Yes this is typical of this type, also note that most (not all) baffles do have a small hole or holes in them to allow some gas passage when fully closed.
If noise is not a major problem at your flying site I would urge you to run them as intended. Its great fun and also a bit unique. You see when compared to a modern engine of similar displacement when at idle it will make far less noise than the modern counterpart. However when at full throttle it will make more noise than the modern engine. This can be great fun with the buds if they have never experianced this type of engine.
If you do use them as intended simply run the tank vent line up and facing forward or with a angle cut facing forward.
I still operate two articulated baffle throttle engines: the OS .099 Pet in the photo I posted above and an old Super Tiger .23. I love the way they operate, run and sound especially at idle (this particularly so in the old timers since they spend most of their time at idle.
John
