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.

[Martin Quartim]

Enya 15CX  True ABC,  4,76 Oz with 2BB

That is what will power my next RM S1.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/226379964953

[Mike Griffin]

Veco 19  BB.

[Peter in Fairfax, VA]

I like the .012 lines idea.  Though I lost a nice Fox 35 Nobler circa 1976 trying to fly with badly kinked .012s over asphalt.  My principal mentor had taught me about lines, by my teen self hadn't heeded that advice well.  You can fly with .012s, but they must be in excellent shape.

Peter

[Paul Raley]

Veco 19  BB.

I do have a nice Veco 19 BB.  Probably a 9-4 prop?