Getting into combat
 

I was wondering if anyone could help me get started into flying combat. I have been flying fixed wing for almost 3 years and helis for one year. I have never competed in combat just have seen one done. I was wondering if anyone could give me some advice on planes and etc. I just built a wonder that I was going to use to beat around in. I didnt build any modifications to it like I see some combat planes have. would this be an alright starter for combat? I would also like to know how I could find combat events around my area (Midwestern Illinois).

Thanks

Getting into combat
 

A wonder will work great!!!!
One of our club members flew one last year, bone stock with a .15 he stayed right in the mix . (we are mosstly running 25-28 size planes) :)

Check out the RCCA
 

Getting into combat
 

Yes, a wonder will work great...until your first midair, then it will be raining balsa. Midairs are not the exception, they are the rule. If you fly even a small amount of combat, you will SURELY have one...if you don't, you're not flying close enough to the competition!

SPADs are great. I started with a Dart w/TT .46 Pro and it was a great place to start. I had a Predator (recently sold it) with light radio gear (micro rx, 280 nimh pack, HS-81 throttle, HS-225 elevon servos) and a Magnum .28xl on the snout. I built a couple of Grim's Sickles (same materials as SPADs), and they fly like a bat outta hell with a Norvel bushed .25 and light radio gear (micro rx, 280 nimh pack, HS-81 throttle, HS-225 elevon servos). Best of all, the airframe can be built in one evening for a little over three bucks! I never midaired one, but I'm sure it wouldn't be as tough as the Predator.

My pick out of all the above would probably be the Predator...just keep it as light as possible. They are nearly indestructible and fly great to boot! I flew the absolute dog crap out of mine, planted it in HARD many times, yet the plane would always escape with only easily-field-repairable damage (broken clevises, broken mount bolts, etc.).

I may build another Predator or Terminator soon as some of the guys in my club (future victims) have been discussing flying (somewhat) organized combat at our field.

-Tom

Getting into combat
 

Ive got a wonder that I beefed up with aluminum spar and leading edge with a OS 25FX. I have had to midairs with it and it never quit flying. The other victims were not as lucky. There was no one in the sky that could keep up with it.

Craig

Getting into combat
 

r/c report mag. combat ribbons writer pete rundel [email protected] email him, he'll send you the best advice on floyd mons. also a great magazine,john

Getting into combat
 

Listen to Tattoo. The Spads are great for just starting out.

Getting into combat
 

If your interested in hooking up with other combat pilots in Illinois, these are the RCCA pilots there:

1 113 Greetis, P. Jacques St. Charles IL [email protected]
2 115 West, David Streamwood IL [email protected]
3 124 Perkins, M. Albert Pecatonica IL [email protected]
4 173 Perkins, Karen Pecatonica IL [email protected]
5 211 Watson, II, J. Richard Champaign IL none
6 398 Bell, R Ronald Urbana IL [email protected]
7 499 Hurley, Scott Elgin IL [email protected]
8 528 Galle, J. Alan Homewood IL Email Address unlisted
9 570 Laube, M. Steven Rockford IL Email Address unlisted

There are also several events in Illinois listed on the combat calendar. Always keep checking the calendar, as more events get posted to it as the season progresses!
http://www.rccombat.com/asp/events/events.asp