Team Thunder is a team that is dedicated to the sport of "Combat". Combat is a contest that involves two or more planes that try to "kill" the other plane by cutting off a 30' streamer that is being towed by the other plane. There are different classes of combat, to keep everybody even. The Team Thunder flies "Open B" class, which is a plane that has a weight of 3 1/2 lbs max and an engine no larger that .30. At the Thunderhawks, the pilots fly planes made out of coroplast. Other pilots use foam construction also. The pilots earn points by cutting off streamers and remaining in the contest. The average contest is 8 rounds, each round lasts for 5 min. The Exeter Thunderhawks Club hosts annual sanctioned events, 2 times a year. The Team Thunder also travels to other clubs to fly in there sanctioned events. The only requirment to be on the team is, "to have a desire for combat". It does take some investment in time and equipment. One can go to a match with just one plane or 8 planes. The planes have to be ready to fly at a moments notice in an event. The biggest downside to combat is the carnage that can come upon the planes. Yes there are mid-air collisions, some planes get totaly destroyed but thats part of the fun. With spad technology most airframes can be built for about $20.00
Combat Events
Nov 14 Dual over Malta Exeter 9:00 Sanctioned combat
Dec 13 & 14 Pearl Harbor Classic Palomar Sanctioned combat
Team Thunder Advisors
John Ziegler jzigman@sbcglobal.net
Andy Erwin drafter93267@yahoo.com
Bob Kaus causecrash@comcast.net
Bill Shannon
The advisors can answer any questions about combat, equpment and events
If someone was to ask; "why should I try combat"? Simple......Greatest adrenalin rush you can have flying RC, period. 5 minutes of pure heart thumping, body trembling excitement. 3D flying.... Boring after a while. T-6 racing.... you only go in circles. Scale..... pretty airplanes. COMBAT IS WHERE IT IS. Once you fly it, you will be hooked!!!
SSC Combat Slow Survivable Combat
Slow survivable combat is a slow class than open B
It is alot of fun. We got to try it at the last Palomar event. It is a little slower so it is easier to hunt and fly. Its a good starter class were the speed isnt so intimidating. the plane is a 2 1/2 minumum weight, a 400 sq inch minimm wing area and a .15 size engine. the engine has a retail price max of $85.00 and a RPM limit of 17500.
We will do a SSC demo in the near future and we would like to start flying that class also in this area. its a low cost way to get into combat.
Combat News
The Exeter Thunderhawks Combat event is coming up. Its time to get your combat planes ready!
I am also looking for guys to start a new combat class, its the SSC class. This class would be great for newer pilots and guys that are just a little nervous about openB. More info to the left. Whats good about SSC? might you ask. The carnage is lower, the speds are a little slower, You can hunt and pursue easier and its a little cheaper. if you have always wanted to try combat, this class is for you!
