"There are...
Pepsi People and Coke People.
Chevy People and Ford People.
Mac people and PC People.
Ringmaster People and Flight Streak People."
Hey Russell, I think you'll really enjoy a Combat Streak,
The one's I have/had were powered with different .19's, .35's
and even a LA.46.
What everyone is saying makes sense to me. Keep it light!
All Flight Streaks have a tank space problem. The nose is
just too short. Using a .19 means carrying less fuel and it
needs a smaller tank.
There's nothing difficult about building this plane. Most of us
could cut out a "kit" without too much trouble, but I would
make a few changes.
The Combat Streak kit had the usual Streak wing with the solid
leading edge, which was good for rough work but WAY heavy.
I'd go with a 3/8 square at 45 degrees L.E. like the ARFs have.
I'd also use 1/16" top and bottom trailing edge.
Combat Streaks can use one wheel or two. Both are OK.
The kits came with wire for two.
The plane in the picture has a 1/4" fuselage top and bottom.
This looks better than the standard 1/8" sheet but requires light
wood.
I also have a badly finished original from a 1960's Top Flight kit.
It's a bit gruesome, but that's OK. I didn't build it.
It's fabric covered and doped and is complete except for
the wheels , engine,fuel line and wheel collars.
It's weighs 20.3 oz. That's not bad and a .19 would fly it.
The standard mistake people make with profile Streaks is not
understanding that the canopy is there to carry engine
vibrations back to the wing and also to strengthen the nose.
The ARF's completely missed this important feature.
I don't think the Combat Streak has the same issue, but
Mr. Aldrich knew what he was doing, so my Streaks have
hollowed out balsa canopies.
The kit lead out position has always worked OK for me.
I'm not sure if it needs to be adjustable.
Russel, if you're really stuck for plans, I could send you
some basic measurements and photos to work from.
Cheers! - K