I am building my first rc airplane. 125" ws b17 f, print calls for .40 gas or electric engines. I had planed on using .46 glow engines. Will they be big enough or should I go up to .65 glow engine. Plane will have 4 engines with 3 blade props. ANY HELP WOULD BE APPRECIATED. THANKS
Kevin Knudsen

First, almost everyone who responds to this thread will tell you you're out of your mind for even thinking about building this as your first plane. Therefore, I'll leave that part to the next folks.

Tell more about the model please. What's its flying weight supposed to be? Wing area? If the plans call for .40's then they should be fine. You might consider .60 four-strokes as well.

You're out of your mind for building this as your first RC airplane

See? I told you I'm always right.

Always willing to back you up Paul

The 46's will be fine, but personally I'd use four .52 to .56 four strokes.

And yes, you're out of your mind for building this as your first kit.
Dennis-

I think it is ethically wrong to put 2 strokes on a B17 there has got to be a RC law out there saying that only 4 strokes can go on a plane like that.

Is this your first build or your first RC plane? Either way you might want to keep this on the back bunner as a dream project and get some experience on other planes or at least an experienced builder with you every step of the way. Building is an art (so far I am finding out that I am not much of an artist).

BTW, welcome to RCU, there is lots of good info here! Be sure to check out the warbirds forum if that is what you are wanting to get into.

Yea so I am crazy- still going to build it though! your right, I have a friend who has built, flew, and will admit he has crashed more planes than he can count. Been flying rc planes for about 30 years and piloting real planes for about 45 years. (crop dusters!)
THANKS FOR THE INFO, WILL TAKE CLOSER LOOK AT PROJECT.

Kevin.

Forgot to say I have a Tower Hobbies 60 arf that I have been flying for 2 years now. As for the wing area on the b-17 the print says 1780 sq inches. Dont know what the total weight of the bird will be.

It may be a good idea to modify your tower trainer into a twinner---- You may want to use it for new engine breakin and as a multi-engine trainer....

Show us some pics of your project.... Ohh Yes- And please get everything on video----

MIne is an AMerican Eagle b-17. 123" 42 lbs. 4 Satio .65 w 3 bladed 11" props. NO proplem even at 5700'.
Highly recommend 4cyc. 2 stroke arern't right. Plus 4 cyc give more of a warning before quiting.

Kevin,

I question how good a friend your friend is if he is willing to let you go ahead with this project before gaining more RC experience. Maybe he wants to see a crash? I've been instructing for almost 10 years now and would HIGHLY recommend for you to get at typical "second" airplane and get very proficient with that before moving forward on your B-17. The good "2nd" airplanes have been gone over thousands of times in the beginners section, but I would highly suggest an Ultrastick. Then after that a Twinstar or a similar twin trainer. No one here wants to see all your time and money go "down in flames".

Jeff

REMEMBER---

Good friends take good video

I would put four Saito .72s on it. The sound ,power and reliability will be greatly improved over the .46s.

David

And hold the hefty bag open.

I built a B-17 for my first R/C model and had some BIG problems reading the instructions.

Can somebody help?

Don

hattend,

Looks like my kind of project. With an engine in the center for directional stability I believe that thing could still be made to fly with authority. Do you want to sell it?

Bill

Funny thing, the first time I saw that photoshopped image I thought to myself "Why can't you bash a Royal/Maratuka kit into something like that".

Wouldn't that be a hoot? LOL!

Who knows, I may still do that. I only have 300 kits in the "to do" building list. I only have to live 300 years to get them all done. I better start eating better and exercising more.

Don

Then you won't have time to build.

I've often thought about building make believe scale. THe problem is that I can only build so many models in my lifetime and I don't have any real scale models at the moment.

Even so, I think a Corstang (Corsair wing, Mustang fuselage) would be cool. Almost all of the WWII warbirds can be mixed and matched somewhat. How about a Spit Wulfe?

That B-17 canard would probably be a good plane. I think somebody should build it. I'd love to actually see one.

You guys are a whole bunch of help!!!???? The picture of the misfit r wrong direction b 17 made my day. I think I will go ahead and continue cutting out the parts of this plane, and build something easier for now to get the hang of building an scratch built plane. I will use all the advice that all of you have provided, and be able to later assemble an awesome b-17. THANKS.

Kevin.

I have a GP P-51 and Learjet that I'm going to bash into Miss Ashley II. That is, if I can quit stacking other projects in front of it. <sigh>

Don

BTW: Sorry for hijacking the thread.

Kevin,

Good idea to put the B-17 on the back burner until you get a little more experience. However, don't let the slight delay dampen your enthusiasm...you'll get to it eventually.

Don

I have the American Eagle kit and was thinking of using the OS wankel .30s they put out as much if not more power as the .46 2 stroke or 60 4stroke and depending on muffler used should sound great. Anyfeed back on this would help.

A guy in our club spent 2 years building a B-17.

Mashed it all to pieces on its maiden flight.

Good Luck