Big milestone, took the Dash out to the field today and fired it up for the first time for a full-power test.
Snafu of the day: forgot to tighten the rubber stopper on the fuel tank. oops. Good news is once that was sorted it fired right up with only a little fidgeting, nothing unexpected for a new engine. The airframe took full power without incedent, everything held and remained rock solid so yay for that.
Big shout-out to Nergall for lending his experience, aid, and big leather glove at the field
I realize most reading this are familiar with engines of this class but it's my first experience with them and boy howdy I was not prepared for the power. I tried to pull it away from the test-stand at full throttle and actually had to put my back into it! 17-ish pounds of thrust may not sound like a lot but wow.
There will be a maiden shortly. As soon as the weather cooperates.