ok question is 2 stroke engine or 4 stroke engine for rc airplanes.... and why
thanks to all
Jon

It's hard to answer without knowing the type of plane. Shrike, diamond dust, patriot, etc the answer would be 2 stroke. Piper Cub, Tiger Moth, etc, the answer would be 4 stroke.

I say "get both, you can never have too many engines!"

But seriously, it's horses for courses.

I have some 2-strokes and I have some 4-strokes.

Some say that 4-strokes sound nicer -- but I think they just sound "different". The sound of a hot 2-stroke coming onto the pipe is every bit as nice as a big thumper to me.

I like 4-strokers for 3D and for warbirds. On a 3D ship they offer unrivaled throttle response and instant power. On a warbird they *do* sound more realistic than a 2-stroker.

However, on just about everything else I'd go for a 2-stroke every time. That throw-around sports model suits a 2-stroke engine because they're low-maintenance and really tough -- oh, and they're also much cheaper than 4-strokes.

2-strokes are also probably better for beginners because they won't spit a prop off in your face, don't need quite so much love and attention, and are less likely to require expensive repairs if you crash them.

As I said at the start -- horses for courses -- just get ten of each!

I own all three, two stroke, four stroke, and electric planes.

Hello; My feeling is that the rest of the world uses four strokes almost exclusively. Two strokes have had their day, but 4 stroke technology has advanced to the point where there is no advantage to two strokes. Maybe cost. Another thing; all engines are mounted in vibration absorbing mounts in nearly every application, but not for model airplanes. I always use some kind of vibration absorbing mount for my 4 strokes (if at all possible) to protect the airframe from the harmful effects of vibration. If the rest of the world does it, it must be good. I have had good results with two strokes, but I think that four strokes are more evolved.

I like the 2 strokes simply because their cheaper, and have fewer moving parts.

Brad

Four strokes are more evolved? I attached 2 pictures, you tell me which is more evolved. One is capable of over 5 HP and can run 23,000 to 27,000 RPMs without blowing up. The other has a 1/3 larger displacement and only develops 1.6 HP.

Are you sure 4 strokes have the worldwide corner on the market that you think they do? For many, price is the biggest inhibitor against them. I like 2 strokes because they are typically less money, have less moving parts, and are lighter for the same amount of power. I like 4 strokes because they are quieter, more fuel efficient, and turn larger props at slower speeds.

I like the four strokes. I use the 2 stroke though due to cost. I don't own any planes that I want to helicopter with but if i did I'm sure that it could be done with a two stroke. It's a cost issue for me.

I don´t own any 2t any more
I hav Saito 40a,56,82a,100 100ti and OS91
i like them al.
Lars Lindstrom

I did have 55 two strokes and one four stroke, now I have pretty much transitioned to four strokes. For me and my type of flying, anymore the throttle ability of the four stroke fits my needs better. The noise is much less irritating.
[hr]
TWO STROKES:
K&B 61 CF LEE
Super Tiger G61
Super Tiger G90 (2)
OS 46FX (2)
[hr]
FOUR STROKES:
Magum/ASP 61 (2)
Magnum/ASP 65
Magnum/ASP 91
Magnum/ASP 120
OS 26
OS 52 (3)
OS 70 Surpass II
OS 91 Surpass I
Saito 50 (2)
Saito 56
Saito 65
Saito 72
Saito 80
Saito 91S (3)
Saito 100 (2)
Saito 150
[hr]
TWO STROKE GAS
Homelite 30
Wolf predator 1.8
McColluch 32/C-H (2)
Ryobi 31
[hr]

Most of the time, I use a four-stroke engine. I just like them better, that's why. But I still use two-strokes and even buy new ones, now and then.

For my area of interest, 4 stroke is the engine of choice for me. I only wish there were more geared engines in both glow and gas.

Scott

I voted fourstroke but in reality I fly fourstrokes and two stroke Diesels about evenly divided. A fourstroke Diesel looms in the future somewhere, its only a matter of time.

120 and below 4strokes

bigger than that 2 stroke gas motors

All my glow engines are 4-strokes (99% are YS). Both of my gas engines are 2-strokes. I like the looks, sound, and throttle response of a 4-stroke glow engine better than its 2-stroke counterpart.

Hello; I guess that I didn't make it clear enough what I meant by "the rest of the world", what I meant was that at one time you could buy two stroke motorcycles, lawnmowers, even cars. Now even weed whackers are four stroke, gen sets, outboard motors, even trials bikes are four stroke. My Honda lawn mower has an overhead cam.

I do concede that two strokes as less expensive, but except for power saws, they are becoming rare.

thanks for all your inputs.... it really helps...

EPA air pollution regulations more than anything else is what has killed two stroke motorcycles etc. Even off highway engines are coming under the gun.

I use both, the two stokes work as well most of the time. I noticed that most people voted for the four strokes, but at almost all the fields I have gone to, you will see more two strokes than four strokes. I guess the differance is price.

In England the modeller has the dieselengine and will say this dieselengine are "The poor man's 4 stroke engine"

Jens Eirik

There is nothing rational about the engines I use or the planes I build. I like two strokes for no other reason than the sound and smell has been imprinted on my brain from the days of my youth, just like the smell of a Christmas tree.
I have a .26 four stroke too, for no other reason than the novelty of such a tiny engine.


Reasons? We don't need no stinkin' reasons! This is a HOBBY!!