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.
CL Combat
WHAT might have been a low-key Nats in a sleepy part of Washington State turned out to be one of the most fun and exciting Nationals in memory. It was quite a drive for Jim Gall coming all the way from New Jersey, as it was for John Kupinski who drove solo from Michigan. Many others took the easy way out and let a jet do the hard work. The Combat flying site was probably the best we've had in the past decade with beautiful grass, good parking, and stores and restaurants just a few blocks away. The weather started off rather cool and drizzly during the air show on Sunday. It was hot on Tuesday and hotter on Wednesday, followed by lots of wind Thursday-and nice weather for Fast Combat on Friday and Saturday.
Control Line: Combat
TUCSON's Top Gun Combat Tournament turned out very well with 26 entrants and nice, sunny weather. John Stubblefield walked off with top honors and the $1,000 prize money. Alan Deveuve took second, followed by Eric Tomchik in third and Mark Smith in fourth. The top four all live in Texas, and amazingly Eric, Mark, and Alan are on the same team. As you may recall my mentioning in my March column, the Combat Classic was rained out in Houston. Well, the Arizona meet was within four days of being snowed out. The following Thursday found the flying site covered with a nice layer of snow. It probably would have been an advantage for Kott and Burch, who are used to cold conditions.
Control Line: Combat
COMBAT's third annual Money Nats was held in Los Angeles, CA during April. Mark Smith ended up the big winner, pocketing $1,000 in cash for his nine-win and two-loss record. Once again, as he'd done in winning the last AMA Lincoln Nationals, he flew some solid matches, losing one to Norm McFadden (who was third) and the other to Dos Porter. Mike Petri took home the Carver stereo for his second-place effort. Norm received a K&B 5.8 along with the plaques that all winners were awarded for his third-place finish.
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.
