Control Line: Combat
JUST IN TIME for the contest season is a new engine kill for Combat models. The device is manufactured by Rob Martin, owner of Forward Models (1183 Lockley Rd., Victoria, B.C. Canada V9A-4S7); telephone: (604) 381-5543. The cost is $19.95, plus $3.50 shipping and handling. Quite similar to the one perfected by Norm McFadden, the Forward Models device works as a fuel dump rather than as a fuel shutoff. If the model is cut away, the fuel flows out through a second line, bypassing the needle assembly. The difference is that a fuel shutoff actually cuts off the supply of fuel and is triggered by a lack of centrifugal force, whereas in the fuel dump the centrifugal force keeps the bypass line pinched.
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
UP in the Great White North, the Canadians had their own Combat team trials this past July to select a team to compete in the CL World Championships to be held in France this summer. Pat MacKinzie, Ron Malcolm, and Dave Lovgren will be the 1990 Canadian team. Ross Melhuish is the alternate member, failing to make one of the top spots for the first time since Combat became an official FAI World Championship event. Paul Smith reported that both Malcolm and Lovgren used Nelson-powered, all-foam Monarchs, and that he and Steve Kott did the pitting. Pat MacKinzie also used Nelson power, but had Russian-style models constructed of balsa/hardwood/foam composite materials. Melhuish used his familiar 1980-Doroschenko-style models, but in Paul's report he mentioned the streamer-hook weakness that had not been effectively cured.
Control Line: Combat
FROM THE LAND of perestroika: Mack Henry is offering a number of items produced in the Soviet Union that, although designed for FAI Combat, may be of use in all Combat events. For $4, Mack will send you a packet containing a very lightweight bellcrank, a control horn, and molded nylon hinge fittings. They're contest-proven and will shave grams off your model's weight as well as speed the building process. Ready-to-use fiberglass props from Latvia are available for $4 each. All that I've tried so far have been perfectly balanced. The prop seems to be one of the best on the market for the Nelson or other F2D Combat engines. It comes with a fairly large hole in the center that's just right for the Nelson mini-spinner prop nut. If you use this prop on a Rossi-size crank, it'll either require a bushing or have to be carefully centered on the shaft.
Control Line: Combat
THE COMBAT WORLD was challenged by Sherwood Buckstaff a couple months ago and in the following issue of the MACA Newsletter there was a torrent of comment. The best of the lot follows, written by Rich Brasher, Redwood City. There is a Texan named Sherwood B. Who at the Nats will compete with me. But he'll have no chance, I'll just do a dance And kill him with simplicity. The rest of the comments are in the March 1977 issue of the MACA N/L. In all fairness to Sherwood Buckstaff I must remind you that he has won the last two Nats Fast Combat events, and another Texan, Dick Stubblefield, won the year before.
