OK. Thanks all for thoughtful inputs. I appreciate each and every post.

Here is the some background info on why I post this thread. The Sequel has been with me for about 10 years. I flew it for about 3 years with a YS140. Eventually I gave up because the extra trouble to maintain the setup: the fuze space is limit to get inside to check the fuel tanks, taking the engine out etc. Not to mention that each time the muffler pipe has to be removed. etc. That there is no access from the top of the fuse is a big minus here. On the other hand, Sequel is a nice flying plane and I'd like to know if it can be converted. I have tried the gas ZDZ 40 F3A on my other pattern ship. The amount of maintenance work is no less. So going with another IC engine is far less attractive.

Now on the feasibility side.

1. Weight
The fuse has a width about 3.5 inches, and the nose section can take electric motors in the diameter not bigger than 2.5". The fuse weighs 3 lb. Two wing panels 2 lb 4oz. 4 servos + receiver + receiver battery should be around 13 oz. So I should have about 11 - 3 - 2 - 1 = 5 lb for the electric power system. Consider the current state of the art motor and battery, looks like the weight is not an issue. For example, two Turnigy 4500 mha lipos are weight at 2*519g = 2*18oz (36 oz) = 2.25 lb. Hacker C50XL has a weight of 529g = 18.65 oz. Together, the EP is about 36oz + 18.65 oz = 3.4 lb. Make it 4lb to include ESC and mount plates etc. At the end, the converted plane weights minimally around 10lb. Seems like the weight is not an issue? Am I missing anything here? What are the 2M converted or straight weight normally?


2. Accessibility
It seems allowing access from the top of the fuse has to be done, considering the motivation for the project. A portion of the top fuse needs to be cut out to form a canopy. Fiberglass re-enforcement will be placed around the edge of the cut-out. Some work is needed here. The bottom access cover (3" wide, 10" long) probably should be sealed/fiberglassed for good to compensate for lost rigidity at the top. BTW, the fuse has a width of 3.5", and has sufficient room to allow two 4500 30c lipos to be velcro taped in placed (stacked rather side by side seen in Widebodies). Any comment for the canopy idea?

3. Air cooling for EP system.
TBD. Sounds like something is to be done around the chin cowl to provide sufficient direct air flow to the motor, and the battery. As mentioned before, the nose part of the fuse is about 2.5" wide, it expands to about 3.5" (at main body of the fuse) over a length of 5-6". The chin cowl is about 1" thick. The trick question is if an air scoop with enough volume can be built. The air scoop can be made thicker than 1".



The competitiveness of the converted
From the posted, I sense that Sequel has no chance to compete in higher classes, which I probably will not be in considering my other obligations in life :-). The gain from this project (if ever started) is the EP experience and a 2M ship requiring almost no maintenance.


Thoughts?