I have my first low wing trainer World Model SS40.
I am in central China and the only model shop for 100miles has a choice of.
Siato 65GK 4 stroke, $250
Thunder Tiger .42, $60
Magnum .46, $45

Price is not the issue, I need to know what would suit best. I have not ran a four stroke before.

Sounds like any of them would be good. I've got several 4 strokes, love them. However, if you look at the relative deals you are getting, the 2 strokes you mentioned are better priced. The Saito price is a bit high. I'd go with the Magnum since you're in China. BTW, where in China?

Saito 65 is a nice engine (I have one), as is reflected in the price. If you've run a 2 stroke you should not have too much problem with the Saito.

Is the TT the GP or Pro series? The latter is a ball bearing engine, the PRO series are generally well regarded. I have a .61 which I am very happy with. GP are I believe bushed engines, no 1st hand with these. Suspect that the 42 is a GP.

Had a Magnum .53 2 stroke at one time, it was a real screamer when it was running, trouble was it wouldn't stay running. Eventually took it back in despair. Having said that I have Magnum .52 and 120 4 strokes which, whilst not powerhouses, perform well enough.

Don't know the plane you have, but ignoring price (and assuming the TT is a GP series) IMO the Saito is your best engine option.

Terry

I'm not sure... but I think the only engine there that is current is the Magnum. I know the TT 42 isn't current and I'm pretty sure the 65 isn't as well. Personally, I'd go with the Saito only because it is a nice engine and you don't seem to really care about the price... but I'm sure no powerhouse. If you're not on a budget, the Saito is the way to go. If you are, then the Magnum shouldn't be bad.

Fourstroke
Piper-chuck
Terry
thanks for the info the 4 stroke looks very good, the TT is the GP,so I am thinking the Siato might br favorite. I am in the poorest province in China, a city called Beng Bu, An Hui Province.
World Model ARF's are favoured choice from what I have seen, but nobody uses 4 strokes. I think due to cost restraints.

Sorry you're stuck in Anhui. I always managed to avoid any trips there. At least you're in a city with some history. How's the food? Is there a McD's or KFC to get a Western fix? Guess Starbucks has probably not made it there yet...

Go for the 4 stroke, you'll wow them with how quiet it is. Oh, and I probably don't have to tell you to bargain hard.

The food is a bit rough, but it does keep you regular, very regular. I think the 4 stroke is very cool, just a bit scared of setting it up. I know nothing about them at all.

You sound well versed on the trials and tribulations of China. Where were you and what were you doing.

The WM ARF's seem very cheap, not that I know a great deal

I wouldn't call the WM planes cheap, rather I would call them inexpensive and a very good value! I have a WM SS and am very happy with it.

Yes, good point, I have no idea what I would pay normaly for WM ARF. I picked up my Super Sport 40 for $60, when I looked at the quality I thought it was exceptional value. However it is the first one I have ever bought.

Would you tell me what engine you are using in your SS40.

The price you get on World Models planes should be cheaper in China than at home. For reference, the Super Sport 40 is priced $100 at the Airborne Models site in the US. I've got one World Models Arf, bought it from a shop in Shanghai. If flies well and was a good price.

In answer to your other question, I learned quite a bit about China because I worked in Beijing for about 2.5 years. Traveled to many other cities to support my customer, and sometimes as a tourist. My only regret is that I was out of the hobby while I was there. If I had realized so many products were made in China, I would have brought several ARFs home every time I made the trip. Have you been able to get out much as a tourist?

I'd go with the SAITO.. Three reasons... You Don't Mind The Cost, It's VERY reliable, and its able to go in your next plane..

I Have A SAITO .91 And it's a great VERY reliable engine

Thank's Ice. I think this is the best long term option. Just a bit nervy about set up and running one

It's pretty nerve racking at first because they swing a much larger prop than a comparable two stroke would. And the sound can be intimidating when your crankin her up the first time but after 1-2 tanks you'll become comfortable around it. For the setup on mine i threw it on the plane and cranked her up! Get a helper... That will help calm your nerves.

Might be too large a prop, an 11" prop gets uncomfortably close to the ground with a ss 40. And you really want that plane to sit level, it lands better that way. Not to mention you'll probablly have to do some acrobatics with the battery to keep the CG in limits. I would stick with a .46 2 stroke, spinning an 11x6 or 10x8 prop is all you need.


Andy

I've found it's also helpful to have a digital tach. Makes it much easier to be sure you're setting it on the rich side of peak.

I'm wondering with all the 2 stroke engines, will they even sell the fuel you need for the Saito? I heard they like nitro and they will likely need more castor than the 2 strokes. I'd check out the fuel supply before you buy. And the price, too.

But at the end, I'd spring for the engine I want. I only buy fourstrokers now and the only 2 stroke engines I have are from purchases I made when I just started this hobby. Now I only wish I didn't have them so I don't feel obliged to put a plane on them... :-)

Smoggyboy - if you get out to Hong Kong, there are a bunch of places you can go for R/C equipment. I'd rather see you spring same amount of money on an O.S. 70 Ultimate than the older Saito 65. New Saito's are the 56 the 72 and the 82. For 250 or about (2000HK$) I'm sure you can pick up the Ultimate, which is one of the best engines out there for that size.

Thank you all for your help. I am going back to the store today.

I have decided to by the Magnum .46 Because it sounds good value. If he has the pro series TT I will also take one of those, And finaly, if he has the recent model of the Siato, i'm gonna have one of them as well, because I got a buzz out of just holding it. I am sure to use them all at some stage.

I think for now though, if he has the pro TT, that will go in the SS40, or maybe the magnum or the Siato.

Thanks again guys. I might just try them all, the SS40 comes with an ajustable engine mount.

A few more comments. First, don't be afraid of 4 strokes. I got my first one about 20 years ago. It was different than a 2 stroke, but not much. Still the same basic steps, prime, start, adjust needle, fly. Only big difference is occasionally checking and adjusting the valves. The Saito manual tells you what you need to know. Also, don't be afraid that you aren't getting the latest and greatest. Just because a model has been replaced, does not mean it's not a good engine. I still get great service from my OS 25 FSR. Bought it somewhere around the begining of the '80s. And finally, buy several engines at one time. Be sure you are dealing with someone at the shop who can make decisions. You should have great bargaining leverage if you're buying several things. This is especially true with the high cost Saito that nobody wants. The store owner will be highly motivated to close a deal to get it out of the store.

I am running an OS FX46 with an APC 11-5 prop on the WM SS. Awesome speed and performance with this prop. I Personally I would avoid the Magnum engine. The TT is a far better value even if it is more pricy. I have run into quite a few of them as an Instructor and they are easy to adjust and produce good power. Saitos are a fine engine but I can have two 2 strokes for the price of 1 Saito! As Piper mentioned, a tach is "very useful!" You can see exactly what is happening with a 2 stroke which makes it easy to adjust. With 4 strokes the sound doesn't give much of a clue as to how fast the prop is turning. A tach is the only way to really tell.

Smoggyboy
Around here in Kentucky USA the TT GP 42 sells for about 55 dollars. I have one and even though it is a cheap little motor it has never failed me. Starts every time. Runs really well. I liked it so much that when I went to a 60 size engine I got the TT GP61. It runs just as dependable as its little brother. I have been flying the 42 for six years now. Just my $.02.
RWCherry
Mt Sterling KY