Control Line: Combat
TOP 20: The Miniature Aircraft Combat Association (MACA) announced its official Top 20 for 1988. My last column had a sneak preview of the top few places, but now it's official, and we have the entire list. The number following the flier's name (and state) is his season point total: 1) Michael Willcox (TX)-152, 2) Paul Smith (MI)-135, 3) Richard Stubblefield (TX)-127, 4) John Stubblefield (TX)-113, 5) Don Cranfill (TX)-96, 6) Ed Brzys (MI)-90, 7) Mike Thiessen (Canada)-80, 8) R. Zeidenthius (OK)-79, 9) Alan Deveuve (TX)-74, 10) Steve Kott (MI)-59, 11) Tom Fluker (TX)-56, 12) Mike Palermo (IL)-56, 13) Dave Stewart (AZ)-56, 14) Jerry Sabin (IL)-52, 15) D. Morris (IA)-50, 16) Pete Plunkett (MN)-49, 17) Bob Nick (NC)-48, 18) Luis Lopez (DE)-47, 19) W. Underwood (MD)-47, 20) Jeff Johnson (KS)-42.
Control Line: Combat
UNFORTUNATELY Doc Passen has had to cancel his 1/2A Money Meet which had been scheduled for the Labor Day weekend. Doc has a lot of business obligations both professionally and in modeling that were very pressing-too pressing to allow him to run the 1/2A meet. Besides his normal line of CL kits which have been selling quite well, there is now a series of RC Combat planes which are meant to be used the way we fly CL Combat. The RC market is so much bigger that if they follow his instructions with respect to flying style (mix it up, and no 200-ft. streamers!), he should be able to retire soon just on the profit from kit production.
Control Line: Combat
PROP PROBLEMS: Last time I mentioned that we were trying the fiberglass Taipan 8 × 6 as an inexpensive alternative to the wood props normally used in Fast Combat. We had a failure with a blade flying off when we ran it up on the Hoffelt .36R, which might be understandable because of the terrifically high rpm this mill puts out. However, we've had another failure-this time on a Fox Mark V which doesn't rev nearly as high. Both props had air bubbles in the hub area-nearly 30% of the area, which doesn't help a prop to stay together. Both props were from the same production lot, so it could be that only this one batch had problems.
Control Line: Combat
NEW GOODIES: If you're one of the many who just miss out on all the trick goodies, then probably your time has now come! The replacement ABC piston/liner sets for the Fox engines are almost ready for delivery. Some of the local SoCal fliers were using them during a recent get-together, and the performance seems to be on a par with the McCollum setup. The price should be around $75, which will also get you a Venturi connecting rod-or about $20 less if you want to take a chance on the stock rod breaking and ruining your day. The last I heard was that Pete Athans was the distributor for this high-tech setup. All the price/delivery details should be worked out by the time my next column hits the streets, but if you just can't wait you can watch the MACA (Miniature Aircraft Combat Association) newsletter-or contact Pete.
Control Line: Combat
MACA's Top Twenty for 1987 were recently listed in the March issue of the society's newsletter. The results were compiled by Pat Willcox from the 68 contests held throughout the U.S.A. and Canada. Points were awarded on the basis of three times the number of rounds flown for first placers; two times the number of rounds flown for second-placers; and one times the number of rounds flown for third-placers. Double- or triple-elimination contests did not receive extra points, as the number of rounds is determined by the number of contestants in each event. Only MACA (Miniature Aircraft Combat Association) members with 1987 or current memberships were rated, with points from 1/2A, Slow, FAI, and Fast Combat being added together for the overall champion. If you're doing really well this contest season and care about MACA and the Top Twenty system, you should send in your $15 to become a member and get the newsletter-and possible glory and fame in the Top Twenty for 1988. Send your check to Mike Urban, 316 Spring Ave., Glen Elyn, IL 60137.
