As a kid I fancied myself as a potential combat flyer. We built Combat Kittens, and Goldberg Lil Satans a lot 'cause we couldn't afford the big stuff. I have been collecting classic combat kits over the years and one of my favorites that I wanted as a kid was the Combat Cats. I have an unmolested example of the kit but never really explored it. I just purchased a Walter Umland version of the model second hand, and in looking at the plans, noticed that the engine mount is offset upwards and shows a hard tank. No mention of pressure. Not being too sure of the date of production, I couldn't find any dates on the instruction sheet, but saw that the address for Top Flite used the old two number postal code, no zip code, so I think that zip codes came along in 1964?? I didn't know it was that old. And surely thought it came about when bladders were in use.
   I plan on building the Umland models, and he shows the original nose and an "in line" nose. I figure that the original nose with the offset up thrust line was just to get the engine in line with the way you have to mount the tank. I would like to keep it original with the offset mount, but wonder if that causes any unusual trimming issues? I'll probably power it initially with a Fox .35 stunt and then drop in a Fox .35 combat special, since they share mounting hole dimensions. I have a Johnson CS and maybe even a Torp.35 that is mentioned on the instructions and will give them a try if they share the same mounts, or I can maybe set it up with universal mounts? The box says that it has a "Frise type elevator." Anyone got any history on that? I'm guessing some one named Frise first used an all flying elevator? And am I correct on the time period? 1965 or earlier? I need to find the time to go back to Riley Wootens big history of combat thread and see what lies there. If it predated pacifier tanks, it sure has a modern look to it, and that rakish, angled outline is what I always liked about the airplane. This will all be just about fun, and maybe attend one of the vintage combat get togethers like there have been recently.
   Type at you later,
    Dan McEntee

      I can verify that the Combat Cat double kit was available in 1964.  While stationed aboard the USS OPPORTUNE (ARS-41) at the destroyer piers / Norfolk Naval Base, Norfolk, Virginia, I purchased one double Combat Cat kit at the Norfolk Naval Base Hobby Shop.  They were constructed with Elmer's White Glue and covered with parachute nylon  / Aerogloss clear dope.  I used 3 1/2 oz veco metal tanks.   I flew mine with both the K&B .35 greenhead and the Fox .36x needle bearing combat motor.  Personally, I didn't like them that much...as they were too big and compared to the Voodoo.....slower than I liked.  I sold my Cats to a flying buddy in 1968.              

The reason I know the Cats were out in early 62 was my Dad passed away in May of 62.  The K&B 35 was only high speed engine in the display case when I purchased them.  My first VooDoo was 63 and I folded the wing on it because I ran fuel pick up through leading edge which after that I learned to modify tank like Riley showed.

The Combat Cat was one of my personal favorites, Dan.  I never found the offset engine thrust line to be a problem at all; perhaps you just get used to any difference that might exist.

I used a metal tank and ran crankcase pressure with both Fox 29X and 36X engines, and outran SuperTigre powered Voodoos and similar planes, but my engines were definitely first class and burning 30% nitro fuel.

My good friend Dave Kruse - aka "Monoline Pete" - used them for several years, with considerable success.  His "victims" included Nats winner Bill Carpenter at the '63 Nats ...

Dennis

There will be a pic of my Combat Cat in here.

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10201134857278038&set=a.10201134603751700.1073741827.1367679344&type=3&theater

Pat King sells a Laser cut Combat Cat kit