Hi,

I am waiting to get my Ultimate pitts kit from Lanier in a few days. I am almost sure that it will be a nice plane with a Saito 200 twin, but I would like to hear if someone had tried something like a Saito 300 in this plane, if the cylinders will be out too much from the cowl (I dont have the plans yet), if you think it is extremely heavy for it, or simple if I am too crazy...but let me finish saying that the Super Stinker from Midwest which is almost the same size and kind of plane calls for a 45cc four strokes (2,7). Also, as a rule you must add 30 to the recommended two stroke engine, in this specific case, 220 plus 30 = 250 not 184 as Lanier esp. written below.

What do you think, in general? Even if you do not have a direct experience but have some advice to share.

Basic Espc:

Fuselage Length 58-1/2"
Wing Span 60 1/4 "
2 stroke Eng: .91 - 2.2
4 Stroke Eng: 1.20 - 1.84
Flying weight 10 - 14 lbs

Yes, it is too much, too wide, I think I am going to use the Saito 200, but I still open to hear any advice.

Thank you all for you comments...

I framed up a lanier ultimate pitts and plannned on using a saito 180. This plane build pretty light, so I think a 300 twin would be over kill, and I am very power hungary! This plane was prolly designed around a 120 size four stroke, so I would think that by putting a 300 twin in it your wing loading would suffer some, you might have balance issues, and the cylinders prolly would stick out the cowl.

I was thinking to use the same engine as yours, but now I have the option to get a Saito 200 or 182. I think it would be more adequate than the other big twin. I do not have the kit yet, so I am not able to see at the plans. Could you please tell me how wide is the cowl at the middle (more or less). I am in Denmark, and I have to order the mayor things by e mail as we do not have a big market here, so it would be nice if you can help me to have an idea.
The Saito 182 is not so heavy, but I suspect it has less power than the Saito 180. On the other hand, the Saito 200 should have the same power as Saito 180 but weights more. That is my dilemma. Do you think it will balance well with your Saito 180 or it may need more weight in order to balance properly?

Thank you in advance.

Alejandro

I have a Lanier Ultimate pitts with a Fuji Bt 32 gas engine. This engine is 4lbs and my all up flying weight is 14lbs. This is not the best preforming engine for this plane but it is cheap to fly, and power is reasonable. Weight is an issue though, and it's wing loading is a bit high for this size of plane. It flys OK but not as light as I was hoping. Lose power and it drops fast. Landing speed is a little high but acceptable and it has no bad habits or stalls. It just sinks without air speed.

I think the Saito 180 would be great in this setup if you don't mind the cost of glow. I love the 4 stroke sound!!!!! It would easly come out at 11 to 12 pounds with this engine. The Saito 200 may be heavy, what does that weigh? However no more than my Fuji I am sure.

The width of the cowl at about mid point is 7 3/4 inches.

When I built mine I put the elevator servos in the tail to offset the weight of the engine. This worked out very well. I also lowered the gear mounting plate as it sits very high up in the fuselage. This way the bottom wing is not so close to the ground and I think it looks better.

If I was going to do it again I would go with the Saito 180, or a larger 2 stroke like the OS 160.

Hi Endoman,

The saito 200 weights 3.22 lbs (1460 gr), and the Fuji 32, 3.75 lbs (1700 gr) so the difference is about 0,5 lbs (240 gr.) Do you think it will make a real favorable difference? . I would like to have a twin on it, so my next choice is the Saito 182 that weights 2,3 lbs (1040 gr) . If you were in this situation which one you will place in your actual plane? I think the Saito 182 has a little less power than the Saito 180, do you think it is going to fly well with this one instead of the Saito 200.?
I really appreciate your comments, I am taking notes about what you have done with the landing year, I think it is very wise.

According to Horizon:
Saito 200 3bhp 1460gr
Saito 182 2,5 - 2,8 bhp 1040gr (not so sure about 2.8)

Hi Alejando,

The Fuji 32 weighs 4lbs once you include muffler, prop bolt and washer, and mount. That said I would imagine that the weights you gave for the Saito at 2.3 lbs would be at least 1.5 lbs lighter than the Fuji. Thats a big difference.

If your heart is really set on a four stroke twin I would go with the Saito 182. That engine makes just as much power as the Fuji I think in that it makes more tork. The Fuji can turn a 18-8 prop but it needs to rev to do it. If you over load this engine it labours more than the Saito would.

The Saito 200 is an inline twin which I think would look funny in this type of plane. However the Saito 182 would look very scale and if the plane came out at 12 lbs it would fly very well. Also power would be truly unlimited and hovering would be reasonable at about 3/4 throttle I think. The Saito 300 would be overkill in this plane in my opinion, and you would be sacrificing wingloading over performance.

Also when I built my pitts I covered it in fabric, if you use film type coverings you will save another 1/5 lbs. Also I would not recomend putting the servos for the elevators in the tail. It would become tail heavy. Just move your battery back until you get it to balance.

Good luck in your choices.

Hi Endoman
I have ordered a Saito 182 already. I am with you about the looking and also about the power. The Saito 200 weights more than 0.9 lb (400 grs.) than the Saito 182 and this additional weight could offset any advantage in power.
Yes, I am going to use separate servos for the elevators, but at the front of the plane.
This Saito 182 is only 0.35 lbs heavier than the single 180 so I think even if it may have less power, it must be enough for it, apart from the great scale looking and sound.
All your comments has been very helpful.
Thank you very much .