Cybertom

Robart R780 Availability

As of today Robart has about 8-outstanding orders for the R780 Radial engine. If you placed an order today realistic delivery would be fall next year. Robart has purchased new machine equipment for building the R780. They are in the process of bringing work they outsourced back in-house. This is the reason for the delay in shipping. There are NO oustanding orders going back 2-years.

Source: Brian of Robart Manufacturing.

Aluminum Overcast

Unfortunately, I have a hard time believing anything Robart says these days. I got the same story from Brian as well. I have wheels on order from this spring and all I hear when I call is they are working on them now and expect to ship next week.....B.S. for months!

the Gnome

Steve, Mr. Seidel told me that he made such deco purpose engines for some customers on special request after the BREITLING job, so there may be some more. After I informed him about the ebay "engine" You've bought, he was very angry about the fishy description and obviously did not want to tell the exact number of deco ST726 he sold.

Regarding the radial engines manufacturers, here is another one in germany: www.standar-engines.de

gnome

Holm und Rippenbruch

the Gnome

AluminumOvercast or others, do You know whether Replica Engines do have the same problems with delivery? I would like to purchase a GNOME (ha, ha) Monosoupape and really want to try to fly with it, probably a Bleriot, because it could be built with very low weight.

gnome

Holm und Rippenbruch

stevesak

My Feedback: (27)

The Robart story is starting to make sense now.

My source with the order that was purportedly about 2 years outstanding happens to be from one of the outsourced suppliers. He said that he received an RFQ to build some parts, the quote was given but then the order never came.

If the parts sourcing is moving in-house, then the RFQ was for comparison's sake. In-house must have "won" the bid. Out of curiosioty, I wonder how long ago the first of the eight outstanding orders was placed..... I'm not saying this to be a stinker.... I would like to buy one, but would really like to know when I might expect to take delivery. (The used market is very scarce, with only 3-5 passing through RCU or ebay--one being a fraudulent ad).

I'm just saying that the USA is not a viable source for Radial engines right now. Surely Marc Linville of Technopower will have his prototype(s) running the way that he wants it, and will start to fill orders soon, but I wouldn't count on it until the order start shipping.... I suspect that he is taking on the challenge of fulfilling all of the requests to repair or retrofit many of Wally and Elmer's engines.

Like you cybertom, my story is that Marc of TP told me 6 months ago that if he can perfect his cam ring, then engines will start shipping in 3 months... Ive already spent my money, and will start to save for my TP when they start shipping.

Same goes with Robart. I've found that time estimations from smaller companies (as opposed to the really big ones like OS and Saito) are not reliable. They have the very best of intentions when they communicate a time-frame, but often don't have the battle-tested manufacturing process to be able to deliver when promised (or the funds to do it...)

Gnome-- That makes sense to me. Just everyone watch out for these "Fake" Seidels that are now circulating, like the one now listed on ebay.de The description of this one is even more fishy than the one that got me.

stevesak

My Feedback: (27)

Gnome... The Replica Engines story is another story indeed!

First and formost, the RE philosphy was to build only 100 of each of their engines. RE was formed by Wally Warner (First USA owner of Technopower!) and his son, Scott.

When I bought my RE 1/4 Gnome here on RCU, I emailed them asking about Fuel, Ignition, Props, etc... The response (from Scott) took a month or two and was not helpful... Prices were way off the charts (250% higher than stated on the web site for the prop). He did, however, answer the fuel question.

Later, I found that Wally Retired and the company is now basically defunct. They never completed the run for their last project (the Aurora V8)... making something like 12 or 25 Aurora engines in total. That being said, I think that if Scott has anything left in stock, he will sell it to you, but I don't think that web site has been updated in 4-5 years and the pricing and availabililty is all wrong. Basically, he will sell it for as much as he can get away with......

To quote the webiste about the Harley Knucklehead engine... "Our license agreement with Harley ends 12/31/2004 after which production will end...... If you've been thinking about purchasing now would be the time." (this shows us that the last time somebody touched the website was probably in '04).

As a side note, I think that the Gnome is sold out.

Sorry that my resonse isn't a positive one, but I'm pretty sure this is another version of "Dad build the company and his son destroyed it"

I am sill in contact with Wally from time to time and he still builds some very nice engines. I try not to ask about the status of Replica Engines, because when I first met him throught the email, I inquired and he flatly told me that he's retired from the company and to talk to Scott. I just let it be at that point.

--->Steve

(Please take the telling of this story with a grain of salt. Info was gatered from many different sources and nothing was corraborated. My opinion of Scott is only based upon one experience/communication so forgive me if I have misrepresented him with this post).

the Gnome

Thank You for the information, Steve! Hm, another dream seems to be gone, there are some people here in germany building running rotary models of diverse full scale types as their hobby, but these are very heavy and not intended to put them in a flying model. Tese engines are very scale, regarding the materials too, perhaps I should take a plan of them and replace most of the steel by aluminum, but I really worry about the time such a project will take, it took about 2 years to just finish the Standar seven radial I once bought as a half finished engine.

gnome

Holm und Rippenbruch

Cybertom

Status of Technopower 9C Engine Batch

I just got off the phone with Marc at Technopower. We spoke for about 20-minutes and here is what he had to say:

He is finishing work on the 1st batch (30-engines) of the 9C series. He has 2-workhorse engines with over 35-hours of run-time on them and the rest are for filling customer orders. He has decided to stay with the original Brass Bushing for the Cam Ring over the Needle Bearings configuration which would have saved him time and money but wasn't as durable as the Brass Bushing.

