SpinnerRow

A big nitro motor does sound good, I'll give ya that. Reminds of the big bore 2-stroke motocross bikes of the 70s.

The gas smell is a downer but I have a truck so I don't notice it. Drain the tank before you pack up to go home.

Flying a warbird off of a grass field means I get the occasional nose over if the wind picks the tail up just riight. With my old Saito 1.00 on there, I either have to go get the plane and bring it to the starter and glow driver or bring the starter and glow driver to the plane. With my DLE 20 powered P-51, I just walk out and flip it once and I'm off again.

I don't mess with extra switches or batteries as I power everything off on a single A123 battery using a diode between the battery and ignition optical kill to drop the voltage down a bit for the ignition module. With an opto-kill, a switch on the transmitter turns the ignition on/off.

The one drawback I do see with a DLE 20 (and even this isn't a biggie) and the size plane this engine needs to go in, is where to put the ignition box. My solution thus far has been to put the fuel tank back (usually half the size of a glow tank anyway) on the CG so that balance doesn't change as the fuel is consumed and put the ignition where the fuel tank would have been.

A properly tuned gasser won't dead stick on you either and you don't have the fuel delivery problems that nitros are finicky about. Gasser's have a pumper carb.

In the case of a DLE 20, an OS 1.20AX isn't lighter or more powerful.

Whistling Death

That is quite true of this hobby.
As whole though most people like the economy and cleanliness of gas engines. I doubt you will ever see a resurgence of glow. The money is against it.

a1pcfixer

My Feedback: (7)

If done while drunk AND in low light, the results could be scary![&:]

pe reivers

I fly both engine types. for me the gasser means:
pro's
No kickback when starting
No starting problems in the cold
No slimey planes and oil creeping into everything.
No dirty oily hands when handling the plane
Less vibration, longer plane life.
Excellent low rpm pulling power
Readily available fuel.
cons
engine is more complex, new tricks to master
slightly less power per cu-inch
harder to use with iso-mounts.

In all day life, the gasser wins hands down for sizes 20cc and more. 15cc is twilight zone.

SpinnerRow

Hey! [:-] Is the low light comment a way of calling me ugly without actually saying the words!

Speedy-Gonzales

My Feedback: (202)

I fly gassers and glow but am really anticipating the release of any gasser that will turn 25K and produce 3 HP per .40 cu. in. of engine displacement!

We still love ya Henry and Dub!!!

SPEEDY

jessiej

No better, no worse. Gas, glow, electric, turbines, each have uses. It is up to the individual to choose which provides the most enjoyment for his whim of the moment. The most fortunate enjoy them all. Some choose to narrow their options.

jess

michaelj878

My Feedback: (6)

forgot to mention one good thing about the rush to gas engines, there are some exellent bargains to be had on used large glow engines!!!!!!!!!

a1pcfixer

My Feedback: (7)

Umm....errr....I'm gonna drink the fifth on that one.
Or is it plead a fifth?[&:]

a1pcfixer

My Feedback: (7)

Which also shows up with Saito & O.S. coming out with their versions of these smaller gassers.....loss of market share (glow -to- gas).

scaleman57

My Feedback: (23)

Ive been flying RC for30 years I have flown the big 2 stroke glows for the first 20 years,then went over to the 4 strokes. Now I fly mostly gas DLE Zenoah and DA.I enjoy the simplicity of gas after you break them in no more adjustments.The fuel costs compared to glow is a fraction of the price.I must admit I still fire up the big Saito 180s and 220s the power is good andreliability is excellent, but I go through a gallon of glow fuel in 2or 3 flights at $22 per gallon.So after I get my nitro fix I put away the nitros and back to the gassers. Just my 2 cents Merry Christmasto all RCU members.Hope you find that Giant Scalebird under the tree!

edh13

My Feedback: (9)

Being a ballistic pattern enthusiast I loath 4 strokes. But THAT is the coolest sounding thing I've heard outside of Reno! Unbelievable!!

dbacque

My Feedback: (3)

Dude, choose what kind of power you want and fly it but don't claim it's "better" than what I fly.

I love glow engines. From .010 to 1.20, two stroke, four stroke, I love them all. If I had even bigger planes I'd have even bigger glow engines. I don't fly gas but it's only because I don't care to. I get great power from glow and I feel like the cost to fun ratio of glow fuel is well within my means. You want to talk addiction? I've been hooked on glow fuel for over 45 years. Nothing in this world makes me feel better than the smell of glow/castor exhaust.

Have you fallen in love with gas? Man, that's great! Burn all the gasoline you can. Enjoy the heck out of it. Fly until your face hurts from smiling. But why do you want others to help you decide which is "better"? Better is whatever makes you happy.

Bottom line, fly what you like and don't ask silly questions.

Dave

Speedy-Gonzales

My Feedback: (202)

Here we go again!

SigMan

My Feedback: (21)

have you ever tried a Saito ?

captinjohn

What size Saito? I had a .56 & a .80>>>>both nice engines.

wahoo

My Feedback: (59)

Radial all the way for me !!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s6rPJ473Gfs

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oHfvbxim2_o

edh13

My Feedback: (9)

I think these are all the same guy...

Sport_Pilot

Angus still makes nitro in the US. They sell to the RC hobby but will not sell to the drag racers. However Angus is much more expensive than the Chinese nitro.

SigMan

My Feedback: (21)

best ive ever seen and heard.. wow!

blhollo2

My Feedback: (278)

im ole greg[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eIInySnQe4I[/youtube]

on_your_six

My Feedback: (11)

Am I the only one that saw this?

charlie1960

lot of folks do that.

OliverJacob

My Feedback: (12)

Since Ihad some inteference from my ignition controller, Istrictly separate ignition and receiver circuits. My optical kill switch gave me problems, too.
I am surprised that this works. I'd rather add some weight to my planes. All my gassers have separate ignition batterys.

dgholmes59

Ijust started flying last September, so my experience is limited.Ihave one gasser, Wild Hare Extra 260 30% with DLE55 andhave been flying it for approx. 6 months. I prefer the gasser when I wantto simplify my day of flying. Don'thave to take so much stuff, but it does take a lot more room to transport.My opinion on gassersis:

Pros
1. The larger size is much easier to see
2. Cost very little to fly on $3/gal. fuel vs. $20 for nitro
3. The amount of equipment to take to the field with you is much less. Almost as easy as electric
4. The larger size handles a wider range of airfields such as grass and grass with holes.
5. Flys a very long time on a tank of gas
6. Very easy to fly. This was a surprise to me. Larger does fly easier. I willnever forget my first flight and how easy it was.
7. No nitro (oil)mixed with dirt on my right pants leg.
8. NO CLEANUP!!!! Best part at the end of the day.
9. The reaction every kid has when they see the big plane!!! They absolutely love them. This is true for many adults as well.

Cons
1. The larger size makes it much more difficult to store and transport. It just barely fits diagonally in my truck. With 2 more electrics and 7 nitro planes, my garage does has no more room for another big gasser.
2. The gas smell on my hands. Hard to get off. Nitro washes off better.
3. Servos, engines, props, etc. expensive with the bigger size.
4. A lot more nervous when flying in the beginning due to the bigger size
5. Needs a larger airfield area
6. Really safer to operate with another person with you, so I prefer to fly with someone else. A little intimidating, cranking it by hand by yourself.
7. Takes large workstand and area to work on at home.