Right, it's not that we don't fly 1/12th scale combat, we do. I personally have over 50 rounds in this year.

But balsa planes are just too fragile, one light tap in the air and they blow up, as Sheepy said. Current reinforced foam planes are much much stronger and can take some hits and keep flying. I've had planes get in to 2-3 mid-airs in a contest and keep going. Of course, I've also had some horrific hits that will take out anything. But it's amazing how repairable the foam planes can be. I've had fuses cut in half and return to fly the next day.

Also, current competitive scale ships are much larger. A Mustang has, if I recall, about a 42" wingspan max, at 1/12th+10%. This season I've been flying Blackburn Firebrands. I have a 56" wingspan, and a ton of wing area. Other competitive planes include (but aren't limited to) planes like the Fairy Fulmar, Ki-64, A-17, Devestator, Kate, Skyraider etc. These planes all have wingspans that put them over 50" with tons of wing area.

Anyway, guys already in to scale combat won't be likely to buy those planes as combat planes, and I'd really hate to show up at a contest with my firebrands to find someone new to combat with some balsa ships. If we wind up in a mid-air, it wouldn't be pretty.

Of course, if someone wants to do it, and they understand what might happen, I don't have a problem with it.