Welcome to Club SAITO !
10-31-2012, 04:27 PM
RE: Welcome to Club SAITO !
I got started in the hobby with the Cox 049 and control-line planes. I happened to be living in Beirut, Lebanon in the mid-seventies when I caught the plane craze. One day, in 1975, I went crazy being locked up indoors from the war, so I went flying with my buddies. As I was flying my plane, a sniper decided to use my plane as target practice. I asked my friend if we should run and take cover, but he said that the bullets were flying too high. So I continued flying as the bullets zinged over-head and above the plane. Some of us might consider this hobby more an obsession than a past-time.
Anyway, getting back to Saitos. I need help picking an engine, even though I know you guys are a little biased
. I am assembling a Hangar 9 Sundowner 36. I had planned to use my Norvel AX-40. However, it turns out that it is too wide to fit the supplied engine mount. I could use a larger engine mount, but that would mess up the thrust angle and spinner centering. So, I am debating between a high-strung 2-stroke since this is a racer plane, gowing electric since the plane is designed for it, or maybe the Saito FA-40a. The plane is supposed to use a 9x7 prop for high speed flying. Would the FA-40a handle this plane for higher speeds? What prop size would it use for high speed flying? Any advice is welcome.
Anyway, getting back to Saitos. I need help picking an engine, even though I know you guys are a little biased
. I am assembling a Hangar 9 Sundowner 36. I had planned to use my Norvel AX-40. However, it turns out that it is too wide to fit the supplied engine mount. I could use a larger engine mount, but that would mess up the thrust angle and spinner centering. So, I am debating between a high-strung 2-stroke since this is a racer plane, gowing electric since the plane is designed for it, or maybe the Saito FA-40a. The plane is supposed to use a 9x7 prop for high speed flying. Would the FA-40a handle this plane for higher speeds? What prop size would it use for high speed flying? Any advice is welcome.
10-31-2012, 05:00 PM
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RE: Welcome to Club SAITO !
ORIGINAL: hsukaria
I got started in the hobby with the Cox 049 and control-line planes. I happened to be living in Beirut, Lebanon in the mid-seventies when I caught the plane craze. One day, in 1975, I went crazy being locked up indoors from the war, so I went flying with my buddies. As I was flying my plane, a sniper decided to use my plane as target practice. I asked my friend if we should run and take cover, but he said that the bullets were flying too high. So I continued flying as the bullets zinged over-head and above the plane. Some of us might consider this hobby more an obsession than a past-time.
Anyway, getting back to Saitos. I need help picking an engine, even though I know you guys are a little biased. I am assembling a Hangar 9 Sundowner 36. I had planned to use my Norvel AX-40. However, it turns out that it is too wide to fit the supplied engine mount. I could use a larger engine mount, but that would mess up the thrust angle and spinner centering. So, I am debating between a high-strung 2-stroke since this is a racer plane, gowing electric since the plane is designed for it, or maybe the Saito FA-40a. The plane is supposed to use a 9x7 prop for high speed flying. Would the FA-40a handle this plane for higher speeds? What prop size would it use for high speed flying? Any advice is welcome.
I got started in the hobby with the Cox 049 and control-line planes. I happened to be living in Beirut, Lebanon in the mid-seventies when I caught the plane craze. One day, in 1975, I went crazy being locked up indoors from the war, so I went flying with my buddies. As I was flying my plane, a sniper decided to use my plane as target practice. I asked my friend if we should run and take cover, but he said that the bullets were flying too high. So I continued flying as the bullets zinged over-head and above the plane. Some of us might consider this hobby more an obsession than a past-time.
Anyway, getting back to Saitos. I need help picking an engine, even though I know you guys are a little biased
. I am assembling a Hangar 9 Sundowner 36. I had planned to use my Norvel AX-40. However, it turns out that it is too wide to fit the supplied engine mount. I could use a larger engine mount, but that would mess up the thrust angle and spinner centering. So, I am debating between a high-strung 2-stroke since this is a racer plane, gowing electric since the plane is designed for it, or maybe the Saito FA-40a. The plane is supposed to use a 9x7 prop for high speed flying. Would the FA-40a handle this plane for higher speeds? What prop size would it use for high speed flying? Any advice is welcome.
can you fit a 56 in it? It might be lots of fun, can you make a custom mount out of 1/4" plywood?
