This is an 8- to 9-lb airplane, so gas is not really practical on this size model.

I would seriously consider getting a 2-meter model that will be compatible with the new ZDZ 40cc gas engine with tuned pipe for pattern. For these larger models glow fuel is also ridiculously expensive here as well, but there's no denying that the power/displacement equation favors glow.

Gongrats on the maiden, Robert!

Throws, expo, trim, CG and so forth are definitely subjective matters. I have found I like the higher rates and have actually started to take out some of the expo. However, this may be because I am using analog servos that don't move through their ranges quickly enough (even at 6 volts) so I may switch to digitals this winter. This is not an expensive airplane, but it certainly deserves good servos and a good engine.

To cmoulder, thanks for the info I am trying to figure out what to get, I have a cap 232 with a Fuji 43. And a corsair 120 witha g20 gas. I was living close to you in new Rochelle ny. I was good with Tommy at old Andy’s hobby in Tarrytown. When I was in the states I was into helis and now I got into airplanes here. Now I started onto gas planes. nitro is $30 a gallon of 10% cool power in Austria about an 8 hour drive away .so you can see why I want to switch over to gas. my boats are also gas and one nitro boat, I con not find more than 30% nitro and my nitro boat will not run good with at least min. 45% pref 60% nitro is best.


Thanks Elvir

I can appreciate your problem, Elvir. That's why I got into gas for the bigger airplanes! Just getting into pattern, and a good friend and some others got me in on a deal to buy glow fuel in bulk, so I mix 15% and 30% and it comes out to about $8.50 per gallon. Even so, gasoline is about $3 per gallon and gasloine engines use about 1/2 the fuel as same displacement glow, as I'm sure you are painfully aware.[]

At present my only gasser is a 27% H9 Extra (with Brillelli 46 cc), but if I stay with pattern -- as I likely will bcause of its discipline -- I may get an airplane that is compatible with the zdZ 40.

60% nitro for boat?? good luck!!![X(]

In the states it is easy to get 60%. when I ran back 20 years ago MK engineering 1/6 funny car with a modified Rossi 61 airplane engine and I was running 70% nitro the good old days. twice a year there is a 40 foot container that is shipped here from the states , and for $35 I can put what ever I want in a 5 cufoot carton box, so my sister ship me fuel and new planes and spare parts. In the begging of this summer I went with some friends to the capital Zagreb to a F3A meeting . It was the first one I went to and only had week to practice before the event , I placed 5 out of 6. Free style I places 6 out of 14, so I was happy , I did not get to practice the routine and did not know what the rules were , and now I am looking forward to the newt event with my cap . I was looking at the venus II for next years competition

With the proper engine, the Venus II should be a quite capable model in the right hands. A master's-level pilot flew mine and found it very appropriate for getting started in pattern.

Thanks for the good word. You are right about throws, etc. being subjective. Given the popularity of 3D and such today, I'm sure Great Planes had that demographic in mind. I come from "old school" late 70's/80's pattern, where high rate gave 3 rolls in 5 seconds. Fast or sloooow rolls, the Venus sure holds a straight line. I'd say that I definiely got more for my buck than I was expecting.

Hi,

I've decided to get the Venus II and the hobby shop has both the OS 1.20 Surpass III and Saito 125 in stock.

Which would be the best choice of the two for the Venus II?

The OS is much heavier but is pumped and regulated. Both seem to be roughly the same power.

What's the best prop for the Venus II with a 1.20 4-stroke?

It's been a long time since I posted in this particular forum. I bought a Venus II last year, my posting is right at the beginning. Mine is powered by an OS 1.20 AX. This makes a fine pair up. I am also using the Spektrum DX7 radio system. All servo's are high-torque with the exception of the throttle servo, which is standard fare.

As you can see, my Venus has been flying now for over a year and it is still flying just great. The pattern pro in our club, Ron Lockhart, flew it a couple of months ago. He re-suggested that I seal the aileron gaps, so that's my next project. I've been somewhat preoccupied lately with knee surgery followed by an infection that developed, followed by a trip to England (work) after all was well. Not much flying going on that's for sure. So, I must tackle that little chore. It flys great the way it is, but he promisses that it will really improve performance with the gaps sealed. So, I'll get to that.

