I owned and flew the .61 FSR and VF back in the late seventies/early eighties. They were both very nice engines and, yes, they were revvers.

My first time exposure to the SF series knocked my socks off. I couldn't believe the pulling power that that engine had while dragging around a fiberglassed and painted Super Kaos. Straight up was no problem whatsoever. This was while using the stock muffler too. When I recently bought some old engines for classic pattern models, I focused on obtaining OS .61 SF engines. Yes, I did pick up a few FSR and VF engines, but the SF engines are the bulk of the used engine purchases. I'm not willing to pay premium prices for NIB engines. Just one of my quirks, I suppose. I did buy quite a few groady looking engines that miraculously look fairly new once through the antifreeze bath. New rings from Mr. Bowman, new ball bearings from Mr. McIntosh at RC Bearings and a few miscellaneous parts from various other sources put me back in operation with reliable engines. I don't recommend my path to everyone, so buy NIB if that suits your shopping mode best.


Ed Cregger