Naw. A 30 CC is just fine. I have a Syssa 30CC in mine. And there's plenty to attach the Robart Pin Hinges to in the wings; I have them in mine. It just takes a little care to make sure you clear a proper space in the lite ply that runs through the center of the surfaces. Mind you, the plane WILL fly fine on something like a DLE 20, because it's actually a 1.20-sized bird. But if one installs a 1.20 glow on this plane, they're also going to add 20 ounces of lead to the nose to balance it. No getting around it.

OR - You can install a 30CC, which is very close to what the glow engine AND the lead weights weigh together. Which is what I did. What I like most of all is the nice, big propeller, which looks a bit more scale-ish on an already VERY pretty bipe. Most guys flying 30CC engines in these run either 18's or 19's.

As for the extra power, it's probably similar to the 600+ HP engines they shoehorned into the Super Stearmans. Nice to have it during some of the aerobatic maneuvers, but much of the rest of the time, the stick won't be much past 1/2-way. On my Giant Super Sportster, I spend much of my time with the throttle stick right at about 3/8ths throttle. It's nice to have the extra oomph, and the plane doesn't mind the weight, or the extra power. It still doesn't have unlimited vertical, though it's plenty lively.

You're right about the gradual acceleration. It handles better, and it looks better. Nothing weirder than an antique bipe rocketing off the runway.

Are both of the birds in the photos yours? Nice.

~ Jim ~[8D]