Hey all , I just picked up my Mini Showtime and by looking at it I can see it would be very easy for me to covert this aircrafe to glow . ! I have done a few covnversions like this with various other planes and worked out fine .

My question is , What engine to go with ? I need to keep the weight down so I was thinking the new CV-.15 by OS . [link=http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXXD72&P=7].15 ----CLICK HERE[/link] ,

Let me know what you think about this , OH and will the glow .15 have as much power as the outrunner 480 ?\\\


Thanks in advance.

Tell us how this turns out, you may have something there. Be sure to beef up the airframe to handle the vibritation of a glow engine!

Yeah I picked up some carbon fiber rod's ... I'm at the point of there build to where I can go either glow or electric .. Just trying to decide .

I've wondered about a glow conversion this one and/or their mini-Funtana. The wing area is large enough it seems a .30 4-stroke weighing about 10.5 ounces might work----just a few more ounces than electric spread over that larger wing. I have to fly off grass so I don't think TO and landings would work well enough.

RC Report tested the O.S. 15CV-A as putting out 35 ounces of thrust using a 8x4 prop and 37 ounces with a 9x4 (11M RPM). Since the mini SHowtime weighs 26-29 ounces per their cataloq you might be somewhat lacking for 3D power. The .15 would certainly fly it aerobatically though. That is why I was considering the .30 4 stroke although at more of a weight penalty.

I had a siato .30 4 stoke and it was a great engine , but like you said , I think it might be too much weight for this aircraft !

Wonder how the 0S 25 FX would work ?

Well, actually I think a .30 4-stroke would be the best bet for 3D flight. I estimated maybe 3-4 ounces more penalty over electric with the .30 and a wing of over 400 squares to support it. Hard to say though.

i am currently buildiung this mini showtime with a saito 30, it isnt really all that much heavier than an electric set-up would be, if ur careful minded about the battery. If you calculate a power 10 electric set-up with ~2100 mah batt then it works out around the same. the reciever battery is the only added weight that brings it over the electric set-up, i will try and get some pictures to add. I only have the canopy and control rods to hook up and it shall be ready for it maiden, one question i have about this kit is the carbon fibre rods for the elevator are only on one side??!!!! confusing...?, how did you set up the anti-vibration rods?

Mounting the engine turned out to be a little chore considering the rear mounted carb. i had a spare beam mount of a world models sky raider i used and had to cut away some of the mount yet leaving it still structurally solid. i also cut off the electric mount supplied flush and added a firewall with a doubler on the inside of the original firewall also. 30 min epoxy and its strong as an OX. so hopefully the maiden will be later this week, and i can report on the flight characteristics.

I was just thinking about this and I dont think a .30 4 stroke will move it very well . I think it would have to be a .25 2 stroke

here are the pictures of mine with a saito 30, not sure why one turned out sideways though..., the fuel tank is velcroed in under the battery hatch (4oz tank)

Heres some added pictures of the fuel tank and throttle mounting position i have set up.

I have a mine funtanaX its about the same size as the showtime curently its using an OS 15 i had to reinfoce the whole front end but the removable hatch make it all very easy i am running a dubro 4 oz tank great flight times great vert a nice hover at a little above idle LOL

wow little above idle to hover?, im running a thunder tiger 15 in my mini edge 540, with a 2oz tank and its much smaller and lighter than this showtime and hovers at 3/4 or just under WOT. but this showtime im setting up with saito 30 will be used for more precision flying than 3d.

yeah check you tube 11/4 30 % right up

just for a comparison.

saito 30 weight set-up.
engine with muffler: 278grams
Fuel tank (dry): 41grams
Feather weight servo for throttle 9grams
Total 328 grams


Park 480: 87grams
40 amp speedy: 62 grams
e-flite 2100 li-po 187 grams.
Total 336 grams

Power 10: 122 grams
40 amp speedy: 62 grams
e-flite 2100 li-po 187 grams
Total 371

Now i know people use a wide range of electric set-ups that may come out lighter, but the above is an interesting comparison. because as i stated earlier the only main weight difference is the added reciever battery and slight added wood on firewall for support. there is only slight differences in weight therefore power will be the only concern. Will the 5.03cc's be enogh to pull this aircraft, who knows, hopefully my maiden later in the week will test this out. in theory the plane should come out around the higher stated 800gram mark, but from what ive heard this motor pulls 1.3-1.4kg static thrust. correct me if im wrong but that sounds like a healthly almost 2:1 ratio, or a 1.75:1 or something like that i'm not sure of the exact calculation.

Whats the flight pack and fuel weigh?
The motor mount or beams and epoxy and enforcements?
On these little guys 3 ounces make a whopping difference.The glow should fly and perform,but I'd bet that a proper E set up would kick its Butt in every way.
Its cool to see these minis in glow though,years ago,they would not have worked as well in such a tiny airframe.
I used to have an OS15 in a Pylon Mustang,that thing ripped,good times.

Hey Dav0012 , Thanks a lot for th pictures and posting of this info

Thanks !

OH will the .30 be able to hovver this plane ?

can you show a few pic's when you get time of your firewall ?

Thanks a lot

didnt weigh the motor beams, there only small though, enforcements (firewall and doubler?) weight 10 grams more than the electric motor mount i cut off. flight pack is a sanyo 4.8 volt nicd 1500 mah, yeh i know.. bit much, but i love having not to charge during the day , point being why i decided to go glow this time, sick of waiting an hour for batteries to charge and it becomes too expense to keep buying excess back up batteries. so i dont think it will come in too much different from the power 10 set-up i listed above...

to answer citatioN10, im using a 4 oz tank, as my 2oz tank on my thunder tigre 15 ran for 10-12 mins so i figure this tank will be equal. as i stated above ive heard that the static thrust on these engines is up near 1.3-1.4kg?? could be wrong, but that would be almost 2:1 ratio on a 800gram plane, so i figure hovering would be possible, this is my first small fourstroke and have no idea of its power capacity so once i get the maiden flight done near the end of the week i can report back to what the flying characteristics are, maybe not 3d wise as i dont want to stress a new motor out untill its broken in

I hope it goes well ! I had the Siato .30 on a 25 size plane and it barely flew .. I hope since the 10 size plane is much smaller it wont have any issues .

well after my experience with my mini edge 540 with a thunder tigre 15, i am confident that the performance will be similar, but im mainly building this plane for a precision flyer not a 3d hucker, so as long as it has enough power to pull me through a large loop, stall turn, knife edge and vertical snap im happy

HEHE , I hope so man !!

I'm off to bed , 1:36 AM here in Florida ! so bed time for me


when you have time snap some pictures for me will ya ? I need to get my plane setup and ready to go

Thanks again !!!

which set-up pics are you requiring, name a few snap shots you want and i will post them asap

firewall pic's would be nice .

Now we're getting somewhere!! Lots of inovation and information. Yeah, creativity!!!!!!!!

Yep ! it seems I opened a can of worms !

Once I find out he did a good maiden flight then I will buy my .30 and do the same setup .. I hope all goes well .