Anyone who willingly flies an R/C airplane in combat with another R/C plane – where the objective is to maneuver dangerously close behind their opponent and snip their streamer – has got to be nuts, right?  Do the stories you’ve heard about R/C combat matches leave you with the feeling that it’s just for reckless pilots with more airplanes than sense?  The truth is that R/C combat is an enormous load of fun, and is a rare opportunity to fly in a manner where you can actually be penalized for avoiding other aircraft!

It doesn’t take specialty equipment to be competitive - essentially any airplane will work for R/C combat.  A great combat platform is one that is quick and very maneuverable.  Yet every airplane design is a compromise, attempting to optimize the desirable characteristics for a particular application against all the others required for flight (think stability).

For those so inclined, there is the latest generation of specialty combat airplane kits available for purchase.  They have relatively wide wingspans (better for cutting streamers), handle powerful engines (can provide more speed / acceleration), are lightweight and have wild control throws (greater maneuverability), and are durable (to withstand abusive flying and belly landings).  Combat airplane kits generally tend to be somewhat inexpensive.  Some combat pilots even consider them to be “disposable” for use in their intended purpose – and strike the point home by not allowing sandpaper anywhere near them before covering.

For others, the perfect combat airplane might just be that semi-retired plane above the garage – together with that semi-retired engine in your old parts box.  Many of the airplanes entered in previous Buzzard combat events have been airplanes that pilots weren’t too attached to anymore but were still airworthy - and competitive.  With Lady Luck as your co-pilot, your old airplane might just do a lot better against the competition than you think.  Any model airplane that passes a visual safety check and is capable of complying with the contest flying rules is allowed.  Streamer-catching or cutting devices of any kind are prohibited.  Engines may be any non-turbine glow, gas, diesel, or electric - but open exhausts are also prohibited.

So what’s involved in a combat match?  First, each airplane is outfitted with 20 feet of string, to which 20 feet of crepe paper streamer is taped to the end.  Airplanes are required to launch with the full 40’ tail at the beginning of every match (it’s important your streamer is tied on well, because if it comes off during the match on it’s own, you just lost the match).  Once all airplanes in the match are aloft

the “engage!” command is given by one of the event officials.  For the next 3 minutes, airplanes try to maneuver behind their opponents and cut their streamer.  Removing any part of an opponent's streamer is a "cut" and constitutes a kill / victory (worth 2 points), and also signals the end of the match.  If after 3 minutes of combat there has been no cut, the airplanes break from competition and the winner is then decided by power-off spot landing - the closest spinner to a pre-determined point on the runway (worth 1 point).

Occasionally, two airplanes engaged in combat attempt to occupy the same point of airspace at exactly the same time.  The resulting mid-air collision is considered “no-fault” and is categorized in one of two ways: non-disabling and disabling.  In a non-disabling collision, both airplanes must break from combat and land immediately.  If both airplanes are deemed airworthy via inspection on the ground (or a backup airplane is available), pilots may re-fly their match at the end of the round.  No points are awarded during a non-disabling match.  In a disabling collision where one or more airplanes are forced to the ground, the last fuselage to touch the ground is awarded a win (worth 1 point).  Back-up airplanes are allowed and encouraged.  While it’s risky for the pilots, more than one pilot is allowed to use the same airplane! (different matches, of course).

Opponents for each match during a round are generally determined via some form of random selection process – like drawing names out of a hat.  In past combat events we have been able to squeeze in about 3 or 4 rounds of 2-person matches. If we have a lot of R/C combat pilots turn out for the event, we may increase the number of airplanes in each match up to four. For most of the pilots, it seemed like that was plenty of flying opportunity for them (or their airplanes).  But when it is time to get down to business and fly, the objective for pilots is to accumulate the most points.  Final individual scores are the sum of the results of all rounds flown.  In the event of a tie score, the pilot with the greatest number of “kills” will be judged the overall winner, unless a tie still exists and a fly-off is necessary.

If this sounds like something you’d like to try, come on out to the club flying field on Saturday, August 9th and try your hand at a little aerial combat.  You may just take home one of the prizes!  If you’re not sure you want to fly combat just yet, it’s exciting just to come out and watch.  Better yet, VOLUNTEER as one of the officials (you still get to watch!).  The author has volunteered this year as the Contest Director, but we still need a Box Judge, Cut Judge(s), Safety Officer, and Lunch Coordinator.  If you would like to volunteer, please contact me at a club meeting or via email.  See you out at the event!    Scott Curtis scott.n.curtis@worldnet.att.net

Radio Controlled Model Airplane Combat Event (August 9th, 2003) by Scott Curtis