Just wondering if there is something out there that talks about or shows some good techniques for getting the other guys. I've flown it a few times, but it seems near impossible to get a good setup on someone and actually hit the robbon.
Any Ideas?

There are actually a lot of differnet tactics.

I use a number of different moves and tactics depending on the situation, some more effectivly than others.

I'm best at persuit, where I basically pick a target and stay on them until I get their streamer. I try to get in to a known "set", where the relation between my plane and the target is pretty well known, and I can eliminate as many dimentions as possible, and then make a pass accross the tail of the target. The more passes behind a target you get, the better the odds you'll get a cut.

There's a really good article written by AJ on the RCCA site, but apparantly it's now in an RCCA-members only area. I'm not sure if there is another link to it out there.

Just to follow up on myself, a lot of it depends on who you are flying with, and how things are going. If everyone tends to bunch up in to a tight furball, that's one thing, if they spread out a bit, that's a bit different.

If things are more spread out, the best thing to do is to start out by picking one plane, and try to stay behind them. Pick a plane that's about your speed, planes that are much faster or slower than you are harder to get.

rik756,

I have a couple articles describing the techniques Michele, my lovely spotter, and I use for chasing streamers. Start here.

http://www.teamseaholm.com/rccombat/aerial.htm

There's a part 2 that talks about getting prepared before the round of combat as well.

http://www.teamseaholm.com/rccombat/ground.htm

There is also some excellent threads on the RCCA www.rccombat.com site that talk about tactics. Try this topic...

[link=http://www.rccombat.com/forum/forum.asp?FORUM_ID=28]http://www.rccombat.com/forum/forum.asp?FORUM_ID=28 [/link]
(you'll need to select show threads from the last year button on the bottom left of the screen)

Current National Points Champion Eric Wenger also put together a great article in the members only section of the RCCA site. To read this one you'll need to join the RCCA, for $15 it's worth it though...

Enjoy!

A.J. Seaholm
www.TEAMseaholm.com
HOME of the AVENGER
[email protected]

Well, out of the 5 if us that fly combat, I think I have the slowest plane, especially after having to glue the front end back on this weekend. [link=http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/Combat_Plane_%2D_Dumb_Thumbed/m_1623148/tm.htm](Dumb Thumbs)[/link] I'll take a look at those links and see if I can learn some better tactics. It just seems nearly impossible to actually set up and take out a ribbon when intended, the depth perception is crazy.
Thanks for the info.
Rick

Well, no one hits every streamer exactly when they want, misses happen. But with some practice, you can learn to hit them pretty easily and fast.

AJ (Tick)'s article is espeically good at explaining how we make the dept perception problem less of an issue. It takes practice, but it isn't hard. Though having good eyes and knowing how to relax your vision helps a lot.

Since you are slower, you should have a turning radius advantage (slower planes often turn tighter (on the other hand, if you are slower AND they have a noticeable turn radius advantage, you're in trouble)). So you need to use that to your advantage. You want to get the faster plane to try to take a shot at you and go zooming past. As they pass, you change directions and cross behind them, taking their streamer.

Here's another cute trick to turn the tables on a faster plane. As they come up behind you, pull hard up as if to loop away. They will likely pull to loop behind you. But, their loop will be more open, and they will have more speed in the vertical, since you will slow more. This is useful. At just about vertical, or just past it, give it full down elevator back to level flight. With luck, the guy who was chasing you just went past, and is now above you, with his streamer handing down right in front of you.

I looked at those articles- Great Info. I guess another thing that makes it difficult is that we don't use spotters... There is usually 2-5 of us up and we just go at it.

Well, don't feel bad, usually don't have a spotter either, a lot of guys don't. Spotters help, no question about it, but it's not critical.

spotters are a luxury. Many times, if you ask your judge, they will help you spot streamers, and other opponents lining up on your tail..