C/LCombat M
aking do over the winter: most places we can’t do much flying, so now is the time to get equip- ment ready. Again, some of this comes from Igor Trifinov's generous posts. One key item in the equipment is what to take to the contest, and what should be in which box. Most flyers take three boxes of stuff—a tool box for off-the-circle repairs and supplies, a box for lines, and a pitbox for on the circle. F2D makes another demand, with a second pitbox required for the second model.
To avoid problems with not always having the same pit crew, try and use a logically laid out arrangement for the pit box that is easy to understand. Put tools for working on the engine in a row with markings on each tool, or have the tool business end up so it’s easy to identify. Make room for a second area for the battery/meter and spare glowplugs, with a combination tool for the prop nut and glow plug. Put the props right next door. Some- place, down in the middle, or on one end, al- low room for a roll of patching tape, and the tools for in-match repairs—CyA glue, some popsicle sticks for splints, a sharp knife, and a bottle of washwater/solvent to clean hands and plane after repairs.
The line box can be fairly simple. Make room for perhaps 20 sets of lines (F2D), a spare roll of line wire, and the stuff for mak- ing up a quick set of line terminations if you manage to run through all the spare lines. The spares/repair box can have as much extra stuff as you wish to carry. Depending on how organized you are there can be sepa- rate boxes for each event for specific spares: Half-A, F2D, Speed Limit, Fast, even F2D Fast. I doubt most venues are going to insist on 6mm exhausts so you'll have a place to use up the old 8mm ones. Engine specific spare wrenches can go here, also prop nuts,
by phil cartier You can reach Phil Cartierat 34 Sweet Arrow Dr, Hummelstown, Pennsylvania 17036, or via e-mail at
philcartier@earthlink.net
PHOTOGRAPHY: PHIL CARTIER
Quirky shutoff—one in a million—the opposing plane snagged the string, pulled it up around the music wire clip on the motor mount, and shut off the engine. In Combat if something can happen it will. Phil has seen planes land with the line from the bladder cut. A common snag happens when a piece of streamer wraps up the engine or prop, stopping it.
prop washers, a couple sets of spare screws as needed, extra needles, a couple of com- plete needle valve assemblies, spare head gaskets, etc. I'm a hoarder, so I've got stuff in there I haven't used in years. Other stuff to have along: spray cleaner for the planes. Branded or homemade, adding about 30–50% ethanol makes it work better. Kerosene works well for cleaning engines ei-
ther during a contest or flying session, or af- terwards. Air tool oil makes a great after-run oil. It doesn’t evaporate, gum up, or attract moisture like most hardware store oils. A good hardware store will have it. A spray bottle of alcohol is helpful for cleaning the plane for repairs. It removes the last bit of oil that a cleaner may not get. Clear polypropylene or vinyl tape is best for on-field repairs. Both are a bit stretchy and conform better than the stronger polyester tapes. Try an office supply store or go online to get 3–4 inch wide tape. It’s available as wide as six inches.
If I haven’t missed listing anything in the accompanying equipment box, that will get you through a match even with a midair that requires some repairs to win. If you are serious about Combat there are
Andy Minor and Mark Rudner start a laid back F2D match at the 2011 Nats. Mark got a one cut win. 36
many other training techniques to use. Just look at other sports, they have all the moves studied out and plan practices as much as games. Top Combat flyers have done that ei- ther by instinct, or on purpose. Football players run through a string of tires to learn to keep their knees up. Important because it makes them harder to tackle and less likely to trip. The running backs practice countless fakes and cutbacks. So get busy practicing some basic skills, if you haven't already. Specifically for F2D, get busy practicing running around the circle. The pilot’s circle is two meters in radius, so practice running around a circle of about 1.5 meter radius. Do it upright flight and inverted flight. Combat can be a strenuous sport so get in shape to be
FEBRUARY 2013
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