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Author Topic: Irvine 40 MkIII  (Read 767 times)

Offline Glen Wearden

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Irvine 40 MkIII
« on: April 16, 2010, 03:57:24 PM »
I don't know if I've mentioned this before on this forum, but a few years back I bought an Irvine 40 MkIII from a LHS that was going out of business, for about 1/3 the cost of a new one.  It was, as best as I can determine, one of the last made in England.  I decided to convert it to CL and got a venturi and NVA from Just Engines.  I added one head shim and mounted the engine on a Tutor II.  I'm using a Hayes 6oz. (way too big) tank and running Powermaster GMA 10/22, with a 11/4.5 prop.  I haven't flown it, yet, but the engine was broken in during some "dark-side" flights, and it ran quite well.  I ran it, today, with the airplane tied down on a table.  It started easily and I ran it at a pretty hot 2 cycle where it was showing very faint exhaust smoke.  I didn't have my tach, but I would guess it was above 10 K by the way it hummed.  I unhooked the plane and held it upside down, sideways, etc. and it didn't seem to change RPM at all.  When I held it pointed nose up, it wanted to lift out of my hands, still not changing RPMs. 
I took a long time to get to my question, but I'm wondering if I was running it too lean.  It ran over 6 min. on about 2 oz. of fuel.  It seemed to be very happy at that setting, and didn't seem to get too hot, and it never came close to sagging.  I'm anxious to get it in the air, and see if it's as good of an engine that I think it is.

Glen Wearden
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Glen Wearden

Offline dennis lipsett

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Re: Irvine 40 MkIII
« Reply #1 on: April 16, 2010, 07:37:40 PM »
Irvines were loved for their high end power, their superior metal carb, their fuel economy. That said they don't make good stunt engines without a bit of work. They made a special 25 and 36 engine for c/L that also wern't too useable in stock form.
They need some changes made that some tuners used to offer their services  for this engine. I can't think of any of them right now but someone will jump in with info.
By the way, The red cased Irvines were some of the finest production engines ever made, it almost vindicated that old English add campaign which was;
"it's British, it's got to be good" circa 1950's
Dennis
« Last Edit: April 17, 2010, 05:43:11 AM by dennis lipsett »
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Offline Brian Hampton

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Re: Irvine 40 MkIII
« Reply #2 on: April 17, 2010, 11:37:41 PM »
And then there's this 40RLS which is magnificent. Beats the pants off a 40VF too :).
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Offline dennis lipsett

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Re: Irvine 40 MkIII
« Reply #3 on: April 18, 2010, 08:01:06 AM »
Quote from: Brian Hampton on April 17, 2010, 11:37:41 PM
And then there's this 40RLS which is magnificent. Beats the pants off a 40VF too :).
Brian,
It probably does beat the OS, it's certainly better made then the OS. But it is also a revver, same as the OS. does well at 12K and a pipe and flat pitch props.
Dennis
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Offline Andrew Tinsley

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Re: Irvine 40 MkIII
« Reply #4 on: April 18, 2010, 08:36:29 AM »
Hm,
  The Irvine 40 RLS has been said to be a better piped engine than the OS 40 VF. There was a review in Aeromodeller by Derek Picard that lauded it to high heaven.
  The only snag is that they seem to be a very rare bird. I spent ages looking for a good or even not so good one (Piston / liners are still available last time I looked). Searched in all the usual places and never saw a single one for sale.
  I gave up and got an OS 40 VF instead. Apart from the Derek Picard one (think someone on the forum has it now, may even been Brian!), I have never come across another! Did Irvine only make the one!!

Regards,

Andrew.
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Offline Brian Hampton

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Re: Irvine 40 MkIII
« Reply #5 on: April 18, 2010, 09:48:26 AM »
Nice pick :). Yes, mine is the one Derek did the review on and I managed to find a copy of that Aeromodeller mag too :). AFAIK mine's the only one in Australia but I've heard of a few in America and of course there are some in Europe. I've got no idea how many were made though.
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