The VMAR planes really suck big time if you wanna just b*tch about it, however at the price you cannot complain. One thing is that they do fly very nice, however, the quality (not built) is sub-standard. Build quality is only so so. Remember thet do fly nice ... becareful about the Stinger, one just folded its wings and the guy was not pulling high Gs.

Stay away from the VMAX, its cr@p. The engine will run nice and good at the beginning, after like a couple of gallons you will note that tuning is hard, you get the high but not the low, you get the low but not the high. A few guys had this problem. Anyways, for me a good cheap engine is something like the ASP and SC. Served me really well despite abusing them. Cheaper than TTs but lasts long enough and is easy to tune.

Boy - I think its nonsense that you cannot use synthetic fuel ... you might have run it too lean for the engine's liking. Castor is most safe but if you want to run synthetic then run it slightly rich.