Customers who have had outstanding orders for several years will have them filled during the next 3-6 months. Mark will have enough components in his 1st 2-production runs to build over 60-9C engines. After that he is going to have a production runs of the smaller 7-cylinder engines.

stevesak

My Feedback: (27)

That Great News!

I think that I'm no 52 or so on the list, so I'll be sure to start stashing away the money for my 9C by Marc! (I thought that the 9Bs were next.... no?)

I'm not suprised about the cam ring. I've always had the impression that Marc has paid close attention to the details. He wants his engines to be perfect. (Good things come to those who wait!)

--->Steve

Ram-bro

My Feedback: (101)

with all this news on the cost and availiabilty of radials, I should put mine in the bank. Its worth its weight in gold. It sounds like they have trippled in value since mine was purchased....shoulda bought 3 of them.

Kmot

My Feedback: (24)

I'm glad I got my ASP 400 when I did. I don't think I will ever be able to purchase another radial unless mana from heaven falls in my lap.

Kmot

My Feedback: (24)

Check this out fella's:

http://www.jetmodelproducts.com/

Ram-bro

My Feedback: (101)

its amazing that one engine(RCS) can garner that much interest that even the jet guys will be designingplanes around it. I wonder what BVM will come out with now. At 90LBS...whew smply amazing

chasrb

90 lbs! Wow... Here in the US we'd have to get a special exception to fly that, yes? Too big for me to fly, but I'd love to see one fly!

NM2K

My Feedback: (14)

------------------


I tried to buy the ASP 400 radial just a day or two after you bought yours. The price had already risen above $1,000 from your $800 purchase price in just a few days.

After seeing the OS R5 go up $500 overnight, I immediately ordered the Saito R5 and bought a used R3. I'm glad I did, even though the Saito prices have stayed pretty much the same. As it turns out, I'm glad I ended up with the Saito instead of the OS. But, being a geezer with a bad memory, I forget what I read about the OS that made me feel that way. <G>

Thanks for posting vids of your engine Kmot. Very good for keeping the enthusiasm up.


Ed Cregger

Kmot

My Feedback: (24)

Another candidate for the ASP400, if you are into building your models. I asked about the TopFlite Stinson cowling and Bax has answered. It is 9-9/16" diameter. The ASP400 is ~8.5" so that leaves plenty of room.

Ram-bro

My Feedback: (101)

Kmot, you are always on the ball. You should start a thread just askiing that question. What airplanes would fit the 400? or how about this,in line with the SPARTAN movie, "400" this is a good way to fly......having a lil fun. Never considered the STinson though....

nilsreinert123

Good idea ! i am looking for a plane for my 400 , and it would have been an interesting topic!

Kmot

My Feedback: (24)

I have. A couple times. Never really got any direct answers. More answers actually came in this thread!

From what I have garnered, the ASP/Magnum 400 will fit or has already been used in the following airplanes:

Aeroworks Stearman ARF

Pac Aero giant Gee Bee Y ARF

Ultra RC/CMP giant scale Zero ARF

Ziroli Skyraider kit

Top Flite Stinson kit

As for "rolling yer own", if you can build then the sky's the virtual limit. There are numerous full scale aircraft (mostly biplanes) that used 5 cylinder radial engines. Just get a set of plans and start cutting wood. Or even if the full scale used more cylinders, if you can build it then just scale it to fit the ASP 400.

Ram-bro

My Feedback: (101)

Oh Kmot, you give up to easy......

NM2K

My Feedback: (14)

GP Giant Aeromaster, while it lasts.


Ed Cregger

Ram-bro

My Feedback: (101)

hey guys I did make a post in giant scale models asking this question...

nilsreinert123

http://forum.modelisme.com/p809891-10-12-2006-1829.html

And this one is a pretty cool candidate for the 400 ,made by Jamara. cost about 450 euro. It is very light ,(about 4kg)and has a wing are of 93 sqdm.

This is one of the few planes that the producer (Jamara) actually suggest the ASP 400 engine to be used.

Kmot

My Feedback: (24)

The problem, as I see it, locating a suitable model for the ASP400 engines is that almost no one gives the dimensions of the cowl. If we could learn how large the cowl is, we could compile a list of models.

Most radial engine powered airplanes are short coupled. So the heavy weight of the ASP400 is not a hindrance in virtually all giant scale airplanes, imho. Unless you want a 3D which is built as light as a feather. So if we know that the engine will comfortably fit inside the cowl, chances are the wing of the model will support it.

I think a 1/3 radial Pitts would be great!

Sandman Norway

Dont forget to ad Sist FW-190A8, (1:5 scale) to the list over models that will fit the ASP-400..
And with its short nose, it REALLY need the weight up front..

Best regards
Sandman