Would ya rather... Super Clown ARF rebuild

[Phil Hawkins]

I am very close to the final assembly on a repaired Brodak Super Clown, to make the controls strong enough for a pull test, I am sure I added more weight than it probably needed, but I have the choice of the following engines:
OS MAX LA .25 with tongue muffler or the stock E-2030 "tuner"
OS MAX FP .20  with    "           "      "    "     "       "         "
OS MAX .20 (MAX - S style) with tongue, or strap muffler
OS MAX .25 (MAX -S style)    "        "       "     "         "

I pretty much have it narrowed down to the LA 25 or the FP 20.
I believe the previous flyer (RIP Dave Kick) used an LA or FP 25.
Thoughts? Suggestions?
 

[Dave_Trible]

Use the lightest,  and maybe least powerful choice.  I have two regular Clowns-basically the same without the flaps-with Enya .19s, and NO mufflers.  They are some nose heavy and go like a bat out of haties with a 9-4 prop on 60' .015 lines.  Turns are BIG with the small wings.  These airplanes are likely best powered with .15s.....

Dave

[Colin McRae]

I think either the 25 LA or 20FP would be great.

But I have run the 25 LA with tongue muffler and stock muffler, and in my opinion the engine runs better with the stock muffler.

[Steve Helmick]

Super Clown is way bigger than a (regular) Clown. A .15 would fly it for level flight, but you'd absolutely need a .25 to do any tricks. Super Clown has a 38" wingspan, and the (regular) Clown has a 26.75" wingspan, both according to the Brodak online catalog. Yes, a .25 is too big for a Clown, but perfect for a Super Clown...or a .21FP for a reasonably light one.  Steve

[Dave_Trible]

Super Clown is way bigger than a (regular) Clown. A .15 would fly it for level flight, but you'd absolutely need a .25 to do any tricks. Super Clown has a 38" wingspan, and the (regular) Clown has a 26.75" wingspan, both according to the Brodak online catalog. Yes, a .25 is too big for a Clown, but perfect for a Super Clown...or a .21FP for a reasonably light one.  Steve

Yep.  I didn't remember it that way but you're right.  I have one more kit for a grandkid.  That will get a .15.

Dave

[Dave Hull]

Hawk,

If your Max-S .25 is in decent condition, I'd go with that. They are very tractable engines and should have enough gumption. I would go that way, even if I needed to fly it on 52's. Unless of course, you are fundamentally a "sewing machine guy" at heart. Then stick in the little FP and lean 'er out! If the plane was light, and if it balanced with the little FP without adding weight anywhere, I might try that. Otherwise...probably not.

On my SuperClown (now retired due to Lustrekote paint issues--never again!), I have run a Fox .35 (worked great after it was properly broken in and the stock Fox muffler replaced with something else--anything else!), an OS .25FSR (real good imitation of "Bat out of ...."), and, I might have tried a .30 or .35 Max-S.

Mine had a decent-sized chunk of lead attached to the tail for balance. Might have been half or three-quarters of an ounce. The plane will carry a bit of weight without being a dog. Must be a reason for those "flaps on a Ringmaster?"

As noted, the Flying Clown is much smaller, along the lines of the Circus Prince. But I do have a plan for the SuperDuper Clown, which is the Flying Clown scaled up to something close to the Super Clown. If you start messing around with these, you kania really go crazy....


Dave Hull

[Phil Hawkins]

Thanks Guys!
I am leaning towards the LA 25, I went through my stash of engines yesterday and could not find the MAX - S type 25. But I do have a Box of Fox 35's (who doesn't! Lol) some are L&J. But I am going to take the advise here and mount various engines on it to see which one(s) balance the best.
I recall the "Dirty Dan" set up for the light weight Ringmaster. The FP .20 with the E-2030 muffler ("with the cone thingy")
I will weigh everything and see what I come up with. It does seem to be drilled for the FP/LA .20/.25, so that will be my first try. Unless I find the MAX-S .25.
Thanks again! I will let you know in a couple days what I end up with.

[Phil Hawkins]

Hawk,

If your Max-S .25 is in decent condition, I'd go with that. They are very tractable engines and should have enough gumption. I would go that way, even if I needed to fly it on 52's. Unless of course, you are fundamentally a "sewing machine guy" at heart. Then stick in the little FP and lean 'er out! If the plane was light, and if it balanced with the little FP without adding weight anywhere, I might try that. Otherwise...probably not.

On my SuperClown (now retired due to Lustrekote paint issues--never again!), I have run a Fox .35 (worked great after it was properly broken in and the stock Fox muffler replaced with something else--anything else!), an OS .25FSR (real good imitation of "Bat out of ...."), and, I might have tried a .30 or .35 Max-S.

Mine had a decent-sized chunk of lead attached to the tail for balance. Might have been half or three-quarters of an ounce. The plane will carry a bit of weight without being a dog. Must be a reason for those "flaps on a Ringmaster?"

As noted, the Flying Clown is much smaller, along the lines of the Circus Prince. But I do have a plan for the SuperDuper Clown, which is the Flying Clown scaled up to something close to the Super Clown. If you start messing around with these, you kania really go crazy....


Dave Hull

Thank you for the information here Dave!
I especially like the Tear-drop cheek cowl, I have a kit to build at some point, plus an electric S. Clown to set up, but I plan on adding a Ford Thunderbolt inspired cowl now!

[Steve Dwyer]

The Super Clown is dear to my heart because it was my first covered wing airplane following a solid balsa wing Guillows Basis Trainer II. I actually have that very same Super Clown with a new silk covering on it. It's a young 60 years old, was built around a Fox 35 and still has a 35 on it. A friend has a Brodak SC ARF with a OS LA 25 on his. The LA does a fine job and makes life much simpler. For me when I bring it out it's all about nostalgia and of course a nice break, with the burp as well. I'll always love the lines of the SC. It's a great flying OTS model.

Steve