BLACCAT

I just had CH IGNITIONS convert my FA 325R5D to pumped gas igntion system.
Planning to run it on a TOPFLITE P-47 85" c/w ROBART air retracts front and rear.
TopFlyte manual recommends 41 - 70 CC for gas engine. If I have worked out the conversion, my engine is 53cc., therefore in the mid range of the recommended engine size.
The engine weight prior to conversion was 5.4 lbs. Don't have it back yet to weigh but I am estimating the converted weight will be no more than 6.0 lbs.c/w the KELEO exhaust.
Your comments are welcome as is your advice and experience.

Going to finish in "Bubbletop", but have not selected the paint scheme yet. Any cool suggestions?
Thanx All
WW

1967brutus

Be advised that the Topflite recommendation "40 to 70 cc" most likely refers to 2-stroke engines.
Your Saito is 53 cc, but it is a fourstroke, AND it is a radial. Meaning that for its cylinder displacement, it is not going to be as strong as a 2-stroke, by quite a large margin.

I have a similar (WRT dimensions, weight and engine outfit) plane, a Seagull FW190A powered by an ASP radial converted to gasoline, and that ASP is 65 cc but it still is no powerhouse,
Your plane is about the same wingspan, by its factory specs a bit lighter than mine, but by and large pretty comparable. The Saito is, for its size, a pretty strong engine, probably fairly comparable to my ASP despite the difference in displacement, but that still means you're looking at 3 hp tops and a 20 x 8 prop at best.

It WILL fly, don't worry about that. But it will not be a power monster.

BLACCAT

Thank you 1967brutus!
The original Top Flite instruction book's "Engine Selection" recommends "34.5cc to 45cc Glow Engine" OR "41cc to 70cc Gasoline Engine" on a "soft" mount system (which I plan to use).
I am not looking to roar around the skies attempting to emmulate any war ACE. I much prefer scale flying over crazy aerobatics. At 53cc I am right in the middle of the gas power range and therefore I will be a happy flyer. Besides that, less speed will give me more time to listen to the Keleo exhaust.....Adrian at CH Ignitions made a 45 second video of my engine running on the stand. I will have to be patient and avoid rushing the build.
When I figure out how to post pics I will send along some of the build.
Best regards
BLACCAT

1967brutus

Oh, don't worry, it WILL fly, but just that you keep in mind that a 52 cc 5 cyl fourstroke is NOT equivalent to a 52 cc single cylinder 2-stroke, not by a LONG shot.
And ANY glow engine converted to gasoline will lose about 20% of its rated power on glowfuel. Instantly.

I am sure it will fly, and indeed, it will fly rather scale like WRT speed. Mine does, at least.

WRT weight and wingspan fairly comparable, probably also reasonably comparable WRT engine power. about 82" WS and appr 24 lbs.
Mind you, what's in the vid is about as "hot" as it gets. No wide loops, no steep climbouts.

For the first bolded: Forget about the softmounts. A radial does not need them, those things run as smooth as silk with near perfect balance and near "electric-like" continuous torque,

Second bolded: click "manage attachments" and the site will allow you to upload pics if they are on your device, or if your storage is hooked up to your device.