No problem, MinnFlyer, I was enjoying the verbal sparring.
I am a bit surprised to hear that you and Ken aren't big fans of LA-series engines, though. I've always regarded them as a bit soft on power output but dead-solid reliable. I'd be curious to hear about any negative experiences the two of you have had with air bleed carburators and/or plain bearing engines of any make.
I find it ironic that only the finest glow engine manufacturers like Thunder Tiger, O.S. Max, Enya, and K&B still make plain bearing engines and/or air bleed carburators while the cheapest Chinese engines on the market like SK, GMS, and Aviastar are all dual ball bearing engines with twin needle carburetors.
With all-castor lubrication fuel getting harder and harder to come by, it's not easy giving plain bearing engines the proper care and feeding thesed days. They must have their place, however, or else why else continue to make them?
I've always guessed that the O.S. Max LA-series engines were down on power because of the plastic backplate covers, how much compression can you get from a plastic case? The K&B Sportsters and the Thunder Tiger GP-series are all metal and don't seem to suffer from low power. Even in the LA series, though, the .65 LA has a great reputation for power output, with many folks reporting it out-turning the .61 FX on a number of props.
I know that plain bearing engines are great for float planes, there aren't any ball bearings to rust if the engine gets dunked. Where else have you used plain bearing engines, and what do you like or don't like about them?
My only point is why pay for OS's lesser engine when for the same price yet can get a better value engine to move into other planes down the road?
I flew my Tower Trainer .40 Mk II with an O.S. Max .46 FX on the nose. I enjoyed flying it, but even with my receiver battery clear back in the tail section as far as I could put it, it was significantly nose heavy.
A nose heavy trainer (if you don't add weight to balance it) or a trainer with higher wing loading (with weight added for balance) will land faster and heavier than balanced trainer that weighs less. One of the biggest complaints about the Tower Trainer .40 Mk II is that the landing gear is too soft and spreads out or bends easily. Dropping 4 to 6 ounces of weight, lightening the wing loading, and slowing down the landings would make that go away for the most part.
That's why getting a lighter engine is important - smooth, slow, easy landings and reduced strain on the gear.