Author Topic: Information on Stalker 51 (Read 4138 times)

bill mazzoni · « **on:** August 29, 2012, 02:39:53 PM »

Need info on Stalker 51. Putting engine in 650 sq. inch airplane. What size prop, size tank, Best fuel to use, What RPM ??
Thanks
Bill Mazzoni

FLOYD CARTER · « **Reply #1 on:** August 29, 2012, 02:53:37 PM »

I'm using two of them. 12.25 X 4.5 APC cut down to 11.75. 10% nitro fuel with mostly synthetic oil, but about 5% castor oil. You will need to add 1 head shim for 10% nitro. 5 1/4 oz of this fuel is about right.

Floyd

Balsa Butcher · « **Reply #2 on:** August 29, 2012, 03:10:18 PM »

Hi Floyd, Could you double check your Stalker prop. I'm not trying to sharp-shoot you here but also have a Stalker .51 so am curious about props and don't see that one listed. They do make a 12.25x3.75 a 11.5x4,a 10.5x4.5 and a 12.5x6 but I don't know if any of them would work.

PJ Rowland · « **Reply #3 on:** August 29, 2012, 06:45:46 PM »

Id be more interested to know the weight of the model.

Steve Helmick · « **Reply #4 on:** August 29, 2012, 06:53:02 PM »

Quote from: Balsa Butcher on August 29, 2012, 03:10:18 PM

Hi Floyd, Could you double check your Stalker prop. I'm not trying to sharp-shoot you here but also have a Stalker .51 so am curious about props and don't see that one listed. They do make a 12.25x3.75 a 11.5x4,a 10.5x4.5 and a 12.5x6 but I don't know if any of them would work.

Pete means APC props, I'm sure!

Pete Ferguson and I test flew Keith Varley's "Keith's Comet" last weekend. It's a restyled Oriental Plus (610"?), with a Stalker .51...and light. It came with lines, handle, a gallon of modified green fuel, and two real Stalker props. IIRC, Keith told me previously that he liked the APC 12-4 on his .51. Pete said the lines were about 64', I think that was i2i, but maybe wrong on that. We got lap times of around 5 seconds, but Pete would like to slow it down a little, to 5.2. I am certain that longer lines will not work, so a change of props (maybe repitching the Stalker props) will be needed. Actually, I'd suggest shorter lines. The drift was very light and wake turbulance was scary on my flight, so I didn't push my luck. We were launching at 8.8k to 8.9k, burning about 4 oz of Wildcat 10-18 Preminum (20% of the oil being castor). I think it needs less pitch and a bit more rpm, like 9.2k. Maybe Keith will comet...I mean comment.

It would be great in a large .35 Classic like a '60 T-Bird, but for a PA plane I'd be thinking of an O+ (and extend the nose 1"+), Bucaneer 740, Legacy 40 or Vector 40...and keep it really light. They're not a honkin' engine, but run very nicely in a Fox .35 sort of way.

Steve

Balsa Butcher · « **Reply #5 on:** August 29, 2012, 10:43:55 PM »

Steve's correct, I meant the APC prop that Floyd was using on his Stalker. I know actual Stalker props are pretty hard to find. I saw Gordan's Stalker 51 power his full bodied Pathfinder at Whittier Narrows last year. A large plane but the Stalker handled it without any problems. Maybe not PA powerful but a strong engine nonetheless.

Joe Yau · « **Reply #6 on:** August 30, 2012, 12:49:14 AM »

Quote from: Steve Helmick on August 29, 2012, 06:53:02 PM

Pete means APC props, I'm sure!

Pete Ferguson and I test flew Keith Varley's "Keith's Comet" last weekend. It's a restyled Oriental Plus (610"?), with a Stalker .51...and light. It came with lines, handle, a gallon of modified green fuel, and two real Stalker props. IIRC, Keith told me previously that he liked the APC 12-4 on his .51. Pete said the lines were about 64', I think that was i2i, but maybe wrong on that. We got lap times of around 5 seconds, but Pete would like to slow it down a little, to 5.2. I am certain that longer lines will not work, so a change of props (maybe repitching the Stalker props) will be needed. Actually, I'd suggest shorter lines. The drift was very light and wake turbulance was scary on my flight, so I didn't push my luck. We were launching at 8.8k to 8.9k, burning about 4 oz of Wildcat 10-18 Preminum (20% of the oil being castor). I think it needs less pitch and a bit more rpm, like 9.2k. Maybe Keith will comet...I mean comment.