I also have an Excelleron 90 with the OS 1.20 AX and it too flys just great. The big difference between the two is that the Excelleron 90 has pull-pull everything back there where the Venus II has Sullivan Carbon Rods for control. Both do well.

DS.

I dunno about GP catering to the 3D folks with this one -- that's a teensy weensy elevator for 3D-ing!

However, I have hovered mine a few times and it does surprisingly well in calm conditions, though the OS 1.20 FS doesn't have massive pullout power, for sure. This is an airplane designed for carving graceful figures in the sky.

Here's the Venus II I assembled for our club's 4-stroke Rally.

Shmokin' bling, Al! Nice work!!

It's all Dennis at Kirby Kustom Graphics. He's great.

For anyone who used a Saito 125.....

My build is nearing completion and I was just wondering....

What engine mount template did you use? I'm planning on an angle mount.

Did you use the stock engine mounts?

Thanks - The build has been very straight forward and I'm looking forward to getting her in the air!

Jim

...never mind...

How would the new OS 200 Four Stroke work for Sunday sport flying in the VenusII?

From what i've read It's the same weight as the 120 Surpass's and puts out the same figures as the 120AX.

Would i have any problems with it not being pumped and regulated when mounted inverted?

Well, it's 35.27 oz as opposed to 1.20's 30.5 oz, and it costs $1300 USD, and it is supercharged and designed for 2-meter F3A. Probably could cram it in there somehow and get it airborne, but it seems to be massive overkill for this modest airplane. Better suited for full-fledged pattern planes IMHO.

No, not the fuel injected version. There's a normal version out now which is about the same weight and dimensions as the 120's

I've been thinking about getting a Venus II with an OS 120 AX and mounting it inverted with a Bisson muffler. Has anyone tried this setup? How will being inverted affect the performance of the engine? How well will it all fit under the cowl? I'd appreciate any thoughts anyone has about this.

Thanks.
Jon B.

Since the Bisson inverted muffler for the 1.20AX actually mounts on the side of the engine, it will not fit under the cowl and will more than likely require a large opening to clear the muffler itself. On page 10 there is a picture of a Saito 1.25 inverted with a Slimline Pitts muffler and even it required an opening on the side just to clear the piping to the muffler, mounted behind the motor. Now imagine that Bisson muffler mounted where that plumbing is. I was thinking about the Bisson myself until I saw what it would look like. I haven't made up my mind about whether to go with the Saito 1.25 or the O.S. 1.20AX, mounted at an angle to point the exhaust down the channel.

RFan

rfan,

Thanks for your input. I was hoping to be able to get the 120 AX inside the cowl with minimal cutting but it doesn't look like that's going to be possible. Don M and cmoulder have some posts showing the installation of the OS FS 120 and they look great. But I've never owned a four stroke engine and I don't know much about them. I was hoping to stay within my comfort zone with a 2 stroke. Do four strokes require more maintenance/tuning than 2 strokes? What about break-in?

Thanks.
Jon B.

I would say the 4-strokes require a little more knowledge and patience to initially
set up but after getting my YS running correctly it has run perfectly for a year and
a half with no maintenance except adjusting the valves and cleaning the fuel filter.
Never even touch the needle valve.

tommy s

My friend if you go with an OS 120 non - pumped you'll have no problems whatsoever. I took my Venus down out of the attic two weeks ago and even after leaving my 120 in the plane for over a year now it started right up and has been purring like a kitten ever since.

I'm going to start a war here but I own OS, Saito & YS 4 - strokes. They are all good in their own way but the OS is flat out the most user friendly of the lot. Go fo it !!!

Thanks for all your responses. You've been very helpful. I think I'm going with the 120 four stroke.

Don M. - how well does the Venus II fly with the OS FS 120? ( I'm sure this has been answered somewhere in this thread but I haven't taken time to read all 20 pages.)

Thanks.
Jon B.

I just came back from flying ( 7 flights ) and to answer your question the 120 is perfect. unlimited vertical and only about 10 ozs. of fuel per flight. A new Venus showed up at the field today with a new YS 110 in it. I had a chance to fly it and yes even rich it has more power than my OS but I'm still happy.