Hello.

I am looking to purchase a new plane, and was wondering about smoke. I was looking at Sullivan Skywriter Smoke Pump, is this a good one?

Also, I was reading the instruction manual, it says one end is connected to a SMOKE muffler, does this mean the plane would have two mufflers?

Any help/advice/comments is appreciated.

Thanks.

I've recently installed a Skywriter in two different planes, and am VERY pleased. An excellent system, imo.

No, the plane would not have two mufflers...you would replace the stock muffler (presuming the engine came with one) with a "smoke muffler", which is a muffler that includes, at the very least, a fitting on the side to hook the smoke line up to. The system makes smoke by injecting smoke fluid into the muffler, where the heat causes it to smoke. Many smoke mufflers also have coiled tubing inside the muffler, through which the smoke oil travels...this allows the oil to be heated more thoroughly, thus producing better smoke and less wasted oil.

Which smoke muffler to get depends on the motor you're using (some have several options, others just one or none) and the airplane you're putting it in. Smoke mufflers are frequently larger and or heavier (or at least different shapes) than their stock counterparts, so the type of plane will effect whether or not the muffler fits, whether or not it can handle the extra nose weight, etc.

Finally, you can make your own smoke muffler. There's an excellent article here on RCU called [link=http://www.rcuniverse.com/magazine/article_display.cfm?article_id=455]Got Smoke?[/link] that will give you some suggestions on how to do that, as well as discussing smoke production and techniques in some detail.

HTH

Ok thanks alot.

Lets say if I were to get an [link=http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXGGV7&P=0]O.S. 46 LA[/link] engine, would I be able to put a smoke muffler on it? If so which ones? Would [link=http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXAPU6&P=7]this muffler work?[/link] It is coiled to heat the oil. Or I head [link=http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/WTI0091P?&C=GMA&V=SLI]SlimLine[/link] is good, but is it compatible?

Thank you.

Not meaning to offend, but it would seem you need to more carefully research and read.

First of all, it's VERY difficult (I won't say impossible, because sure as heck SOMEBODY'S probably done it) to get smoke out of a smaller sized glow motor, such as the LA 46 you mention. First of all, they tend to run at high RPM, blowing the oil out of the muffler before it's had time to get hot enough, and second of all, a plane powered by a .40-sized motor isn't likely to accept the extra weight of a smoke system, both points made early in that article I linked for you.

Second of all, the muffler you've referenced is for a COMPLETELY different (Gas, not glow, and MUCH larger) motor, as it clearly states in the product description.

So...as I say...I certainly don't wish to be rude, but do please take a bit of care to read and research thoroughly.

ok thanks a lot. I forget a lot, it has been a few years since I have flown.

What is a good size engine for smoke? I was thinking of getting a larger scale biplane.

Something that takes either a large glow 4-stroke or, even better, a gas engine. What kind of biplane are you wanting? Aerobatic? Sport? 3D? What are you currently flying? Just based on what I've read so far, I'm hoping that you're not trying to step from a trainer to a smoke-system-equipped advanced aircraft.

The smallest gas engine that is readily available commercially I believe is the Zenoah 20cc, which is 1.2 cubic inches, equivalent to about a .90 size glow 2-stroke. I think that the smoke actually starts being a viable option, however, when you get up toward the 50cc range, or higher. It's not just the engine that you have to consider, but also the extra weight and equipment that comes with a smoke system.

Go find yourself a giant scale biplane, if you wish, and put a 50cc gas engine and smoke system in it. That's my recommendation, assuming you have the experience and skills necessary for such a project.

Thanks a lot.

Also, I am experienced enough to fly :P. My trainer is long gone.

Good deal. =) You never know... What plane are thinking of getting? I just set up my first smoke system not too long ago, and it is very rewarding when everyone at the field stops and watches as you write in the sky.

If you like biplanes, I would suggest a 50cc size bipe. This is considered a 27% plane, or there abouts. I have a Sullivan smoke writer in a 37% BME Ultimate biplane, & it works flawlessly.