arun

I imagine a GP42 would go well in the SLEC Funfly that I have queued as "next build".

I had a Jen .37 not .57 but they are same design to all intents and purposes. Sadly, I was very unimpressed. The internals of the cylinder rusted despite the engine being well stored with oil and left un-run for less than two months. In the air I found it was OK in my Weston Cougar but would cut out during extended periods of idle (e.g. a four turn spin) which led to "exciting" landings. The engine itself feels heavy and basic to me compared to a modern OS, but maybe rugged is a nicer description! They also use a ringed piston so require much more and careful running in than an ABC engine.

Makes perfect sense - I've observed the same effect on a windy day (no shortage of these currently) with aircraft pointed into wind and throttle held constant - when a gust arrives the revs rise noticeably. Thanks as always!

Thanks Trevor

Made some pretty good progress with this. Can get an OK idle at 2700-3000rpm with WOT at 9000rpm (which is tuned down from a maximum currently possible at 9500rpm). I think I can improve the top-end speed a bit by switching to my APC 14x6 as currently on a Graupner 14x7. The latter allegedly loads up similar to an APC 14x6 according to Dave at Motors & Rotors, but I'm less sure as the top speed seems low esp. given 15% nitro. So, some advice from Saito or other four-stroke owners please! Is it possible to lean-out the low end needle too much to the point that it causes damage? My intui

15%+ nitro is very normal for Saitos and recommended in manual. I think it just needs leaning at both ends.

Haven't had time to do any more tuning, but I did find these very comprehensive notes on running Saitos. Might be of interest to others: http://www.wamasc.org.au/pdf/technical/SaitoGeneral.pdf

Please do post a picture!

Thanks for the advice, I'm just very cautious with the Saito of over-leaning too soon. I'll probably guide the bottom end lean out based on restricting fuel flow to the carb and observing behaviour (e.g. speeds up quickly and quits = too rich). I've heard such good things about this engine once it is well run in I just don't want to ruin it by rushing... I tested my tacho using a fluorescent light running on 50Hz mains. My tacho shows 3000 "rpm" which is correct, since 50 cycles/sec x 60 sec x 2 pulses / 2 blades = 3000rpm. I know that formula cancels down, but just noting that that fluore

Am aiming for ~2500rpm per the manual. I've got a tacho, it's currently showing in the region of 4000rpm for a stable idle without risk of backfiring - although I'm not sure I trust it 100% as the values fluctuate much more than I'd expect. I think Shane is probably right, bottom end (and probably top) can be leaned, but I've been being cautious as this motor is neither cheap nor tolerant of over leaning from what I read Any recommendations for a tacho, I have a Turnigy one but as mentioned am no convinced of its accuracy?

Hi guys - struggling tuning my Saito 82B engine, appreciate any help those more experienced with four-stroke engines can offer (this is my first). Propeller is a Graupner 13x7. Fuel is 15% nitro, 20% synthetic oil from Souther model craft. I've followed the (extensive) run-in procedures to the letter, but in a nutshell I can't seem to get a nice reliable low-speed idle. The best I can manage is something that stutters and coughs, occasionally resulting in the engine backfiring and restarting backward! I took a video of it showing speed through the range, effect of quick throttle ch

Love building, but I'll have to chip away at it slowly due to other commitments an probably less ambitious builds along the way. Inception to airworthiness likely to be measured in years but my lifetime objective for the hobby has always been a 1/4 scale model of a Spitfire ... so I need to get practicing to make that a reality many years from now

Hi Darren - in the first instance it would probably make sense to head to the club field on a Sunday around 11am onward - on a "nice" day should find plenty of people who can advise. The club offers training for free at weekends for (prospective) members. If weekdays are the only time you can do, I would have thought that in addition to finding a trainer available then, you'd need to join the club and definitely have BMFA insurance/membership to go down this route and use the club facilities. There are a few restrictions on flying in the later evening regarding IC power.

Thanks Trevor, wasn't aware of the Dennis Bryant one - any idea of its flying credentials? Doubt this one will be for Fickleshole so I'm not too worried about size during the selection process...

... was a control line Keil Kraft Phantom Mite powered by a Cox 0.49 Babe Bee engine. Some 20 years ago now but I just discovered it in my parents garage! Also found a few Estes rockets and engines an a tube of polystyrene cement that was still usable. Bonus! [attachment=0]ImageUploadedByTapatalk1365269190.299891.jpg[/attachment]

Hi chaps - I've asked this elsewhere, but there's nowhere like "home". Any recommendations for Spitfire kits? Am looking for plan build or kit. Worth noting the aim of this is a long term build project to a high standard, so not scared how hard the kit is, if I have to stop and learn other skills along the way I will Haven't decided on a size yet, but probably would like to run a petrol engine in it. I've looked at the following so far TopFlite, Ziroli, Warbird Replicas, Mick Reeves, DB Sport & Scale, Nijhuis, Brian Taylor. Is there anything I've missed? Anyone know what kit/plan Roge

Shahid is currently recording a series of videos (at a rate of abt 1 per day) on aerodynamics. He knows his stuff having studied this area to university level and so far he's doing a great job of it. Once the basics are covered I understand he plans to take things to a pretty advanced level. So if you don't know your Bernoulli from your beer nuts you'll want to keep an eye on this: http://www.youtube.com/user/RCbatics

When I snapped the shaft on mine, I sold the motor on eBay for £16.50 and bought an XYH35-36 900kv from GiantCod for £10 The latter is a perfect match for the model and easy to come by spares.

Thanks Peter!

That's good news Thanks! Are there any options apart from what I described regarding the hinges? I guess you're a bit stuff with cyano ones...

Have a second hand Maggy that is looking a bit sad and I would like to re-cover. Before I dive in, is the fact that the tail/fin are permanenty attached to the fuselage likely to hamper things too much (I presume they would have been covered prior to gluing in place by the original builder). Also, I'll have to cut the cyano hinges, but hopefully I can just re-slot in a slightly different place. Any tips on approaching this kind of job from someone who has tried a re-cover job?

Thanks

Looks like you've nailed the panos! Now on the right lighting day to repeat for Fickleshole

Thanks Dave, great idea on the concertina.

All assembled, with lights on ... pretty pleased with the effect. Now just need some decent weather for a maiden... [attachment=0]photo (1).JPG[/attachment]