TOMORROW IS THE BIG DAY!!!

But not without some drama. Last night's engine break-in session was going well up until the 35 minute mark, when I noticed a growing pool of silver-gray oil under the airplane. Front bearing failure!! What to do? I could not locate any replacements, so I bought another engine. Fortunately. the Magnums can be had for $99, so I transplanted the broken-in top end to the new good case and bearings, and once again the prop spins around. I am going to order some upgrade bearings from Boca Bearings, then I will have two good engines. Either a spare for this airplane, or maybe I will use #2 in my P-7.

I have an hour run time on the Magnum. It took a while for the top end to loosen up, it had a tight pinch. It runs like a raped ape. It is peaking at 13,200 turning an APC 11-7 burning 15% Omega with a few extra ounces of castor oil added for beak-in. It's an OS clone, and so far, except for the bearing failure, it runs like an OS clone. They seem to have a decent reputation, and if it holds up OK, it has a lot of potential.