i have a thunder tiger staudacher 60 sized kit that i just recently completed.

so just because i'm going to buy the thunder tiger rare bear doesn't mean that i am a thunder tiger loyalist. i just happen to like the outward appearance of the kits.


the staudacher needed quite a bit of reinforcement between the firewall, fusalage, and landing gear. i added about 6-8 oz of wood support. in fact, the firewall could have been pulled out of the fusalage with a few pounds of pulling force. i power this bird with a YS110 and it's been fine. had i not added reinforcement, the engine would have flew out of the firewall on first takeoff! it weights 8 1/2 pounds and the 110's a good match. with a 16x6, it has unlimited vertical and can pull out of a tailslide with authority.


anyway, i'll be looking at the rare bear kit closely - maybe you're right, that it is a departure (a turn up) in terms of quality.


as long as the wing loading doesn't get too high and you take the nessessary steps to make sure the firewall to fusalage is strong, a YS140 seems perfect for an 11-12 pound airplane such as this.i'd think the 110 would work out well too. i'm partial to 4 strokes because i happen to love the sound and it seems more realistic than a 2-stroker.