I've got a hankerin' to get another Twinstar, had one for many years and had a lot of fun with it (finally sold it at auction), but I find it has been discontinued!

Any one know where I might find one still laying on a shelf somewhere?

I think Daves down in Beverly still has one on the shelf. Don't have the phone number handy. But he is on Cabot st in Beverly across from the Cabot st theater.
Hans

Much to my dismay at first, I too just recently discovered that the Twinstar had been discontinued. I searched everywhere in vain, finally found one in stock at KC's hobbies in North Carolina, a couple of weeks ago. I don't know if they have any more or not. Ph (336) 434-3482

Good Luck,
Randy

Especially to "heavy date" who tipped me off to Dave's. I called and he had it, picked it up this morning!

I just got to thinking how much fun that twin was, three of us had them at once. We used to fly them together and someone would yell "I got the blue and white one!". What a riot!

Of course when I found out they were discontinued I wanted one even more! I called a few shops around the country and they were all out. So now I'm all set to have the only one around. When you think about it, a $100 plane and a pair of $50 engines, it's one of the cheapest ARF's combos you can assemble.

I'm thinking of going with a pair of TT 42 plain bearings this time around, anyone have an opinion on them?

I had OS-40 fp engines on mine, 7 min flight times.

I'm just completing a Global 60 trainer using two Twin Star engine nacells with T.T.36 engines and has a Hi-8 video camera in the nose with dual nose gears.

Sure OS-40 FPs... another good thing thats been discontinued!

rwh,
I'm glad I was right about Daves. I thought I had seen one on his shelf as I wanted one awhile ago and just did not grab one.
Have a ball with it. I'm still fooling with my P-38 and DeHaviland Caribou.
Hans

The GP .42 would be a good engine. However, one word of caution, this engine is VERY tight and needs longer than normal break in for it to have a reliable idle and hold a full throttle setting. I personally prefer an engine that takes longer to break in because I feel it will last longer (provided break in done correctly). OS 8 or OS 3 plug, 15% nitro, 9.5x6 or 9x6 or 9x7 prop will get this engine to hit its powerband (old article from one of the rc mags did a story on .40 sized engines the the .42 shows a tuned exhaust response with slightly smaller props which allows it to rev up to 15,000)

I am currently using LA .40s and I'm getting rid of them. They don't have much power and a .25FX is equally powerful. I'm replacing the LA .40s with two GMS .32s and expecting better performance. I was considering the GP .42 but got a great deal on the GMSs. Another engine I own and am very impressed with is the Leo .28. I have one on an AT-6 and it spins a 9x6 prop faster than my LA .40. I highly recommend it and think it also be a good choice for a twinstar.


BTW, if you got some flight time under your belt, try these modifications:

Don't build the wing with all of that dihedral. Reduce it by 1/2 and you'll get an an airplane that rolls better.

Increase aileron size! I have 1.5 inch ailerons and roll rate is much better.

You can easily mod the nacelles to accept 8 ounce tanks for increased flight time. I had to increase the nacelle height and use micro servos for the throttle, not much weight gain.

Use functional weight to balance aircraft. I've owned 4 of these airplanes (I always end up selling them to someone who makes me an offer I can't refuse). All 4 of mine were tail heavy, even with LA .40 engines in the nacelles. I put my battery as far forward and used a 1300 mah pack.

The plastic nose cone will eventually crack as will the plastic abc covers. You should glass the inside of the cone or use the cone as a mold to scratch build a new fiberglass one.

Also, if you wish to save yourself the trouble down the road, REMOVE ALL OF THAT LOUSY STICK ON COVERING AND COVER IT WITH ULTRACOAT OR EQUIVALENT COVERING. You'll save yourself some trouble down the road since the covering will peel back at the seams (which appear to leech black glue goo when exposed to exhaust residue). Covering is normally good for 1/2 season flying (15-25 flights) before it starts showing some ugly wear and tear.

Thanks for those suggestions, Homebrewer. Having owned two Twinstars in the past I know where you are coming from. I'm actually too lazy to do any of that stuff, I had a lot of fun with it just the way it builds out of the box.

I lived with the "shelf paper" for a couple of years, its a wonder what clear packing tape can do! They are actually tough little planes! We had a mid-air with two of the twins, I chopped off a guys tail, and it went through my wing. We both survived to fly another day.

I ordered two GP42s this morning, had to try a couple of places. Don't tell me they're gonna get hard to find too!

I have one with O.S.26 4 stks and it fly's great.With one out it barely hangs on which is good training for a twin but with both it cranks pretty good and with those small tank's i get long flight times. Tim.

Great little motors...Cheap cheap cheap. Excellent transition, won't die, decent power. Can't go wrong. I don't know how long they last compared to a BB engine, but I've got a couple with decent time on them...and they keep getting better.
Good Luck.

Home brewer...please tell me more about the mods to get an 8 oz tank in the wing. I have one stripped to the bones now and the longer flight times would be great
Thanks
Brian

If anyone is looking for 2 40's for a twin. I have 2 tower 40s for sale in the engine section. Both with about the same amount of time on them.

I saw a kit bashed 4engine twinstar at a fly in a couple of years ago. I believe it had 4 .40 OS LA engines on it. It definately had a unique sound all its own. I spoke with the owner and he said it was a handfull to land.

Johnny