Com-Bat (oz7717)

About this Plan

Com-Bat. Control line combat model for .35 power.

Quote: "'Wings' are quick on the draw but sometimes too tricky for their own good! For 35's, this job is easy to build and fly. Right CG, control set-up, for stability. Com-Bat, by Earl Cayton.

Com-Bat is an extremely simple to build combat and sport model which is fun to fly, yet having a novel appeal which sets it off from other present day combat craft. Construction is super simple. With the cowl and distinctive paint job you have a model that is a real eye catcher on any flying field. Without the cowl and painted trim construction time is at a minimum and building time is reduced to one evening to replace combat losses at contests. Ruggedness is another virtue of the Com-Bat.

To add a change of pace to combat run of the mill models, a J Roberts bellcrank unit can be used in conjunction with the new K&B Torpedo .35 with throttle control. With engine speed control, an astute combat flier can add new tricks to his combat strategy. If variable engine speed is not desired, any large control horn, such as Veco, may be used. Also, any .25 to .35 displacement engine will power the Com-Bat very nicely.

Fuselage: The fuselage is basically the profile type which is simple to construct. The profile is simply cut from a sheet of rock hard balsa stock size 2-1/2 x 1-1/2 x 14-1/2 in. The 1/8 plywood sandwiched on each side of the profile suffices easily for the engine mounts. The engine is mounted with four #4-40 bolts. Put a fairly thick washer between the engine and mounts at the front mounting bolts. This will provide some out-thrust to insure the model staying tight on the lines at all times. After you have chosen a good commercial tank, or constructed your own pet design, mount it in position with rubber bands. Do not mount permanently until wing is installed.

Wing: The wing also is simple. First cement a strip of 3/16 x 3/8 pine to one edge of a sheet of medium balsa 2 x 3/8 x 30 inches which is a combination leading edge and spar. This pine leading edge helps protect the wing leading edge from the frequent bashing in incurred during combat events. The trailing edge and tips are formed from 3/8 x 1-1/2 in sheet. Ribs merely consist of 1/8 x 3/4 in balsa strips. This doesn't form any super airfoil of any sort, but it makes for quick easy construction and flight characteristics are good which is what really counts..."

Quote: "Hi Steve & Mary, Here is another C/L model from the 1950s that was a lot of fun. I'm a sucker for anything a bit different. Striking colour scheme, but the wing is a bit thin. I built a couple with a thicker, 'proper' symmetrical airfoil and they flew much better. Unfortunately I only have the first page of the article, and I cannot find the photos of my Com-Bats, so I have cleaned up one of the page 1 pics. My first Com-Bat looked exactly like this. Cheers, KraftyOne."

Direct submission to Outerzone.

Supplementary file notes

Article, incomplete, page 1 only.

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