Need Help Identifing a Old Fox

[Gil Mc Millan]

After flying stunt, combat & rat racing since the early fifties, I thought I knew Fox motors, but now I'm stumped. I was recently given a NIB Fox 36XR, I have no idea what this motor is......is it usable for stunt, or coveted by collectors or simply a piece of junk ? Any information will be appreciated.
Thanks, Gil

[Steve Helmick]

I've never heard of any Fox XR, but I'd bet $ that it's a hotrod engine and not at all suitable for anything but going fast and making a lot of noise.

How about pictures of the engine and box, where it says "XR"?  If you can't crunch pictures to posting size, feel free to email them to me and I'll rework them and email them back or post them, your choice. sbasser at yahoo dot com  Steve

[Bill Mohrbacher]

I think you probably mean 36 RX.  They first came out in 1976 and were sold in stunt, carrier, free flight, and RC versions.  In 1980 Fox sold an RC version with a unique rear mounted muffler.  They aren't worth very much, 50 -100.  Heavy!

[Gil Mc Millan]

Thanks Bill
I was just about to take pictures & post them.....I have the exact motor that you posted & It is an RX, not XR.
I guess its worthless to me, maybe a paper weight. Do you know anything about its power output & running characteristics ?

[JoeJust]

It had limited success as a Navy Carrier engine.  I think I remember one being used on a profile MO-1 in a MA article by Perry in  the mid to late 70's.
Joe

[Andre Ming]

That engine had its basis in the small company "RAF" (Roselle and Frye).  As I "remember" it: RAF was developing it for use as a speed/RC Pylon engine. Duke helped RAF financially to get their product going, and RAF defaulted and didn't pay Duke, so he foreclosed and took their assets.  He ended up using the cases and what have you to make the "Carrier" engine referred to.  I recall at least one 55 gal drum barrel full of raw RAF case castings, and there may have been more.  The "Carrier" engine was being still being tinkered with ("developed") when I left Fox Mfg in October of '75.  Thus, the basic engineering concept of the Fox "Carrier" engine isn't actually one of Duke's ideas.

[John Rist]

If you don't want it list it on eBay starting it out at $100.  Give it's history and list it as a rare new in the box collectors item.  May well generate enough money to buy a good engine.

By the way Fox's web sight is still up and running.  Can you actually buy a new Fox 35 stunt from Fox?  I am told that they are no longer making the Fox model airplane engines.

[john e. holliday]

I had one of those in a Bill Melton Gaurdian Profile.   His first version that was published.   Showed great promise until about the 6th or 7th flight the controls hung up when I tried to release the hook for low speed.  The plane and engine needless to say were no more.   Don't know if the divet is still on the or in the circle at the Dallas field.   This back before they had a paved drive and no fence.

[Ara Dedekian]

   
         I flew a G&S profile Corsair in Carrier with a 36RX in the early 1980's. The other feature of the engine was that the muffler extended down between the insides of the engine bearers. Despite not being too savvy about proper oil contents, % nitro etc. to run the engine, I got some decent high speed times. Fox's technical help person back then, Ken (perhaps Andre remembers him?) was on the phone with me a lot helping me sort out my problems. He asked that I send the engines back. Seems my two engines were from a batch made with cast iron sleeve bearings. They were returned bushed with bronze bearings.

         Haven't used the engines since, but placed 5th in Profile Carrier at the Chicopee Nats using the same plane with a K&B 5.8.

         A new-in-the-box with muffler Fox 36RX sold on eBay recently for ~$80.

         Despite Fox's web site being up, they're out of the model engine business. That info is from an e-mail response to me from Sharon at Fox about six months ago when, as now, the site was still up.

       Ara

[Brett Buck]

Our club president stopped by Fort Smith and Fox Mfg a few months back and was told until they, Fox, can compete with foreign imports, they will not produce any more engines.  Much of Fox business is with Uncle Sam.

  I knew they had a lot of government contracts.

    The problem is that they haven't been trying to compete with foreign imports, and haven't for a very long time, if ever. They have ignored the competition almost completely.

    Brett

[afml]

Fox also made a C/L, R/C, carrier, & BB version of the motor.
Yes!  The muffler, resembling a Perfect gas tank, was held to the rear exhaust flange by ONE set screw.
To reach or tighten the screw, you had to use a long reach Allen wrench.
Was interesting that the INSIDE of the exhaust flange was threaded....
Was even a test report pertaining to the timing being favorable.
For what, I don't recall.....Gravity at work again!
"Tight Lines!
Wes