116 MODEL AVIATION
THE NATIONAL Aeromodeling Championships (Nats) in
Muncie, Indiana, isn’t just the premier Radio Control (RC) Combat
event in the United States (in the world, one could argue), but it is
also a great place for kit manufacturers to show and test their wares.
This year’s Nats was no exception, and although none of the
manufacturers had the foresight to introduce an RC Combat
floatplane—it could have been an overnight success at the
waterlogged 2003 Nats—several new designs were seen at the
event.
One manufacturer that has always shown up for the Nats, has
always flown in the meets, and always seems to bring something
new is TufFlight Models, 5376 Amalfi Dr., Clay NY 13041; Tel.:
(315) 698-8103; Web site: www.tufflight.com.
This year Joe Chovan and Mark Mozo of TufFlight were flying
their new Panther design. The Panther is intended to be flown in
Open B Combat, or, with a five-minute engine change, it can be
used with the new provisional Slow Survivable Combat (SSC) rules.
As are TufFlight’s Predator and Predator X designed for Open B
and the Terminator designed for Open C, the new Panther is of all
expanded polypropylene (EPP)-foam construction.
As are the other designs, the Panther is a flying wing with the
fantastic maneuverability needed to stay competitive in Open B RC
Combat. Spanning 60 inches and packing 700 square inches into the
design, the Panther is nearly the same size as the Terminator (60
inches versus 56 inches and 700 square inches versus 776 square
inches), yet it weighs a full pound less than that Open C-class
design.
What is different about the Panther is its ability to switch from
one class to another. By unhooking the fuel line and throttle,
unbolting the engine mount, attaching the new engine and engine
mount—the mounts hold the lighter .15-size engine farther forward
to give the proper center of gravity despite the difference in engine
weight—and reattaching the throttle and fuel lines, the switch from
Class B Open to provisional SSC or from SSC back to Open B can
be made in minutes!
TufFlight recommends Icarex kite fabric to cover the designs,
and the company’s Web site includes instructions for applying
Icarex to EPP foam. While visiting the Web site, check out some of
the test-crash videos.
Another kit manufacturer who regularly comes to the Nats is
Stan Erwin of Screaming Eagle R/C, 1880 Enterprise Dr. N.E. Suite
Greg Rose, 1312 NW 196th St., Edmond OK 73003
RADIO CONTROL COMBAT
Joe Chovan of TufFlight launches his Panther. The back of his
shirt, “Talk’s Cheap LET’S FLY,” sums up RC Combat.
Stan Erwin of Screaming Eagle R/C shows off the new Go Devil,
featuring a fuselage that protects vital components.
Jay Lawless of Lawless’ Kombat Craft launches Don Veres’
Northrop A-17A in Scale Combat competition.
November 2003 117
D, Buford GA 30518; Web site:
www.screamingeaglerc.com. The
Screaming Eagle Open Class B Skull Bandit
has given rise to a new, smaller version for
the Provisional SSC class called the
Bandito. Powered by a .15 engine, the
Bandito has the same lines and rugged
construction of its popular larger
counterpart.
On the Open Class B scene, Screaming
Eagle was test flying its new Go Devil at
the Nats. The Go Devil uses the same wing
as the Skull Bandit, although the ailerons
are cut out a little more to allow for the Go
Devil’s wider fuselage. The Go Devil
design has a shorter coupled wing and tail,
making it more maneuverable than the Skull
Bandit.
An innovative feature on the aircraft is
the locking-box construction of the HDPE
(High Density Polyethylene) fuselage that
provides an area to protect vital
components. Tucked in the safe area, the
receiver, servos, and battery are shielded
from damage in combat or “abrupt”
landings, sometimes referred to as
“crashes.”
A veteran of Control Line (CL) Combat,
GRS Models, 36 Antigua Dr., Kenner LA
70065; Tel.: (504) 443-4640, has entered
RC Combat with the introduction of the
proven Falcon 72 in Almost Ready-to-Fly
(ARF) form.
