RE: electric conversion question
Take a look at the Hacker A40 series of motors. These motors have a third ball bearing to support the "bell end" of the outrunner motor. I run mine at 45 Amps on 4 26650 A123 cells. The motor only gets slightly warm after a flight.
Its in a acrobatic model with a 48 inch wingspan, weight of about 4 pounds. The model will almost fly straight up indefinitely. Flight times are around 5-6 minutes with a minute or two of reserve power. After a flight, the motor, CC 45 Amp ESC and battery pack are only about 10 degrees F above ambient temperature.