If it helps, both Bruce Hunt and John Thompson (both fly Expert) tried to make a standard TT .36 work in an ex-Don McClave "Blackbird", and failed. And I think both are pretty good engine guys. Eventually, JT saved up his nickles and sent it off to Randy Smith. I don't recall if it got modified OEM parts or if it got the full tilt Aero Tiger treatment. Stock, they make a pretty good Beginner's Navy Carrier engine, according to Mike Potter. Steve
Hmmmm....
That's odd! Steve Moon used one for quite a while in a Geiseke Nobler for VSC, very successfully. I also had one in a G. Nobler and it ran reasonably well. Both Steve and I are also Expert level fliers and while it did take some minor set-up to achieve there wasn't any major mods required.
Mine had a completely stock engine with a .265 venturii and ST Needle Valve assembly. I used a Phelps style 10.5- 4.25 prop and because I live in Tucson, 15% nitro with 20% oil (half castor and half Klotz).
It gave very good runs. It did require a careful initial needle setting for the day but once achieved it was quite stable and ran a very strong wet 2 with a slight increase at the tops of maneuvers. On hot afternoons the nitro was increased to about 18%.
I eventually replaced it with an Aerotiger because I had one. While the Aerotiger was easier handling with a much broader sweet spot, it really didn't work any better than the stock engine when properly adjusted.
One thing that was key to setup for both the stock engine and the Aerotiger was the proper amount of backpressure on the tongue muffler. Many holes were drilled and tapped for 4-40 screws and screws were added to holes until the proper backpressure was attained. Most of the people I knew at the time were tuning Aerotigers that way and it worked also on the stock engines with the setup mentioned.
No it wasn't "choking" the engine just controlling it. The engine was still very powerful and would fly a larger airplane if necessary! I don't remember the precise number of holes or screws but someone around probably does! I'm pretty sure that I picked it up from Bill Werwage at VSC many years ago. I seem to have some recollection of Ted Fancher being involved with one there also! (Aerotiger).
Randy Cuberly