Mr. Clean,
Don't take this the wrong way. You sound like you know what you are talking about and I'm not replying with a negative response, but..............
1/4 scale............1/3 scale, jets, guided missiles, guns, burning houses? Shooting someone a mile away and killing them?
Holy cow. I would argue against having combat with those birds too.
We are talking about 20 to 30 ounce electric foamies here and there isn't a house within 1/2 mile of where we fly. I was actually hit in the chest by one of these electrics and I hardly even felt it. I know, I know, those props can be dangerous, even on an electric motor no bigger than a walnut. I'm sure I was lucky.
Don't get the wrong idea. Contrary to popular belief, we are not stupid hicks out here in the country, and consider safety in any and all decisions.
I understand your concerns and those of the AMA, but I don't see how what we do 'out in the boonies' with our light weight electric foamies, (no guns, missles, or nuclear warheads) will effect what you guys do with your glow, gas, and jet engine monsters. I'm not arguing against safety, but in my opinion, full contact combat with these foamies is still considerably more safe than just flying overhead with a 1/3 scale jet.

P.S. If you tie a streamer to your battery, it's easy to see it going down and easy to find it after that unintentional separation.
Happy Landings