In this thread http://stunthanger.com/smf/building-techniques/elevator-to-flap-ratio/msg438939/#msg438939 I made a comment on the lines of "use a 4" bellcrank where possible", thinking "jeeze, if I say just use the biggest one that'll fit then Steve Helmick will be on my case".

Then Steve came on and said "use the biggest one that'll fit".

Which makes me wonder -- what size bellcranks do the big boys put in their airplanes?  I'm not talking about me or Steve -- I'm talking about the folks who are realistic in making sure that there's room in the car to bring back the Walker Cup when they pack for the Nats.  So Paul and Dave and Igor (if he wanted to come) and the rest of the "top 5" crowd.

Better yet, if you answer, why do you use that size bellcrank.  As far as I'm concerned "because it's always worked" is a perfectly good answer.

If you're not one of those guys, but you know the answer for one of 'em, please rat them out.

I'm not going to rip the 4" bellcrank out of my current build, but I might see if I can jam a 5" or 6" bellcrank into the next one.

Mine are generally 4" to 4.25" depending on the horns I use (have to keep the ratios in line).

I can't imagine needing anything larger than 4" even for the tanks that I force through the air.  For me, the biggest improvement is a 4" bellcrank in the smaller classic models.  Handle spacing is whatever it takes, there is no one size fits all for me there.

Old Time doesn't care where the bell crank is as long as you can't see the modification.   For my quality of flying a 4 inch doesn't help me.  I like the Red Rhinehardt set up using 3 inch.   Pushrod as close to pivot point to get movement and a tall control horn.