Scale R/C combat Western National Championships

THE FIRST ATTACK came shortly after dawn. The fighter pilots were, of course, expecting the onslaught, but the anticipation of the comming battle did little to calm their nerves. Many had come from far away, and they stood ready, their faces scanning the skies. Some were just boys, girly for action, jabbering impatiently. The seasoned veterans were quietly checking their equipment--watching, listening and preparing for battle. Their planes, in great numbers, stood ready-dressed up and decked out. Many would be lost this day.

No, this isn't the start of another WW II. novel. This was the scene moments before the 1998 Scale K/C Combat Western National Championships in Billings, MT, where 48 fighter pilots competed in the richest scale combat event in the world!

The abundance of pilots ensured that each competitor would have plenty of bogeys to watch for. And if that wasn't enough, the very hot weather was coupled with strong, gusty winds. On the first day of competition, only three rounds with six combat heats were flow The rest of the day's activities were canceled because of extremely high winds, rain, hail and lightning. The following day was a beauty, and a full six rounds were flown for a total of 54 sorties. Most heats (or sorties) had eight planes competing at one time.

RULES OF THE GAME

For those who may be new to scale combat, I'll. recap the rules very briefly. First, you build a l'l2-scale replica of a fighter plane that was in service between 193I,iJ and 1955. Better yet. build ft couple of them! Next, tie a i()-foot-long crepe-paper streamer onto the tail of one, toss it in the air, and for seven minutes, enjoy what we think is the most fun you can have flying an R/C airplane. Your mission is to remove streamners from your opponents' airplanes while trying to keep your streamer intact. Additional points can be scored for launching on time, flying the full seven minutes and for every foot of streamer you return with. Some events even provide points for a spot landing at the end of the sortie (or what we fighter pilots call a successful carrier landing).

Now, I imagine that most of you have put two and two together and are thinking, "You put a bunch of fast little fighters together, all chasing one another, and I bet you see a few midairs!" You're right; midairs do occur, but these planes are light, inexpensive and easy to build. Just as you probably don't go to the field with only one glow plug, so most fighter pilots don't enter a combat meet with only one plane. In fact, more than 250 planes were brought to this event! The models ranged from a venerable P-51 Mustang to the more bizarre, like a tiny Heinkel 100 and a huge Blackburn Firebrand.

WINNING THE BATTLE

Let me tell you what it takes to do well in a scale combat meet. First and foremost, you must be prepared. Bring several planes, all test-flown and dialed in just the way you want 'em. A plane that's difficult to launch and fly has no business flying in a combat meet. A reliable, easy-to-start engine and some spare parts can make a difference. And, of course, practice is always a good idea.

Last year, veteran combat pilot Earl Seaholm of Billings, MT, won the event with some incredible flying in the last minutes of competition. Of course, everyone came back this year gunning for the big Swede, and even with the whole field on his six, he managed to take eighth place. What many didn't know was that Earl's son A.J. "Age" Seaholm had also entered with a few scratch-built Mustangs, and while everyone was busy trying to settle scores from previous sorties, this talented 20-year-old college student began collecting streamers. It wasn't uncommon to see AJ.'s Mustang carrying four or five streamers during a sortie. At times, his plane looked more like a mop than a fighter plane. AJ.'s quick reflexes, great flying plane and superb calling by his dad earned him Top Gun honors for the event.

In second place, longtime scale combat advocate Dave Wagensomer of Harper Woods, MI, flew like a madman. Dave brought a fleet of beautiful Hawker Sea Furys scratch-built from his own plans. His big planes were frequently seen toting a few extra streamers around the sky.

First-timer Mark Martin of Sidney, MT, finished third, flying a Mustang and a Cub. "A Cub," you say? Actually, it was a Piper L-4, and it was very competitive.

Your author finished fourth, also flying a Mustang, adding new meaning to the expression that even a blind pig can find a turnip now and then. Actually, I had a great plane, a good caller and a healthy dose of luck.

Kurt Ziegler, owner of Zigg's Originals*, flew his fine, all-foam kits to fifth place. Kurt is an experienced and enthusiastic competitor, and his aggressive flying earned him the distinction of having the most midairs for the weekend: five!

Sixth and seventh places went to a pair of top pilots from Idaho: Wayne Van Orden and Jerod Sebring. Both were flying DBW* kit models, which are some of the fastest and most maneuverable combat planes I've seen to date. Both guys build gorgeous airplanes and know how to fly them, too.