Tread tape is a new option
by Don Grissom ([email protected])
It 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 wing leading edges (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 Tanglefoot, 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. Like other options, it had 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 bathtubs 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 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
Recently I've had trouble with the fuel systems on my SSC airplanes. Most problems 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 give another airplane a try. I almost overlooked a local option. Wayne Voyles, located north of me, offers 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 and good 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...
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
