Saito 40 in a Nobler

[Robert Bowser]

Is the RSM Green box Nobler a good fit for a Saito fa40? I am looking for an airplane that will match the power of the engine, Robert

[Steve Helmick]

Heavy engine for most Classics, since they were mostly designed for Fox .35's and no muffler, IMO.  Steve

[Andrew Saunders]

Steve is absolutely right.

[wwwarbird]

 I definitely agree with the above replies, a more modern design would be much better suited to the Saito .40. I feel a 40 size Legacy and the Saito .40 would be a great combination, I just happen to have each of them on my shelf.

[Steve Scott]

I don't think the Saito .40 has the guts to fly a Legacy 40.  I have an RC Ultra Stick 40 with a Saito .62.  I'd say it's roughly comparable to a strong 2 stroke 40 or 46.  I also have a Sig 4 Star 60 with a Saito 100 in the nose and got a tail heavy airplane.

[Robert Bowser]

Thanks for the info I am still looking for an airplane to put this engine in, Robert

[55chevr]

Brodak ARF Smoothie ... Saito 40 worked well.

[Andrew Saunders]

Some of the profile planes would work great with that engine

[John Rist]

Look at the prop size and the RPMs a Sato 40 will provide.  See how it compares to a FOX 35.  And also look at the total weight of each.  This is what I use to match an electric motor to an IC engine.  So far it has worked.  I have a Sato 120 in a scale Extra 300S.  Love the 4C power.

[Robert Zambelli]

Robert: I have used a SAITO 40 in around 10 different planes, including the Brodak Nobler (an earlier version of the Green Box Nobler). It is extremely powerful, as powerful as any 2 stroke 40 I've used but it was not a good match for the Nobler. The plane weighed around 38 ounces and it was simply too much engine. The Nobler flew with a SAITO 30 but still not to my liking. I finally installed a Fox 35 and that was, and is still, the perfect match. By the way, the Nobler with the Fox weighed around 35 ounces and initially flew like crap. Taking George Aldrich's advice, I added weight to bring the dry weight up to 44 ounces. It is the best flying Nobler I've ever flew.
At Brodaks, Joe Gilbert flew an AT-6 profile with a SAITO 40 and it was one of the best runs I've ever seen from a 4-S engine. Any plane designed around a 2-S 40 or 46 will do well with the SAITO 40.
For what it's worth, when I did the ARF Strega article in the September, 2008 issue of Flying Models, the plane weighed 73 ounces dry and flew perfectly with a SAITO 62.

If you really want to know about SAITO engines, contact Bob Reeves - he's the most knowledgeable 4-S guy I know.
Bob Z.

[wwwarbird]

I don't think the Saito .40 has the guts to fly a Legacy 40.  I have an RC Ultra Stick 40 with a Saito .62.  I'd say it's roughly comparable to a strong 2 stroke 40 or 46.

 I'm very confident that the .40 will Steve as long as the overall weight is kept within reason. I've got a few models with Saito .40's on them now and have been really impressed with them once fully broken in. Remember, the Legacy 40 is smaller than Keith's old full size 60" Legacy that was a stump puller with a Saito .56. I don't know how you're running your .62, but it should have a LOT more power than what you're describing.
 
 As a side note, the Saito .62 powered Avenger I had at up the field last Sunday weighs 84 ounces RTF, less fuel. The first flight that day was literally the first time that engine had ever run and it was also dragging around .021"x64' lines. For comparison sake the model has a 12x6 Master Airscrew three blade prop and was running Wildcat 15% nitro 2-4 stroke fuel. Even running it slightly rich since it was a new engine it had plenty of power for the Avenger right out of the box and from what I've seen with the Saito .40, .56, and .62, it will only get better as the engine gets more time on it.

[Robert Zambelli]

"Even running it slightly rich since it was a new engine it had plenty of power for the Avenger right out of the box and from what I've seen with the Saito .40, .56, and .62, it will only get better as the engine gets more time on it."

Well said, Warbird. I've found that after the SAITO is run-in, a valve adjustment may be needed and the you're in for a lot of flying enjoyment.
The SAITO 30 on my Little Cherokee has well over 300 flights. After one valve adjustment, I've never done anything else to the engine. Even the plug is original. Brodak 10-23 fuel exclusively, Master Airscrew 9-6 plastic prop.
The other day, after sitting for two years, it started on the first fllip.
Bob Z.

[Bob Reeves]

I agree with Bob Z. The 40 is too much engine for a Nobler. I have found the Saito 40 will fly anything we would normally put an LA 46 in. I have one in a 576 sq/in Ringmaster and it does fine. Visit the 4 stroke forum below and read what we are doing with these little jewels.