RC Combat Plane

I have little experience with control line aeromodelling, at least as an adult, but I have been building and flying RC planes since 2018. They are nothing fancy, just simple foam board and hot glue airplanes designed by Josh Bixler at Flite Test. 

Let’s step back to where it all started.

As a kid in the 1970s, I had a pink Cox Super Sport Trainer control line plane with a blue canopy. However, I wasn’t very good at flying it and got dizzy within a few minutes. I also had trouble starting the .049 nitro engine and usually had to wait for someone to help me. Thus, I only flew that plane a few times and later traded it for a used skateboard. Looking back, I should have kept at it.   

When I first started learning to fly RC planes in 2018, I made several foam board airplanes. While not as durable as some other materials, these designs have advantages. They’re lightweight, easy to repair, and, most importantly, forgiving. Foam board is handy for beginners like me, who often experience ‘unintentional ground contact.’ I found it was easier to build a new airframe than to try to repair the damaged foam board. Plus, the electronics usually survived the crash, minus a servo here and there, which is an easy switch.

I gained flying experience and confidence, making me more comfortable with faster sport-type planes and flying wings. They’re still foam board designs, but they’re delightful to fly! If you want a great flying experience, I highly recommend the FT Mini Arrow or the FT Bloody Baron. You won’t be disappointed! 

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My recent discovery of RC Nitro Combat flying at my local club this year has been exhilarating! I have always been fascinated by the thrill of nitro-powered racing, such as RC buggies, boats, planes, and top-fuel dragsters covering 1000 feet in just over 3 seconds. The sound and smell of a nitro engine never fail to jump-start my heart, and I can’t wait to explore more of this fascinating world!

Seeing these incredible RC nitro planes twisting and turning with loops and dives, towing paper streamers while chasing other planes to cut their streamers, was truly awe-inspiring! At that moment, I knew I had to build one for myself and enter this fascinating world of combat flying. The wonder and excitement of this hobby are truly unmatched! 

Welcome to SPAD, aka Simple Plastic Airplane Design. SPAD started in 1998 when Collin “Kraut” McGinnis and Dean “Tattoo” Tuinstra designed a cheap and quick building plastic airplane for R/C combat. You can learn more about SPAD and their free plans at spadtothebone.org.

My local flying club flies the SPAD HOR (Hell On Rails) airplane design. This design, known for its simplicity and durability, is an excellent choice for beginners. It’s a straightforward build, and its robust construction means it can handle the rigors of combat flying. We follow the RCCA (Radio Control Combat Association) rules under the SSC (Slow Survivable Combat) provisional class. That doesn’t sound very clear, but it’s an excellent class for beginners like me to enter the exciting world of RC combat!  

Here are a few photos of my newly built SPAD HOR plane. I’m thrilled to report that I had a successful maiden flight this past weekend, with help from a few other friendly club members. This hobby’s joy and satisfaction are unparalleled, and I hope you get to experience it, too. 

I know this isn’t my usual content, but I thought it would still be interesting. Maybe I’ve inspired you to get outside and fly your RC planes, or if you’re new to the hobby, find a local club in your area and check it out.

As always, thanks for your time, and I’ll see you in the next one!