It would be nice if someone with direct knowledge of the .18 could chime in here, but I think in general you are quite correct; I would expect the marine engine to be timed for high peak power at high rpm, and I would not expect the tractability that you would want for an aircraft like the Funtana. The Funtana calls for good throttling all through the mid range and the ability to turn an 8-3 or 8-4 prop or thereabouts happily.

The following comment could be construed as heresy on this forum and I may be tarred and feathered for the next sentence, but let me say I am a fuel junkie and only dabble in electrics. But, that said, I'd like to see a glow version of the Funtana outperform my lekkie.. it is light, has unlimited vertical, and flies 8-10 minutes on a charge with all sorts of hijinks during the flight. And it has linear throttle response from "stop" to full bore, which of course is a given with those. And din;t need any reinforcement.

It is also true that my Funtana was the catalyst to invest in some 2100mAh LiPo's and a better charger, and holy crappin' crocodiles are those bloody things expensive! Talk about yer up front costs.. [X(]

I totally understand the appeal of a conversion so let me not discourage that whatsoever...