Engine Recommendation for Brodak Ringmaster

[Paul Raley]

What would be an ultimate engine choice for a Brodak kit Ringmaster?  Is it true that Joe Gilbert uses a B25?  Does he run it in a wet 2?  I have the normal stash of Fox 35's, Veco 19-29-35, Merco 29, McCoy RH 40's etc., but I am not sure any these would prove to be a killer combo with the Ringmaster.  Maybe a 15FP?  Recommendations?  TIA!

[john e. holliday]

If you do a search on Ringmaster you will see all kinds of answers to your questions.

[Steve Helmick]

How heavy is it going to be? We had an OTS guy that built a series of Ringmasters from fresh scratch, from 16 oz with a .15FP to 20 oz with a .25FP. The .15FP one was the best until the wind got over about 5 mph. A Veco .19bb is a pretty good choice, if yours is one of those. A .20FP or .25LA would be great. IMO, the weight in oz. should be pretty close to the displacement in 100th of a cubic inch, so 19 oz for a .19, 15 oz. for a .15, etc. No, it won't fly well at 35 oz.!  Steve

[Paul Raley]

How heavy is it going to be? We had an OTS guy that built a series of Ringmasters from fresh scratch, from 16 oz with a .15FP to 20 oz with a .25FP. The .15FP one was the best until the wind got over about 5 mph. A Veco .19bb is a pretty good choice, if yours is one of those. A .20FP or .25LA would be great. IMO, the weight in oz. should be pretty close to the displacement in 100th of a cubic inch, so 19 oz for a .19, 15 oz. for a .15, etc. No, it won't fly well at 35 oz.!  Steve

Thanks Steve!

[Mike Hazel]

What Steve said!  My S-1 Ringmaster with LA 25 weighs 25 oz. 

[Gary Dowler]

What would be an ultimate engine choice for a Brodak kit Ringmaster?  Is it true that Joe Gilbert uses a B25?  Does he run it in a wet 2?  I have the normal stash of Fox 35's, Veco 19-29-35, Merco 29, McCoy RH 40's etc., but I am not sure any these would prove to be a killer combo with the Ringmaster.  Maybe a 15FP?  Recommendations?  TIA!

If built reasonably light , no rudder offset creating unnecesary drag, etc, then a 15FP will work perfectly.

[Dan Berry]

Joe runs a Brodak 25

[Paul Raley]

Joe runs a Brodak 25

Thanks Dan.  Have you seen him fly it? I was wondering if he does a 4-2 or a wet 2 with the B25?

[Dan Berry]

Thanks Dan.  Have you seen him fly it? I was wondering if he does a 4-2 or a wet 2 with the B25?

Be assured he lets it sing. 9/4 Apc prop.  57 ft lines.

[C.T. Schaefer]

Here is my input.  Brodak S-1 kit. Poyspan/dope. B25 9.5x4.5 apc. 10%. 58x.012. 25oz. A very nice flying plane. My pal uses the FP20 also very nice.

[Motorman]

I had an RSM Ringmaster with a Veco 19 BB and it was my favorite plane for some time. The 4-2-4 on that engine was magical. It finally wore out and now has an LA25.

MM

[Colin McRae]

I have a McCoy 35 on mine. I like the nostalgia of an old-style engine on an old design model. But that is just me. And I prefer the McCoy over a Fox, again just me.

Won't win trophies, but fun to fly, nonetheless.

A side benefit for the McCoy 35. I have a lot of 29% castor oil fuel I need to use up. 

[Dave_Trible]

I've had only two Ringmasters.   The first one as a kid of about 11 years with a Fox.   I remember it flew really well.   I wouldn't be afraid of a Fox on one now.   Plenty of power and still very light weight.   The second I build I have now, really a Super Ringmaster,  same airplane with a built up fuselage.  It is powered with a Johnson .35 and is fun to fly.   Old airplanes, old engines go together fine.   Ringmasters are really for-fun airplanes and not serious competition.   Put on whatever engine interests you to mess with.


Dave

[Paul Raley]

Thanks for all the great recommendations.  That is just the sort of first hand feedback I was looking for.