My club the, Hampton Roads Radio Control Inc, has an advid group of combat fliers that truly enjoys some very informal club combat. We have a group of about 6-8 regulars and another 4-6 some time combat enthusiasts and right now we combat for bragging rights. We are all using SPAD dogfighters powered with everything from 25 sized motors to 46's and having an absolute blast.
Recently, I asked my club president to ask at an interclub council meeting (about seven different clubs in the area meeting of the presidents) if any of the other club members would be interested in joining my club in a combat bout in the Spring, and he reported back to me there is INTEREST. I volunteered to layout some basic rules and requirements which I'll forward when completed to all the local area clubs recommending that all club members use at our local combat meets. If enough combat interest grows here in the Hampton Roads area I'll recommend each of the clubs takes a turn at hosting an event on a monthly rotating basis and where appropriate, start flying different bouts for different classes. Much like the North Carolina group that meets about once a month on the second Sunday, I'm proposing we also meet once a month (date still to be determined). For starters, I intend to use RCCA OPEN CLASS C rules so most of my club fliers will be able to use their present SPAD dogfighters without having to change out their motors, plus if anyone wants to go to the next level and compete at a sanctioned RCCA event, the rules we use will at least be close. Safety concerns will no doubt be the primary corner stone of our efforts, but I think making hard hats mandatory for everyone will be a hard sell for my club members who are used to flying without them.
The purpose of posting this thread is to solicit recommendations from those of you who have been there, done that and have experience in getting combat interest expanded beyond a club level to a regional area started. My goal is not to host a national level RCCA event nor to chase points, rather to provide an venue locally for folks to give combat flying a try. Any advice you might care to share or pitfalls I should avoid, I'm all ears. Thanks.
Gary Murdock

Pit fall= Dont let Ray wear that silly Burger King Crown anymore. He He He

Ah come on, Ray's a legend in his own mind!!!! There are times his head is so swollen after an afternoon of combating I'm not sure it would fit back in his van. Last Sunday he relinquished his crown to John Williams, but he did not do so badly we are having him tow only PINK streamers for now like back in Nov. In the end, I can sure tell you he is having a blast with these SPAD Dogfighters and he does enjoy help'en club members build their combat planes.

you can't be the man 'till you beat the man

You can't beat the man if he never comes out to play!!!!!!





HOW BAD HAVE YOU GOT IT ?????????????????????????????????????????????????

I fly with the PWCRCF here in haymarket.. Ill be up to some combat when the season starts back up.. Not the best combat flyer but, need the practice anyway..

RC,
Our season never stops, we're year round hardheads.
Stop by anytime.
Jon



How bad have you got it??????????????????????????????????

Hey,
I fly at NNPRC and was recently at your club. I think that if you are going to do combat you should do all the classes( SSC, Open B, Open C and Scale) I think this would get a lot of more people coming into the area to fly.

PatternCombatKid,
I can't argue with you about attracting lots of folks if we do all the classes, however, my intent is to introduce combat to this region using RCCA rules while being as inclusive as possible. Since this will NOT be a sanctioned event and nor will we meet the NPS requirements, I'm calling it an informal bout. Still haven't decided on a date in the Spring, but once I do, I'll post it here for info.
With you being in Newport News, on Saturday, 5 Feb, my club will be hosting our annual Chili Fly In, where we do intend to fly some combat rounds. If you are into combat, grab any ole combat plane and come on out and join us for some impromptu combat. Please keep in mind at this fly in we are inviting all the other clubs in the area to come on out and fly with us, enjoy some HOT CHILI and work in some combat bouts as we can. Any combat we do get in will be for bragging rights, and we will be using streamers which the club will provide. Hope to see you out there.
If you have experience in FORMAL combat, please use this forum to provide suggestions. I'm very open to your ideas.
Gary

How far away from Winchester are you.
I just bought a warzone P40 I would like to dogfight with when she is done.
David E.

So where do you guys fly....

I know tidewater RC is out off of ballahack rd in chesapeake....havent been out there yet...i fly at fentress but the only day i can make it out there is sunday so my learning process is slow....

Im looking for a feild that i can fly at 7 days a week...i havent heard anything of HR RC .... interested though....