ORIGINAL: Mike Wiz
You were the one that used a ducted fan as an example to prove a point, not I. So does the ducted fan comparison make your point or not? I'm confused.
People didn't spin their 11x7 props at 15000 rpm because that was the most efficient method of providing thrust for the plane. They did it because that's where these engines made their best power. That's not true of electric power systems. So, can you do it the old way and spin a little prop like mad with an electric motor? Sure but why?
Maybe I'm hung up on cosmetics. You'd have to extend the length of the landing gear. That would alter the look of a classic pattern ship. I'm just saying that spinning a little prop like mad will not diminish performance all that much.
If performance is your sole objective, just build a 2/3rds scale F3A plane, and use the optimal motor/prop combination.
Tom