I purchased a used 1/4 scale CAP 232 from my local Hobby shop. As far as I can tell it is a Hanger 9 that has never been flown. I am using dual servos for the elevator and rudder mounted in the rear of the airframe to off set the weight of the engine. I want to run gas but I am having trouble deciding what engine to run. The hobby shop owner thinks that I should use a 26cc CRRC or Zenoah but I want real 3D power and am thinking about a 40-45cc. Does anyone out there have any suggestions? I am also modifying the airframe (lengthened the ailerons to meet the fuse., reduced weight where I can get away with it, and double beveled all of the control surfaces. I expect the flying weight to be 12-14lbs depending on the engine.

Clearly, you're looking to go gas on this one, but you run the risk of ending up with an evil-handling overweight airframe (can you say snap 232? ).</p>

To get good 3D perf, you really have to overpower while minding the weight build up. IMHO the best bet for this plane would be a OS 1.60 2-stroke with a 18X6 prop.</p>

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The CRRC 26cc engine has a great reputation for power, a lot of people are using it for 3D in 1/4 scale planes, I'm finishing up a 1/4 scale Yak with that engine in it. Most 1/4 scale planes with that engine are weighing in right around 10 lbs flying weight, and there have been reports of good 3D performance even over 12 lbs.

Thanks for the help. I was planning on using a 20oz fuel tank. That would make for around 2.5lbs of fuel. The 26cc engine weighs 2.5lbs. That would only leave me 5-7lbs for the airframe, radio gear, and batteries. Being that this is my first gas engine and I understand that you get much longer run times off of gas would it be worth the weight savings to go to a 10oz fuel tank or would that make my run time to short?

LOVEBIPES I respect that thought and I'm sure that it would be a great flying plane with a 1.60 glow engine but I am already spending $50 a week on nitro and am only flying two .75 engines, not to mention that the cleanup is a pain. I would imaging that 20oz of nitro would only last around 10 min. with that big engine. I try to fly every day before and after work for about an hour. I don't think I can afford that much fuel.