Tread tape is a new option - 201209

It is has been a great year for Combat
so far, with contests being held across
the country. I recently attended the
Battle for Bean Town in Ohio. It was
another nice event, although I did have
some issues with my Slow Survivable
Combat (SSC) airplanes again.
A big discussion this year has been
about tread tape on the wings’ LEs.
Throughout the years we have used
many types of sticky substances on the
LEs, but tread tape seems to be a good
option. As with many things, there are
some issues.
When I got started in Combat, the
first sticky substance I used was honey.
It was good, but it had some problems.
During cold weather it would harden,
which was a drawback in northern
climates. It also had an issue with
attracting bees, as it did at one Texas
contest, which resulted in banning the
use of honey.
When we looked for other options,
we came up with tangle foot, a sticky,
pest-control barrier. It’s good at catching
streamers, but gets all over everything.
Until we started covering the wing with
painter’s tape, it was hard to remove.
This past year one of the best ideas
came out: carpet tape. As did other
options, it had its drawbacks. It would
pick up grass and you’d have to apply
a new layer after nearly every round.
There was also a problem with being
unable to remove streamers. In the air,
you couldn’t tell if it was a new cut or
debris from a previous round.
I first heard about using tread tape late
last year. I initially had some reservations,
as did others. Tread tape is sold in home
improvement stores and is used in your
bathtub to keep you from slipping and
falling. It is not as sharp as sandpaper
and will hold the streamer instead of
shredding it.
Bob Loescher has been using it most
of the year, and I have been watching its
Tread tape is a new option
by Don Grissom
[email protected]
PLUS:
> Lethal Weapon
kit
> Battle over
Blue Ridge
ability to hold onto the streamer. So far I have been impressed.
During the last rounds of Limited B at the Battle of Bean
Town, only Bob and I were left in the air and he was able to get cuts and hold onto
the streamer well. I think tread tape is a good, clean option.
A New Kit
I recently have had trouble with the fuel systems on my SSC airplanes. Most come
from the fuel tank being located too far from the engine. Because I had few options, I
thought it would be a good time to look at giving another airplane a try.
I almost overlooked a local option. Located north of me is Wayne Voyles with his
Lethal Weapon kit. It is similar to the Battle Axe, but with some changes to the tail
section and wing design. The kits are sold as single kits or in a three pack and are the
right price for a Combat airplane. Wayne also offers free shipping.
With the basic kit you will still need
to provide electronics, engine, and
fuel tank. The airplane comes set up
for Open B but has instructions to modify it for SSC. He told me it’s important to
watch the weight and not add too much tape to the wing.
The instructions are located online with full-color pictures. They are good with
step-by-step procedures. Another nice feature is that he has all the parts listed online
so you can order replacements. It appears to be a good kit and I hope to get some
decent flights at the Nats in July.
Battle Over Blue Ridge
I received a good write-up from a Combat pilot in Virginia. David Smithgall has
had a number of contests in his area with some good turnouts. This is his report from
a contest earlier this year.
“You throw your plane out and find
your place in the sky. Check one last
time that your controls are working
correctly and pray that she holds up just
one more round. Your thumb sweats
against the throttle. And there it is
blaring from the sound system, ‘Begin
Combat!’
“Your heart races and adrenaline
pumps so hard it almost breaks your
concentration. You soar through the
air, twisting and turning, dodging and
chasing competitors all for the thrill.
This is RC Combat!
“Each plane has a 30-foot streamer
trailing behind and your goal is to fly
close enough to cut others’ streamers
without them cutting yours. Surviving
the heat takes a lot of skill and a little
luck as well. Each heat, several planes
will meet their demise in midair
collisions, failed electronics, or from a
simple case of the dumb thumbs.
“There is a rush of excitement you
get from flying Combat that you can’t
get anywhere else. There’s the pride
from hours of preparing your plane
and watching as you send her off on
her maiden flight—especially if it’s
successful. There’s camaraderie with
fellow pilots—even if they are your
competitors. And there is the completely
relaxed state you feel when flying—it’s
like nothing else matters. It can’t, and
if it does, your concentration may be
broken right along with your plane.
“By the third heat, all of the pilots
are scrambling around making repairs—
quick fixes with tape and glue. Good
enough and they’re ready for the next
round. Other pilots are on search-andrescue
missions as they locate and collect
the carnages that were their planes.
They grab their spares and are ready as
well. Every pilot knows that all Combat
planes have an expiration date.
“Each Combat event that I attend has
given me a nice welcome and a day of
excitement. I am completely hooked on
this hobby.
“Wanting to drum up a little interest
and just promote this hobby, our club
in Bedford, Virginia, Virginia Aero
Modelers, decided to host our first
Combat event on September 4, 2010:
Battle over Blue Ridge. It was the most
successful event our club has had to
date and I was thrilled. We’ve hosted
the Battle over Blue Ridge several times
now and it seems to get bigger and
better each time.
“Our latest competition of Battle over
Blue Ridge was held on St. Patrick’s Day,
March 17. The weather in Virginia was
perfect for us—a little cloudy but mid-
70s. We had 19 pilots from five states
participating in a grueling eight rounds
of SSC. It was a perfect mix of fierce
competition. We followed up with six
pilots competing in [the] 2948 Scale
class. Mustangs, Oscars, and Zeros filled
the sky and gave quite a show!
“The event is successful because so
many people and other clubs come
together to make it so. My competitors
drive long hours to compete. We now
have a couple of people competing
from our own club—and some first
timers as well. We even have RC club
members from another county show up
as spectators to show support and give
assistance in judging.
“Members of the Virginia Aero
Modelers assisted in the setup, cooking,
and judging. They attended the event
along with family members, all in an
effort to show support for the event and
pride in our club. I am so thankful for all
the contributors. It was the combined
effort of all of us that made the day
possible.
“I hope that more clubs take more
interest in Combat and look to each
other to put together Combat events,
especially in Virginia. So, if you think RC
Combat is a hobby you want to try or
promote, remember this: the sky is the
limit!”