Cobra Fans,,what's your power choice?

[Clay Schmidt]

I just got my header muffler and spinner today from Jett so I had to slap everything together and see how it fit on the plans.  I think it is going to work.  I am excited!

With many of you getting Cobras  I thought it would be interesting to see what you all are planning to use for power.

Clay

[Ralph Wenzel (d)]

Probably an L&J Fox .35 with lots of Nitro. Unless I wimp out and use a Bowman-rebuilt ST .46 . . .

[Jay]

What I wonder most about is your prop clearance.  Lots of guys had told me that the biggest issue with building a Cobra is the prop clearance.
With the plane flying level at take off how much prop clearance will you have?Jay

[Clay Schmidt]

Jay,

The prop in the picture is a 11.5 Gator prop. I don't plan to use this particular prop, but I did want to see how the prop fit the slots.

I've got a 3 blade spinner also so that is an option.  What I'll probably do is "cheat" a little to insure clearance for what ever prop works the best. After all,I've all ready blown it with the "Classic Purists" with this particular setup.


Clay

[Bill Little]

When I do get around to building another Cobra, it will get an Aero Tiger 36.

Bill <><

[Ron King]

When I do get around to building another Cobra, it will get an Aero Tiger 36.

Bill <><

I'll second that motion. My next "small" plane will be powered with the AT 36. I have the Umland Cobra kit, but also have the Brodak Ares and the UHP Gieseke Nobler to consider. 

Ron

[Bill Little]

I'll second that motion. My next "small" plane will be powered with the AT 36. I have the Umland Cobra kit, but also have the Brodak Ares and the UHP Gieseke Nobler to consider. 

Ron

Hi Ron,

The Cobra, since it is bigger than th eother two, will definitely benefit from the AT 36.  The Ares and Gieseke Nobler will just have th eAT 36 loafing along.  Actually, it will be loafing inthe Cobra, too!   

Bill <><

[Ron King]

Bill,

Since I saw Mr. BW win at VSC with his own design (Ares) and an AT 36, I've been thinking about the same package for me. If it's good enough for Bill, I'm sure I could probably make it work. 

Also, at the risk of offending someone, I think the field of "Decent Small Stunt Engines" is rather limited and two of my candidates are in short supply at times.

So I would much rather see an AT 36 loafing along, than resort to my old high school trick and pour Missile Mist into the tank with my Fox 35.     BTW - I learned that trick from Steve Wooley. It works, but the engine life could be shortened a bit. 

Ron

[Bill Little]

Bill,

Since I saw Mr. BW win at VSC with his own design (Ares) and an AT 36, I've been thinking about the same package for me. If it's good enough for Bill, I'm sure I could probably make it work. 

Also, at the risk of offending someone, I think the field of "Decent Small Stunt Engines" is rather limited and two of my candidates are in short supply at times.

So I would much rather see an AT 36 loafing along, than resort to my old high school trick and pour Missile Mist into the tank with my Fox 35.     BTW - I learned that trick from Steve Wooley. It works, but the engine life could be shortened a bit. 

Ron

Hi Ron,

My next  "personal" smaller I-beam will be the '62 Ares!  AT 36.  It is about the size of the Cobra.  A *little* too big for the Fox 35 to be comfortable, but almost too small for the AT 36!

Bill <><

[Tom Dugan]

If the AT is loafing along then I wonder if the plain ole TT36 might be a good match for the Cobra?

Thomas

[Bill Little]

If the AT is loafing along then I wonder if the plain ole TT36 might be a good match for the Cobra?

Thomas

The stock TT 36 is a bear to tame.............  It needs some special care to get a consistent run with a prop and at a speed for stunt.   I just don't have the time to experiment with that....... I don't get to fly as it is! 

Bill <><

[Tom Dugan]

Hey Bill...wouldn't think of asking you to experiment.  My question wasn't necessarily directed to your particular application.  It was directed toward powering the Cobra I will soon have. 

Randy Smith does sell a balanced and blueprinted TT36.  I understand that the TT36 may not be to the performance standard of the AT36, however, I'm not interested in powering my Cobra or each and every kit I build to competition performance standards.

I can only assume that much like the FP 40, the RC version TT36's performance can be greatly enhanced for control line and also assume that this is what Randy does.

If anyone has experience with a modified TT36 (not AT36) please weigh in.

Thomas

[Steve Holt]

Byron Barker does a neat mod to the TT36 that tames it without robbing a lot of power.  Consistant runs and 1 flip starts.  Engine weighs a little less than an FP40 and runs very well.

Another alternitive in this size class is the Magnum 36.  No mods except for one of Randy's venturis and needle valves.  It actually will run a 4-2-4  with a decent break.  A little heavier than the TT36, but not much.

Steve

[Bill Little]

Hey Bill...wouldn't think of asking you to experiment.  My question wasn't necessarily directed to your particular application.  It was directed toward powering the Cobra I will soon have. 

Randy Smith does sell a balanced and blueprinted TT36.  I understand that the TT36 may not be to the performance standard of the AT36, however, I'm not interested in powering my Cobra or each and every kit I build to competition performance standards.

I can only assume that much like the FP 40, the RC version TT36's performance can be greatly enhanced for control line and also assume that this is what Randy does.

If anyone has experience with a modified TT36 (not AT36) please weigh in.

Thomas

Now, A reworked TT 36 is getting into the Aero Tiger range, just not *quite* there.  When you said "plain ole TT 36",  I was taking that as a *stock* engine.  I have a Byron Barker TT36 which runs a great 4-2, but isn't *quite* the power of the AT 36.    If you are talking about a Randy Smith TT 36, then it isn't a *plain ole* one!    It should be a stout engine and run well.  I would think it would approach the AT 36 since Randy does them both.

A *stock* TT 36 is a good combat engine, I hear.

Bill <><