I am just getting interested in rc combat. I prefer the idea of the open B and the SSC non-scale stuff. I was reading some if the websites about the rules for SSC. They basically require .15s with 8-4 MA props. I used to fly FAI controlline combat and have a box of Cox Conquests and parts. These used to be great engines in their day but don't know how well they would pull an 8-4 prop. I always ran 50% nitro and a 6.5-4 prop. Is anyone running these engines? I plan to order a couple Battricks unless there is a better choice for the money. How about plans for open B planes? I have seen a lot of plans for the scale planes but not much for the open class. I can cut my own cores if need be. I'd prefer to stay away from the spads although I don't have any problem using coro for tails and such.
Later,,,basmntdweller

bsmntdweller,
The spec prop for SSC is the Master Airscrew 8X3, not the 8X4. The Cox/RJL/KB Conquest .15 is not legal for SSC as the current retail price is $110, and the rules call for less than $60 retail price.

The Bat Trick is an excellent Open B plane. Also the Piranha, Falcon, Bandit, Predator, Avenger and many others. Go to www.rccombat.com for more information. There are reviews of each of the above on www.georgiacombat.com

Wish you the best of luck.

Basementdeweller
We're having a SSC contest in Louisville on August 16th. Should be some good fliers and a few different designs. If you need directions let me know
[email protected]

I had saw your contest on a schedule somewhere last night while surfing. Unfortunately, That weekend is the IRCHA jamboree in Muncie. I'm pre-registered for that one.
Are most people flying open design planes with .15s in SSC or are they going to planes designed specifically for the .15s?
thanks,,,basmntdweller

Most planes are converted open b's. I have flow both a warbirds and open planes. The warbirds are from Mike Fredrick's http://www.hattrickrc.com/ he also sells the famous bat trick.
Another excellent design is the Piranha from Ben Morrow. This design can be flown in either open b or SSC. Just swap out the engines. http://www.downhomerc.com/ if you need any help getting started let me know. My recommendation is a Piranha and a o.s la .15. Seems lame but a ton of fun. We flew 30 minutes of combat today at 45-50 mph and we had a blast. Traded streams and could see collisions coming and could change course before they occur. B's a blast but the collisions are brutal.
Ron

Don't forget to check out the new SSC plane from Tufflight, I think it's called the Panther, soon to be available. I have it's bigger brother the Predator X and love it.

Those Panthers from Tufflight are available now. I'm not sure how many they have but I got one from the guys at a recent contest. They had a bunch with them that day.

What about the OS 15 la? There aren't alot of engines to choose from at .15 and $60; that Gnat
spad looks like it would be good for this class.

John

la is a popular choice in ssc, just take out the muffler baffle and it runs with the mags

Before you choose a plane for SSC, read the rules. The plane's engine must be a .15, must cost less than $60 from common retail outlets, and must use a Master Airscrew 8x3 prop. The plane itself can be anything, as long as it has AT LEAST 400 square inches of wing area, and weighs AT LEAST 2.5 pounds.

IMHO, the best flying SSC ships are the ones designed from the ground up to be SSC ships. They may look like Open B planes, but they are usually a little different. The SNACK and SSC Falcon designed by Lee are geat planes. Hattrick makes some great SSC warbirds that really fly great. The Pirana is one of the better designs for both SSC and B class if you want flexibilty. I haven't see a Panter from TufFlight fly yet.

Personally, I'm flying my own design which flys quite well. It's actually more of a scaled up A class design rather than a scaled down B class plane. A couple of other guys from this area also fly A class fuses with larger wings, and the designs work very well.

As far as engines, I think the Megatech is the most powerful legal engine, followed by the Magnum and the OS is a close 3rd. Depending on the weather, and how good you are at setting engines, the OS can be a bit better than the Magnum as the Magnum is a bit touchy. I think the Magnum unloads more in the air from the 17,500 max RPM on the ground. I'm not totally sure though.

Okay, The OS LA is a plain bearing and I beleive the Magnum has both a plain bearing and dual ball bearing all available under $60. I'm guessing GMS also has one available as well as Thunder Tiger. The plain bearing engines tend to be lighter but if I have to add weight to make the 2.5lb limit, I'd prefer to use a ball bearing engine. I am not familiar with the Megatechs although I think I have seen them advertised in the mags. I'm not sure what the rest of the people in the area are leaning towards as far as class goes but I will be pulling for open B and SSC. I may order an engine and a kit or two yet today. Still undecided on what kits though.
Later,,,basmntdweller

Well, the TT and the GMS are not usually seen in use in the competitive SSC contests.

I've heard the TT just doesn't produce the power with the 8x3 prop. With the SSC weights, it's important that your engine perform near the RPM limit. If you're only getting in the 15k range, you're going to suffer in the air compared to the engines that can turn 17+. Some SSC designs won't fly at all well with an engine running that poorly.

I've not seen or heard anything of the GMS .15.

Magnum used to have a bushed engine, the GP series. I'm not sure if they are still making them or not, but if they are, ignore them, it's the Magnum .15XL that is being used.

The OS LA is the easiest of the engines to set up and get running right.

The Magnum has a carb that needs a little TLC, but once you get the hang of it, it works fine. The guys who use bladder tanks find they need to put in an OS needle valve as an RNV add-on, since the Mag needle doesn't have a fine enough adjustment. Using a normal tank, I find I can go from too rich to too lean in 2-3 clicks, it's touchy.

The Megatech I'm not sure of, the one's I've seen run well, but I haven't heard enough or seen enough of them running to really feel that know what they are like overall. No shortage of power with them, though, that's for sure.

I have both Magnum and O.s. These are it. Not sure on the mega tech. I saw one that wasn't broken in yet and it was slow.(probably a good motor?)
O.s out of the box is good. Take off the baffel and it will break 17,5k on 15% I use 5% nitro to keep it legel. The guys in texas are having trouble getting 17,5k with there magnums in the heat. O.s is lighter than the Magnum too. I just built two Piranhas and the magnum is 1 oz heavier. More room for armor in the O.S. They look lame but they kick butt.
Ron

I've run both the Magnum and the OS LA during the last year. Have had three of each and my experience and the performance of the OS LA has been better.

Although the Magnum is a bearing engine the bearings are relatively low grade and do not have dust seals. A dirt nap tends to load them up with debris and if not thoroughly cleaned they will grind themselves up. Also to accomodate the bearings the shaft diameter is turned down and the cranks are easily bent.

The OS LA as RDC says will turn over 18K, so you need to mute it with low nitro fuel. Most of these little motors also benefit from a better fuel delivery system. A trick taken from the CL crowd is using the bladder fuel systems and supplying fuel under pressure. This, in my experience, gets rid of the fuel draw problems under g-loading and maximizes fuel delivery leading to a slight increase in overall rpms.

The Megatech I believe is also sold as the Leo or RJL and produces excellent power. I do not own one but there are two of them in the club I fly in and they both are fine running engines. I have not examined them closely but am told they have carb to crankcase fit issues and need to be sealed (so do the Magnum). In my opinion, the overall fit and machining of the OS is the best of the low cost .15s right now.

I have an OS15 LA and a magnum 15 on the way. I figure I can try them both and see which works for me. I also have a Panther ordered and a friend is going to hook me up with some of the "kits" that he cuts and flies. Thanks for the help.
basmntdweller