GP Christen Eagle engine
 

I'm shopping for an appropriate engine for the Eagle and am wavering between the DA 50 and the ZDZ 60. Perhaps biplane / ZDZ guru Dick Hansen could offer some advice. Is the ZDZ60 too much engine for this A/C? I feel sure that the plane will come in at the higher listed weight of 18# with a smoke system and a 50 - 60cc engine. The DA50 is lighter and would surely fly the Eagle well but this seems to be a lot of airplane for that motor if you really want it to perform. Opinions before I order something this week?

Thanks,
Chris

RE: GP Christen Eagle engine
 

I had no problems with performance of the DA-50 in my 19# 31% Edge. And it was still in the breakin preiod. Considering what GP shows for engine installation, I guestimate that my CE w/DA-50 will be about 17#. The 60 may be a bit much. A DA or BME is perfect! Good luck whichever way you decide.

RE: GP Christen Eagle engine
 

I was going to put the DA50 in my Christian Eagle but noise resrictions at my field would not allow for it. I put the new Fuji 50 SB in the plane and flys awesome. It also balances perfectly and I save a bunch of dough. You may want to upgrade the flying wired because one broke on me this weekend.

RE: GP Christen Eagle engine
 

John, how does the Eagle fly? Any pics?

I am putting an FPE 3.2 in mine. Should fly the plane well. Just waiting on radio gear to come in, then I can continue construction.

RE: GP Christen Eagle engine
 

Ryan-

The plane flys like a true acrobatic airplane. Will do anything you want it to. Solid! I put my batteries, i ran two 1,100 mah packs on two switches which is what my hobby shop recommended, tword the back for balance. Landing is exaclty how it is done on fullscale. Dive down for landing and then up with a little elevator. Don't float it in. It's not a floater. When you come in on approach you can see the plane sink a little faster than most other planes and you will need some power. I believe GP even had intructions how to land the beast. I ran a 20 x 10 prop.

RE: GP Christen Eagle engine
 

I posted this Info in another thread so it may be worth posting here. We have 3 GP Pitts flying at our club, all with different engines. One a G-62, one a ZDZ 50 and the last with an OS 4 cylinder, 4 cycle engine. They all fly pretty well with the G-62 powered one flying a little heavier than the other two.. All things considered though, they do fly pretty much all the same.. Regards BobH.

RE: GP Christen Eagle engine
 

I was looking at putting a Webra Bully Glow in mine. I'm thinking of the weight issue hoping to be in that 16 lb range. The Bully on glow is a very strong engine for the size and only weighs 48 oz with muffler. My next choice was a DA 50, BME 50 or even a 3W-48 Twin. Not sure how much the twin weighs?

Comments

RE: GP Christen Eagle engine
 

I've got a Sachs 3.2 in my GP Pitts and I'm right at 18#. You're not going to see 16# with any
of the 50cc class gas engines.

RE: GP Christen Eagle engine
 

My former Pitts was powered by my zdz 60 and it was a perfect match, manage the throtle and you'll have a winner.

Mine was 17lbs.

epc.

RE: GP Christen Eagle engine
 

Here's my GP Eagle, just about ready to go. Using a Fuji 50 and basically standard size radio stuff, weight is 18.25 pounds with 2 ounces of tail weight needed to balance. Test flights next week.

RE: GP Christen Eagle engine
 

My beast weight just over 20 pounds. All digital servos with two battery packs and switches. Most likely that is where all my weight is at. No lead in the tail. Have fun flying her.

John

RE: GP Christen Eagle engine
 

Dick


Your eagle is gorgeous!! Can't wait to finish mine!

Serge
:D:D:D

RE: GP Christen Eagle engine
 

Serge, YOUR Eagle will look just as good, as long as you don't spill a bucket of paint over it!

It's just an ARF. They ALL look good ... (to begin with, that is!)

Maybe mine would look even better if one of your "friends" would come over for a photo shoot.

RE: GP Christen Eagle engine
 

For Pettit -- Does the Fuji 50 use the prop extension that is with the motor or did you have to buy a different size?

Thanks

RE: GP Christen Eagle engine
 

you need to buy the short prop flange for the fuji.

RE: GP Christen Eagle engine
 

Dick,

Do you have a part number for the Fuji "short prop flange"?

And how soon before your Eagle II is on the cover of RC Report??lol

RE: GP Christen Eagle engine
 

Click on the link below. It's backordered till mid Dec.


http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXAPV0

RE: GP Christen Eagle engine
 

Anyone try a BGX 3500 or Moki?

RE: GP Christen Eagle engine
 

The prop-hub for the 64 fits the 50. It's a tab shorter 2.050mm vs. 2.071mm. The 64 hub also needs the 64 prop bolt. I used this on my 50 in a Pitts before they started making a short hub for the 50. Worked just fine on the Pitts. Fit the cowling perfectly. This is an option if you don't want to wait for the short hub for the 50.

