I have just spent several hours on the site,   flyinglines.org   reading the articles.   This was just the combat section.   A lot of people that are still flying that I didn't know flew combat.  Of course back in the late 50's and thru the 60's Combat and rat race were the events.  A lot of info on that site as well as the Gluedobbers site. 

The combat stooge is what caught my eye as I don't think the carpet sleeve would work for me with the old time combat planes.  Anyway I'm going to try and fabricate one and hopefully not destroy planes or my self.

yes, the carpet style launchers work great. I have on in F-L someplace and it uses 2" pvc pipe from home depot. It stands about 4 ft high with a platform on it. The thing that is important is the little strip of wood that is just behind the t.e. It keeps the sleeve into the correct shape and holds the thing in when running. When you pull it out, do it slowly and smoothly....don't jerk it out.
Simple and effective.

Cheers.\\Ken