Guys & Gals,
I bought the Hobbico Hobbistar 60 MK III, and expected it to be delivered on Tuesday the 8th., of August. I can hardly wait! Anyway, I'm wanting some ideas of which engine I should buy for this plane. Through searching I have found that some people have suggested against engines like the OS FP .60-.65 non ball bearing engines. This was due to the fact of the plane needed a little more umph...... I take it ?

So, I'm thinking of either the Saito 72, or the new MVVS .90, or even their 77. I plan on flying this plane/engine combo normally IE: not over stressing the frame, or wings to failure, but I do plan on making the engine work to pull it vertically. I'm not trying to make it 3-D performer. I realize the need to watch speed during manuvers etc., if I went with the engine choices I'm thinking of.

If anyone else has any suggestions, or their engine set up on this particular plane, I would appreciate hearing from you.
Dennis

I've had a ST G75 and currently an MDS .68 on my MkII version. I can pull mine vertical for quite a ways before it sags, but what's the point? It's a not a hotdog kinda plane. I love mine for relaxed Sunday fart around the sky.

Anything .60 and up 2stroke will fly this plane just fine. You can hang up to a .91 2stroke or 4stroke no problem. Any larger, and you'll need taller gears to clear the prop and lead in the *** to balance.

I am usually overkill with engine/plane combos but....

I just finished teaching a friend how to fly on a very similar airplane- his has an OS-65LA (yup, bushing not BB's..) and it will hover!

Not that it is necessary but it has plenty of power and was the easiest engine to break in I have ever seen-

The OS-60FP is the older version of what is now the LA series... The Saito-72 is a great engine, but will not have more power than the 65 2 cycle- The MVVS-77 & 90 would not be necessary on this type of plane-

I would say get an OS-65LA or a 61FX (Lasts longer..) or if you want to try a 4 cycle- look at the Magnum 91.... Bang for your buck!

Good luck and let us know what you decide and how it works!

james

Volfy,
I also plan to just fly mine around for fun that's what the plane was made for basically. I'm still learning a lot and can only do the norm of flying around, going vertical, loops, and rolls so far. I realize it's not a 3-D plane as mentioned above. What I'm also planning ahead for the future is buying an engine that I will use in the future for a 3-D plane when I think the time is right. I want to familiarize myself with the bigger engines, make sure the engine is dependable, and broke in all the way. Other than having fun flying the plane around, I think it would make an excellent engine experiment/breaking in plane. So, over the MDS, or the Super Tigre, which has more power ?

Razor,
Why do you not recommend the MVVS engines ? Too over kill ? Well, I'm hoping if I do choose to go with the 90, or 77 it will at least idle down enough to stop the plane when I land it...hee hee heee.

Thanks guys, for the replies, any others out there ?
Dennis

I would go with an OS 91 FX. Will fit the same mount as the 61, and you will have extra power to "play with."

Of course, the saito 91 or 100 may be a nice choice also.

I vote for the 61fx. Good power, works out of the box and has lots of power. if you go Saito make sure its at least the 91 or 100

Dennis, it's common for beginner's to want to "future-proof" any engine purchase. That's okay. Just don't look too far down to road that you loose sight of what is appropriate for the task at hand.

I'm sure you may be one of those talented ones that will be flying 3D in a few months (I know I'm not ), but that's not to say you'd want to get rid of a good Sunday fun flyer. Afterall, this is why you chose a larger semisymmetrical wing plane like the Hobbistar, isn't it?

My recommendation is to go modest on the engine on this trainer, then save up to buy that fire-breathing 3D barnburner when you're good and ready. My recommendation is a .61-.75 2stroke costing less than $100. There's a myriad of good engines in this segment: Thunder Tiger, Magnum, GMS, MDS, Tower Hobbies, etc.

Another thing to keep in mind is something none of us want to think about but unfortunately happen all too often - especially to beginners - CRASHING. If and when it does happen, I'd rather it be a $50 used 61FP than a brand new $250 MVVS .91.

To answer your question, the ST G75 and MDS .68 turn the same 13x6 MA about the same RPM. The MDS might even be a little stronger. I have a Pitts muffler for the G75 for use on another plane, so the MDS took its place and flies the Hobbistar just as well. Fires up on the first flip of the starter every Sunday morning - even with plenty of afterrun oil in the crankcase.

This is a very capable airplane and it will slow down for a landing. I started with an HP .61 2 stroke and then mounted a Saito .80 4 stroke. A few hard landings weakened the wing center section. I fiberglassed the 12" center area and mounted internal hard points for a twin engine setup. I converted it to a twin with 2 Magnum .40 2 strokes. The fuel tanks are 8 oz. round with the bottom exposed. The APC 9.5 X 6 props just about touch the fuselage. I added a third .40 in the nose. I have about a hundred flights as a twin and I practice engine out situations without trouble.

I thank you all for the replies ! I'm seriously considering the Saito 100 4-banger. I will save a little more up to buy it if someone could tell me that it would POSSITIVELY fit between the stock mounting beams of the metal supplied engine mount. I have always been the one to mount, alter, and mount the bigger of the available on what ever was in question.

So far I have a W.Models 20 Super Frontier Trainer W/a MVVS .28 W/mini tuned pipe on it. It moves out fairly well ! My first plane is the W. Models 40 Super Frontier 40 Trainer W/a MVVS .40 W/stock muff on it. I thought it would out do the GMS .47 but was wrong.... WAY wrong! It must be the stock pipe on the MVVS that's restrickting the engine for the GMS seriously blows it away.

Anyway, I've been a "WireFlyer" all my life, and have only within the last year went solo with RC. I really like it a lot !

thanks again, and if anyone knows if the 100 would fit, let me know. Also, if there is a webcite that I could look up the case dimentions of the Saito 100. That would seal the deal....
Dennis

I learned to fly this summer using this plane with 61FX.

The plane has one design flaw that I have found - at least with mine. At certain RPMs the wood frame that extends beside the engine mounts rattles loudly. It was a real frightenening sound and it took me a while to figure out what was going on.

I shimmed it with wooden shims between the engine mount and the wooden frame (with a healthy dose of epoxy). No more rattle.

FWIW I thought takeoffs were a little underpowered but I'm a newbie so what do I know. The takeoff could also be the grass field I use (grass is always too long and boy is it hard on the nose gear).

Got any pictures of that twin conversion - I'd love to see it!