Hey guys...another question. I am building a Venus 4o with an OS 46ax. Looks like I will need to use a Pitts Style muffler in order to mount the engine on its side. Is there any real difference between Bisson and Slimline? Will I be dissappointed in the loss of power(so ive read) compared to the stock muffler? Any suggestions/tips would be appreciated. Thank you!!!

I've been very happy with the slimline Pitts mufflers that I own. The .46-AX seems to run just fine with them, plenty of power. I've never used a Bisson but I'm sure they are probably great as well.

Roland,
Just out of curiosity, is your Venus badly wrinkled?
I mounted my OS 55 sideways and used the Bisson muffler.
http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...?&I=LX8680&P=V
You will need to cut the crap out of your cowling. As I am sure you know, the Venus is designed to have the engine mounted inverted. I will post a pic, if I can find my wife's camera. I also have the same muffler on a OS 46 AX on my mustang. Both run just as good, if not better, than the stock muffler. One thing for sure, they SOUND a lot better than the stock muffler!
I didn't like the first few flights of my Venus. Just wasn't what I expected. But after playing around with different props, and understanding what the plane can do, I really like it. That pink bottom takes a little getting used to.[X(]
Keep the control throws per the plans. They don't look like much on the low throws, especially the elevator. But you will be surprised. The high throws are a blast. I have done half of a knife edge loop. Just don't have enough guts to try and bring it out the bottom. Some day though.

Bisson is good .I have it on my 46AX.The high end revs seems unaffected and I think the low end is consistently reving even lower. I did notice a slight increase in engine sound level as compared to that with the stock muffler on.

Hey Mesa....you did mention to me once that the Venus covering was in pretty bad shape on yours when you got it. Mine was perfect. I didnt have to iron it at all....but still did anyway. I was actually VERY surprised. I am very happy with the quality of the ARF so far and how it came out of the box. The only Improvement I can think of right now is better landing gear to accommodate real wheel pants.

You said you were a bit dissappointed when you first flew the venus. What didnt you like? I put this together to replace my Pulse and have an inexpensive aerobatic plane to throw around. Sometimes Id prefer to leave my "good" planes in the hanger. Im hoping its much better than the Pulse(I loved the Pulse...but got tired of it). What will it NOT do well? I figure with the plane weighing about 5lbs +/- a few ozs.... the 46 ax should pull it perfect. The 46 flew the Pulse fine and it was heavier.

Magnum has a Pitts muffler they sell for the XLS .46A and XLS .52A for $21.99:

http://www.hobbypeople.net/gallery/279940.asp

The bolt pattern should match the .46 AX perfectly.

Roland,
Yea, I definately should have sent mine back, but you know, that "plane in hand" feeling.
I crashed my Pulse, and went out and got the Venus as a replacement. I wanted something faster and still has good aerobatics. I put a 11x6 prop on the 55 and the plane was REALLY fast. Or maybe faster than I expected. Made for some real interesting aerobatics on my part. Another problem was, for whatever reason, the colors were hard for me to see in the air. It just wasn't that much fun to fly, compared to the Pulse. Also, I could not get MY 55 to run with a 12" or larger prop. After reading about the 55 on another thread, I figured that I must be doing something wrong as far as tuning. I finally got the 55 to run pretty good and installed a 13x6 prop. I also got a pair of Rayban sunglasses. WHAT a difference. Now the plane flies like I want it too. Not really fast, excellent pull out from mid throttle, can do any maneuver that I am capable of doing. I am going to use it as a learning tool for my piloting skills. If you are installing the 46, you should just fine. I think part of the problem is/was that the Venus just does not look near as good as the Pulse. Kinda leaves me wanting another Pulse.

Did you read this review? http://www.rcuniverse.com/magazine/a...article_id=107

If not, be prepared to cut one of the wing mounting bolts. Not a big deal, but because I glued the bottom pan on first, I could not get the bolt out, and to cut mine with bolt in the wing, and the bottom pan installed.

I will try to post some pics of the cowl tonight.
Pete

You cant beat raybans....or quality sunglasses for that matter. But be warned...you cant ever go back! I like the looks of the Venus. Im looking for something very aerobatic powered by my 46. If its more aerobatic than my pulse...im ok with that. Less....then Ill be dissappointed. Thinking of trying a 12x5 prop. Lets see how that does. Not looking super speed...more thrust.

I've gone from the OS, to Pitts Slimline and then to Mac's straight muffler pipes ( not the tuned variety ), and I have yet to see a difference in performance or a loss of power accross the board.

Anything I THOUGH I saw turned out to be due to my own mistakes or mistuning.

Roland,
Here are some pics, if I can get them to load. You can see what I mean about cutting the cowl. The Pulse had the 55 which needed an extension with the stock muffler. The Venus might need the same, if using the stock muffler. One thing about the 55, it does not have the remote needle valve. The mustang has the 46 motor with an allen wrench for adjusting the needle.
You are probably a better pilot than I am at aerobatic maneuvers. I'm still teaching myself. One thing about the Pulse. I could just throw the plane around any way I wanted. One day out in the desert with about a 20 mph wind, I flew it backwards into the head wind for about 100'. Was pretty cool. Don't think I will be trying that with the Venus. It doesn't have as much wing. And it lands a little faster. Really can't compare the two. They are just two different types of planes. Good luck with yours, and let us know how you like it.

Heh, you've illustrated succintly WHY I mount most of my engines inverted.

It's painful to be faced with that much cutting...

Yea, it hurt me almost as much as it hurt the looks of the plane! If you think the Venus was bad, look what I did to my poor Pulse.[&o] Had to buy a third cowl and go with the stock muffler.
I also had the Mac's muffler on my Pulse when it had the OS 46 mounted upright. That was a nice set up. Gota get another one someday. I was just a fun plane to fly.

