Now leaning towards putting a 4-stroke in a Somethin' Extra (SE) ARF. If going the 4-stroke route, SIG recommends up to a .65.

So, I've looked at the O.S. FS-52 and FS-70 II Surpass as well as the Magnum XL-52RFS, and XL-61RFS. Are the O.S. 4-strokes worth the extra money compared to the new-generation Magnums? Is a Saito .65 too heavy/large for something like the SE. Are Saitos worth the expense?

Obviously, the gear height of the SE can be/is an issue with 4-strokes. Can you get by with a 3-bladed prop to bypass changing out the gear?

Some of the .50 - .70 range 4-strokes have a five to six oz. weight difference. When do you reach the point of diminishing returns when it comes to issues such as wing loading, etc.? On the SE, I imagine you want to keep it as light as possible, so would a .52 - .61 be more advantageous than the heavier .70s, etc.?

The fact that I'm actually at the decision point for a 4-stroke for my SE is a good thing!

Thanks for your input,

Ray
A.K.A. Mile-Hi Flyer

the saito 65 is a big block and is heavyer than a 72 i think but check.they have a new 82 that is same size and weight as 72 but have not seen one myself.i have the saito .91 in mine and hope to fly soon.i like the 4 strokes myself and the saito is a gem.it idles down very low with onboard glow.and it uses less fuel than 2stroke even though i use 15 instead of 10 but you can save some money on fuel and alot of time on cleanup as the 4stroke not as messy.just my 2cents worth but i dont clame to be an expert.

i have a saito .72 in my something extra and its by far my favorite airplane to fly. Its a great combination and it easily pulls it out of a hover and straight up forever. you dont need anything bigger than the .72.

Ditto what ILoveFlyin said - I've had two SE ARF's with the Saito 72 - Awesome!

Thanks guys.

Hey SearchMan--that looks like the stock main gear on your SE ARF. What prop are you using on that Saito .72?

Thanks,

Ray

Mile-Hi

The gear is TNT gear - my prop is a 13x5. I have a couple of inches of clearance. Stock gear was way to short.

SearchMan,

Thanks, I'll get the TNT. Also, are you using the stock, 8 oz., fuel tank? If so, what kind of flight times do you get out of it?

Thanks,

Mile-Hi

Mile - Hi,
I'm using a Sullivan round tank, I think it is 10oz (had to do a little carving to get it in - no problem). I get at least 15 min flights since most of my flying is low speed (per plane design). Only full throttle is vertical climbout. I had to put my battery in the tail to get the balance I wanted - you can see the opening from my underside photo.

The stock tank was fine for flight time with my 72, I went with the Sullivan tank 'cause the supplied tank (World Models) had a crappy stopper on my first SE ARF and it leaked (second year I had it). Sullivan makes a better tank and stopper - no leaks!

Saito-72 or YS-63 would be my first choices- A guy I flew with on Sunday has the SE with a Magnum-61FS, it flew really well and could hover but barely pull out-

So it depends on what you wanna do with it---

I am just finishing up the covering on my SE kit. I and others that I know fly it have (in some cases) replaced the gear with one that sits a little higher. That's what I have done on mine. BTW: I will be using the OS46FX for my powerplant.

Ordered the aluminum landing gear from TnT Landing Gear Products (www.tntlandinggear.com), part number LG-177.

Picked up a Sullivan 10 oz. round fuel tank, part number S405, after verifying specs on Sullivan's website (www.sullivanproducts.com).

Had a Saito FA-72 in my hands earlier today at one of the chain hobby shops. Would also like to "see" an O.S. FS-70 II Surpass as well. Found the Saito FA-72 in the Denver area for $210.00 and the FS-70 for $200.00. So, the decision won't be made based on price difference alone.

Looks like the Magnum XL-61FS will be a little bit underpowered in the long run. Our flying field elevation is 5,867' MSL and it gets a bit warm here...

Making progress. Thanks for the help guys.

