Radio Control: Combat
HAPPY NEW YEAR: 1993 was a banner year for RC combat, with more events, in both 704 Scale and nonscale, than ever before. The growth of this facet of the RC sport may be attributed to a number of things: First, more and more fliers who see these events realize that the small models fly well! The idea that big models fly, little ones flit stops many modelers from considering smaller designs.
Radio Control: Combat
LOOKING BACK on the summer flying season (tipped all you southern fliers off with that statement, didn't I?) this was a great year for the RC Combat flier. More people joined in 704 fun than in previous years, and both interest and safety awareness increased in nonscale events. Manufacturers who support this facet of modeling responded. All this activity is great, with new developments occuring all the time.
Radio Control: Combat
THE LAST TIME I took some of my models to the flying field, another flier looked at my planes and asked, somewhat astonished, "You hand launch?" Many-perhaps even most-RC fliers today have never launched a plane by hand. Since 704 models are normally hand launched, fliers unfamiliar with hand launching should heed these words of caution: Hand launching any low-wing model can be difficult, because the position of the wing forces you to hold the fuselage behind the wing and in an extremely nose-heavy position.
Radio Control: Combat
WHAT FEEDBACK I'VE HAD! This month's column is something of a milestone for me. Since there is a three-month delay between submission and publication of the column, this is the first one in which I can tell you about the feedback. I thank all of you who wrote and offered your best wishes. I'll do my best to represent the views of all corresponding modelers and promote the exciting sport of RC Combat, both Scale and nonscale events. Your letters have also reinforced my belief that the vast majority of modelers interested in RC Combat realize that any event, scale or nonscale, must always put safety first.
Radio Control: Combat
DEBUT! Welcome to the first Model Aviation column covering RC combat and the new AMA Event No. 704, RC WW II Combat. Let me start out by saying that since the No. 704 event is in its infancy there are a lot of questions to be answered about it. The first issue that I'm going to address is safety. It is not a cliche to say that the future of aeromodeling as a whole depends on the modeling community promoting all aspects of model aviation in a safe, enjoyable manner. We, as hobbyists, are linked together in this manner whether we personally enjoy radio control, control line, or free flight. Despite any difference we may have in our modeling interest, we all share one common rule, "Nobody has fun if somebody gets hurt."
