We are wanting to start informal combat at our field. A LOT of questions are being ask. One is the streamers........ and where to buy the 3/4" width at a good price. AMA rules for width are not important to us because we are doing combat with no points or offical contest. (for now)
I just thought that with the SSC type planes it would be less drag than the "cheap party crepe streamers" that could be purchased.
Also....... what length streamers does the SSC class require? Also attachment string length?
... thanks........lownslo..

http://www.hattrickrc.com/ has both full rolls and pre-rolled available at good prices.

Streamers are to be 30'. The string must extend at least 5' from the tail of the plane.

HTH,
D

Party supply stores have crepe 500' rolls <2" wide. Put rolls in freezer for a couple hours and then cut in half on band saw. I put two chairs 30' a part and make eight trips around to roll off a 1/2 roll of crepe. Cut both ends and 16 streamers ready to roll. In a variable speed hand drill, I chuck up a piece of 3/8" dowel rod which has a cut to allow the streamer to be held to start the wind. Trial and error has solved a few glitches. Make a couple 8" diameter pieces of coroplast with a piece of 1/4" dowel rod which is used to put the 1/2 roll of crepe prior to unwinding. Otherwise a big mess. Mount the drill on a table and plug into a light bar where you can hit the on/off switch prior to and immediately after the roll up is finished. Put a couple rubber bands around the drill trigger and adjust drill speed so as to have a manageable speed for rolling streamer. Buy bag of #10 rubber bands (small) to secure the streamers after the roll up. Hope this is not too confusing. You probably better off and buy from Hattrick.

informal = cheap, Pat has a good approach. It will get expensive if you have to keep buying them. Informal also means you don't have to worry about measuring EXACTLY 30Ft, just get them close. You can find closeout sales on party streamers if you look long enough...

Lately, I haven't been cutting to length at all. I cut the party streamer in half with the band saw and just bring the rolls to the field, and then pull out enought to were the length "looks about right".

The only time we measure is for a contest. Otherwise, TLAR is the method we use (that looks about right). Sometimes it becomes a challenge as to who can drag aloft the longest streamer and keep it. Not having measured, I'd say that some of my streamers are pushing 50' long, being tugged aloft by a lowly SPAD HOR with an engine turning mid-16000's, yet I can still turn and burn.

We use the flagging tape streamers for practice at home. They are hard to cut and so they last a lot longer. The drapes and pull offs are also a hoot. I have a move we call the Fredricks flip. When chasing someone down low get under the streamer and pull up hard. As the streamer gets dragged across the wing it will flip the other guy into a nose down attitude at low altitude! Usually resulting in a dirtnap!

You can just pick up the pieces and knot them together for another streamer to.

Mike,

Is the "flagging tape" this Forestry tape? If so what is the preferred color. Thought I might order some for wet weather action.

http://www.forestry-suppliers.com/pr...ge.asp?id=1136

Thanks,

Pat

Thats the stuff. I've found the orange to be the best available. The blue looks dark on my screen but when I got it it was sky blue. Not a good pick! You can split it in half if you want to also. I don't usually bother.

It can definately save a contest!

Orange I will order. I'll put that on my "checklist" of items to be sure and take to a contest.

thx,

Pat

do you just use the party streamer stuff?