MAIN POINT: I have a series of glow engine planes that I am looking to convert to a full electric setup. I need help with identifying appropriate motors for stunt training.
THINGS TO CONSIDER
I am 5 months into Control Line flying. I have amassed a small fleet of planes and am in the process of building more over the winter. I have been flying with glow engines and have been increasingly discouraged by how finicky they can be (I am a do-it-yourselfer, but not a small engine guy). Trying to troubleshoot why the plane I flew last week won’t fly at the field today (is it a clogged filter, is it dirt in the venture, is it a plug, is it a break in the fuel line, is my prop starter charged, has the needle valve shifted, etc) has been personally frustrating and very disappointing to my 8 year old who just wants to fly!
I have decided to go electric in hopes of cutting down the list of possible hiccups and increasing our time flying.
With this post, my main interest is identifying a motor that will fit my current fleet of planes. I am hopeful that one type of engine could service all my planes (with simple RPM adjustments), that way I could buy 3 or 4 of the same engine and move them between planes with ease. Also, understand that we are in a training phase, and there will be crashes (my son has already killed a few planes :-). I am looking for forgiving and affordable engines, not top of the line world beater engines. Providing details on a corresponding ESC and Batteries for your suggested engine would also be appreciated.
MY PLANES
So let me introduce you to my fleet (ALL PROFILE PLANES).
My main plane of interest to outfit is a converted Combat wing-styled plane. I currently have 1 almost fully built (SEE PICTURE) and have various parts of 4 identical models in production. These will be our main trainers this spring, and therefore, are the most important to get right. As a quick background to this style of plane, a long-time stunter designed this plane and trained his son on it this past fall. Therefore, the design has been tested and works.
Type: Trainer Plane (Combat Wing Style)
Quantity: 5
Wingspan: 47.5 Inches
Weight: 679 Grams; 23.9 Ounces (weight based on current picture; weight of motor and electrical setup not factored in)
My other planes are as follows:
Type: SIG P-51 Mustang
Quantity: 3 (2 finished, 1 halfway constructed)
Wingspan: 38 Inches
Weight (Plane 1): 800 Grams; 28.2 Ounces (Weight includes the current motor on it)
Weight (Plane 2): 1125 Grams; 39.7 Ounces (Weight includes current motor and fuel tank; not sure why it weights so much more than plane 1; might be related to its age where fuel soakage, glue repairs, and type of paint coating all contribute
Type: Buster
Quantity: 1
Wingspan: 40.5 Inch
Weight: 845 Grams; 29.8 Ounces
Type: Lightning Streak
Quantity: 1
Wingspan: 41.5 Inches
Length: 25.5 Inches
Wing Area: 388 Square Inches
Weight: Unknown. Currently building
Thanks for reading over my post. If you have any food for thought I hope you are willing to share. I have a lot to learn and need your constructive feedback.