I'm fortunate to have a VP Racing station nearby where I can buy nitro and methanol, so I can mix my own fuel to whatever percentages I like. I order my oil from Randy Ritch and pick it up at the NATS to save the shipping costs. The other alternative for oil is to order it from Klotz online (get the Original Techniplate 100% synthetic, or BeNOL Castor oil, or the Klotz Super Techniplate which is 80% Original Techniplate synthetic and 20% BeNOL Castor oil pre-mixed).

You can order custom fuel from Randy Ritch but he needs to sell a case (4 gallons) at a time, and the shipping costs are expensive. He supplies all the fuel for the major F2D Combat contests, so if there is one near you, you can order the fuel and pick it up at the contest to save the shipping costs. You can reach out to him at ritchsbrew dot com but sometimes it's a little hard to actually talk with him to place the order. His phone number is 281-701-3121. He's in TX. His fuel is really good.

Colin,
On another thread there is a rather extensive discussion about Red Max fuel being discontinued. Have you gone on their website lately or talked to them? If you have and they will still blend fuel please let us know.

Best,   DennisT

Just read about Redmax. WOW and too bad cuz I liked their fuel. So, for me it will be VP fuels w/ castor added as needed.

BTW, in the past I tried to purchase Ritch's Brew fuel. I called and emailed them several times to try to order w/ no response. I guess they did not want (or need) my $$. So, I gave up.

I also sometimes purchase fuel from Brodak, but at higher cost. Usually, I am getting other CL stuff and throw in a couple of quarts I might need since I am paying some fixed shipping charges anyway.

SP,
I am interested in more information on running the 4Strokes on methanol and oil. Its not that I can't get glow fuel now but if we don't start looking at alternatives to nitro fuels it well get to a point where fuel is just out of reach for most flyers.

For running methanol/oil fuel did you need to use a starter to get it fired off? What plug did you use? How was the power?

Best,    DennisT

SP,
I am interested in more information on running the 4Strokes on methanol and oil. Its not that I can't get glow fuel now but if we don't start looking at alternatives to nitro fuels it well get to a point where fuel is just out of reach for most flyers.

For running methanol/oil fuel did you need to use a starter to get it fired off? What plug did you use? How was the power?

FAI fuel 80/20 is basic glow fuel, generally forgotten about outside of FAI competition. I typically use 18% oil (I have no problem running 12-15% depending on the specific oil), balance methanol. OS F plug as always. Needles end up a few clicks leaner. If you've been running 30%, it will be quite a bit less power. Hand prop is no problem. Needles will be more touchy. Sometimes you can change the needle for a finer needle. Sometimes you can remove a head gasket. If you were running 10% it's 300-400rpm down. If an FS-40S isn't enough, use a FS-48S or 52S.

I've played with E85, gas, coleman, kerosene, glow, spark, and diesel, in glow four strokes. Compression ratios, carbs, etc. etc...  There have been glow ignition gas engine by OS and others.

Dan,
I fully understand how glow ignition works, you forgot that you need to heat the element (99% of the time) for it to fire. Anyway, nitro/methanol/oil is the standard fuel now and as you say since 1947. There have been other fuel mixes but for our purpose NMO is what won out. But nitro is getting expensive and even commercial glow fuel can be a challenge. Yes there is Brodak but sources are dwindling. I raised the question only to see if anyone has experimented and what were the results. It appears SP has.

SP,
I like the FAI fuel approach as it is simple and should be available. I was wondering if any simple additive that you have tried that could be added to get back a little punch?

Best,   DennisT

     I didn't forget it, just didn't think the obvious needed to be said!! The current situation isn't the first time we have dealt with this problem. I have been through several nitro shortages and other reasons for the fuel supply to be in jeopardy. I remember when Fox marketed a fuel with nitro-ethane, I think it was, as a substitute. I think SIG did also and it did NOT receive rave reviews. SIG pushed their FAI fuel and recommended just flying 5% nitro to help during the crisis. I have watched guys experiment with diesels, and everything that "SP" has mentioned and always met with less than stellar results or did not work at all.  The gasoline glow plug has been around quite a while, I would say 10 to 15 years or so, but again, no interest due to lack or performance. Nitromethane is used in WAY more products than model airplane fuel and NHRA drag racers. If the freaking government and EPA would just get the hell out of the way, it could be produced in better quality and quantity here in this country and make our fuel and many other products less expensive. If there was another fuel and ignition alternative for us it would have been discovered in the last 75 years. We'll work through this current situation I will not fly electric. That is not what I do this for. Working with the engines, props and such is a big part of the hobby to me. If my only option becomes electric, I'll go fly rubber powered free flight and gliders more.
  Type at you later,
   Dan McEntee

SP.
Very interesting information about the Arden. The nitro propane is stuff that as a kid there was a club member who mixed fuel with it and nitro benzine worked ok, we didn't know the difference, but it did smell great. I know that the nitro blends are available and for most cost is no object. But would be interesting to have alternatives.

Best,   DennisT

YIKES!!!!!
Brett - where do you live that they charge $5.25 per gallon???

Bob Z.