Radio control combat involves two or more airplanes. Each plane carries a crepe paper
streamer. The object is to cut your opponents' streamer while protecting your own.
"Cuts" are usually made by catching the crepe paper streamer on your wing although
sometimes you get prop cuts, elevator or rudder cuts. What follows is a general
description of the sport and how to get started. Good luck and happy hunting.
During 2002-2005 the evolution of combat has led to three popular classes. They are:
- Slow and Survivable Combat (SSC) which in 2004 represented 54% of the total contest rounds flown
- Open B accounted for 35% of the contest rounds flown
- Scale 2610 accounted for 11% of the rounds flown.
What follows is an explanation of each of these three classes and the new limited performance variations for Open B and Scale being
introduced in 2005.
RC Combat began in Europe and came to the United States in the early 90's. At that time it
was only for Scale WWII fighter. In 2005 there will be two scale classes flown at contests. The
existing class is called Scale 2610 and the new class is Scale 2548. Scale 2610 planes may
fly in the 2548 class but not vice versa.
Scale "2610" allows engine displacement up to a maxium of .26 for singles and .30 for twins.
The airplane can deviate up to 10% up or down from true 1/12th scale. Singles may weigh no
more than 3.5 lbs and twins no more than 4lbs.
Scale 2548 planes have performance limits to keep the speeds down and are required to have
higher scale fidelity for which they may be awarded bonus points. The maximum wingspan is
48" and the plane must be scaled accurately and in proportion to its span.
The combat last for 5 minutes. Fliers are given 90 seconds to get airborne. Once the 90
seconds have expired or if all fliers are up "start combat" is called. Fliers get 100 points for
each cut on another ribbon, 20 points for launching before start combat is called, 20 points for
flying the entire heat, and 4 points for each foot of streamer remaining at the end of the match.
Scale combat in the US is governed by the rules of AMA, and it's Special interest group the
Radio Control Combat Association.
"Open" is the largest class of RC combat. The most popular class of is SSC which stands for
Slow and Survivable Combat. Click here to see some representative kits for SSC and Open B.
SSC airplanes are have performance limiting rules that require inexpensive .15 size engines,
a mandated propeller and limit on the maximum rpms.
The next most popular class is Open B which is for engines up to .30 displacement and there
are no limits on engines or airplanes other than the maximum weight is 3.5lbs. There are many
planes available for Open Class combat, click here to go to reviews and write ups on the
various Open Class planes.
The rules of Open Combat in AMA and RCCA are consistent across the United States. The
rules of NSCC are that there aren't any rules at all only guidelines which can be adjusted to
suit local conditions. The AMA/RCCA has an annual National Points Standing for fliers who
wish to compete at contest around the country.
It is easiest to start with Open class airplanes. Decide if you would prefer to fly with a .25-.30 size engine or an
engine up to .47. Since you will need fellow combaters to fly with you should discuss with your flying buddies what
class you want to try to get started. You should start with a low cost, fast to build, good flying plane. Three good
airplanes are shown on the right. The BattleFloyd is a quick to build excellent flying balsa and foam plane. The
"Simple Plastic Airplane Design" or SPAD is very quick and inexpensive to build and is campaigned by many Open B
fliers. The last plane is the Bat Trick named for its use of a wiffle ball bat for a fuselage. It is low cost and very easy
to fly but its designer used it to win the 2001 Nationals and the National Points Championship. Click here for more
information on these planes.
If you decide to fly SSC the most popular engines (under $65 rule) are the OS LA .15 and the Magnum .15XL. In Open B
class planes the most popular engines are the OS .25 LA, OS .25 FX, Norvel .25 Big Mig and .25 AME BB, Webra .25, the
Irvine .25, Jett .25 or .30 and Magnum .28. All of these engines have been used successfully in combat. The engine that you
have the most confidence in and that works best for you is the one you should use. The choice of an engine is one of
personal preference rather than clear cut technical advantages. With the exception of the Jett all the engines are priced in the
sport engine category.
An open class plane for either SSC or B is fine with standard size servos. I recommend cheap non bearing ones as they last
just fine and work well in this application. You can use either a standard size receiver or one of the smaller units like the Hitec
555.
- There are few combat arfs, you have to build them. No ARF will dominate combat as changes are coming to
fast for any manufacturer to keep up. - Raw speed and radical turning ability are not a sure fire winning combination. Practice, peripheral vision, and
depth perception will win more contest than the plane and engine. Its the pilot that wins more often than the
plane.
- You should have at least three planes to go to a contest. That's three planes, three engines, three receivers,
etc.
- Although we fly combat for fun it is a competition event. Many of your fellow club members will never become
competitors in any form of modeling, they may resent you and your planes. Do your best to get along.
- Combat fliers argue a lot on the internet but very little in person preferring to let their planes do the talking
- Start with something simple like a SPAD and graduate to airplanes that take more time and money to build
- Hand launching is new skill you will have to acquire. The most dangerous part of combat is the first launch of
a new plane. It is especially bad if the plane is underpowered or out of balance. That is why first flights are
not allowed at contests.
- Winning at combat comes from consistency. Seek to find a plane, engine combination that you can build
repeatedly. Learn to fly it to the best of your and its ability. Make equipment changes slowly. Equipment will
not overcome lack of combat skill and vision.
- The experts are the ones who are winning contests. Not the ones using up all the bandwidth on the internet
- Email people for help. They have been where you are and want you to be successful so you will come to
contests where they can cut your streamer.