I have a new project I would like to try. I would like to convert the Goldberg Chipmunk 400 to glow. Maybe a .049 or .061 would do the trick. But would like to see what the more glow experienced think.

http://www.carlgoldbergproducts.com/chipmunk400.htm

Don't want a speed plane, but if it will fly stable I can handle it.

I know I will have to build a better firewall and fuel proof the wood.

Leaning more towards the Norvel engines, but the AP's seem to be a good value if I do the mandatory cleaning and bolt check before starting.

Just want options and opinions. Possible props, glow fuel %


See ya,
Rod

Go for the Norvel

Rod:

I'd stay away from the AP engines, they seem to be inconsistent. My own experience was in buying some of their glow heads when the Norvel parts were in short supply. Some would fit OK, others had to be cut slightly before they would even go in place.

In the Norvel line, the 0.049 engines seem to be disappearing, the 0.061s are still available. The real powerhouse of the Norvel line is the 0.074, but that's probably 'way too much engine for the plane.

If I were doing it, in soite of the Norvel being the more conventional design I'd go for a Cox reedy engine. Simple, can be had cheaply, thousands of them around, and they are reliable. The only thing that is a bear with a Cox is throttling. If you're willing to blast away for two or three minutes and then glide back the Cox reedy can't be beaten.

Milton Dickey, "Dickeybird" on RCU, has a modification to the Cox Tee Dee series engines that throttles nicely. Go to the 1/8A and 1/2A forum to contact him. His "Dickeybird" engine is an alternative to the Norvel for a throttled engine.

Other opinions?

Bill.

I will try the Norvel .061. Should have the plane in a day or two. Then I can see what I will need to do for the motor swap.

What would be a good choice for a prop that would give good performance and not be a rocket?[X(] I don't want a plane that is a lot of work to fly. Nice and steady at half throttle and still have enough left over for aerobatics.

See ya,
Rod

You can also try an OS 10 LA 2str. engine!
I think a good choice for you CG plane!

[link=http://www.osengines.com/engines/la.html]OS LA SERIES[/link]

Kostas:

The OS 10 is a great engine for a plane that doesn't need much power, but does need a lot of nose weight.

Many practical tests have shown the Norvel 0.074 to be not only lighter, but much more powerful than the OS 10. See comments in the 1/8 and 1/2A forum about the two engines.
--------------------------
Rod:

A 6x4 or 7x3 would be the props to try first. A nice thing about these little engines is that anyone can afford a good selection of props.

Bill.

Would the same go for the TT .10 and .07 engines. I have heard both good and bad about the .07 but nothing about the TT .10.

SP:

The TT engines seem to be pretty good overall, but in the 0.07 and 0.01 sizes they look to be a non-starter. There is almost no mention of them in the 1/8 and 1/2A forum.

Looks like the Norvel 0.074 has stomped the competition into the ground.

Bill.

Well after receiving the kit today and looking it over, it will take major reconstruction to do the engine swap. There is very little original firewall to start with. And motor stick is already glued in and it also serves as a hatch pin to hold canopy and hatch on the plane. So, I may try and use the norvel on something else, as I already have it purchased. And there is little wood to glue a new firewall to, the planes fuse has been lightened at every possible spot. Even up in the nose area. It will still be a great plane with brushless power.

Thanks for all the tips. At least I will have another glow engine to tinker with.

See ya,
Rod

The TT .10 is a clone of the FP .10. I understand the TT .07 runs real well but is not a high revver. Uses a larger prop at slower speed than the Norvel. That is why I thougt it might be a good one for this application. But I have no first hand experiance other than a fellow modeler who used one on a small autogyro.

Hm,you are right!

Been having ideas, I could get one of the new mini ultra sticks for the norvel. I saw one fly on a geared brushless and it flew alot like the bigger ones. Fast or slow, didn't seem to have any issues.

And it would be very easy to do the swap. The kit comes with two different firewall options for the electric motor.

Plus I always loved the look of the classic "red baron' colors on the ugly stiks and may even try to recover the mini stick in the classic colors. Would be really neat.

See ya,
Rod

Rod:

Sometime in the future you might get a second 0.061. Plane in the picture has a pair of AMD 0.061 engines, almost the same as the Norvel engine.

Beforfe you ask, it's scratch built. My own design all the way. and it is the plane in my avatar.

Bill.

Bill,

Are you sure it's AMD?

Before Revlite, both the Norvel AME and Big Mig looked like that. The Big Mig .049/.061 were switched to Revlite, but (I THINK) the AME stayed with the chrome liner in the small sizes. The "E" in AME is a Russian letter, I believe.

George

George:

We've had this discussion before on RCU. The first two letters are definitely "AM," no question. The third letter is the "Almost Delta" of the Cyrillic alphabet, one thing it definitely is not is an "E."

Norvel got the AME from the English translation of the factory name, roughly "Aero Model Engine."

Bill.

Did a search and the search feature doesn't seem to like short terms like OS or .10. But the few comments I have seen seem to indicate that the LA .10 is not a high revver but does turn a 8-3 with enough velocity to have more power than the Norvel .07 with its smaller props. But as I said "seem to indicate". I have an old old timer Model Craft Hornet free flight that I would like to convert to R/C. I have a Fox .15 but it is on another plane and may not be available. But I am thinking it is too big for this plane. It has a 48" wing span and most seem to power them with glow engines from .09 to .12 size. Don't know when I will get around to building it though.

Cool plane Bill. Is it modeled after anything in particular? Don't know yet what I will use the norvel on. I just picked up one of the mini ultra sticks and they are super easy to assemble. I got it home at 4:30 and finished assembly at 9:00. It is ready to test fly.

The only glue (thick CA) used on the entire plane is installing the firewall. Everything else is bolt on, even the tail end. It looks just like my larger .40 size stick. Too bad they aren't both covered the same. Don't think I will try and recover the mini. It just wouldn't be right to ruin this neat little plane if I make a mistake.

I am getting plans for a smaller stik plane and will try to build one later. It will be a neat project.

See ya,
Rod

Rod:

Quote:

Is it modeled after anything in particular?

I'm insulted. I took a slight liberty with the scale, butdo you really not see the F7F Tigercat there? It is far enough off that I do call i Tiggerkitty" instead of Tigercat.

Bill.

Here's an AME .049 (.8cc) mounted on a Norvel tank with starter spring.

George

[b]George:

And the AMD (delta) shows clearly in your picture.

The most obvious difference between my pair and current is the muffler outlet - mine go straight to th rear instead of poking out to the side. This did let me run the exhault to the rear of the nacelles, keeping the plane a bit cleaner.

Bill.

Sorry Bill. Not familiar with all the different makes and models yet. Still a good looking plane. I think you did a darn fine job on your "tigerkitty". That's why I asked, I thought it looked like something I had saw. Just couldn't place it.

I've started building the Chipmunk. Saw one today at the flying field and it was plenty fast with brushless electric. Looks great in the air.

I will eventually fine a project for the Norvel.

See ya,
Rod

The Norvel 061 arrived today. Neat little engine. Needs cleaning but looks to be in great shape. Compression feels good. I don't want to turn it over much until I get it cleaned up. But should be a fun project.

See ya,
Rod