I'll be getting into giant scale in the future here and would like to not buy a known lemon. From my research; zenoah complete line is good for sport type flying, us engines is underpowered for their weight, 3w good and expensive. What about first place engines, or any others that would be inexpensive (read not cheap quality) in the 70 to 75cc range? I expect to pay a fair price, just dont want to experiment as a novice. Will be primarily warbirds until I satisfy that passion.
Edwin

Great to have you coming aboard Edwin! You will like giant scale and love gas engines. They are really nice!

I've only flown giant scale aerobatic planes, but I would be a little cautious about the warbirds. I've heard some can be quite a handful (just hear-say however).

Start with a brand name engine, such as 3W, Brison or BME (there are other good ones out there). I started with a ZDZ (it was a new engine to the U.S. at the time) and I wouldn't suggest starting with a new brand of engine. Start with a tried and true performer.

I have a 3W100 and it is a high quality engine that runs great!

Here in the Dallas area, there are a bunch of Brisons. They are made locally and if you have problems, I've heard they are very helpful.

I second the thoughs on caution with the big warbirds. I have a Zenoah G62 in a Bert Baker P47 that performs great. In addition to the above engines already mentioned, I would not discount the Fox line of big gas engines.

Vince

But, But, I love warbirds <vbg>. Especially muti-engined. Current project is a wing mfg P-38. I thought I would start with something fairly basic like a Dynaflight Decathalon. Been flyin the GP Super Decathalon off and on for a few years now. Saw a VERY nice Dynaflight at a swapmeet a few weeks back. What ya think? Didnt want to deal with retracts yet, was thinking about the 90" to 100" range for starters.
Edwin

That Dynaflite is a perfect first gasser for someone who is already an able pilot.Only problem is it needs only a very small engineEX..G23,nowhere close to the big bangers you are anticipating for your future warbirds.....I agree with all above,be careful about that leap into the high performance scale area.......they arent impossible by any means but they are some of the most challenging and expensive planes to build and they demand an educated pilot.....IMO.
Dont get discouraged just go easy.....