Control Line: Combat
Control Line Combat has evolved tremendously since its inception in the 1950s. In the early days, half the battle was trying to get the engine started and the model into the air. Simple things, such as starting batteries, caused immeasurable grief. Most modelers were using the tall dry cell 1.5 volt battery used for doorbells; the high-tech guys had two-volt lead-acid units with the little colored balls on the side that indicated when the battery was fully charged or when it needed charging. Pen bladders, pacifiers, and those metal hard tanks gave users fits when they burst or sprang a leak at a critical moment. Doug Bias, a flying buddy, spent hours on a silk-covered VooDoo that sprang a leak on its maiden flight, soaking the balsa structure. Doug was so angry that he stomped the beautiful model until nothing was salvageable - frustration got the best of this master builder.
Control Line: Combat
The Miniature Aircraft Combat Association had its origins in 1973 when a few Combat enthusiasts had this idea of forming a national organization. Neal White and Howard Rush had a hand in this venture. Somewhere in my archives, I still have one of the original green membership cards signed by Kernel Howard Rush himself. The purpose of this organization was to promote the event throughout the country and around the world. We developed a method to recognize those pilots who were outstanding in competition by initiating the Top 10 program (and later, the Top 20). At first we only looked at Fast Combat results, and then expanded to include Slow, FAI and 1/2A as well. These were the official rule book events. There was also a provision to include those events flown in Western Associated Modelers (WAM) sanctioned contests. Back in the 1970s, WAM was in its heyday, with huge numbers of fliers participating in four different combat events (1/2A, Class A, Slow, and Fast) that were broken down into three flier categories (Beginner, Advanced, and Expert). It was lots of fun in its day and provided a consistent circuit of contests, well within Sunday morning driving range, for the folks who lived in Northern California.
Control Line: Combat
THE 1996 COMBAT SEASON got off to a good start in Tucson, Arizona, with the annual Top Gun Triple-Elimination Fast Combat Contest. Thirty-five competitors from all around the country vied for the number-one spot. The big difference this year was that fuel shutoffs or fuel dumps were required. Some pilots were still trying to sort out the bugs in their systems. All of the pilots were required to demonstrate their shutoff devices to officials; this occurred during the warmup period just before the one-minute countdown. These procedures do not add substantially to the time it takes to run a contest.
Control Line: Combat
THIS MONTH'S COLUMN focuses on the Combat novice. Control Line Combat can take a great deal of time and effort. An ideal place to start is with model airplane magazines. Some offer sections devoted to Control Line flying; these include Flying Models (Box 700, Newton NJ 07860-0700), Model Builder (c/o Gallant Models, Inc., Box 2459, Capistrano Beach CA 92624-0459), and of course, Model Aviation. Aero Modeller (c/o Wise Owl Worldwide Publications, 4314 West 238th Street, Torrance CA 90505-4509) is published in England; it contains lots of Control Line information. If you live in an urban area, chances are that you will have a hobby shop or two listed in your telephone directory. Shops are a good place to go to ask about clubs that might be located in the area. Hobby shops can also supply you with some of the basic materials and equipment you will need to begin a building project. Shop owners know that it is in their best interests to get the novice off to a good start and in the hands of someone who will make their flying adventure positive. It is human nature to continue with experiences that are fun, and get some adrenaline pumping.
Control Line Combat
IN MY LAST COLUMN, I mentioned that I had been experimenting with one of the new Fox Mark VII Combat Specials. This month I have some concrete data that you might find of interest. The engine that I have been running is from the batch that was available at the 1994 AMA National Championships in Lubbock, Texas. John Lowery of Fox Manufacturing had worked long and hard to get the Mark VII ready for its debut at the Nats. Betty Fox was also quite pleased that she could introduce a new and improved version of the Combat Special with so many people looking on. Rumors had been flying all over the place (long before the Nats) that there was a new, more-powerful Fox Combat Special being developed at the Arkansas factory.
