Recently bought an OS LA65 (new) from local hobby shop at a super price. I also happen to have a Sr. Falcon kit on hand. Would the LA65 be a good match with the Sr. Falcon? If not, can anyone recommend a good airplane for this engine?

That should be a terrific match. I'd say go for it! The Protege .60 would also be a great choice.

Besides the Sr. Falcon, I've considered the Protege, or a 4*60. Thanks for the recommendation!

G'day The Four Star 60 is a great aeroplane. Mine started out with a Saito 72 which I think would be similar to your LA65 and it now has a Saito100 because my son said the Saito 72 was not strong enough. Actually it was strong enough for me but not for him! Mine (which is in the little picture to the left) is a kit built version with Solatex covering to help it last a while. The 4* builds very easily and flies really well too. When my Saito 100 tried to fall out recently (loose mounting bolts now held with thread locker) it caused the throttle to no longer go to idle and as a result I had to putter around until the fuel ran out. When it did, I was amazed at how well the Four Star glided and how long it took to loose height to land. Actually, it was probably the best landing I had ever done with it. A friend is currently putting together the ARF version. He is not too impressed though as the fit of the two halves of the wing is quite poor. Out by about 1/4 inch at the centre and more than 1/8 at the tips. All the best. Michael

Yes, I've heard many good things about the 4* planes. As tempting as it is, I'll probably build the Sr. Falcon first (as I already have this kit), then work on a 4*60 (kit version). Thanks for the head's up on the quality problems of the ARF...would rather build anyway! Mike, I noticed your 4* is yellow .... happens to be my color of preference (I can actually SEE my planes)

I also have one of the first Four Star 60 Arf's and it was probably the poorest ARF I've ever assembled. But it flies great and hasn't been any problem since assembly/

G'day I like Yellow. I can see it. As I have become more "advantaged in years" I find that I like planes that are biggish, and yellow or some other bright colour. My friends started calling me "The Yellow Aeroplane Man". I can live with that.

Cub yellow seems more visible to me than lemon yellow

Don't let anyone tell you that the OS .65LA is a low power engine. In the 2003 Model Airplane News .61-size engine comparison, the only prop on which the OS .61FX out turned the OS .65LA was the 11-7.

I have 2 of them and they are really good engines. I like a 12-7 prop.

I also had 2 Sig 4*60s. It's a big plane and the build-it kit seems to be heavy. I don't know about the ARF. I had my two powered by an OS .91FX and a Magnum .91XLS. Both these engines are built in .61 size cases so you get 50% more displacement at no extra weight.

Another thing, if you build any of the 4*'s, you need to cut off 1 rib on each side, enlarge the rudder and elevator. The roll rate is pretty slowwith the stock, long wing. It will roll better and you won't notice the difference on landing. The rudder is hardly big enough for good knife edge or snap rolls.

If you are more interested in kits than building from plans, you might consider one of the Bluejay/Bridi 60-size kits:

http://www.bridiairplanes.com/hangar/index.html

This one looks like a fun model:

http://www.bridiairplanes.com/hangar/aircruiser60.html

David