10-31-2012, 05:27 PM
RE: Welcome to Club SAITO !
I would think the 4-stroke could handle a larger diameter prop, but the slower RPM would likely mean you would need more pitch.
If you are thinking a 56 now, look at the 62. I had originally planned for the smaller motor for the NP Zero now on the build table and instead am going with the 62. Hopefully someone will have one at the swap meet on Sunday.
If you are thinking a 56 now, look at the 62. I had originally planned for the smaller motor for the NP Zero now on the build table and instead am going with the 62. Hopefully someone will have one at the swap meet on Sunday.
10-31-2012, 05:30 PM
RE: Welcome to Club SAITO !
ORIGINAL: jkr_1100
can you fit a 56 in it? It might be lots of fun, can you make a custom mount out of 1/4'' plywood?
ORIGINAL: hsukaria
I got started in the hobby with the Cox 049 and control-line planes. I happened to be living in Beirut, Lebanon in the mid-seventies when I caught the plane craze. One day, in 1975, I went crazy being locked up indoors from the war, so I went flying with my buddies. As I was flying my plane, a sniper decided to use my plane as target practice. I asked my friend if we should run and take cover, but he said that the bullets were flying too high. So I continued flying as the bullets zinged over-head and above the plane. Some of us might consider this hobby more an obsession than a past-time.
Anyway, getting back to Saitos. I need help picking an engine, even though I know you guys are a little biased. I am assembling a Hangar 9 Sundowner 36. I had planned to use my Norvel AX-40. However, it turns out that it is too wide to fit the supplied engine mount. I could use a larger engine mount, but that would mess up the thrust angle and spinner centering. So, I am debating between a high-strung 2-stroke since this is a racer plane, gowing electric since the plane is designed for it, or maybe the Saito FA-40a. The plane is supposed to use a 9x7 prop for high speed flying. Would the FA-40a handle this plane for higher speeds? What prop size would it use for high speed flying? Any advice is welcome.
I got started in the hobby with the Cox 049 and control-line planes. I happened to be living in Beirut, Lebanon in the mid-seventies when I caught the plane craze. One day, in 1975, I went crazy being locked up indoors from the war, so I went flying with my buddies. As I was flying my plane, a sniper decided to use my plane as target practice. I asked my friend if we should run and take cover, but he said that the bullets were flying too high. So I continued flying as the bullets zinged over-head and above the plane. Some of us might consider this hobby more an obsession than a past-time.
Anyway, getting back to Saitos. I need help picking an engine, even though I know you guys are a little biased
. I am assembling a Hangar 9 Sundowner 36. I had planned to use my Norvel AX-40. However, it turns out that it is too wide to fit the supplied engine mount. I could use a larger engine mount, but that would mess up the thrust angle and spinner centering. So, I am debating between a high-strung 2-stroke since this is a racer plane, gowing electric since the plane is designed for it, or maybe the Saito FA-40a. The plane is supposed to use a 9x7 prop for high speed flying. Would the FA-40a handle this plane for higher speeds? What prop size would it use for high speed flying? Any advice is welcome.
can you fit a 56 in it? It might be lots of fun, can you make a custom mount out of 1/4'' plywood?
), I noticed that there is another firewall template to install the engine diagonally and the mount holes are larger, like for a 40-size instead of a 25-36 size. Duh!!?? I will check for fit. But I am leaning away from the electric option because it would be too costly since I am not set up for any electrics larger than parkflyers. I was just toying with idea of the FA-40a since it is so cute.
10-31-2012, 08:12 PM
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RE: Welcome to Club SAITO !
Hobbsy, how did they make the 40a so much smaller appearing? Shorter stroke and larger bore?
hsukaria, I hope you go with a Saito but if you don't, get an OS 35AX for it. Gobs of power and same basic weight as a 25.
hsukaria, I hope you go with a Saito but if you don't, get an OS 35AX for it. Gobs of power and same basic weight as a 25.
11-01-2012, 04:24 AM
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RE: Welcome to Club SAITO !
