Hi Jim

Lets see if I can write good enough to explain my Logic. Here goes!

My Comparison "for moderate wind" refers to the ability to keep a consistent pace in a 10 mph or greater downwind situation with the least amount on throttle use and keeping the usable throttle band verses pace as linear as possible.

Since Yamada released the YS 175 Engine and now the 185 we have been able to use the same props in any conditions calm or high winds ,mostly because of the increase in midrange torque gave us the ability to have a better prop, you never get behind on power, and the power stays consistent, But! Actually Glow increases on power to weight as fuel burns off.

Throttle use should be smooth deliberate and linear like using the Elevator and actually should be the (second) elevator. When the prop/ power combo is set up right it enables the airplane to rely some on airplane inertia and built in breaking to take advantage of the Brake and Throttle of the Power system, like an equal force opposing each other but flowing seamlessly together in both directions . This is where the Contra has an advantage over straight electric setups in my experiences. Keep in mind I flew this setup with no braking on the speed controller it was not needed at all ,and there was absolutely no wind up on the blades in down lines, the pace stayed constant, till I put the larger props on then it decelerated too drastically off throttle.

I would compare it to driving a Tractor you never coast on a tractor. your pulling on high throttle and pulling on low throttle, but no coasting. Now, add a implement and you have the feeling of too much prop! With the YS we used to get this "feeling"with the three and four blade props. The Allure /contra( propped like I flew it), when you advance the throttle slightly, like a glow motor ,the airplane responds slightly or equal to the application of the input. When you reduce the Throttle slightly the plane reduces forward motion slightly but still pulling and not coasting. Using the drag from the airframe /prop combo for just the right amount of braking you have a linear feel in both directions and there is very limited, to no coasting.

The Allure with the Contra feels like this even in the down lines. The larger diameter Props actually hurt the "flow" and cause too much deceleration. The YS Still has the advantage of the most linear throttle feel. However with the smaller props The Contra has so much torque it can be jumpy around the midrange ( this is where the TT would play a role) and a good throttle curve would come in. We don`t use a curve on the YS motors any more there is no need if the ATV and geometry is set correctly.

That's what the smaller props and the large airframe like the Allure does for you, and Why Brett likes the "Large" Alferma Bipe so much. You have total control over the pace/speed all of the time. because there is no coasting you TELL it how fast to go every second of the flight. The Contra on the Allure is the only other Non Glow setup I ever flew that worked equal or better in that regard. Even when on reduced throttle it had the Tractor feel (always pulling) this gives you absolute control over pace and the ability to concentrate on other aspects of the flight and sequence and easily maintain pace with the least amount of effort.

The Allure Airframe self regulates the Momentum or pace of the flight so you don`t have to rely on the prop breaking so much to do it. This adds the ability to be more flexible in prop selection. Each part of the design aspect/ power setup of this model shares some responsibility for the pace, so its flexible everywhere on setup. With the Large props when you pulled the power back like on the back side of the Cuban there was too much braking, and the speed recovery was to steep so when you came back up wind it was harder to maintain inertia/ speed and penetrate. This made it very hard to regulate pace and you had to carry too much speed on the back sides of the looping portions of down wind Maneuvers with throttle not momentum , so the (grace and pace) the contra would normally give you, was taken away.

The Clover in the masters pattern was another perfect Example of this problem with two looping segments and a roll to complete. it was like I threw out a parachute!

This is not to say the big props don`t or won`t work with this plane ,I just think the Smaller props and the gear you recommended were the best of both worlds for this particular Airframe. At the Moment I do not have this model in my possession Scott Mcharg has it . So far, his feelings are the same. And if I were flying it more often I would definitely have the Throttle Tech devise installed. Earl Haury did a Nice Write up for My website at CKAero.net on the TT, I`m a believer ,But remember my Eggs are still in the YS Basket so My Throttle Tech devise is my left hand at the Moment.

Bryan