Mile-Hi Flyer

hey search man could you please get me a close pic of your battery as this i about where i need to put mine.i was thinking about covering it after i put the batt in but it looks like you have yours open what keeps batt in details please

Hey Bullet65,

I forgot to ask SearchMan for a detailed picture of the battery hatch area as well. Looks like I might wind up with an install requirement similar to that too.

Take care,

Ray
A.K.A. Mile-Hi Flyer

Definitely either a Saito 72 or a YS 63, will be perfect matches in slightly different ways.

The YS of you want power and the Saito of you want lightness and everything that comes with that.

-David C.

Bullet,

My close up of the battery installation doesn't show too much - I cut the covering, glued in some popsicle sticks, stuck the battery in and held it in place with foam. I haven't re-covered yet because I keep moving the battery back further (it is just about as far as I can go now). I did this same thing with my first SE and it would Knife Edge all day without increasing the rudder size like some have done. This plane rocks! I'll post some pictures of the mods I made. The TNT landing gear gives me 3.25" clearance with the stock wheels.

More SE Mods

Prop = APC 13x5 If I remember right

SearchMan,

I test fit the Sullivan 10 oz. round tank in the SE. Got it past the wing tube okay. Looks like I would have to hack on the fuel tank shelf to lower the fuel tank a little bit.

My 10 oz. tank doesn't stick out nearly as far as your tank installation does. Is that the 12 0z. Sullivan tank?

I know these pilots add weight; however, this one just seemed like he needed "a lift."

Mile - Hi:
My tank is a 10 oz. The reason my tank is located where it is, is that I was trying to move the CG back as far as possible. I have about an inch or so of foam in front of the tank. I did have to use a dremel on the tank shelf to get the thing to fit properly. I also taped some nylon string to the front of the tank so I could easily remove it if needed.

I cut the cockpit shelf out and the head rest to save every ounce I could. I really like your pilot!

Here in Illinois, I am about 800' above sea level and my 72 has no problem going vertical for as long as I want - I don't know how your altitude will effect your vertical capabilities. I'll be anxious to hear how your SE performs.

Hey guys,

FWIW, I just test fit the Sullivan 10 oz. Flex-Tank, part number S728, in the SE. Only required minimal heating to the tank to get it to squat, slightly, so that the tank would fit through the firewall without modifying the tank shelf.

Just kept reinflating the tank during heating so that it kept about 98% of its original shape; i.e., no cavities.

There is actually room for the 12 oz. Sullivan Flex-Tank, part number S729. Anyone know if that would be necessary if using a 4-stroke; e.g., FA-72, to get approximately fifteen minute flights? Yes, I would be off of full throttle for at least the approach and landing phase...Or, would the extra two oz. of departure fuel just add insult to injury concerning CG issues?

Thanks,

Mile-Hi Flyer

Just ordered the Saito FA-72 from my local hobby shop.

Thanks for the input guys.

Mile-Hi Flyer

search man,one more ? please.when you put your battery in the rear could you get the wire too the front all the way.what i mean is i have an arf and i dont know if there is a bulkhead in the way or will the cable just feed itself through to the fron without having to drill a hole for it.also i like where you put the onoff switch it is where im putting mine.

oh and a couple of pics with the saito .91 do not have to add weight just move battery aft.

Bullet65,

If I remember right, I had to just fish the wire through/under the bulkheads. I might have had to make a hole, but it was nothing difficult or I would remember it. Your 91 looks great! Let me know how she handles.

thank you and i hope to fly sat but wind is from 10 to 15mph hope that is not right i dont mind flying in wind but not for first flight

well just got back from first flight,boy what fun.i dont need much more than 1/3 throttle.or gas it and in less than 10 feet takeoff and straight up.it would hover at around 1/3 or a little more at 75 feet will be a few flights before i get down lower and try.i need to add more expo as when i gave it hard elevator or aileron the other would move a little bit but with this much surface it made it go where i did not wish it too.