The color match was pure luck, bbflyer. After putting down the phone in sticker shock (Tru-Turn had quoted me $58 for a spinner/adapter combo for the Saito 150/APC prop), I remembered that I still had a 3" Goldberg blue spinner that I had purchased over ten years ago for my CG Ultimate, which ended up wearing a three blade prop.

These spinners are basically starter-proof, in terms of popping off or breaking under starter torque (which has been a problem with DuBro spinners used on big engines), since the spinner front has four massive pins which lock into the backplate. No kidding, you need a rubber hammer to pound the thing into place, and a screwdriver to pry it apart. Big-time PITA, but once it's installed, that puppy ain't going anywhere without concerted effort on your part.

Wood, this is my first engine larger than 1.20, and I was concerned that it would break the bank feeding it. Not so. I have twenty ounces on board, and still have an estimated 5-6 ounces left after a 10-12 minute flight. This is with throttle management; the only time it sees full throttle is on the up lines; and I'm only on the second gallon for this engine, so it is still rich, blowing a good smoke trail. I'm sure the fuel consumption will drop a bit once I lean it out. If I ever do; it has plenty of power as is.

The tank compartment is more or less square, and the biggest DuBro that would fit without butchering the #2 former is a sixteen ouncer; not enough, unless you like to live dangerously. So I fitted a four ounce Hayes tank alongside, plumbing it like we do similar set-ups on helos. The engine feeds from the smaller tank, which pulls from the main tank. Works great, through snaps, sustained inverted, etc.

Big airplanes (big being defined as bigger than 60 size) introduce a new set of variables into one's experience level. I learned a lot doing this model, and it barely fits in the back of my capped S-10 truck bed; and that's with the gear removed. It is a pain to transport, handle, and store.

But it's worth it. This particular H9 CAP flies marvelously, and is more than worth the extra effort needed to drag it out to the field, the two custom cradles I had to fabricate to carry it in, etc.

One caveat; this model has a DEFINITE Vmc; do NOT try to drag it in on the prop for a low, slow landing unless you're using flaperons. It doesn't drop a wing; it just quits flying and falls like a brick, wings level. I kept forgetting the flaps, and dumped mine twice like this until I wised up and just flew it on to the runway. Super smooth wheel landings are easy with this model.

Other than that, it is a big *****cat; but will get plenty ignorant with enough throw. Just BE SURE to keep the elevator throw very limited until you get a feel for it. Tha low rates given in the manual can actually be reduced a bit (on elevator), and should be if you're not comfortable with high-performance models.

I got into this one dirt cheap; $200 for the kit, and a real brother-in-law deal on the engine. I've got more invested in the servos than both kit and engine. But I'm hooked, now. When this one dies, I'll have another similar to it. Enjoy...

Steve