Contender with Saito .56???
12-09-2004, 08:59 PM
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Contender with Saito .56???
I have this post in beginners as well, but I thought with all of the contender buffs in this forum, I might get a better answer?? So, here goes:
Would this combination be any good? I'm in a pickle here. I ordered a saito 100 for it, and have been told that it was too much engine. That doesn't scare me too much, but while reading the instructions on building it, it seems as though the nose ring is pretty much a custom fit thing, and changing engines later on might be harder than usual. I was thinking of flying this conder with the 100 until the spring, when I wish to come into possesion of a p51 or p47. Then, put the 100 in the warbird, and put a smaller engine in the contender to keep it running. However, I have also either an evolution .46 (which I know would be a good match for the contender), and a saito .56 at my disposal. I really want the four stroke on the contender. My question, the kit calls for .52-.70 four stroke. Would a saito .56 be enough? If so, I think I'll just go with that, and save the 100 for the warbird all together. Has anyone ever flown this combination? Thanks in advance.....
Would this combination be any good? I'm in a pickle here. I ordered a saito 100 for it, and have been told that it was too much engine. That doesn't scare me too much, but while reading the instructions on building it, it seems as though the nose ring is pretty much a custom fit thing, and changing engines later on might be harder than usual. I was thinking of flying this conder with the 100 until the spring, when I wish to come into possesion of a p51 or p47. Then, put the 100 in the warbird, and put a smaller engine in the contender to keep it running. However, I have also either an evolution .46 (which I know would be a good match for the contender), and a saito .56 at my disposal. I really want the four stroke on the contender. My question, the kit calls for .52-.70 four stroke. Would a saito .56 be enough? If so, I think I'll just go with that, and save the 100 for the warbird all together. Has anyone ever flown this combination? Thanks in advance.....
12-09-2004, 10:18 PM
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RE: Contender with Saito .56???
I actually think you'd be better off with the Saito .56 than the 1.00. I have a Tiger Moth biplane (similar in size to a Contender) with a Saito .56 and it moves out just fine. I am also nearly finished building a Contender (including the engine-specific balsa cowl), and I think the 1.00 would be very difficult to fit well. Not to mention the weight/balance issue you'd have to 'contend' with.
The biplane, which has much more drag than a Contender, flys very scale-like at 1/3 throttle on a 12*6 prop, and will jump straight out into a loop when I go to full throttle.
Think about it this way... the .56 is within the Contender's recommended engine range, while the 1.00 isn't.
Just my 2 cents...
Robert
The biplane, which has much more drag than a Contender, flys very scale-like at 1/3 throttle on a 12*6 prop, and will jump straight out into a loop when I go to full throttle.
Think about it this way... the .56 is within the Contender's recommended engine range, while the 1.00 isn't.
Just my 2 cents...
Robert
12-09-2004, 10:58 PM
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RE: Contender with Saito .56???
You're going from one extreme to the other. The 1.00 is definitely too much engine and probably will not fit within the design semi-cowl.
The Contender is not a light model for its size; especially if your kit has the dense oak planks that were disguised as balsa that mine did. A Saito 72 or OS 70 Surpass is PERFECT for this plane. Mine had the latter, and it was one my all-time favorite models. Naturally, it died an early death. I haven't replaced it yet because I'm not ready to do another one. This is one PITA model to build and finish. But it sure does fly great, IF you do the upswept tip conversion.
IOW, the Saito .56 would fly the model, but you would not have any excess power. I have a .56 on a Sig SE. Nice engine, but a bit large for the power it puts out.
An inexpensive alternative would be a Thunder Tiger .46. Not as much stump-pulling torque as the 70 Surpass, but a good engine for this plane.
The Contender is not a light model for its size; especially if your kit has the dense oak planks that were disguised as balsa that mine did. A Saito 72 or OS 70 Surpass is PERFECT for this plane. Mine had the latter, and it was one my all-time favorite models. Naturally, it died an early death. I haven't replaced it yet because I'm not ready to do another one. This is one PITA model to build and finish. But it sure does fly great, IF you do the upswept tip conversion.
IOW, the Saito .56 would fly the model, but you would not have any excess power. I have a .56 on a Sig SE. Nice engine, but a bit large for the power it puts out.
An inexpensive alternative would be a Thunder Tiger .46. Not as much stump-pulling torque as the 70 Surpass, but a good engine for this plane.
12-09-2004, 11:22 PM
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RE: Contender with Saito .56???
Well, I have an evolution .46 I could put in it, and I know it would do great things for the plane, but I really want the 4 stroke engine in it. This is my first kit to build, and I want to put the coolest stuff I have in it. I like the sound of four strokes. I also have a vmax .52 coming back from the factory, but I wouldn't trust that engine on a spad, much less my hand-built kit. The 100 has the same footprint as the old .91, but it still may be a bit large for the cowl...................
