I'm debating here, there is a 60$ difference at my hobby shop and it's the only engines they have in stock... And I'm kinda leaning towards the LA.

My plane is a Debut 40, 48" wingspan spad with PVC fuselage (about 5 1/2 - 6 pds) high wing trainer combat plane. Will this plane fly like a brick with the .46 LA?

I don't really care about unlimited vertical or fancy acrobatics, I just want to practice my takeoffs and landings without destroying my plane. (That's why I went with a spad, I will be returning to balsa planes soon)

Thanks!

Regards,

You might try a GMS or Tower hobbies they have about the same power as the OS ax and cost about the same as the LA. Anyways just a thought.

In anticipation of returning to balsa and given only the 2 choices I would pick the AX. The AX is a fine engine but I will have to admit not having experience with this particular LA. A ball bearing engine (AX) is better also. You can always reduce throttle in the Spad if needed but it is hard to add power for future planes.

Sorta depends, the LA will work fine for takeoffs and landings. Whats your plan for later? If you want to get another plane and move the engine over then I say go with the AX. The extra power will make any 40 size plane really perform. If you just want to take it easy for Sunday flying then go with the LA. If you do spend the extra dollars and get the AX, I am sure that it will hurt a bit at the time but you will soon forget that and be very happy when you see how the AX performs!

The OS 46 LA and OS 46 AX are apples and oranges. The LA is a modest hp bushing engine that should be ideal for your application. A better choice might be the 40 LA which is slightly less HP, is a few dollars cheaper, but has the same external dimensions.

The AX is a powerful double ball bearing engine that better belongs on a high performance sport plane. Besides more HP, it's more money and weight. I have both engines, and I would recommend the LA as the best choice considering you want to practive TOs and Landings on a simple trainer. Beginners often make the mistake of putting too much power on their models which really defeats the purpose of training or learning basic things.

Ciao,

Eagle Al

My plan later would be definetly move to another plane after I grasp the landings and takeoffs, I also don't mind buying new engines for each plane that I buy. I already own a .25FX that I'm keeping for a Shrike one day!

This brings another question, how to I preserve an engine if It's not running everyweek?

My .25 fx has not been running for over 1 year

At this point, if you can, I would run it again for a tankful just to get rid of any crud that may have formed inside it. At the end of the run, while still running and being careful of the prop, remove the fuel line (can be removed at the tank too) and let it run til it quits. Reconnect the glow battery and try to restart for a bit to make sure out of fuel.

Can start here if engine can not be run.
Put after-run oil in open carb (liberal application) and turn engine over by hand for several revolutions to distribute oil thru engine. Remove glow plug and add a little oil to cylinder and turn engine over another turn or 2. Reinstall glow plug and place engine inside baggie to keep clean.

That should do it

Binary_01,

Didn't you post a few threads a while back about destroying your lt-25 in a parking lot????

Indeed, I did, my engine and radio were still intact. Are we going to start another flame war over this or can we leave it behind?

Thanks for the info Bruce!

Are we supposed to do this after each day of flying? I guess I can get After-Run oil at my hobby shop right?

Wooow Relax Grow Up I simply thought I remembered your screen name

I apologize, didn't mean to be rude. I just didn't want the subject to be brought up again! I know now that it was wrong of me to fly it in a Parking lot even tho it was at night and deserted. I was just to anxious to fly the ******* This time, I'll be going up north at my parents place where I can fly it in farm lands and such without causing harm to anyone or property damage!

Some people use the after-run oil every day, others don't. Some only use it when storing their engines. Personally, I have never used it but I don't let my engines sit very long and try to run my engines at least once per month. There will be other opinions on this but this is mine.
I gave you the recommended procedure not the one I follow.

As for Crashem, you jumped him a little quick IMHO. I don't remember your previous thread but I do know we have all been getting a little bitter lately(including me at times) and need to lighten up some. This is supposed to be a fun hobby , let's not ruin it here.

BTW- I can't tell what your LHS stocks but a good one should have the oil

My gosh man, your in Canada already. How far North can you go??? Wouldn't it be better to find a relative that lives South of there?

Personally, I wouldn't mess with LAs.... everyone I know that's gotten one has chucked it and bought an AX, FX, or SX. I don't have a .46 AX, but I have three .50 SX (ringed) engines, and they're great. I also have a .25 FX and a .32 SX engine... very good engines as well, for the smaller planes.

LOL

It's an expression around here. Going up north means leaving the big city for the country side!

How long have you lived in Motnreal? When I lived in Detroit the first thing I learned was how to spell Detroit. OOPS!!

One important fact about the difference between the 2 motors have been missed. The AX has a carb with a needle valve for the low end adjustment, the LA is an air bleed adjustment. I'll tell you this much, the first time you try to make any adjustments on the low end you're going to wish you had bought the AX. The needle valve is a lot easier to set your low end on.

Hope this helps.

The LA is a bushed bearing engine while the AX is a ball bearing engine. The AX (and similar clones) have about double the power of an LA.

Horizon hobby, Hobby Lobby and several others offer reasonable priced 46 ball bearing engines for only a little more than the LA. Thunder Tiger Pro and Evolution engines are very user friendly and less than the AX in price, but just as good in quality and power.

Tower 46 engines have their own well documented problems with air leaks and othe things also. Until you have some experience, I would avoid the Tower engines. Outside of the fact that Tower engines are made by GMS, I have no experience with GMS so I can not comment one way or the other.

Do the AX if you can afford it -- it's worth the difference in price. Don't touch the Tower 46 -- I have one & it is the only engine in my inventory that gives trouble (& lots of it).

My advice would be to get the TT Pro .46. Every bit as good as the AX, but closer to the LA in price.

I agree, Get something other than OS, but get ball bearing. OS has SUPER HIGH prices. Oh and if you do get OS. Spend the extra money and get the AX. The la is too hard to tune. I got one on my trainer. Worst choice ever.

Super Tiger 40......... $49.00..good enough for pylon racers, so Ive heard.

forget the after run oil mate its not needed.if your not going to run the engine for say 6 months then im sure it could be usefull but i doubt shell be left lying arround that long so dont waste your money.also if the place you keep the engine is dry and not damp itll be fine!!.if however its a damp garage then it wont hurt.as for the 46 la shes a good engine i have one and also has plenty of power to move her upto a sports model!!any sports model thats for say a 40 to 42 she would be great in as shes the same size as the la 40 but 25%more power!!.
but as someone said shes maybe not as powerfull as the ax 46 so take this into account if you move it into a sports model.pluss if you put it in a sports model you can use it to get used to the plane before moving onto a more powerfull engine in which case id go onto a irvine 53.most sports models have a lot of scope for power output some from say 36 to a 53 so 46 is a good start.also if you get the 46 la ignore the book for starting and running in,put finger over carb turn it over ten times ,yes ten not four then let her rip also open needle to 3 and a half turns not 1,1/2 like it says!!.also she doesnt start well by hand at first so use an electric starter!!.i tried the way it says in the book and had no luck but after a mate told me to try the settings ive given you she started 1st time and she does that everrytime and runs without misssing a beat .
good luck !!!
take a look at the super sportster from great planes !!
or acro wot from chriss fosse in uk great sports planes even for a beginer!!!.

thats chriss foss not fosse lovely plane and does everry move in the book and more from what ive been told!!.