HEy Mesa...thanks for the pics. Appreciate it. Im actually a good pilot - so im told. Just trying to practice maneuvers. I have a showtime that I love. Last week I lost the canopy in flight and its now on backorder...so needed to rush another plane together to get my flying in while I wait for the parts. I also wanted something I could really play hard with that wouldnt hurt the wallet as much should I crash it. Im on my 2nd showtime/servo setup and that one really killed me. I was so upset. So I decided to replace the Pulse since I had all of the electronics and engine laying around. I also have an Aero-works edge thats still in the box. Thats going to be my baby so I wanted to take my time during the winter putting that one together and making some minor changes before its maiden. How long have you been flying? Ive gotta say though, no matter how tired I got of the Pulse...I miss that plane. Thats the plane I probably learned the most aerobatics on. Great Knife edge. I do wish I knew as much about trimming then as I do now. I probably could have done so much more with that plane.

What do you have in your hanger?

I own several Bisson mufflers and run them with no problems on 46, 60, and 75 size engines. I like the warbling sound that comes out of the muffler when I chop the throttle on the downwind leg getting ready to land. You don't get that sound with standard mufflers.

I've been flying for about 1 1/2 years. I too miss the Pulse. That plane really taught me a lot. If you like the Pulse knife edge, then you are going to love the Venus. It will fly straight as a string doing a KE all the way down the flight line with out any elevator input. First time I had mine out in the desert, I was doing a KE and it just keep going and going. On the high rates, with full rudder, it will do a KE loop. Well, 1/2 a loop, I haven't tried to pull out of the dive yet. Too chicken.
My son wants a Showtime 90 4D. He is going to have to settle for the 50. That way I can gut his Tiger with the Saito 82 and install the components in the Showtime. Do you think that would be a good engine for the Showtime? Hate to gut that Tiger, but the 82 just isn't enough engine. Maybe I will get a 75 2s for it someday, set a little more high rates, and see how it flies.

I started (self taught) with Nexstar, then the Pulse, a VQ Warbirds P-51, built the Tiger 60 for my son, and working on a Top Flight Sea Fury kit. Should be done with that in a few more months. I really like the warbirds, but it's nice to have a plane that I can try my hand at some nice aerobatics. My son thinks he wants to fly 3D planes, so I might get a little stick time in between warbirds!

I think my next plane after finishing the Sea Fury will be the Seagull Dual Ace. I really want to fly twins. Someday, I want to put together a big scale F-82 twin mustang. That will be a few years from now.

I would be real interested in your thoughts on the Venus, especially as how it compares to your Showtime. My son has flown my Venus, but has a hard time with the landings. He is just not used to having to land with a little speed, but he'll get it.

Mesa....Im excited to maiden the Venus....hopefully by the end of next week. As far as the showtime...go for it!!!! I love mine. Be warned...you will have to find the right cg to have it fly right. When I first flew mine...I hated it and was so dissappointed. the KEs wanted to roll and pulled hard to canopy. Didnt like it. Then I started really reading about in depth trimming and adjustments and now I love it!!!! I have a saito 91 on mine. I like to over power my planes just a tad. I think the 82 will just make it with the right prop and correct tuning. Just try and keep the plane light. Tip....strengthen landing gear area in the fuse with a bit if epoxy, use Sullivan tail wheel...and also use metal gear servo for rudder. Get in touch with me if you have any questions at all about the Showtime. Ill be glad to help.

As far as the Venus landings...have you tried moving the CG back just a tad? It might help slow it down on landing. Well first you must determine how nose heavy it might be if you havent already. One thing ive learned from flying the showtime - Determine this in the air....CG stand is only a guide. Let me know.

You know, I think you are right. I set the plane up on the cg stand and it is real sensitive, and I set it up with the cg in the center of the range. Didn't have to add any weight. Then, the first time I flew it, the spinner cracked and started rubbing on the cowling. So, I removed the spinner and cowling. The plane flew pretty good, and landed without any problems. It just doesn't float so much. I have since put a new spinner, reinstalled the cowl, and tried different size props. I know I checked the cg after installing the new spinner, but since it's so sensitive, I bet the props made a difference. Never thought about that. DUH! We are going out flying tomorrow. Think I'll take some stick on weights just to experiment with.

Thanks for the offer for help and the tips on the showtime. If Santa brings him one, I'll PM you for some initial set up help.

I saw your other post about the CA glue on the canopy. Is that on the Venus? I just screwed mine on because I have a volt watch in the cockpit. Just a thought, if you don't need the clear, maybe you can paint it black? Might look pretty nice with silver canopy frame.

Thanks again, and I hope all goes well with your Venus. I KNOW you will tell us how the maiden goes.

Mesa...send me an email...and i will respond with 3 diff articles on how to trim which includes CG. This helped me find the sweet spot on my showtime and should help with the venus on the landings.

Roland,
Sent you a PM. Tried to balance the Venus today in the field. Didn't work so good. But figured out that if I land with just one click up on the throttle stick (not the trim button) the Venus lands real nice. Just have to cut the throttle a few feet above the runway and it settles right in. Did some really nice knife edges today, and a couple that were, well.........ugly.
Hey, I'm still learning.

Why didnt it work out so well? Hey at least you learned something about the Venus today!!! I received my pitts muffler today. Im really going to have to cut that cowl alot. I didnt realize how big the Pitts mufflers were. Oh well!!

I was trying to use the self stick weights under the tail, and they wouldn't stick to the monokote. I am going to read the articles you sent me (thank you) and make some changes. I did a fair amount of inverted flying, and had to use a lot of down elevator, so something is amiss.

Its a pain but try moving the battery/receiver around instead of adding weight if you can. Let me know how it works out.