Ok, you have any engine available to you.  What would you use to power a T-Bird II?  Why?

  Hi Bill,
 I am using an LA .46 in mine, it was a toss up between that and a very good Merco (red head) .35 at the time.
 (the Merco is slated for a Brodak Nobler kit the kids gave me last fathers day! )

 Initially the weight target was sub 45 oz but I think it will be a bit higher now (47-48 oz) so I think the extra prop disc area will help by using the .46.

 If I were starting over I think I would be dropping the canopy detailing etc, aiming for closer to 40 oz and definately running a Magnum .36.

  P.s, Bill I think you know why!

 Cheers, Rob.

Bill,

Depends of if you want to go with "period" power or what would be the optimal engine. I've seen them fly with really good running Fox .35s and were great. I've seen them with ST.46 and also flew very well. Even an  OS .35S that was pretty cool.

Personally, I'd use a PA .40UL, but that's me.

Hi Guys,

Going for the "optimum" package here.  The set up that would provide the best performance regardless of the "time frame".

Bill <><

Bill,

I have been out of touch recently - but not THAT out of touch. 

The only engine I would consider is the Aero Tiger 36. Life is too short to waste time. Go with the best. 

No, you cannot have it back. 

Ron

Bill,

Hmmm. What do you have?

As I said, I would go with the PA .40 Merlin. More than enough power and super run characteristics. If I was in the mood to way overpower it or thought I would have a problem with it being tail heavy, might go with something bigger. A local guy had one with a DS 50. Seemed to work fine.

Tom Dixon flew his with the ST G51 when that engine first hit the shelves.  It did a nice job.

I am asking the question (not because of what engines I have) to see what the coices different peopl would make, and WHY.  To me, the PA40UL would be in a close race with the Aero Tiger 36, and it would come down to which is the heaviest.  With the design considerations of the original plane and the engine weights of the time, I would want to use the combination of lighest/most usuable power.

The heavier the engine becomes the proportional weight gain gets greater.  Nose weight will need tail weight, overall weight goes up!  I am still not sold on the theory that a plane flys better "heavy" than when it's light.  If so, Billy Werwage wouldn't be a three time World Champ..........  (Les liked to build kinda light, too- the only other three time US WC)  Just all a matter of preferences I guess.

Thanks for responding, guys, since it doesn't appear to be too many here who have an opinion........!!!!!!!


Bill <><

Thanks for responding, guys, since it doesn't appear to be too many here who have an opinion........!!!!!!!

OK then, my choice would be AXI 2826-10 with the upgraded CC-45 ESC and Hyperion 3700 4S1P batteries....

Some of us know "a little" about electric set ups. 

Bruno's choices look great to me as long as the 3700 Hyperion batteries have enough juice to complete the pattern and are lighter than my old Thunder Power 4200 cells.

My problem with electrifying the classics is weight. The wings are generally smaller and I wasn't happy with the heavy wing loading after adding all that battery weight. My Oriental flew okay, the bigger Cardinal flew better, and I think 600 - 620 square inches would be best for that AXI/Castle/battery combo.

Just my opinion - after spending $4000.00 (US) last year on electric CLPA as a "learning experience". 

Ron

Dude, I didn't realize you had that much of an investment in the Electric Stunt Experience! 

AS an aside: Those Corsair II plans look like it will be an AWESOME plane for some reason!  Begging for an AT36 and maybe a 'Nam camo scheme.....  I talked to Mike about my getting some laser cut ribs done for it.  We'll see how that goes a *little* later down the road!

Bill,

You start small, then learn you need more stuff, and the money goes out faster than you think. The last time I checked, I had 30 battery packs. At $105.95 per, that adds up to some serious hobby money.  Then I had to have my own programming setup at home to create the special timers I use and you can guess the rest.....    I didn't really start thinking about it until I started gathering all my tax stuff together. I sorted receipts and....

IIRC, the AT36 is Mike's choice for a powerplant and mine as well for that plane. Like I said, life is too short to waste on lousy engines. Get the best.

I'll wimp out and send the templates to Crist Rigotti and see if he can cut some foam cores.