I didn't find my Saito .72 to be more fuel effecient that the Irvine .53... I got 8-10 minute runs on my .72 and 12-15 minutes runs with my Irvine using the same size tank.......

I did like the thrust of the 4 stroke... I liked the power as well... Maybe I just didn't give it a far shot.... But it seamed to me that since I like my 2 strokes sooo much, why am I trying to force myself to like the more expensive 4 stroke??? I just wondered why I was trying soo hard to like something that just wasn't my cup of tea.... Great running motor... just not my style... I guess I like it when the 2 strokes "scream their guts out"....

Oh well... To each their own.

See.. Phil knows...

Your comparing a top of the line 4s with a middle of the road 2s. Lets get a little closer:

Your Saito .72 –
470 grams – 1.2hp - $229

Rossi .45 – (side exhaust sport, not the Q or rear exhaust)
430 grams – 2.1hp - $129

Like I said, (roughly) half the weight ( to hp) half the price. And we haven’t even started talking about the pylon engines or pipes. Yea, you could also bring up torque curve and fuel efficiency but I could match that with cost and durability. Yes I am a little partial. I used to be big into Kart racing and built and tuned my own engines. We were of the opinion the 4 strokes were for old men, kids and lawn mowers. Other than scale acft I can’t think of a use for them. I guess the pattern guys are using them now. I don’t know anything about pattern. They’re probably not worried about weight or speed and that big disk is good for slowing things down. Getting rid of that pipe down the fues is a plus also. To each his own.

I cannot answer on any other plane than the Top Cap. Plane Flies AWESOME. I went from ARF in the box to flying aircraft in 7.5 hours. I have mine powered with a surpass 70 and I am quite impressed (and it takes a lot to inpress me) I have been flying on and off for about 25 yrs myself. I am just returning after a 7 yr hiatus. this 3D stuff is interesting....it just seems to me we were doing most of this stuff before we just called them different names. .....it s just this new style plane lets you do it lower and slower......Anyways back to the plane....the only complaint I have is with the pull pull system from Morris I am unable to get my controll surfaces to center properly. I will be converting to a conventional pushrod system before the weekend. It will add some weight but should eliminate that "greased pig" feeling it now has.
My 2 cents
Brian

bigbri

Thanks for the info. I am going to order the Top Cap. I have not heard anything bad about this ARF and the quick assembly is just what I am looking for.

Thanks

Lenny

you won,t regret your decision....quantum hobbies has it for 159 with free shipping
goodluck
brian

I use saitos for fishing sinkers :sunsmiley Just putting my vote in for the 2 strokes, go for a 53 sized with a 13/4.. purfect. You want the Top cap, it wont be beaten!!

Yea...now it's just a muffler going down the fuse.

Nice try..

Am am a very avid funflyer. So I am not a begginer on this subject.

I agree w/ wgeffon. On the 4 stroke. I have a topcap arf. I started flying it with a YS 63 w/ 14x4 zinger. I flew it with that combo for months. I had to send my YS into the shop for some repair work, and I put on my TT 46 w/ baffle removed on my top ca

Don't get me wrong, the TT 46 is a great motor, but it can't compair against a YS 63.

I am playing w/ props but, w/ the TT46 it is now a differant airplane, its not a funfly anymore, it more of a sport flyer. I am not against 2 strokes at all I love them. But to me I like my top cap better w/ the YS63 than my TT 46. W/ the TT the plane isn't as responsive. since I have flown it both ways I know what I am talking about.

I have seen Paul Swanny, and Termagator, Propnutz1, fly their sudokois, knifes, gee whizbees w/ the irvine 53's and have great success, maybe because the 53 has more power. but w/ my topcap ARF and the TT46 is just doesn't have what I am looking for. If I didn't know how well the top cap flew w/ a YS 63 on it, I would sell the plane dirt cheap.

As we all know the topcap ARF weighs in over 5lbs, so maybe the TT46 and a lighter kit build topcap would do better.

I am not trying to say the TT46 and a topcap arf isn't a great combo, I am just saying in my opinion a topcap Arf w/ a YS 63 is a better combo.

