Tom Southern

FROM ENGLAND to Mexico City, combat fliers came to Lake Charles, La. to compete in the U.S. National Championships. Few other contests in our country can compare to the Nationals for combat competition, and the best from everywhere showed up at Lake Charles to pit their skills and their planes against one another. Combat has always ranked among the top spectator drawing events at the Nationals. This year the spectator got to see the best Combat that the Nationals has ever produced. For instance, FAI Combat this year came into its own, highlighted by a match between Bob Burch of Cicero, Ill. and Richard Wilkins from England. This match was by far the "Best Match" of the entire week, possibly the best I have ever seen anywhere. Both fliers were given a standing ovation by the spectators and the competitors alike when they finished the match. A fine show of flying ability and super moves left Bob Burch the winner of the match. Richard Wilkins by virtue of the FAI rule which flies the losers of the first round off to get back into the winners bracket, went on to win 5th place in the FAI event.