1994 Nats Sampler
1994 Nats Sampler Photographs
Control Line: Combat
IT IS TIME FOR ME to reflect on the 1994 Combat season, and all of the activities that went along with it. It is early October as I write this column, and the weekend before the United States team leaves for Shanghai, China to compete at the World Championships. I can only speak for the effort Chuck Rudner has put forth in preparation to represent his country. We have been at it every weekend, with only a few exceptions, since we made the team back in September of 1993. Chuck has developed some new designs and has used every trick in the book to extract maximum horsepower from his engines. His arsenal will include both American-style foam models that utilize carbon-fiber arrowshaft tailbooms, and Russian-style half-foam, half-wood open-bay-type models. His engines include the fastest Nelson .15s on the planet, and some very strong Russian engines from various manufacturers.
Control Line: Combat
FROM TIME TO TIME a manufacturer develops a product for a very specialized group of users/consumers. Willy Wiley (Wiley's Custom Engines, 15605 Wright Brothers Lane, Addison TX 75244; Tel.: [214] 245-6548, fax: [214] 702-9210) has entered into the model engine manufacturing business with some very high performance .36 engines. A .36 is primarily for Slow and AMA Fast Combat-a rather small market, if you were to compare it to RC. Combat fliers ask a lot of an engine: one-flip starts; hot restarts; high horsepower, strength; light weight; longevity; and the ability to digest dirt without harming its internal organs. It also has to be cheap or at least reasonable.
Control Line: Combat
THE 1995 COMBAT SEASON is off and running. The first major contest of the season is the Top Gun Fast Combat tournament in Tucson AZ. This year it was the weekend of March 18-19, a bit later than usual. I wasn't able to attend due to some previous commitments, but I've spoken to Chuck Rudner, Don Repp, and Pat Willcox about the contest. There were some 40 entries from all over the United States. This year the Whittier Narrows Regulars from Southern California fielded a large contingent and did quite well. The ever-dangerous Alan De Veuve of San Diego CA managed to win another big contest. His equipment is always top-of-the-line, and with his quick reflexes his flying ability is outstanding.
Control Line: Combat
IN 1995 THE UNITED STATES Control Line Combat Team Trials were held in Detroit, Michigan at the famous Rouge River Park. For years I had heard stories about this site, and how it was where the Detroit Combat Team was founded. My good friend and flying partner Chuck Rudner got his start there, as did Ron Colombo, Steve Kott, Mark Daniels, Edwin Brzys, Ron Marchioni, Paul Smith, Ray Kryza, Louis Scavone, and many others. I suppose you could call it an historic Combat site. The United States Team Trials are really the only time Combat pilots from across the country come together to fly in a true FAI Combat contest. Yes, the event is offered at the AMA National Championships, but the Team Trials always has a greater number of entrants. This year there were 32 entries.
