RC combat takes many forms. Slope combat and some forms of Zagi combat are basically full contact. Most of the combat flown involves towing a streamer behind your plane which is the target; each pilot tries to cut their oppoents' streamers for points, while protecting their own. This video clip shows a lowres sample of the action at the [link=http://www.rccagallery.com/video/Paris2005/Paris2005Sample1_lowres.wmv]Lone Star Nationals[/link] in Paris TX in 2005.

The planes we typically fly are made of high density foam, coroplast and other cheap/light materials. Balsa is way too fragile and rarely seen. [link=http://www.rccombat.com]The Radio Control Combat Association[/link] has a very informative web site with the current rules, build articles and contest information.