Control Line: Combat
TOPS. The Bladder Grabber has evolved into the premier Combat contest staged in the United States. The event is sponsored by Bob Carver, who donates upwards of $6,000 in stereo components for prizes each year. Anyone who has won some of the goodies at these meets and then goes into a stereo store to purchase additional items knows the VIP treatment they receive when they mention that they have Carver Corporation equipment. The contest drew 38 entries this year from the Western states-and even a couple from Michigan. Besides the outstanding prizes, the meet has good organization and a lot of flying because it is full triple-elimination. Hulan Matthies (Los Angeles, CA) was first and won about $3,000 worth of merchandise. They had to regrid the southern California power system before he could fire up his new amplifier. Hulan destroyed his fleet of models on his way to the win-as well as a few belonging to Rich Lopez.
Control Line: Combat
SURPRISE! The U.S. FAI CL Combat team consists of the normal three flying members plus their pit crews and, for the first time, a non-flying member, who was the highest-placing Junior or Senior at the Team Trials. It was assumed at the Team Trials that Michael Willcox would get that position because he was the last Junior or Senior to be eliminated, and the only other person in contention was John Stubblefield, who made the regular team. As it turned out, Michael went out in the same round as did Eric Parker, so a special two-out-of-three series was arranged at the annual St. Louis contest to determine the highest-placing Junior/Senior. Michael and his father, Pat, drove all the way up from Texas but had a lot of equipment problems and just couldn't hold off a very hot Eric Parker for the special spot. So, congratulations to Eric, and we hope he has a nice trip to the World Championships in Hungary.
Control Line: Combat
CONTROL LINE newsletters are filled with gripes about how the manufacturers and hobby shops have forgotten about our particular interests. Having once taken a course in economics at college, I consider myself an expert in the area and will agree that there is a problem for both parties. I've always been in favor of supporting the local hobby shops, but we've come to a point where we cannot expect local hobby dealers to stock specialty items. Enter the 1986 version of the Bear Necessities catalog put out by-who else but-Bear Model Products, 2709 Turtlecreek Dr., Hazel Crest, IL 60429; phone (312) 798-4381. This is a quality, 16-page catalog of all the goodies you've been looking for. Things like "Bear Kits" for FAI Combat at $18.50, 1/2A kits for $14.50, and the Fast Combat model which runs $22.50.
Control Line: Combat
LOTS of time remains for you to make plans to attend the one and only, Bladder Grabber XI. This is the triple-elimination Fast Combat meet held in the suburbs of Seattle that you've been reading about for years. As you and the other 40 competitors go for the gold and glory and the $5,000 worth of prizes, you'll be a part of history. The winners will even get their pictures in Model Aviation and a bunch of MACA points (Miniature Aircraft Combat Association-a special-interest group) to help them toward the MACA Championship for 1986. There will be more information elsewhere in this issue, but here's a rundown of what you can expect. The festivities start off with a free breakfast for contestants at 9:00 a.m. on June 28, at which time everyone registers and tries to psych out the competition.
Control Line: Combat
AVAILABLE now! Yes, the long-awaited Cipolla .36 Combat engine is now available in the U.S.A. through Doc Passen, 608 W. Main, P.O. Box 111, Jasonville, IN 47438. His phone number is (812) 665-3723. The introductory price will be $69.95 and will go to the full price of $89.95 if the reception is successful. The engine, as you can see from the picture, has a conventional bottom end, front-intake with two ball bearings and drive hub similar to Rossi or Supertigre. The head is anodized aluminum and secures the brass cylinder liner with four screws. The liner is left exposed above the finned portion of the crankcase. The engine is designed to run on fuel having a nitro content of 25% or less. Doc Passen recommends a good 15%-nitro fuel with castor oil lube and a Taipan 8 × 6 prop. Extra head buttons and shims are not supplied with the engine.
