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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.
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.
hybrid. It uses coroplast for the
flat fuselage while the foam wing
is hot cut and airfoiled.
P51 Mustang below.
