RC Combat
Greg Rose, 1312 NW 196th St., Edmond OK 73003
Introduction
In the last column, I discussed the rapid growth in Open class RC (Radio Control) Combat and some of the sources for Open Combat kits. In that column, I promised an introduction to the Open class rules and even more sources for the kits, so here goes.
If you already fly in Scale RC Combat events, the Open rules will seem familiar to you. The RCCA (Radio Control Combat Association)—an AMA Special Interest Group—has been hard at work trying to make them that way.
There are a couple of very good reasons for similar rules. The first is the common goal of safety.
Safety measures
During several years of intense Combat activity, it has been demonstrated that Scale Combat can be flown safely by the rules. It is not surprising, then, that the RCCA has presented identical safety rules for the Open events.
Common safety measures include:
- Use of a safety line established 25 feet ahead of the flightline.
- A heavy point penalty and second-time disqualification for crossing the flightline.
- Use of AMA-approved protective headgear.
- Weight and power limitations on the models.
The second good reason to share many aspects of Scale Combat rules is that national pilot rankings can be applied to pilots regardless of whether their passion is Scale Combat, Open Combat, or the increasingly popular option of both.
Open class vs. Scale Combat
The big difference between Scale and Open Combat events is the limitless imagination that can be used in the design of Open class models.
The Open requirements are simple. Three categories are established:
- 1/2A class: engines up to .061 displacement.
- A class: engines up to .15 displacement.
- B class: engines up to .30 displacement.
Each class is defined by a maximum engine size — not a range. This allows any smaller-class modelers to compete in a larger-engine-size category if they want.
Unlike Scale Combat, in which twin-engine designs are allowed, Open Combat designs are allowed only a single engine. Any sort of tuned silencer or muffler is permitted, as long as it does not exceed eight inches in length.
There are no modification restrictions for two-stroke, four-stroke, or diesel engines that meet the displacement requirements.
Electric designs
Electric designs are permitted, but the class in which an electric design competes is determined by its flying weight rather than engine size.
One small advantage for electric modelers in Open class compared to Scale Combat is the slightly shorter flight times required — a full round takes five minutes, rather than seven minutes.
Electric models are classified by weight as follows:
- Models weighing less than two pounds: 1/2A class.
- Models weighing as much as three pounds: A class.
- Models weighing as much as four pounds: B class.
Since engine size determines class in non-electric models, the weight requirements are even simpler for piston engines: no Combat model can exceed 3.5 pounds in dry (unfueled) weight.
The only other engine requirements are safety-related: a servo dedicated to throttle control or a kill switch, and some sort of safety nut to avoid any bare threads on the prop shaft.
Design restrictions
The model cannot have “structures or devices” designed to aid in cutting streamers. Wingtips skid plates are allowed, but they cannot extend forward of the wing leading edge.
A recent change in Open rules allows “sticky wings,” which have been used quietly in Scale Combat for years. Not specifically prohibited in the Scale Combat rules (therefore allowed), “sticky wings” generally refers to spraying a contact adhesive on a model’s wings before a round.
Many Combat fliers have seen their models come in contact with opponents’ streamers, only to watch the streamers slide effortlessly across and then off the wings. The streamer sticks to a treated wing and virtually assures a kill with wing contact from any angle.
Scale events have often been flown using a gentleman’s agreement — either sticky wings or no sticky wings. Many pilots carry a small can of spray adhesive in case they attend a meet at which sticky wings are agreed upon.
A slightly neater version of the sticky wing, which does tend to accumulate dust, grass, and the occasional unlucky insect in addition to streamers, is made by smoothing a small bead of silicone along the wing’s leading edge. The silicone is dry to the touch but does a decent job of helping grab onto a streamer.
Scoring
Open and Scale scoring are the same:
- 100 points per streamer cut.
- 20 points for launching within the 90-second launch window.
- 20 points for staying airborne the entire round.
- 2 points for each foot of streamer remaining on your model when the round ends.
In the case of a midair between models, following a clearly defined safety procedure allows a pilot to earn points for staying airborne. Negative points are given for trying to avoid combat, failure to get a model airborne during an assigned round, crossing the safety line, and crossing the flightline.
Check the RCCA Web site at www.rcccombat.com for exact details and a full set of official Open and Scale Combat rules.
Manufacturers and kits
I will add a few Open class Combat kit manufacturers, but the list in the last two columns is by no means complete. One reason the list can never be complete is that many kits are not specifically designed for RC Combat, but they have good Combat potential.
J&C Hobbies (Box 17068, Pittsburgh PA 15235; Tel.: [412] 795-9344; E-mail: [email protected]; Web site: www.jchobbies.com) produces the FunBat ARF (Almost Ready to Fly). This time-proven design comes as an ARF because it is so simple to build. The 37-inch symmetrical wing is formed from foam board and packs 370 square inches into the design. The kit only has 10 pieces; you are basically finished with the assembly after you attach the tail onto the carbon-fiber boom and add the boom and engine mount to the wing. Typically powered by a .15, the FunBat design is a proven winner in what is now called a Class Open Combat.
A good B class design that is rapidly making a name for itself is the Predator from TuffFlight (5376 Amafi Dr., Clay NY 13041; Web site: www.tufflight.com; E-mail: [email protected] or [email protected]). The Predator spans 48 inches and has 600 square inches of wing area. Powered by a .28 engine, the flying-wing design weighs in at approximately three pounds.
As do so many Slope Soarers, the Predator has EPP (expanded polypropylene) foam in the construction of the wing, which provides plenty of strength but enough flexibility to bounce back from most crashes. To demonstrate how crash-resistant the Predators are, TuffFlight has two crash videos available on its Web site to illustrate their survivability.
Closing
Until next time, fly safely, fly Combat (Open or Scale—both are a blast), and be sure to check your six! MA
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