The 72-inch-span Falcon 72 has been
extremely popular on the Texas Combat
scene, and the ARF version comes covered
with ailerons installed. After a few quick
steps such as taping on the tip rudders,
clamping the centerline rudder in place, and
installing the engine and radio gear, it’s
ready to fly.
In addition to the Falcon 72, GRS
Models offers the Fora .29 RC Combat
engine. These high-performance engines
have been popular in CL Combat, and the
Fora .29 RC is designed for RC Combat
Open Class B events.
In Scale Combat, Jay Lawless of
Lawless’ Kombat Craft, 5117 Bayside Dr.,
Troy MI 48098; Tel.: (248) 641-7768, was
at the Nats with his new Northrop A-17A
design for 2610 Scale Combat. The 52-inchspan
A-17A is 10% larger than 1/12 scale to
improve the streamer-grabbing action of its
slender wings.
Although the A-17A, known as the
Nomad in British and Commonwealth
service, is not a well-known airplane, it
shares many of its lines with its betterknown
offspring, the SBD Dauntless dive
bomber. The Lawless design is all cut foam
with Coroplast tail feathers.
While the Lawless A-17A battled it out in
the skies over Muncie, a few miles away at
the US Air Force Museum in Dayton, Ohio,
what may be the only surviving A-17A sits in
pristine condition, its bright metal finish
dazzling visitors. For those who would like to
go a little more “retro” in Scale Combat, the
addition of panted wheels would be the only
thing needed to bring the kit back to the
original A-17 version.
Neil Rohrke of Waverly RC, 9530 N. 140
St., Waverly NE 68462; Tel. (toll-free): (877)
786-2309; Web site: www.waverc.com, was
at the Nats again, flying in Open and Scale
Combat.
For Scale, Neil brought a European kit
that Waverly RC imports: the Me 109H V55.
A long-spanned, high-altitude version of the
venerable Me 109, the V55 kit spans a full 55
inches. As with most of the European imports
available from Waverly RC, the Me 109H
V55 features a full fiberglass fuselage and
presheeted foam wings.
Neil reported a lot of interest in another
European kit. With its stubby wings
suggesting that it would be far from ideal for
Scale Combat, the new 30-inch-span
Polikarpov I-16 seems to be on several fliers’
build lists, although none have shown up at
an RC Combat event yet.
That’s all for now. Until next time, build
straight, fly Combat, and don’t forget to
check your six! MA
PO BOX 141,
MILFORD, CT 06460
phone: (203) 877-1670
fax: (203) 876-2731
For Complete Catalog send
$5 (credited to first order)
www.davisdieseldevelopment.com
World’s Largest
Producer of Model
DIESEL FUELS!
DIESELIZE with Davis
Diesel... It’s Awsome!
Davis Diesel Heads
Over 100 Models from
.049 - 3.6 cu.in.
Transforms your:
.25 to a .40 cu.in.
.40 to a .60 cu.in.
.60 to a .90 cu.in.
.90 to a 1.20 cu.in.
★ 50% More Power
★ No Glow Plugs
★ Easy Starting
★ Doubles Flight Time
★ Low Noise
28
YEARS
Plugs between your charger
and wall socket. Provides
constant, safe, trickle for
radio or glo-starter chargers.
Can also be used on most any small charger rated 4 to 7 watts.
(cordless drill, screwdriver, cellular phone, flashlight, etc).
ORDER ONLINE or send check /
money order for $29.95 (plus $5.50 s&h;
outside U.S. add $7.50 s&h)
RK PRODUCTS
P.O. Box 4145 • Enterprise, FL 32725-0145
Tel: (386) 574-2750 • Fax: (386) 574-2304
visit our website: www.liltrickler.com
Trademark Registered; Patent Pending RK PRODUCTS
Only
$29.95
ARF Always Ready To Fly!
Introduces NEW!
SUPER COOL Plug with
Hi Temp Insulator
In addition to . . .
● The FIREBALL R/C IDLE BAR plug
only $2.75
● Hot & Standard Non-Idle Bar plugs
still only $2.45
only $2.75
Swanson
Associates
P.O. Box 151
Wayne, NJ
07470
Since 1948
Visit the AMA Education Committee
Web site at www.buildandfly.com.