Airplane for OS .46AX engine?

[frank mccune]

     Hello All:

      What stunt airplane would you suggest to be powered by the OS .46AX?  Is this engine suited for Stunt use?

       Tia,

       Frank

[Tim Wescott]

It's heavy, and it's more powerful than a 46LA which either has or almost has enough power for a 700 square inch stunter.  I know a few people have used them, but I don't know that it's ever won nationally.

If I did use one, I think I'd get a pipe for it and I'd put it on a big plane.  But if I took all the time I'd spend uselessly screwing around with that engine just to be almost as good as a PA and got a second job at McDonald's flipping burgers, I could use the money to buy a brand new PA + pipe setup from Randy Smith and be in the air with something better -- and maybe sooner.

[frank mccune]

      Would it do well on a TF Score?

      Tia,

      Frank

[Dennis Leonhardi]

How about an RC Hobbico NexSTAR?  Frank, the recommended props for that engine range from a 10.5x6 to a 12x7.  Personally, I agree with Tim and just wouldn't spend time trying to fly stunt with it, but it's your engine, your time & energy.

Good luck if you go with it!

Dennis

[Phil Spillman]

Frank, Sell it to an RC Dude! Buy yourself a decent Stunt Engine!

Phil Spillman

[Ken Culbertson]

     Hello All:

      What stunt airplane would you suggest to be powered by the OS .46AX?  Is this engine suited for Stunt use?

       Tia,

       Frank

Frank, I thought I could get an OS46FX (replaced by the AX) to work but finally gave up.  I designed a profile around it with 650 squares that came out at 54oz.  I needed new bearings for the FX so I flew the profile with an OS46LA.  Great plane and motor 5.5 laps.  Flew so well I used it in PA for a year.  Finally got the FX running and dropped it in.  Asde from the extra weight it gave me a 4.1 lap running rich.
If you have a 700 sq+ ship it may work but that motor is on par with most stunt 75's in power.  It is an RC high rpm motor and not really suited for stunt.

Ken

[Scott Richlen]

Frank:

I flew OS 46 SFs for many years in stunt.  We ran them with 3 blade, low pitch carbon fiber props, zero to 3% nitro, nothing higher.  The Score is a good-sized plane and is probably the right size for that engine.  Just be aware that it could come out nose heavy, so you'll need to adjust accordingly (move the engine back and build your own shorter, but deeper, uniflow tank.)  I'd talk to Randy about prop recommendations.

If you fly Expert or towards the top of Advanced this is not likely to fly as well as any PA or RO-Jett powered plane.  If you already have the Score and fly in the mid to lower ranks of Advanced or Intermediate: go for it!

[frank mccune]

      I got a look at the engine in question and it as a FX engine.  I doubt that it changes any comments as to its use as a Stunt engine for a Score.

      What would be a fair price to pay for it.  It appears to be in great shape.

      Tia,

      Frank

[Scott Richlen]

What would be a fair price to pay for it.  It appears to be in great shape.

I think I would look at any E-Bay prices you can find and decide.  I just looked and they are priced at $60 to $100.  This is less than LA-46s are going for.  It is strictly market related.  RC has gone electric and the LA-46s are getting snatched up by the CL crowd because we like the engine and any design an ST-46 could fly, an LA-46 can fly.  As you saw by the comments, above, the SF/FX/AX series of engines are not as popular with the CLers and these days I suppose we are about the only market for them except for a few sport RC fliers.  I suppose a fair offer would be around $80 to $90.  That is actually much less than what you would have paid new, but there just is very little market for them.

[Chris McMillin]

FX's have a poor reputation in RC because of liner peeling. Plus, no one flies glow anymore, gas or electric it seems is everyone's bag nowadays. I have two in a couple of 46 sized CG Scale Acro models, Extra 300 and CAP 20, they run great on decent fuel with a little oil. Someone gave me the models complete and fixed them up for the kids to fly.
On a Stunter like a Score or one of those two ton Strega's, i'd use one of those 12.25x3.75 APC props.
Chris...