OK Ern, OF Et Al, here is a shot of the little .30 and the .40a, not quite as much difference as between the FA .40 and the .40a but an obvious difference none the less. The rpm difference between the FA .40 and the .40a is about 100 rpm with an 11x6 Zoar, but that may need a little qualifyin, the FA .40 has a lot of time on it and the .40a has little.
11-01-2012, 04:42 AM
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RE: Welcome to Club SAITO !
ORIGINAL: Hobbsy
H, you'll love the .40a, here is one beside and old FA .40
H, you'll love the .40a, here is one beside and old FA .40
I had one slip through my fingers last week. it was NIB for $90
11-01-2012, 04:51 AM
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RE: Welcome to Club SAITO !
I started the break-in of my FA-56GK. It started on the 3rd try.
Such a sweet sounding engine.
I have the HS needle at 2 1/2 turns per the manual and it is super rich for break-in.
How much should I expect to be able to back it down after the break-in period?
I have it on a test stand for the break-in and it used the fuel in the tank pretty quickly.
Enough that I am wondering if I need to use a larger tank in the plane I am building.
The plans call for an 8oz. tank but I may look at a 12oz or 16oz size. I would expect to fly 10 min.
but 15 min. would be better.
Such a sweet sounding engine.
I have the HS needle at 2 1/2 turns per the manual and it is super rich for break-in.
How much should I expect to be able to back it down after the break-in period?
I have it on a test stand for the break-in and it used the fuel in the tank pretty quickly.
Enough that I am wondering if I need to use a larger tank in the plane I am building.
The plans call for an 8oz. tank but I may look at a 12oz or 16oz size. I would expect to fly 10 min.
but 15 min. would be better.
11-01-2012, 06:38 AM
Senior Member
RE: Welcome to Club SAITO !
The .56 is a fuel miser. Don't worry about it. I too, was amazed when I broke in my first Saito. A 125. I thought, damn, this is going to cost a lot of money in buying glow fuel!
It gets a LOT better.
at WOT, your engine will use about 2/3 of an ounce per minute.
8 ounces is about 12 minutes at WOT.
Do you fly at WOT the entire time. (most don't but some do...)
It gets a LOT better.
at WOT, your engine will use about 2/3 of an ounce per minute.
8 ounces is about 12 minutes at WOT.
Do you fly at WOT the entire time. (most don't but some do...)
11-01-2012, 07:42 AM
RE: Welcome to Club SAITO !
ORIGINAL: Old Fart
Ernie don't tell him to put a two stroke in it for gawds sake
nearly as bad as huk threatening to go electric.
Ernie don't tell him to put a two stroke in it for gawds sake
nearly as bad as huk threatening to go electric.
. My wife had been painting with something really smelly for my son's halloween costume. Caused me to mess up and use the wrong engine mounting template and to consider electric. I'm back to normal now, whatever that means. But the 40a is physically smaller than my small 2-stroke 40. I am going to have to think about this hard before I continue on the model assembly.
11-01-2012, 09:09 AM
RE: Welcome to Club SAITO !
One of the many benefits of the 4-stroke approach is that I can tuck the muffler inside the cowl. The 2-stroke would have a big bulky muffler sticking out the side, causing lots of drag, and ugliness. The cowl on the Sundowner 36 is a work of art, would hate to ruin it.
11-01-2012, 01:22 PM
Senior Member
RE: Welcome to Club SAITO !
Hobbsy: Thanks sir.
Cougar429: The chart is not exact science, that's for sure. 91 uses less fuel than 125. For sure.
Sometimes it's better to use the rule of thumb: Cubic inches per ounces per minute at WOT.
Cougar429: The chart is not exact science, that's for sure. 91 uses less fuel than 125. For sure.
Sometimes it's better to use the rule of thumb: Cubic inches per ounces per minute at WOT.
11-01-2012, 03:27 PM
RE: Welcome to Club SAITO !
ORIGINAL: mike early
I have a Saito 56 in the Sundowner 36, Flies lovely.
I have a Saito 56 in the Sundowner 36, Flies lovely.
11-01-2012, 05:44 PM
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RE: Welcome to Club SAITO !
ORIGINAL: mike early
I have a Saito 56 in the Sundowner 36, Flies lovely.
I have a Saito 56 in the Sundowner 36, Flies lovely.
This sounds like the way to go. tell me how are the vertical lines with this engine?