| It was a little more than 50 years ago that combat | | | | material for model airplanes, such as Foam and SPAD, |
| flying entered the arena of aeromodelling. Memories of | | | | as 'combat pilots' endeavor to achieve the position of |
| exciting dogfights between German Me 109s and | | | | 'Top Dog'. Combat Clubs can be found in almost every |
| Spitfires inspired aeromodellers to build balsa wood | | | | country and almost every aeromodelling club has |
| control line scale models of these and other fighter | | | | specialists in 'combat flying'. Rules and regulations have |
| planes of WW II era. | | | | been framed, to make competitiveness fair. |
| A model plane with wingspans ranging from 36 inches | | | | Categories of 'combat flying' have become more |
| and above powered generally by a 1.5cc to 2.5cc | | | | stringent, depending on the experience of the flier, the |
| engine, using wire control line, which controlled the | | | | size of the aircraft intended for the 'combat'. |
| ailerons would be flown by two 'combat pilots' standing | | | | Accordingly, power of the engine, pitch of the propeller, |
| next to each other. Each aircraft had a long streamer | | | | weight of the airplane and in instances, even the shape |
| attached below the tail plane. | | | | of the fuselage, are considered. Categories have been |
| The object of the 'combat pilots' would be to cut off | | | | demarcated in such a manner that they include |
| the opponent's streamer, using the propeller of his | | | | beginners to experience 'combat pilots' and every |
| aircraft. Each 'pilot' maneuvered his aircraft to get | | | | category in between. |
| behind his opponent's plane to cut off as much of the | | | | For each category, the rules vary, but in each instance, |
| streamer as possible. The 'pilots' developed skills to | | | | the primary consideration is the skill of the 'pilot'. |
| maneuver their aircraft using every tactic as in the | | | | Stipulations as in one class, the combat must last at |
| normal combat flying, to get into position to hack his | | | | least 5 minutes; the engine must be 150 cc capacities |
| opponents streamer. The victor was the one, who | | | | and the weight of the aircraft should be no less than |
| was able to cut off the maximum amount of the other | | | | 2.5 pounds. There are no limitations on the wingspan in |
| plane's streamer. | | | | this category, but the wing area should be 400 square |
| The sport of model airplane combat has, over the | | | | inches. The maximum rpm of the engine should not |
| years, undergone a sea of change. Besides growing | | | | exceed 17,500 at take off. |
| exponentially, control line has given way to radio | | | | You can take your hobby as far as you can, as the |
| controlled models. Competitiveness has increased, | | | | excitement you can derive is unlimited. You can get |
| leading to development of skills, in handling transmitters | | | | into modeling full time and enjoy the benefits, while you |
| for intricate maneuvering of the aircrafts for cutting off | | | | experience the exhilarating world of model airplane |
| the opponent's streamers, using the 'armament' of the | | | | combat. |
| fast revving propeller, as well the wing, wherever | | | | The whole vista of combat model aircraft flying is an |
| possible. | | | | exciting one; challenging, competitive with endless |
| Stronger material than balsa wood has replaced the | | | | possibilities. Go and explore it! |