Interesting.. didn't know Keith used a APC 12x4 on the .51. from what I remember, the best prop Keith had on the Komet was a CF Majic 11 x 5.5 3-blade electric/IC prop from Randy. not sure if he has repitched it or not tho.. but it seems to work pretty good when I flew it.

keith varley · « **Reply #7 on:** August 30, 2012, 09:17:48 AM »

Yeah Joe , you got that right .
STALKER 51---I had 3 of them. Need 4 to 4 1/2 ounce of 10% for good pattern.I'm talking a 2--4 type of run. The original Stalker 12 by 6 - 2 blade worked really nice .Not available any more .Any other 12 by 6 that I have tried where just too much prop. I got close with Eather 12 by 6- 2 blade if I thinned them down a lot and reduced the blade area a bunch.The other prop that worked really nice in stock condition was the 3 blade Magic 11 by 5.5 electric, Randy sells them , and calls them scimitar shape.Although they are electric he says they are really safe for I.C. engines , and commonly used for that.
I found advice from Stalker/Modusa to use straight synth lube,a bit of castor doesnt hurt the run at all , but the carbon does build up in the combustion chamber , and needs cleaning out once in a while. (easy to do.) IN the winter season here in the N.W. I would shim down the venturi a bit and use less nitro.Even F.A.I. blend.We have very dense air down here at sea level.Some of the lower pitch A.P.C. props worked well also EG; 11.5 by 4. The motor will do its 2-4 dance at higher rpm,s but then the sound is not as pleasing to some. Keith Varley

FLOYD CARTER · « **Reply #8 on:** August 30, 2012, 03:28:32 PM »

Minor correction on my Stalker 51 prop. It is APC 12.25 X 3.75 with 1/4" off each tip. Wow! I didn't realize that is pretty darn close to zero pitch!

Also, checking my notes, fuel load is 4 1/4 oz. Keeps going down!

Both of them are pulling a Brodak Legacy, with mucho cosmetic mods.

Floyd

I guess these are early pictures, with wood props!

Peter Ferguson · « **Reply #9 on:** September 01, 2012, 08:17:03 AM »

I'll start with a TT 11.5 x 4 because its gray and will match the plane, its flown everything else I've owned. I have the APC's and a box full of Bollys to play with also. It flys well I'm just spoiled with the slow laps I was getting with the electric. BTW I think I know what happened with the electric, looking at my Ted handle the down slider on the handle was pulled out, it had been glued in place; apparently no good enough. It was pretty loose, I wouldn't be surprised if that happened at the bottom of the square and that led to its demise. Working on a replacement.

Steve Helmick · « **Reply #10 on:** September 01, 2012, 01:32:35 PM »

Uh, Pete...the TT prop is 11 x 4.5, not 11.5 x 4. I'd try the APC props that Keith and Floyd have used. See you tomorrow, 10 AM?

Steve

Allan Perret · « **Reply #11 on:** September 01, 2012, 06:01:14 PM »

I have Stalker 51 in a 48oz Olympic.
Using 4oz of Morgan c/l blend (10% nitro 11%castor 11% syn), and its liking a RSM 11-6 prop.
Launching around 8300, 63' i2i, 5.2 laps.
I added head shims to get the deck clearance Kaz recommended for 10 nitro.
Dont remember what that clearance is but could look it up if someone needs it.

Dennis Toth · « **Reply #12 on:** September 16, 2012, 03:54:45 PM »

Allan,
How did you finish the Olympic is the wing sheeted? What was the raw weight of the ship? What is the weight of the Starker 51?

I am building an Olympic and want to use a rear exhaust engine either the Starker 40 or 51, I think the 40 is only 6.5 oz. is the 51 near this?

Best, DennisT

Allan Perret · « **Reply #13 on:** September 18, 2012, 06:46:33 AM »

Quote from: Dennis Toth on September 16, 2012, 03:54:45 PM

Allan,
How did you finish the Olympic is the wing sheeted? What was the raw weight of the ship? What is the weight of the Starker 51?

I am building an Olympic and want to use a rear exhaust engine either the Starker 40 or 51, I think the 40 is only 6.5 oz. is the 51 near this?

Best, DennisT

Wing is covered with polyspan, transparent dope finish. See pictures and some construction details in Classic section.
Dont remember raw weight. Stalker 51RE is 10.7 oz with muffler. Stalker's have a good stunt run but are not really strong engines. If you use the 40 you should try to keep weight under 42 oz.

Balsa Butcher · « **Reply #14 on:** September 18, 2012, 08:33:10 AM »

Just a slightly different experience. My silkspan/dope finished Olympic came out at 44 ounces. Power is an Aero Tiger 36. I think they weight about 8.2 ounces. It is nose heavy, had to add an ounce in the tail to get the balance right. For that reason I would recommend the Stalker 40. I fly with a pilot who has one in a 50 ounce Gieseke Nobler. It has a plenty of power for a plane this size and a really nice 4-2-4 run.

