ORIGINAL: caliber83
Anyone know why OS replaced the OS 46FX with the OS 46AX, Yet the OS 61FX hasnt been updated to an AX.
"Asking O.S". would be futile. If an answer were forthcomng, it'd be spin.
Give it time. O.S. usually update and test acceptance on a most popular segment first basis. eg: They did the same previously with the intro of the FX. The .46FX was first.
If one were to conject why the .46 and 1.20 before the .61 and .91, O.S. usually lead model change with that .46 which is now their premier seller into both their largest segment beginner and sport flyer markets. The plain bearing .40/.46 has lost impetus as the beginner's engine, and the .61 has long since fallen from the position of sales strength and popularity it held for decades in another time when it was the engine to be seen with and pattern king. You can see the same trend developing in ARF production. As the market becomes more competitive, ARF manufacturers are focussing upon two IC engine classes. The ubiquitious .one size fits all . 40/.50 and the larger 1.20 and larger class. eg: CMPRO. Anything else is pretty thin on the ground, with smaller models orientated to electric but suitable for .30 sized IC increasingly heading up another niche in 2006, eg: TWM, as manufacturers with thinning margins seek to reduce costs by selling a more attractive but popular lesser range into higher volume most popular size segments.
If precedent is any measure, the .61FX should eventually get an overhaul,. But then, maybe not as O.S. shortly introduces its new powerful but lightweight .55AX aimed at the .46/.50 sized ARF segment sure to be a winner with the "will a .61FX be too heavy?" crowd.