I looked over the Great Planes Christian Eagle in the hobby store. Wow! Nice construction! I am not in the habit of buying ARF planes, but this one has my attention. I plan to buy one, but before I do, I'd like to figure out what engine is right. I saw postings where guys are using Brisson 3.2's and BME 60's. The plans say 50 cc. What do you think is the right engine?

I would think any of the engines in that class with the exception of the Fuji would do a nice job for you. I'm flying my Pitts with an old Sach 3.2 and it does a great job. I fly 35% airplanes now but the GP Pitts was so cool I had to have one and had the 3.2 laying around so why not. Now I'm looking at the Eagle and thinking I should have one of those too so I'm looking at another 50cc engine. I believe I would go with the DA50 just because of my experience with Desert Aircraft (fabulous service) and the quality of their 100cc twin. Of all the twins I own, the DA justs starts and runs every time and the quality is the best. If you do a search, I believe there is an article on installing the DA50 in the GP Eagle somewhere on RCU. Go DA with the Eagle and I think you'll have a dynamite package.

Leo, BME doesn't make a 60.. only a 50 and soon to be a 55.. any 50cc decent engine will fly your plane just fine. We have three pitts flying and each has a different engine. One a G-62, one a ZDZ 50 and the last one.. an OS 4 Cylinder 4 cycle.. hows that for variety!!!. They all fly just fine..!!! BobH.

Leo, a good 52cc gasser would be great. I also like the fact that GP is now authorizing the 52cc engine size, so if you need service, you won't get shunned for breaking warranty. I have an FPE 3.2 for my Eagle and it should fly it well.

Im in the proccess of mounting a 3W50 to my eagle. Should be a good engine for it.
I'll try to post pics sometime this week as I get it finished.

There you go LeoSpike. As I reviewed the replies to your post, the answer became very clear to me. You close your eyes and toss a dart at a list of 50cc class engines and you've got a winner. Life is good.

Any 50cc will do, it all depends on the price you want to pay for the engine and what kind of performance you're looking for out of the combo. I had a US41 in my Pitts for a while and it flew fine but I had to fly the plane not the engine and I had to be ahead of the plane to keep it out of trouble. The engine had been in a crash and fixed but had an unreliable idle so I put a Fuji 50 in the Pitts and it flies great. It doesn't have unlimited vertical but it has plenty for my flying and there is enough power to get out of trouble. Sometimes it hand starts with no trouble and other times it likes to have a starter put to the spinner.

Steve

Thanks for all the advise and options. I now have the Great Planes Eagle at home and the G-62 in-hand. The G-62 looks like a good fit and it will all be cowled in without any trouble. What an easy and fun project. I hope to have her flying by New Years Day.

Me too, Leo. I have a couple of weks off starting next week and am going to devote them to my Eage/G62 project. Good luck!

FYI, I measured the cowl on the Eagle and to my surprise, a Tartan Twin will fit inside! Man, now I have to come up with the $ for the Eagle! I have 2 Tartans in the basement including a C&H ignition for one of them. My buddy just picked up an Eagle and Fuji 50 with the onboard electric starter system. Should be a nice setup.

I have a Fuji 50 in mine with the spring starter. Works perfect! Was going to use the DA but it is too loud for my field and I didn't want to fool around with noise reducing mufflers.

I would recommend a minimum of a 50cc engine. With the frontage area of this Biplane, you will need ample power to pull this plane around with authority.

Got a Brison 3.2 (52cc) on my GP Christen Eagle II, and it buzzes real nice. I don't think you would want to go much larger than that.

I put in the Zenoah G-62. It fits great! The Bisson Pitts Style muffler is beautifull. It is as if they made it for this kit! Check out the installation in this picture. Spinner backplate was supposed to be 6-1/2" from the firewall. With this B&B cup style mount it is 6-5/8". Close enough.

I have an old g62 that needs a good home and I was thinking of this plane..how does the cowl fit..the balance etc

The cowl fits perfectly. It is as if they where made for each other. I was just shocked how well it went together. I have not gotten to the point of balancing it yet. I expect it to be a bit nose heavy.

Leo

You are intending to pin the firewall aren't you ?

Well, I know the instruction book says to do that, but I have not been inclined to. What do you know about it? Is it manditory?

Leo

I just got the GP Christian Eagle and have to decide on an engine for it now. I was thinking of the G 62 as well. Two questions: 1) does this engine create CG problems by making the plane nose heavy ? and 2) Is there going to be any problems with prop clearance ? Your advise will be much appreciated !

Well, my buddy flew his maiden flight yesterday. Rather scary first time out. This one really pulls to the left on the take off run. His came in at just under 23lbs. This is with the Fuji 50, electric start (really neat), onboard battery for starter and smoke. After getting sorted out, it flew ok. Vertical is "Normal". Since it was cold and his fingers were getting numb, he didn't fly too long. It's now getting the required checkout before flying again.

I've got a st 3ooo ( the only fool with a glow) in my eagle and it flies great. mine also only weighs 15.5 lbs too ( thats with an on board glow driver). prop clearance with a g 62 shouldn't be a prob but expect to add some weight in the tail. with my 3000 and my home made glow driver it balanced perfect, so expect to add weight. there is a pitts at our field with a converted 45 and that flies off the wall so i'd hate to see a g 62 in one. i pinned the firewall with my little 3000 but if you want to take the chance and not pin it with a larger engine fly at your own risk. it only takes 10 minutes to drill the holes and glue the supplyed dowl in. i'd take the time. better safe then sorry. those are my two cents... later................... david

I have the DA-50 in my CE. Weight is 18lbs. Mine also pulls to the left on takeoff. Vertical is unlimited. All around, the speed isnt too fast but the plane has good authority. Anything less than a top end 50 size would be lacking. (3W, BME, DA, Brison...) Next size up on Fuji's or Zenoah's.

As far as balance with the G62, ts fine. A bit nose heavy, but not enough to inspire me to move the battery pack back. Its still plenty responsive and slows down nicely on landing.

Sure they do, and it appears that it is being updated;

http://www.bmeengine.com/html/61.htm

I'm having a hard time deciding on a powerplant. I have a NIB ZDZ 40 RV with a pitts muffler tapped for smoke which is what I was thinking of using. But do you guys think the 40 is too small, meaning I need a 50cc? I was also considering a Fuji 50 (and maybe the Fuji 62 also) but I know they are heavier and being I would like a smoke system the ZDZ makes better sense.

What do you guys think? Would the lighter weight of the ZDZ 40 make it desirable and enough power compared to maybe a little more power from the Fuji, but the Fuji being heavier in weight also.

What say you?