Hi all..I have a feeling this is gonna sting but I thought I would pose the question anyway...I purchased a "package deal" which included a 35% Lanier G-202 (not built) and an 85cc twin Mac Minarelli engine for power...I havn't started building the airplane yet...it may be a couple of months away...but I wanted to decide what I should do...should I just scrap the idea of using the Mac?? or do ya think it will be allright?? This is my first big aircraft...and I don't want to build a piece of crap if you get my drift...I had the BME 80 in mind if the suggestion was to change engines...I would appreciate any input you guys have to offer...Thanks...

Sell the MAC-MIN and get the BME. I have never owned a MAC however the one I did see at the field was VERY heavy. Also was not the smoothest running engine. For aerobatics light is a virture and makes the planes fly much better. A fellow pilot (who is a full scale aircraft mechanic) didn't think there would be much difference in engines. When I pulled a US41 (destined for a cub) and compared it to the BME 50 (destined for a Staudacher) his lower jaw dropped. While holding the BME his comment was "This thing's a work of art". If you decide on the BME the better choice would be the 102. Not a lot heavier but a lot more engine and a better match for the Lanier. If you fully sheet the wing then fill the spar slot with balsa and you will save some weight and have a stronger wing. Many other places to lighten the framework too.

EXCAP232

Thank you for your input...Yes the Mac engine weight is 7.7lb vs 4.56lb with the BME 102...so in that department it is pretty much cut and dry...but to here you mention that it does not run that well...that is the decision maker for me!!!!...so you think the 102 is the engine huh...I wish BME put horsepower ratings or informed you about static thrust...I know props make a diference but just a ballpark range would help a newbie like me make a decision...it seems "more power" is the trend...I definatly do not disagree with that...I personally would like enough power to get great vertical penetration but not necessarily 3D type of power...I know there is a throttle but I really don't want so much power that you can hover and then pull out vertically...I would like it to fly like a full scale Giles aircraft...that is just me...I would love to here the lightning tips you referred to!!!...up to now every plane I have ever built has been too heavy...I can build a nice airplane but always build to the plans because I don't know any better...Now I think it is time to learn some tricks of the trade...Thanks again for the input!!!


P.S. Oh yeah...I also wanted to mentally prepare for the chunk of change to be spent on servos...I use JR radio gear and would like to here what kind of servo's you guys are using on these size aircraft...battery pack info would help too...Thanks

I use JR 8411's and the matchboxes.

The BME will give unlimited vertical.

Batteries are thing I'm currently deciding on. Probably the Skyborn Lite packs. The new duralite plus is similar. I still currently use the JR nicads. Will probably use those in the H-9 CAP and go with the newer ones in the 40% Carden CAP.

For lightening look at the better builders: Aeroworks, Troybuilt and Radiocraft to see the techiques they use for building light and strong.

EXCAP232

my flying buddy ran one 2 summers ago on a carden 300. He paid to have it changed over to C & H int. He dropped almost a lbs doing this. "From here it turned a 26 x 10 Menz at 6300 RPM. Under the cowl you would never have known it was not a 3W as it pulled unlimted his 28 lbs old carden. I would pick up one if the price was very low as my buddy spent about 200.00 to convert it over to c and h. The motor did not shake or rattle very smooth running motor.

Anyone have all the specs on the Mac 70???Thanks

For the guys that have no clue about what they are talking about. I have lots of experience and the Aviomac 85 twin is the smoothest runner out of all the twins that I have ever seen or OWNED. They may be a little bit heavier but if your building a 33% they`re usually so stinking tail heavy that you have to move everything forward or add weight with the lighter engines. For its size the 85 twin pulls very well and is the smoothest one that I and several others state the have ever seen.