Introduction to Electric Combat, added 2/14/2005
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| The most intensive area of design and development in Model Aviation today is that of electic modeling. Many new modelers are starting off with electric rather than internal combustion so it makes sense that a lot of interest is developing in electric combat. This article is meant to introduce you to what has been done so far with electric combat. It may be awhile before nationally recognized classes and standardized rules are developed for the AMA Rule book but this is not stopping those interested in electric combat from pursuing its development. Profile Fan Fold Fighters: To date there have been three main areas of electric fighter development. The first and least time consumming or expensive is profile WWII fighters. Made from fan fold fold, these airplanes are quick to build, inexpensive and if properly designed are quite fun to combat. Manufacturers such as North East Sailplanes and GWS have entered into the market providing fan fold foamies for combat. Individuals such as Lee Liddle and John Brodie are also offering kits for sale. The fan fold planes are being equipped with GWS 350 brushed motors, inexpensive brushed ESCs (speed controllers) and two or three light weight servos weighing 9 grams or less. The battery packs are typically Lithium Polymer, 2 cell packs ranging from 700 Mah to 1,320 Mah capacity. The profile fan fold planes are the a great starting point for localized club combat with low investment in time,materials, and cost. Full Fuselage WWII fighters: Another class enjoying a developing popularity is the more scale WWII fighters. Made with foam fuselages of 1" to 3" thickness, and airfoiled foam wings the planes are great performers because they are aerodynamically clean with airfoils that are more efficient than the flat fan fold foam airfoils. To date the full fuselage fighters have been built to spans of 32" or less and weigh 10-12 ounces comlete ready to fly with battery. There are currently two sources for kits for these planes. The first is 2004 Grand National Combat Champion, Lee Liddle. He has a P51, Spitfire, and ME109 completed and ready fo sale. The other source is Northeast Sale Products. They have a line of kits they call Street Fighters. Much more information on building and flying electric combat planes is available on the Radio Control Combat Association's web site www.rccombat.com as is much of the breaking information on electric combat. The next area of combat to be developed is that of "Open" combat. This is a class where the planes shape is left up to the designers imagination adn we will see much growth in that area soon. My personal direction is to develop electric combat planes that perform well close in to the pilots, are very maneuverable and most important survive the inevitable mid air collison. To accomplish this goal I believe that the front of the airplane must be soft so that impact will not damage an opponents plane. This also means the engine and spinning prop must be located back in the airframe to prevent them from being rams and scythes to the opponents airframes. Check back soon for much more information. |
| Above a 40" Spitfire plan from Digital Set. The plotted sheet is glued directly to the fan fold foam and cut out. Below one of the new series of GWS Warbirds. |
| Below is Lee Liddle's profile hybrid. It uses coroplast for the flat fuselage while the foam wing is hot cut and airfoiled. |
| Lee Liddle Spitfire shown above and P51 Mustang below. |
NE Sail Streetfighter