(From left) Paul Pennington, Gordon McEntire and Jim Crago watch the activity over the flight line between their own flights. Additionally there are photos of Shaun Zimmerman's Gremlin combat airplane during the first of two combat sessions of the evening. For several years now, Zimmerman and JCRC Club President, John Dussold, have been involved with unscheduled - and what both had initially considered "friendly" - combat sessions. Over the years, each of them have flown different types of combat airplanes at non-consistent times in an attempt to determine who, if any, was a superior combat pilot. Sometimes they would fly with streamers, other times without. Even though there have been - what appeared to be - some very close calls and near misses, neither of them have ever hit the airplane or cut the streamer of the other - during many different attempts! ...until tonight!

Admittedly, it was certainly more the result of 'dumb-luck' rather than any flying skills possessed by Zimmerman, but after so many attempts at combat, sooner or later, one of them, either John Dussold or Shaun Zimmerman, would eventually get a streamer cut or they would end up having a mid-air collision that would send both aircraft into oblivion. 

Zimmerman stated that he was following the strategic combat advice provided by his Father, Stan Zimmerman (former U.S. Marine and "Spotter" for award-winning R/C Combat Pilot, Danny Wilson, both of Muncie, Indiana). Using that advice, Zimmerman was able to score a decisive and clean streamer cut, much to the consternation of fellow competitor, Dussold. 

Some witnesses at the field believe that after the streamer cut was made, Dussold actually dove his airplane, NOT at Zimmerman's Combat Gremlin, but at Zimmerman himself! Of course, Zimmerman was too busy flying victory rolls over the runway in front of the mass of people gathered at the field that fateful evening while yelling - "Woo-Hoo!" - to notice that he may have been the target of an attack (collectively all of us should probably take those terrorist threat level colors more seriously, after all, Dussold did intentionally choose the orange-colored streamer. Orange representing a higher level of danger than the yellow-colored streamer selected by Zimmerman). 

Between victory shouts, Zimmerman was also busy pleading for someone to please pick up his camera and take a picture of his Gremlin before it ran out of fuel, before the streamer fell off and before Dussold could catch back up and reclaim his fallen streamer (vicariously representing bruised feelings and/or ego). Fortunately for Zimmerman; Chris Byrd (R/C Helicopter Pilot - "Launcher" of Gremlin Combat airplanes - and Glamour/Fashion Photographer - yes, we're serious) was on hand! 

While not within the realm of his usual photographic subjects (obvious, because he kept saying; "Work it, Baby, WORK IT!" as Zimmerman would fly the Gremlin past him), Byrd quickly picked up the camera and was able to successfully snap the following three photographs of Zimmerman's Gremlin proudly sporting Dussold's streamer around it's mid-section, much like a Prize Fighter after a Championship Boxing match holding up a victory belt before the cheering crowd; yet somehow different. 

With the SWEET taste of victory still lingering, Zimmerman quickly realized that despite what were previously considered - amicable - attempts at R/C combat, some people (okay, Dussold) seemed to take their losses rather personally. Zimmerman reportedly said; "GOSH!" It was also announced that the combat competition would be extended into a best of a 2-out-of-3 contest (unless Dussold wins the next two, then it will be a 3-out-of-5 and so on).

Current score as of August 11, 2005;

• Dussold - 0

• Zimmerman - 1

EDITOR'S NOTE: Upon further review of the video, officials have determined that the alleged attempt on Zimmerman's life was simply the result of a high-speed stall as Dussold was pulling out of a loop as part of normal combat maneuvers, it was NOT the result of a flight-path flown while consumed by the rage of retaliatory anger and at no time were any A.M.A. safety rules compromised and all suspicions of Dussold's intentions have been cleared. No suspensions, drug tests or fines will be issued. 

However, we encourage you to check back for a non-related, follow-up, investigative story, about possible steroid or other performance-enhancing drug use among R/C Pilots. It's a trend that has blackened the eye of Professional Sports and, sadly, may be filtering down onto combat flight-lines across America in an attempt to improve combat flight skills - maybe 

(Click here to see an example of the large muscles we're talking about and also notice the color of the shirt!).

Now, finally, the winning photographs...  ;-)

Are we having FUN yet? Woo-Hoo!!!