Recently, I asked folks here if the O.S. .46FX would be adequate for the Kyosho Flip 3D to perform 3D moves. As you all probably know, a .46-sized engine is the recommended engine for the Flip 3D.

Everyone here said it was not.

So here's what I'm wondering....

Why would Kyosho recommend an engine that is too weak for an airplane it advertises as an extreme 3D plane? Surely Kyosho knows what qualifies as "3D" flight, and surely they'd know if an engine would or would not afford a plane the performance they advertise.

I mean, if someone purchases a 3D airplane, installs the recommended engine, and finds that the plane's performance is sluggish and not 3D-capable, it looks bad for the airplane manufacturer.

Could it be that Kyosho actually DID recommend the proper engine, and that everyone on this board likes to overpower their planes? Or is it simply that Kyosho is trying to avoid a lawsuit by a plane gone out of control?

A 46FX will deliver better then a 1:1 power:weight ration (probably in the neighborhood of 1.3-1.5:1). But for the wild peeps around here, it's 2:1+ or nothing

Kyosho want to sell planes. Lots of people have 46 size engines laying around. People are more likely to buy a plane that uses an engine they already have than need to buy a new one. Remember to make money they need to sell them to all types of modellers, not just the 3D fanatics like us on this forum.

Will the Flip perform on a 46 FX? Probably will if proped right (dont have one myself). In perform I mean will have enough power for hovering. But it wont have the vertical performance that many people now want.

The wing span and specified weight of the Flip are good for the 46FX. In reality, the specified weight and real weight are not the same, often by a pound. YS63 or OS61FX are good motors that I have seen fly this airplane with authority.

I have a YS 45 two stroke with can muffler that will pull it. However the Saito 100 laying next to it is looking for a new home as well. I saw one with a saito 72 fly but he was having engine troubles Dose not count.

Do you have the plane and engine? If yes, just put the set up together with out the cowl and see for your self. A friend just got a H9 Funtana and put a OS 46 on her. It Is so under powered It's not funny, or fun to fly for that matter.
Good luck and let us know what set up you end up with.

Seems to me like you neeed a YS 45 or 63!!!

They are a lo tmore $$$, but I hear they are well worth it and have seen many run

I first had my Flip 3D with the 46FX and the 3D recommended prop (APC 12.25 x 3.75 ??). The thing would fly OK horizontally, hovering was OK at 1/2 to 3/4 throttle (on 30% fuel) but you better not mess up close to the ground because it would take a while to accelerate to full throttle. Because the tank was installed in the front, right behind the firewall, hovering was easier to maintain towards the end of the flight when the CG moved back a bit. The problem is that when you start to have fun, it's time to land!

I since then replaced the 46 by the YS63 and moved the tank over to the CG and it is now a MUCH, MUCH better airplane. The YS will give you instant reaction and power out of the hover. If you mess up your corrections while close to the ground and suddently the plane goes inverted with no speed at 1' off the ground, just yank the throttle full open and push slightly and chances are that it will go back up. This is not possible with the 46, the flip would have flopped on the ground.

Finally, THE reason for the YS for me is that the CG remains constant due to the tank being over the wing, and hovering feels the same from the begining to the end of the flight.

Bocaben

To confirm what BocaBen said, I have a Flip 3D with the YS 63 and it is a blast to fly. It's one of the best 3D planes I have owned.
One of my friends has a Flip 3D with an O.S. 50 on it, and it is more of a sport flyer plane in comparison to mine with the YS 63.
In my opinion, the YS 63 is the perfect engine for the Flip 3D. It's nice having the tank on the CG too.

Jim

Well...

I guess I am one of those guys that needs more....

I had a YS 63 on my Flip and though it was nice, it was not what I wanted. I am now putting a Saito 100 in her. That will be the ticket....does the plane need it? I doubt it....but I want rocket pull power for yo-yo's and other vertical stuff.....

There is another guy at my field with one that has a Saito 72 in it......it flies a lot like mine did with the 63.....nice....but not NICE!

I had the Saito 100 on a UCD 60.....it was nice too....but not NICE! Friend has the UCD 46 with the Saito 100....it is DAMN NICE!

Pugs

PS - You Hamm....nice to see you all set up and cooking in the new digs! Miss your old work shop yet????

Safety factor. The more power you put into an airframe the more likely you are to nail the throttle pointing level of down a bit and flutter the surfaces off of the airplane. The smaller engine will keep you further out of trouble. I doubt that Kyosho likes taking calls going something along the lines of "My airplane fluttered and gernaded in flight. I want a new one." Therefore they try to minimize this by listing the smallest size of engine the aircraft will fly with. Geting any performance out of an airframe should be done purly by power/weight raitos, not what the manufacturer says. OSme will be more accurate than others, however i can vouch that the .72 saito is just the engine for the flip. I'ce seen one fly with that combo: light and awesome.

just for the records. I have a funtana with a 45FX in it. i dont mind the performance. i can hover just about at full throttle. but soon i will have a ST G-90 ripping the wings off for me

sean