Heres a picture of a guy w/ his topcap arf w/ a TT46. This is the picture that made up my mind to buy this combo. But my YS 63 was free, so I decided to slap it on my topcap cap,. So if this guy can do it w/ a TT 46, then I should be able to. But I can't do it w/ a TT 46, but I can hover it about eye level w/ a YS 63

I use a Pizzaz with an OS 70 Surpass II for 3D. I've tried a YS 45, OS 40SF, OS 46 FX on a Sig SE and I got real tired of hearing the racket these 2-strokes make. I much prefer to hear the 4-stroke, and now that I'm doing TR's closer and closer to myself and to the ground, I REALLY don't want to hear the noise from a 2-stroke. The OS is 3 ounces heavier than the Saito, but it is much quieter too. The power band has a nice torquey sweet spot at mid-throttle too. It seems that when I move the throttle I don't even hear the engine rpm's vary, but the plane does jump up. I think the .53 two-strokes would probably be ok with the 12.25 x 3.75 prop for hovering power, but the sound of a 4-stroke is so nice, especially when I'm the only one at the field. I had a TT Extra with a 46FX on it, what a POS that plane was. It's heavy as a brick. The fuse weighs 12 oz alone, and the covering was not even as strong as shelf paper.
I used a 14x4 prop on the OS 70, but have settled on a 13x4 3D prop. It spools up a little bit faster than the 14x4 and runs a bit smoother at top end.

Not centering very well?? I wonder if your servo is a little tired? Maybe you need something with a little more torque? Maybe just the wipers in the pot are dirty in your servo...

Just some thoughts... I love my pull-pull for being crisp and responsive.

No it's not the servo....I have tried 3 different proven ball bearing servos........ Billy Hell PM'd me and recomended loosening the cables. I have done this, oiled the cables and am off to try it agian. It could well be me. It is my first attempt with pull pull. I will update everyone tonight with the results
Thanks all
Brian

This plane is called Diablotin Super Mini wingspan:50" EMPTY WEIGHT ONLY 22 oz. You will have truly unlimited vertical and FUN Fly capabilities with any 2 or 4 stroke and still looks like an airplane!!!!!!
Spend more money for good airframe and you don't have to buy any special strong engine, any plain bearing .25-.35 would do the job.

My hat is off to Billy hell. I flew the Topcap today agian. I loosened the cables a little bit and the centering problem went away. You do have to be careful though...to loose and you get flutter to tight and you get the poor centering problem. Thanks Billy the plane flies great.

This really is not the right column....but here goes. I increased the elevator today to almost 50 degrees of throw each way and got the plane into the most awesome waterfall ever....only one problem the plane would not come out !!!! `I could only control the rate of the flips with throttle. The plane went right in in a full waterfall. Can you believe only a broken prop.
Well I changed props and figured some opposite elevator combined with spoilers or flaps should help me recover this time. Off I went agian into a waterfall and tried to pull out much higher, agian I was unable to recover. Agian only a broken prop. (strong plane)
I finally found the problem. When I pushed full down and then full rudder the rudder pull pull hardware jammed the elevator in the full down position !!!!!! I cut some reliefs in the elevator halves and problem solved and only at the expense of two props. So be carefull
Bye for now
Brian

LOL!! Gotta love them topcaps...I've crashed mine so many times and it just keeps on going!!

Yea .....last week I caught a wing tip twice while doing knife edges at about 2 feet high across the runway.....once agian....just a couple of broken props. ( and lets not forget my pride also !!)
Brian

Did you look at the Europeen designs? The 2 best 3D planes around this size would be the Laser 3D or the ZNLINE Madness. Not bad lookers, and fly very well. www.znline.com

The price on that thing (madness) is 280... but 280 what?? What is the conversion to us dollars?

280 Euros, which right now is basically the same to the dollar.
I have seen one, and the build quality is simply out of this world. It flies just crazy, and looks VERY good in the air, alot better than an Xtreme, or Limbo Dancer.

Top cap Morris planes are the best.

I have the Pizazz with a YS 63FZ, GREAT combo. This plane lands easier than most trainers. Excellent slow speed characteristics.