Received my Flip 3D yesterday. Been making some final decisions on modifications and engine selection before assembly.

Noticed an interesting warning on the box...
"This plane is not designed or manufactured for high speed flight"
"DO NOT FLY on a horizontal straight line at full throttle as sudden brake up during flight is possible."

Hmm. I think I'll heed and not exceed the recommended engine sizes.

Any thoughts on this?

Most planes of these design will warn you about that.
If you know how to fly at less than full throttle you'll be fine.
They are designed to be flown slow.

I would think a YS 63 or a Saito .72 would be perfect in the Flip.

The YS 63 would be a good choice.....mine has a YS 45 and has plenty of power .

Yes
the size of the control surfaces on this model are TREMENDOUS...High speed would surely spell DOOM.
I have a irvine 53 on mine..its just barely enough...would like to have more...I dont think and FX 61 would be out of the question either.Just make sure the muff would fit without running into the wing....G

Hmmm..... I thought it was my OS 50sx that had a problem, but if your 53 is barely enough, I think that might be the reason why my Flip is lacking power when trying to pull straight up from a hover (barely pulls it out, but other then that, it is an awesome flying plane).
I do have a Irvine 72 that is really tempting to use, but I am concerned that the extra weight would affect the overall performance. What do you think Gator ?

I'm sorry to hear that your OS 50SX isn't giving you what you want Texas.
I'm to the point of mounting the engine and was going to drop in the same engine myself.
What size prop are you running on the 50? Do you think a prop change will help?

I have tried a 12.25x3.75 APC, a 12x4 APC and a 12x4 Zinger ! So far I achievd the best results from the 12x4 APC. I will try tomorrow a 11.5x4 APC and see.
It is enough engine for overall good 3D flying but just not quite enough for stable hovering (mine hovers a little over half throttle). It does give you unlimited vertical, but it is just so sloooow going up
I guess I am used to have more power on my planes in order to be able to pull out quickly when hovering.

Thanks Texas, I feel a little better about my putting in the 50.

I'm an accomplished sport flier but this is my first 3D plane. So I'm sure it will be a bit before I'm ready to start hovering.

I just wanted to be sure the 50 was going to get me through most of the 3D maneuvers I'm anxious to try.

I'd still like to hear how your other prop experiments turn out.

Thanks again

Well, did not try the 11.5x4 but removed the exhaust deflector I had on the muffler, and look and see, the performance improved ! It is not quite where I wanted it, but much better, and I think I can leave the engine on for now. It does now climb straight up out of a hover (with the APC 12x4) ! I think that the deflector was putting on to much back pressure.

Jeff, if you have not flown any 3D plane before, be gentle and careful with the Flip. It is not a beginners 3D plane. It can be very wild, and it DOES STALL (actually cool for some wild maneuvers)

Hi

One of my freinds got a flip 3d and he has got a OS 50 SX on it and this baby rocks pretty good. !!
just my two bits

cheers
azuz

Texas, thanks for the prop update. I picked up a 12x4 over the weekend that I will eventually progress to.

My OS50 is brand new so I will start out with a 11x7 for break-in.
I understand that the Flip is not a beginners 3D plane, but I HAD to have one in the hanger!

I have been tossing a Sig Somethin' Extra w/46FX around the sky for the past few weeks getting a hang of some of it's acrobatic capability.

I am putting the finishing touches on a .60 Graupner Extra 300s w/OS90 that should be flight ready this week.

Been taking some time assembling the Flip. Following with great interest the various threads here at the Universe and adopting some sage advise. Have already tossed out the stock control system in favor of Sullivan adjustable horns, Carbon Fiber push rods, and ball links all around.

Eventually I am going to get to the point of asking what people are using for control surface deflection amounts, exponentials, couplings, etc. Perhaps a new thread may be in order for that.

My thanks to you and all who have responded to this thread on Flip engine selection.

We bought the first 5 that came in at our local hobby shop. We have one with a saito 72, power to burn. The rest have fx46's. With the stock mufler if barely pulls out of a hover. With an ultrathrust it is a rocket. Amazing how much difference a muffler makes. Just make sure you offset the engine, otherwise the muffler will not clear the wing. Mine was the first one together and guess what, the ultrathrust doesn't clear. I ordered a tower hobbies muffler which is almost the same gain in power. I need power.

The plane does fly great does everything you can ask it to do, and I think it is easier to hover than my 40%. Both thumbs up on this one!!!

rc_for_me
IMO you'll run a greater risk of suffering terminal flutter with an 11/7 prop than one of the 4 pitch props recomended . It'll also be reluctant , at best , to slow down for that feathery soft , short rollout , landing these planes enjoy .
Enjoy
Maj. Crash

Extra Nut, are you sure the Tower Muffler will clear the wing ? I think I have read somewhere that this is not the case. If I remember right the Tower Muffler measures 6.3" ! I think Termagator was the one that tried it. Am I correct Gator ? If not, I will order one also right away !

They make a spacer to get it out past the fuse...not sure about hitting the wing

Chuck, the problem is hitting the wing. Clearance of the fuse is no problemo !

I am pretty sure it will clear with enough room to put a dubro diverter on it. The mac Pipe amost makes it and it is about 7". The Ultrathrust wasn't even close with the motor inverted. Plane bender mounted his at an angle after I told him what I experienced and his Ultrathrust clears the wing fine. Anyway, I have the Tower muffler on the way, should be here this week. I'll let you know.

Glenn