Sterling Greatlakes Trainer Engine selection
 

Hello everyone

First I would like to add thanks for the help on my Goldberg P6-E Hawk I flew it for the first time it flew right off the building board. For a OS.20 for power it took a lot of run way to get off ground a scale take off. Landing was smooth too.

Okay next question for you U-Controllers out there, I have here a kit I bought back in 1972 of the Sterling Greatlakes trainer, Calls for again 19 to 35 engines. I have a OS .15 I have not installed it yest does it have enough power to fly my Greatlakes ?. I would surmise it would prably fly slower the plane is all done except for engine installation. I,mm trying to make good use of my smaller engines i wqould hate to waste them around my house collecting dust. Thanks agine folks

Frank

RE: Sterling Greatlakes Trainer Engine selection
 

Remembering back to my u-control days, it seems to me the .15 might have a hard time keeping the line tight enough. I'm not familiar with your plane but I would go with at least the minimum recommended engine. I've had a plane vear to the inside before. Nothing like running from the plane you got by the wires.
Edwin

RE: Sterling Greatlakes Trainer Engine selection
 

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In 1966, while in the USAF, a friend of mine built Sterling's Fokker D7. I think that was in the same size range as your kit. My friend did a beautiful job of building it using silk and dope for covering and finish. But, I was dismayed when I saw the engine he had chosen to build around and into the nose of the model. It was a McCoy Bluhead .19 R/C engine. He had also made a throttle control setup that was actuated by a spring loaded bellcrank, utilizing a single line for control.

That McCoy .19 was a bear to hand start and no one had electric starters back then. I was elected to test fly the model. After finally getting the brand new engine started and adjusted, I picked up the handle to throttle up and takeoff. I didn't think it would get off the ground and I hated to see such a beautiful model destroyed on the initial flight, but my friend insisted that I fly it.

I pulled the throttle trigger and the model began rolling. It may have taken a complete lap, but it eventually lifted off and flew extremely well, but not fast. It was not a windy weather flyer, but it flew really well. That was with the engine set up very rich for break-in too.

So, do I think your PT-17 will fly with a .15 up front for power? Well, if the engine is strong and broken-in and if you build the model light and use shorter than normal control lines, yes, I think your model has a chance of flying. But I wouldn't try it in much of a wind.


Ed Cregger

RE: Sterling Greatlakes Trainer Engine selection
 

Control line flying and the smell of burning castor, ahh what pleasant memories. Your .15 will fly your trainer but as Ed indicated it will possibly be marginal with very little if allowance for error. A good idea would be to take the OS .20 from the Hawk and put in your C/L model, sell the OS .15 (or possibly trade) and buy a good second hand .40 size engine to keep costs down for the Hawk.

Karol