What do you think on a Tower Fun 51, a TT GP-42 or a TT Pro-46?

I've read that the plain bearing TT GP-42 is plenty of power and then there are others who think the brute power of the TT Pro-46 is the way to go.

If I don't need unlimited hover/vertical, I'm thinking the GP42 is going to be plenty of fun.

I got a friend who has a Tower Extra Special profile with a OS 40LA, and its all over the place and quite capable.

Any thoughts?

Tom

46 pro with a 12.25 x 3.75 APC and move the cg back. Should hover at 1/3 - 1/2 throttle with full just for getting mad. Have a blast!

I also had an Extra Special. Got a Fun 51 in the box in my shop.
The only difference is the fuse outline.

I had a ST45 on mine to begin with but it was kinda sick. Poor results.

Put an OS 46fx in its place and it was a hoot.

I think the 40 will fly it but go ahead and get you a 46 TT, FX or Irvine.

It'll be a blast.

________
DoubleD

I have the Extra Special and originally put a Webra .40 blackhead on it. It flew the plane well, and would actually hover it (barely).

I have since switched to an O.S. .46fx and its a different airplane. I have never had a plane this overpowered, and I kinda like it.

I think the average person would be more than satisfied with the .42 on this plane. I'm just not one of them.

My gut feeling is the TT GP-42 is a good match. A 46 Pro or Fx would be overkill. And in another thread about a Tower Uproar, someone suggests the TT GP-36 as being a very good engine because of power and weight considerations.

Is it true a lot of guys are using the TT GP-36 in this kind of airplane?

Being a profile and not too big of a plane, I'm thinking this might be a sweet combination. Any thoughts?

Tom, the TT .36 is a Pro (BB). The GP .42 is a bushing. Power to weight, the .36 is way ahead of the .42.

You would be better to put a Pro .36 in this plane than a GP.42, and IMO, even better to use the Pro.46. You can always throttle back a .46, but you can't squeeze any more power from the .42, you're just stuck with what you have. And a BB engine will generally last longer than a bushing.

I have the Tower Fun 51 still in the box. Probably another month before I will start it. I have a TT .46 pro in the box I picked up here on RCU waiting for it as well.

Currently flying a GP GeeBee profile with a TT .40 pro. Plently of power.

The only thing that I've noticed is tha the Tower profiles come out kinda heavy for some reason... The ones that I've seen (although most are weighed down by a 46) have been heavier than my Uproar...

I have a Fun 51 w/Pro 46. I haven't tried any other combos, and I won't. For about the same money, the Pro 46 is the deal. It may be overkill (what's that anyway?), but later you may build something a little heavier, a Something Extra maybe, and that stronger engine will far outperform the 42 or 36. JMHO. Later.

Good choice of plane! Loads of fun. Mine was fun with an enya 40, but a heck of a lot more fun with an OS 46FX.

If you haven't already built it, it is a good idea to double up on the plywood sheeting on the front half of the fuse. I ended up switching to Dubro Nylon/glass landing gear too. Big improvement over the aluminum gear.

Well I've got a TT Pro-46 that I've had on the test stand for 45 minutes. I was originally going to put it in a Sig Ultimate Fun fly, but thought that a monoplane would be a better introduction to this type of flying. Hence the Tower Fun 51 purchase. I hate to add weight to bring a plane into balance, especially tail weight. guess I could make the final decision in the "11th" hour of completion. That way maybe a better decision could be made. I apprciate all the thoughts. Any more, feel free to add, or tell us about your experiences with these combinations. thx Tom

Mine came out perfectly balanced without weight in the tail. Even after adding the extra plywood up front. its a good idea to put the engine in last so you can use its position to balance it.

Mine is ballanced just a smidge behind the spar (~1/8 inch behind). requires only a touch of down elevator when inverted.

Another consideration is longevety, With the smaller engine i tended to needle it up a bit tighter. i have always had better luck with a 46 because it is enough, so i run it a bit richer and it doesn't have to run full throtle 100% of the time like the 40 did.

I use the APC 12x4 with the 46

Hey. i think i hear something.... the sound of a distant crowd chanting.... 4 6 4 6 4 6 4 6 4 6

Oh, nevermind, its just my adoring fans again.

Hey good luck, i think you will enjoy this plane. depending on your control throws it is as docile or as wild as anyone could ask a plane to be.


Shmo

Thanks shmo46,
That gives me a better idea how the plane ends up. What the heck, I got the TT Pro 46, and its ready to go. APC 12x4, eh. sounds like "low gear" with the ability to hover with all that diameter. So it has the ability to accelerate from a dead stop and with that prop diameter it can basically hang on the prop. Sounds like you've found a good combination.

Think I'll use the Pro 46, I was going to hook up the throttle anyway, ha.

Thx, Tom

I haven't built this one yet. I've reread this whole thing. I'm not convinced that a 46or a 47 is a good solution. I know, I know a lot of you guys like lots and lots of power but this size I'm feeling a good running a 40 would be fine and still just a hoot and lots of fun. I don'tg need a rocket just a good flying plane. Not worried about 3D typed flying. Hopte to get to this one this next Spring.

Good flying to all.

Tom

I built a fun fly 51 and put a thunder tiger pro 40 eingine I built the plane a lttle heavy because I epoxied my fuselage and for a prop I use a 12.25/3.75 with a 6 oz tank it balances perfectly the plane takes off within 10 ft and will do about any trick you want as a sports plane I can't hover but that's me when you're 60 you do one thing at a time I've got over 80 flights with it enjoy the plane it's well named