ORIGINAL: elenasgrumpy
I just thought it interesting to know that the " decidedly inferior" Tower .46, also descibed in this thread as low power/marginal power, bushed engine, that does come in the RTF version of the Tower Trainer is in fact a ball bearing ABC schnuerle engine that produces 1.75 hp @ 16,000 rpm, while the OS .46AX produces 1.65 @ 16,000 and the OS .46FX produces 1.36 @ 16,000. The 46LA is the most under-powered @ 1.2 hp, Here's your sign![X(] Now don't get me wrong, I'm not knocking OS engines, they are mostly what I own. I do have that Tower .46 as well and with about 3 minutes worth of fuel ran thru it, it smoothed right out, has a great low idle, plenty of power, and basically runs like a raped ape!
I have no reason to beleive it won't do so for a very long time as long as I take proper care of it. The point is I would never trash a product on an open forum until I first armed my opinion with the facts, which is exactly what I just did, I read the specs on all three of these engines. I would not hesitate to use this engine in another .40 size plane. If my OS .60 that I plan to use in my next project runs nearly as well as this Tower .46 does, I will be very pleased with it.
I believe RcKen stated in another thread that his Tower Trainer has over 500 flights on it & is still running strong, but I don't know what engine he has in it.
As someone else mentioned above they are all good Trainers. If money isn't a real issue for you, just get the one YOU like best, after all it is going to be your plane! But if you are looking for a bargain, $259+ shipping for the RTF Tower Trainer is the cheapest that I am aware of. I can't personally comment on the two specific models you asked about because I don't own either one. They both look like nice Trainers to me. I was given a new Tower Trainer RTF as a gift, so that is what I'm using. Good luck in whatever you decide, and just have alot of fun with it Afterall, that is what this is suppose to be all about!
Mark
Mark
I don't see anywhere that the Tower was described as bushed & low power --- you are correct that it is a BB engine. Don't get excited by anyone's HP numbers -- they are simply crap, with Tower & OS being among the worst offenders in the advertising game. Both engines make similar power, as does the OS 46 AX, the TT 46 pro & the GMS 47. -- you essentially can't tell the difference between any of them in terms of output. A big part of the power demonstrated by the Tower (& GMS) comes from the tuned muffler, without which, they are not at all impressive. If the OS is fitted with a Tower muffler, its performance is better than that of the similarly equipped Tower.
As an piece of marketing, the Tower 46 is great, but as an engine it is a decidedly el-cheapo piece of work -- it is a differently branded brother of the similarly cheap GMS 47. In comparison, the FXi is very well made. I use my own Tower 46 as a knock-around disposable engine. After two seasons of use it is clapped out -- compression & power are down, it won't hold a tune & it flames out with maddening frequency.
In comparison, my 5 yr old OS 46 FX is still going strong -- at this point it now easily outpowers the Tower, despite the tuned muffler on the Tower.
Ya get what ya pay for.