RE: GP Christen Eagle engine
 

Putting an RCS 44 twin in mine. Ran it today for the first time with a 20x6-10 for a couple of minutes. I will run it again tomorrow with a Pro Zinger 20 x 10. I'll post pictures soon of the install. If I can recommend an engine for anyone, stick to a single cylinder!!!! A lot of work otherwise.
:D Paul :D

RE: GP Christen Eagle engine
 

Jaws:
I remember looking at the cool little RCS44 twin about a year ago - RCS offered it at a great price. They no longer list it on their website, however. Let us know about the installation and how it performs.

RE: GP <span class=
 

I have one coming and it will be my winter project, going to go the Fuji 50 as much as I would like to put a DA 50 on it, I'll save a bunch of money. Has anyone added smoke? How does she fly? Any stall tendency on landings? Any info is appreciated.

Thanks,

RE: GP <span class=
 

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RE: GP <span class=
 

I have a 3W-75 in mine with a 22-10 3-blade.

Wight is a little over 18lbs, throttle mgmt is a must!

I have over 100 flights with mo problems!

Don
www.rnlinc.com

RE: GP <span class=
 

don perry sounds like a sweet combo!!!!

RE: GP <span class=
 

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RE: GP <span class=
 

Chris,

My GP Pitts (former epc's ZDZ60 powered GP Pitts) is powered with a DA-50-R and unlimited vertical with no problem. Throttle management, because a lot of power.

You can not go wrong with the DA-50-R. It's a winner.

Just an opinion.

RE: GP <span class=
 

You guys putting the DA 50 in this airplane are going to love it. I just completed the maiden flight on my Pitts with a DA-50 and all I can say is, Vroom!! :D Man, plenty of power. When running up the engine before takeoff I actually felt the pain on the backs of my legs while standing over the airplane. I had to bend down and hold on to the upper wing just to avoid putting too much stress on the horizontal stab. Make sure you tighten your wheels to the axles with ripple washers or fuel tubing. Will need the the brake effect. I didn't do this and even at idle she would nearly get the tail off the ground. I have a Menz 22 8 prop on the end. Didn't check rpm's because I was too busy just holding on. My Pitts weighed in at 18 lbs. and this engine took the airplane vertical until I could hardly see it. Great engine. Throttle management a must to not over stress the airplane IMHO. One note of caution. The torque effect combined with the short fuse creates a ground looping issue that you really need to anticipate. I know you experienced gassers already know this. Even with plenty of experience I am going to bet that this will grab you if you aren't ready for it. Don't need to go to wot on takeoff. My Pitts would have been airborne at 1/4 throttle. My takeoff on the maiden was more like a torque roll from a dead start. I was airborne in about 10'. At low throttle and even with plenty of rudder she wants to ground loop. With more throttle she really wants to go left and can be touchy on the rudder when trying to compensate for this. I am going to have to work on this to get it right. I know what to do. Just need to practice getting her straight down the runway. Requires much more attention than my Giles, and as I thought, even more than on Pitts-1 with the Fuji turning a Pro Zinger 20 8 prop. Shoot, with the Giles I just point it the direction I want to go and let her rip. Straight as an arrow. Don't want to do this with this engine on the Pitts and I would think the eagle as well. Engine was set too lean for this time of year in Al. We are at about 600' vs about 4k' elevation in Az. so I think this too had an effect on the settings. Turned both the low and high end needles 1/8 turn to rich and she was perfect.

RE: GP <span class=
 

This past weekend a new club member flew the Eagle with a Brison 3.2. (his sixth or seventh flight on the plane, the first one of the day) MORE than enough power.. but... He had a problem in flight. Shortly after take off his engine would surge between low and full throttle, was an obvious radio problem. He could not land the plane because it would suddenly go to full throttle. After about 5 minutes in the air the radio degraded more; now his plane was about 80% out of control. He finally managed to purposely CRASH the plane away from people and cars. Of course the plane was totaled but no one got hurt. His radio is a Futaba with a standard PPM receiver. What he did not have was a Servo Cut Switch that would have allowed him to cut the engine in flight and land dead stick. If he had this perhaps he could have salvaged the flight with only a dead stick landing and then an investigation into the RF problems. We shall never know but...NEXT time he will install one of these.. as will I.. Food For Thought !.. Regards BobH.

RE: GP <span class=
 

A fiber optic kill switch is a good way to go on that problem too.

RE: GP <span class=
 

Jaws...did you have to cut the cowl for the plug caps? I have a 3W48 looking for a home, but don't want to butcher the cowl too much.

Bob

RE: GP <span class=
 

I have a Kyosho GeeBEE Z, thats a ground loop nightmare, but I found the cure........GYRO....goes down the asphalt straight as an arrow, wouldnt think twice about putting it in a plane to make take offs less dramatic. Just remember to turn it off once your in the air.

RE: GP <span class=
 

I think I will wait for the BME 55 Xtreme. How does the eagle knife edge?

RE: GP <span class=
 

No .Plenty of room to spare. The only snag is getting the cowl on and off with the way it is mounted. After a liitle sanding and adjusting problem is now just a manuevering of the cowl to get it on and off.
If the plugs on your engine are angled it will be easier for you. As for the RCS they are straight but like I said not a big deal
Jaws