Hi there,

I need to buy a new 15 sized engine for combat, and wanted to know what a good engine for the money is. I see that OS is offering a new combat 15, for a little over a $100 a copy, but I was wondering if anyone has tried the magnum 15?

My experience with engines has been rather boring. In 12 years I have flown only OS, K&B, and 1 YS. I now nothing about the quality and reliability of other brands.

Any input would be appreciated.

Dan Gellner

Dan;
The Norvel's are all superb, GMS work fine just like an OS, Haven't heard anything about the Megatech but the numbers look good.
All of the Magnum engines I've owned have run very well at approx the same Rpm's as a OS. I have Old brand new Veco's and Enya's Mark IV's still in the boxes I'm setting up for a couple simple series ME109's. I think will be fun but fragile aircraft compared to true Coroplast combats. $100 thats a tad expensive for Combat, you really don't need something that expensive to beat around.

I would go with the Magnum.

3 years ago I bought a Magnum .15 xl for A class combat. It is not as powerful as the RJL or maybe the new O.S. but here it is 3 years later, and it hasn't missed a beat. It has started and ran perfectly and solidly in every heat every month since new and still as powerful as the first season. It has been dirtnapped more time than I can remember and nothing on it has broken yet. Just today Sassy broke in a brand new Mag .15 Xl for her A class combat plane. Break-in is complete and it runs perfect from the first flip. Good strong little engine, and if it's anything like mine, it will be that way for a long time!

Thanks for the help. I am toying with combat planes again, after 7-8 years, things have changed a little. We used to battle with Sig Supersports and OS 15's. I remember when we saw the rules for scale combat, we thought it would be crazy to spend time building a scale looking craft to go out and mesh.

Now I'm going to build a JK Aerotech P-51B and see if we can have a little fun. Hopefully the plane will be durable and fly well. Maybe others from our club will follow.

At any rate, thought I might retire the old 15 FP, and this Magnum engine sells for the same price I paid for the FP back then, and is a BB engine. I was a little skittish because I owned a Royal 46(OS knockoff) once... briefly. But it sounds like Magnum makes a good product.


Thanks

Dan Gellner

Dan;
I run an OS 25 LA on a JK 190. It's a Ball. I did a demonstration years ago with one and took it 50 ft off the tarmac. The announcer then announced I'd crash it into the tarmac and then restart it an take back off. Well! it worked and the thing still flew. Got it back to the pits to examine more damage and the remote needle valve housing was broke, the wing needed a little more strapping tape, and the motor mount absorbing the impact was compressed about a 1/4 in. But!!! it still flew, and crowd was clapping, oh well you get the picture.

BTW the OS 25LA was still a pretty quick engine on that airframe. The roll rate of the JK models are very fast. There just a little pleasure to fly.

Capgains,
Yes times have certianly changed, as now the engine limit for the scale planes is .26 cid...the reason? .15 engines didn't have the poop and the planes were under powered and squirrly at best. The JKA's thrive on .25 class engines. When I was talking about my Mag .15 Xl it is what I use on my (A class) open class airplanes such as my Spad, or like a Battle Floyd or a Fun Bat. If you are getting into scale combat, definately go with a .25 such as a Norvel, Irvine (my fav.) or Mag .25 Xl.

Tattoo,

Glad you let me know about raising the engine size up for scale. I ordered the 25xl this morning, glad I checked your post first. It was only a $5 upgrade, but it will make a heck of a difference on the front end.

When we flew the Supersports with the FP15s it was more like stall management than combat. With ailerons and a more powerful engine... this should be fun.

Thanks again

Dan

I run a Norvel 25 that I have had in my Wonder and Predator. Unlimited Vertica and pulled the Wonder over 100 mph. Cranks almost 18,000 rpm's

FYI: I fly a JK P-51D with a Magnum .28. Perfect power match. Although the same airplane with a Norvel .25 smokes me. A .15 is definately too small.

I would highly recommend the OS for dependability and the RJL for performance. If you are racing you can go for the MVVS .15
Take care,
Jim