ORIGINAL: JohnBuckner
I am enjoying my GP PT-17 that I restored from someones wreak and it flys wonderfully well with its new OS umpumped 120FS and yes the airplane has a lot of nose lead. I just did the maiden on a friends super stearman version (basically two more ailerons, a cowl and wheel pants) with a G-23 gasser with no nose weight. It flew well also but really no better and if I had a choice I much prefer mine with the 120FS.
Now those are much, much larger airplanes than your Sterling and I am convinced that the a 120 is a gross mistake for that ship and Pardon me while I go take cover from the incoming flak that is certain to come my way
John, can I ask how big the planes you are referencing are? I Believe the GP Stearman is around 70" if I remember correctly. Does it have extra power or is the flight more "scale". I am a fan of more power than more scale flight but do not want to be overpowered. I typically do build with a larger engine than recommended , within reason, as long as I feel the airframe can take the extra load. I have manufactured my own I-beam spars and have added carbon fiber strips. If the larger engine would help balance the plane then my only limitation is being able to keep my finger off the throttle. Any thoughts on this? Of course I would rather use an engine I already have in my workshop then purchase a new one, but it's not out of the question.