capnduane

I recently finished a Balsa USA 1/4 scale Fokker triplane. I have powered it with a G23/Kalt22 engine, a really old one that a friend rebuilt for me. It runs great, starts easily. It swings a 17x6 wood prop about 8200 on the ground. Take off is good, model seems fast in the air, maybe atouch too fast. I recently added a scale cockpit and full body pilot, (all behind the CG) and had to add 12 ozs to the firewall. All up weight is 17lbs. It seems slow in the top of the loop now, but does go up and over. So what I need I guess is less speed, more torque? Am I whistling Dixie or can a prop change help here? Not looking for 3D performance here, just realistic scale flight.

STUKA BARRY

The G-23 is really a nice running engine, but it does lackalittle on power especially pulling three wings thru a loop, my advice to you is to switch to a G-26. Probably not what you wanted to hear. You could try a Xoar 16X8 which is the prop of choice for the G-23.

karolh

Those three wings do create quite a bit of drag, and switching to a Xoar 16x8 which is what I use on my G23 might just be the answer.

Karol

kmeyers

I vote try some different props too. Two that come to mind would be the APC 17 X 4W and the 18 x 6W. I would try the 17 x 4W first. If you hit 9500 rpm on the ground you should be golden. Don't worry about the rpm that high quality Japanese engine will take it.

karolh

Spinning a 18x6 much less a wide blade prop, in this case I think is beyond the G23 for practical purposes, especially for the older model.

Karol

capnduane

Thanks guys for all your input. As to changing out the engine, I have a new in the box Turnigy 30 waiting in the wings for this tripe. But I get a kick out of using my old motors. As to the 16x8 prop, seems smallish, would probably rev up, but with the 8 pitch, be faster yet, with out more pull? The 17x4 was a prop I always wanted to try back in the old days, when the G23 was the bees knees! But 17in props were far and few back then. 18x6 I think, is too much for this little gasser? I also have two 1/4 scale Fokker D8s, both at 18 lbs, one with a old G23 also, does ok with 17x8. The other one has a G26I and rips with a 18x6. The 17X6 is great on my RCG20 in my 16lb clip wing cub. The APC props seem to spin up more than others, not much blade there.... 17x6 APC sounds interesting..... I have a couple of APC 17x8 so may try them also? And I will give the 16x8 a test as well.