Cox Texaco vs Big Mig Start-up
08-11-2005, 01:37 PM
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Dartmouth, NS, CANADA
Posts: 153
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Cox Texaco vs Big Mig Start-up
I know this must have been debated before, but I'm about to build a Funaero "Bookaty" 48" w/s powered sailpalne and was wondering if y'all have opinions (there's a loaded question). I've flown a lot of Cox products. but never the Texaco and have never flown a Norvell engine. Looking for reliability to pull the ship to altitude for some thermal hunting on ruddr/elevator only.
08-12-2005, 07:17 AM
#3
My Feedback: (1)
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Mt. Pleasant,
OH
Posts: 1,249
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
RE: Cox Texaco vs Big Mig Start-up
We do an annual 2M sailplane contest with seperate classes for the Startup and large-tank Texaco. Performance seems to be pretty close. Gentle Ladies are the most common airplanes, either in stock form or in lightened versions.
I think the Norvel is better, but a lot of the guys haven't figured out quite how to use them and are more familliar with Coxes. Either entine is capable of getting the airplane to good altitude, so your 48" glider would get WAY up there!
I think the Norvel is better, but a lot of the guys haven't figured out quite how to use them and are more familliar with Coxes. Either entine is capable of getting the airplane to good altitude, so your 48" glider would get WAY up there!
08-12-2005, 07:33 AM
#4
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Ontario, ON, CANADA
Posts: 1,309
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
RE: Cox Texaco vs Big Mig Start-up
I use a pod mounted Norvel 0.061 BigMig with a Sig Riser. The all up weight is 35 ounces. I run the engines with Omega 10% fuel, an APC 6x2 prop, and one head shim. The engines runs for about 2 minutes (a guess, I haven't measured) and has no problem pulling the plane. It climbs at about 15-20 degrees and gets up to a few hundred feet easily.
I suspect that there is more performance to be had if I optimize the fuel/prop set up.
Based on that, I'd expect a light 48" glider to do really (really, really) well. At least for the climb. You have all that drag to deal with on the way back down, however.
I suspect that there is more performance to be had if I optimize the fuel/prop set up.
Based on that, I'd expect a light 48" glider to do really (really, really) well. At least for the climb. You have all that drag to deal with on the way back down, however.
08-12-2005, 07:51 AM
#5
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Dartmouth, NS, CANADA
Posts: 153
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
RE: Cox Texaco vs Big Mig Start-up
The model actually has a very low aspect ratio wing for a powered glider, but will probably turn out to be very light (laser cut, lightening holes etc.) I suspect it will climb quite nicely on the wing, but is draggy enuff to keep the airspeed down. I have a Cox Texaco still in the box and will probably give it a shot. Here's a link to the kit.. http://funaero.com/bookaty.htm
08-12-2005, 09:08 AM
#6
Senior Member
My Feedback: (5)
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Brunswick,
GA
Posts: 4,867
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
RE: Cox Texaco vs Big Mig Start-up
Whew, that's a pretty big plane. Not quite a glider. The Norvel would probably fly it quite well. The Texaco should get it to altitude though. Hueydriver, did you get your package yet?
08-12-2005, 10:56 AM
#7
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Dartmouth, NS, CANADA
Posts: 153
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
RE: Cox Texaco vs Big Mig Start-up
Not yet...doesn't suprise me tho' as the postal connections at the border vary speed-wise. Funaero seems to have more than a few 1/2A birds on their website, but that big Albatross is a beaut!!
08-12-2005, 11:24 AM
#8
Senior Member
My Feedback: (5)
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Brunswick,
GA
Posts: 4,867
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
RE: Cox Texaco vs Big Mig Start-up
I met Mike Bell at the Southeast Model Show back in March. Seemed like a nice guy. He wanted to do my laser-cutting, but I didn't even break even at the show. So, it's been resting on the back burner. How does the kit look? Does it have alot of charring on the edges or incomplete burn-through? Keep in mind that no laser cutting is perfect, how do you like the kit?
08-13-2005, 10:54 AM
#9
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Dartmouth, NS, CANADA
Posts: 153
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
RE: Cox Texaco vs Big Mig Start-up
Patrick; Just framed up the tail feathers last nite....the cutting has some scorching on the lite ply fuse sides etc, but the balsa cutting is near perfect. Good grade of balsa throughout. The kit kinda reminds me of an A1 towline Free Flight glider in that the wing is lower aspect ratio for windy/gusty/thermally weather. Should have the rest of the machine framed up tomorrow. Highly recommended for the price....$35ish
