Some of us here in Cincinnati, Ohio are getting HOT about Gremlins for combat again. I have spoken with some older flyers who remember seeing a launcher for the Gremlin, but can't remember how it was built.
Does anyone out there have plans or photos of launchers built for the Gremlin? Thanks ahead of time!!! [img][/img]

Check here. http://rccombat.com/

Go to the workshop section. I think there's one or two in there.


Just wonderin................Do you really need a launcher for a Jett powered Gremlin??????????????

High speed jousting.

Grasp a wingtip, just swing her airborne.

Thanks Guys, Yes that Gremlin had a Jett 35 on it at the time. I've sense taken it off because I don't think Gremlins are supposed to move that fast!! At the time I was exparimenting with different power-plants. Since then I've learned airplanes in combat aren't supposed to race away into the next county... I probably wouldn't find anybody to combat with over there. So, I've gone back to an O.S. 25. I can turn sharper corners if I go slower - and I can stay in the same universe as everybody else.
I will look at your suggested web site - thank you!!
I have some electric wings and have tried that hand-launch, from the wing-tip, ...doesn't work well or me. I've seen it done by others and I guess I'll have to practice the maneuver.

I wanted a SPAD version of the Gremlin, the Sickle, but I too wanted a more comfortable launch. So I put the wing on the top and made the Flipper. You can do the same to a Gremlin. Still build the wing with the top flat giving the bottom dihedral, just make sure the bottom of the wing has the notch for the fuse.

The guys you fly Gremlins combat with would have to ok it though. I don't think you'd get any aerodynamic benefits but it still wouldn't technically be a Gremlin. Then again, with a Jet 35 on it I don't know if it's technically a Gremlin either. I used to have a ST 45 on one of mine but to my recollection, the Jet 35 would be about half an engine more power.

Eric Henderson flew a Gremlin with dural landing gear on top of the fuel tank area and used the fins as rear wheels. He used to do inverted touch and goes with it. it was fun to watch

I've talked to Mike (original poster) and remember the launchers the 1/12th guys used back in 2003 when I CD'd the Northeast Regionals in Salem CT. I would think you could make a cradle for those to launch the Gremlin but we never located plans. I had a wheelchair guy that flew with us 10 years ago and he was looking for something that he could launch when flying by himself but never figured anything out. I think the 1/12th scale one used a short piece of Highstart tubing for power. Ring any bells?

The guys at the field back in the day just held them up and let go. They pretty much took off on there own unlike those damn little 1/12 scale models that needed to be shot out of a Howitzer to get airborne.

That's right you little turd, I'm talking about YOU!

A slow underhand toss works fine for me. Both for my Electric and .40 glow versions. Both take off like a bat out of you know where!

Hi friends

what do you think about Gremlin-Combat v. Battle-Axe? Has anybody tried both?

I am thinking to construct one of them from scratch !

Regards

George

Hi friends

what do you think about Gremlin-Combat v. Battle-Axe? Has anybody tried both?

I am thinking to construct one of them from scratch !

Regards

George

One of those will disappear after the first head on pass.

and your prediction? [8D]

George,

You will get more streamers with the longer wing of the Battle Axe, not to mention the foam is better blue or pink vs white. Although, I do think the Gremlin is more nimble.  I have both and when it comes to competition I use the Battle Axe.  It's all about the streamer.  If your not cutting, you loose! <br type="_moz"/>

When in doubt, add more props

we did that at the Half Moon Bay combat event last october, the axes and mako's ruled the air!

Thanks all friends!

I am almost ready to begin with Battle-Axe! Only one question: Don't you think the BATTLE-AXE will be slower (with the same engine- .25) than the GREMLIN, due exactly to its larger wingspan? Doesn't it cause a stronger drag?

The larger wingspan is ofcourse an advantage for cutting the streamers.

But what about speed and maneuverability?

Thank you in advance

George

We have always said, speed is for running away!

Speed will help you keep your streamer, but it is your tactics that will make you a winner. It is all about the wait. If you have a strong .25 like a OS FX you will be fine. Although,there is a guy here that uses LA's and does very well. Try to keep it light.
What are other flying? If you are new to combat it is always best to fly what others are flying, they can help you. Everyone will help, because our goal is to have a "steamer rich environment". If you are sitting out then we can't take your streamer.

Combat is knew and very little known in Greece, I am the first who tries to spread it over the greek modellers, by writing articles to various SITES (like www.modelomania.gr) etc. Timo Starkloff (Germany) also helped me in this purpose in the past.

About my plane: I constructed SICKLE from scratch, an all-ply wood and balsa construction and put on this an OS-FX .25. Total weight, 1050 gr. My collegue in COMBAT (also a beginner) bought a BATTLE-AXE and put on it an OS .32 SX.

Damn! He's always cutting my streamer, I can not stand it!

What I realized:

1. Opponents must always have the same engine: OS .32 has a 1.2 HP vs 0.8 HP of OS .25 FX. This definitely gives a higher speed to BATTLE AXE.

2. I made a mistake and made the ailerons too small: only 20 mm, instead of 38 mm in the drawings, this surely limits the manueverability of the plane.

3. SICKLE has only 1m span vs. 1.5 m of BATTLE AXE.

So, I am now ready to construct a new plane an put on it an OS .32 SX !


Then we'll see!


Regards

George

One option maybe to consider is electric.  Since your not having a n event with rules and a national format per the  RCCA
http://www.rccombat.com/ check out the planes  at the link below they seem cheep.  I know nothing else about the planes.  the link was posted on another thread. 
http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1012551