Here's something I've just finished, a semi-scale D.520.  Span is about 34", and the engine is an MP Jet 061BB diesel (roughly equivalent to a Norvel 074 on an APC 7x3).  It needs a bit of time for the paint to cure, so hopefully we'll find out how it flies in a couple of weeks.

Steve

Steve, Wow!!!!!

Beautiful model!  You have definitely raised the bar.

But beware of that engine.  I never could get reliable stunt performance from mine, and Dennis Coleman smashed Tim Meek's Leprechaun Sterling P-51 using the MP-Jet.  It is a very powerful engine for free flights, but prone to quitting at the most inopertune times in stunt. If you must use it, find a nice field of soft, tall weeds until you are sure of the reliability.

Thanks all for the kind comments.  Larry, I was interested to see your remarks re the engine. I've been using this particular one for about 18 months now. It was very tight out of the box and needed plenty of running in, but since then has done a lot of flying in a profile stunter and has been outstanding.  I definitely prefer it to my Norvels. Still, this is quite a different installation, so we'll see how it goes.

Hello Steve and Larry,
I have found the MP Jet diesel to be absolutely outstanding as a stunt powerplant. I am more than pleased that MP had the sense to reintroduce these engines after many years of unavailability. They do require a careful running in, mine was very tight. Once run in, I have had zero episodes of the engine quitting before the tank is empty. It is every bit as good as those available in the late 90s.
I am writing this in case anyone is put off due to Larry's misfortunes. I also rate them above the Norvels and Wasps, but they are expensive!

Regards,

Andrew.

I also rate them above the Norvels and Wasps, but they are expensive!

I guess you could say they're expensive for a 1 cc engine, but not that dear for a high-quality twin ballrace engine.

One issue that I had with mine to start with was that on the bench it would just run flat-out and couldn't be richened much, no matter how much I opened the needle. In the air it would go lean and misfire as it unwound. Fortunately the solution was simple. The spraybar has 2 jets, at 180°, and can't be seen due to the mesh over the venturi. When I pulled it out I discovered that the jets were orientated up/down, rather than across the venturi. Once I put that right it needled normally and hasn't missed a beat since.

Hello Steve and Larry,
I think I must have been lucky with my new one! With the mesh in the way, it would have taken me ages to have sussed out the jet wasn't in correctly.
Well they are expensive compared to the Wasp and I am a cheapskate when it comes to buying engines!

Regards,

Andrew.