PJ Rowland · « **Reply #15 on:** October 02, 2012, 09:22:15 AM »

I fly with a pilot who has one in a 50 ounce Gieseke Nobler. It has a plenty of power for a plane this size and a really nice 4-2-4 run.

Really ? Stalker .40 seems like alot of engine for a Gieseke Nobler.

I can't comment any more.. I will get in trouble..

Balsa Butcher · « **Reply #16 on:** October 02, 2012, 10:21:34 AM »

Ouch!-PJ, your sarcasm cuts like a knife.

I know your Gieseke Nobler flies well with a Stalker 61 and you have the Trophies to prove it. However and Olympic with that engine would be nose heavy and have prop clearance issues. Built relatively light (under 45 ounces w/engine), a Stalker 40 would be a good choice.

RandySmith · « **Reply #17 on:** October 02, 2012, 02:59:49 PM »

Quote from: Balsa Butcher on October 02, 2012, 10:21:34 AM

Ouch!-PJ, your sarcasm cuts like a knife. I know your Gieseke Nobler flies well with a Stalker 61 and you have the Trophies to prove it. However and Olympic with that engine would be verly nose heavy and have prop clearance issues. Built light (which they need to be to fly well), a Stalker 40 would be a good choice.

An Aero Tiger 36 is way more powerful than a Stalker 40, The motor has flown planes as large as Ted's TP with little trouble, and on a dyno test will put out over 3 times what a Good FOX 35 DS 40 will. and it weighs 7.9 ounces... So people with the AT 36 will not suffer much

Randy

Balsa Butcher · « **Reply #18 on:** October 03, 2012, 07:16:32 PM »

Agreed, however I was addressing the issue of Stalker 40 RE vs Stalker 51. Given a choice of either of those, I'd still take the 40 RE due to its lighter weight and smaller size when compared to the 51, but that's just me. I have an AT-36 in mine and IMHO would be a better choice than either of the Stalkers.

For the record: I had no idea an apparently unpopular engine recommendation would generate so much flak, it won't happen again. I apologize to those I may have offended. I didn't get into this hobby to p#*s people off, although sometimes posting on the internet is conducive to this. Time to take a break from SH and get some building done...Out here.

steven yampolsky · « **Reply #19 on:** October 03, 2012, 07:33:30 PM »

How come nobody mentioned that there are TWO flavors of Stalker 51 with different timings.

RandySmith · « **Reply #20 on:** October 03, 2012, 09:25:10 PM »

Quote from: Balsa Butcher on October 03, 2012, 07:16:32 PM

Agreed, however I was addressing the issue of Stalker 40 RE vs Stalker 51. Given a choice of either of those, I'd still take the 40 RE due to its lighter weight and smaller size when compared to the 51, but that's just me. I have an AT-36 in mine and IMHO would be a better choice than either of the Stalkers.

For the record: I had no idea an apparently unpopular engine recommendation would generate so much flak, it won't happen again. I apologize to those I may have offended. I didn't get into this hobby to p#*s people off, although sometimes posting on the internet is conducive to this. Time to take a break from SH and get some building done...Out here.

HI
I don't think anyone is P ed off at your suggestion, this is a forum for people to write about what they think, and to try to help , there are many ways to power a stuntship, just some peoples ideas are not others... in other words "opinions vary"

Regards
Randy

Balsa Butcher · « **Reply #21 on:** October 04, 2012, 07:23:43 PM »

Thanks Randy, I get it but do need a break from the computer and posting.

PJ Rowland · « **Reply #22 on:** October 05, 2012, 04:36:42 AM »

I love the AT 36 - The run is flawless every time - I just wish it was RE !

I have had both timed versions of the .51 - I just dont like them... for the weight vs the power output I think they are gutless...

For the record ; I'm not even a big fan of the Standard Stalker .61 - I've had 2 of those also both timed versions and also find it fairly gutless...

My favorite will always be the .61 Long stroke LT - I don't really like referring to it as a .61 - I think its alot more like the Worlds strongest ST 46.

Power, weight, RE - great timings - a world class engine - with or without records or trophies to "back it up"

Make no mistake Randy makes world class engines which is why I have switched engined in my Open ships from both the Stalker .76 and .81's in favor of the PA 75

Or as I like to call it " The electric killer.. "

John Leidle · « **Reply #23 on:** January 11, 2013, 10:54:35 PM »

I could use some help here ,,i tried my .51 a few flights only but it seemed to have power but it had a strong 2-4 break I didnt expect it .
John

Allan Perret · « **Reply #24 on:** January 12, 2013, 08:40:08 AM »

Add head shim or reduce nitro. Remember they come setup for FAI fuel.

Author Topic: Information on Stalker 51 (Read 4138 times)

steven yampolsky

John Leidle