Hi
Have a TT .46pro + a complete flight pack (standard size Futaba) salvaged from a crashed WM Skyraider machII.
I always tried to get the Skyraider to go a s fast as possible, although it's got a thick wing profile and is slow I enjoyed the speed I could get out of it and now when it's gone I'd like to put this engine in a faster airframe.
I'm a quite new flier so I don't need crazy speed like you guys get with these extreme JETT engines and what not, I just want a fast sportplane.

-Do you guys think it's a good setup?
-What speed can I expect from the Viper + TT.46pro
-Which prop would be suitable?

The GP Viper with the TT .46 Pro will probably be in about the 120 to 125 mph range. Put a 9X7 or 9X8 APC prop on it and you'll have a fun and fast sport plane. It will be faster than the Skyraider. You might want to experiment some with the APC pylon props--8.75 and 8.8 inches in diameter with various pitches from light to heavy.

Good luck and have fun!

Thank you very much.
Appreaciated that you "extreme" speed guys take your time to answer us speed wannabies

I think I'm gonna get the Viper + a few APC 9*X props and have a go at some speed runs...

After you get your feet wet, if you want even more speed, upgrade the muffler. An Ultra Thrust or Jett Stream muffler will add as much as 1000 RPM. Or you could go with a full tuned pipe but that can be a headache.

One thing about speed planes. When I'm watching somebody else fly a fast airplane, I think to myself "man, that plane is really moving!" But when I'm on the sticks, the speed doesn't seem to be as intimidating. This could mean that my planes aren't as fast as the others right? But guys who see my planes fly make the same sort of comments. Comments like "You have the fastest plane out here today" and things like that.

Just remember to stay ahead of the plane mentally.

.

Will normal, standard servos do?
I.e do I need stronger servos than Futaba 3001/3004 to avoid flutter or to have enough power to move the V-tail at high speed?

a 3004 will be plenty for each elevator half, not sure what a 3001 is.

It will also be plenty for aileron.

Thanks Daven,,, I have the flight pack + TT.46 all prepared.
Now I just need to get the Viper to put it in

I'm sure that any speed around 100mph is gonna be crazy fast for me.
I'm used to trainers and low wing sport planes, nothing designed for speed....But I know I'll like it.
(Not interested in aerobatics or "trick" flying. I enjoy lazy figure 8's mixed with low-altitude, full throttle fly by's)

Put together the TT46 combo you mentinoed and have fun. You will enjoy it

Hey, by the way.. I just picked up the Viper from Tower, going to put a Vmax on it to see if I can get close to 130mph. Thought I'd let you know that tower has the Viper in scratch and dent for $80. Says wrinkled covering. The last time I checked, I owned a heat gun and bet you do too! Might be a way to save a few bucks for some add on's.

CR

Is there such a thing as an ARF without wrinkles? All the ones I have bought came complete with wrinkles.

MACS sells a tuned pipe header combo for the TT46 and 40. I ran one on the 40 with an 8x8 prop and some other engine mods and got 18,500 rpm on the ground.

Attach is a photo of the plane I had it on, it is scratch built and was not quite finished when the photo was taken. We estimated its speed at 140 mph.

From what I've seen and heard, the wrinkles can be quite bad on the Vipers. Also, I've heard that the covering they use is an odd material that doesn't seem to shrink well. Good Luck. I'd probably strip it, and recover myself, or better yet, fiberglass and paint.

Yup, the covering job on my Viper is one of the worst I've seen on an ARF. It's supposedly Monokote, and the spare roll of Monokote I bought when I picked the plane up at the LHS matches. Mine was covered with wrinkles. Be prepared to use high heat to get them out. Had to set my covering iron on 400 deg to get rid of most of them. There is still some " elephant skin " on the V tail I can't get rid of. Like Daven said, you may want to think about recovering or glassing and painting. The build quality on the Viper is not bad at all. Good glue joints and everythying fits pretty well.



Test005 this is my first glow powered speed plane as well. I'd be interested in how you come out with yours.

Dave