For pattern, you might wish to begin investigating the ZDZ 40RE F3A engine, which I hope is just the first of many lightweight gasoline engines for this purpose. I am thinking of getting a full-on pattern plane myself, but I am in no rush and can wait until these new gassers start to make an impact in the market. Clearly there is a demand for this because of the astronomical cost of fuel for large glow engines.

A good friend got me in on a deal to buy bulk glow fuel for $8.50 gallon (15% nitro) but I have limited storage space and was only able to accommodate 12 gallons. Sounds like a lot, but practicing patterns will burn that up pretty quickly, then I'm back to paying $15-18 per gallon.

I only wish I could buy fuel for 15 - $18. In Nova Scotia CP 20/20 ( which I use ) is $28.50 after taxes and that has to be case lots. I have 3 gas engines and yes they are cheap to run but try as I might I just cannot give up on the 4 - stroke sound. It is a very big part of hobby to me. I'm waiting for the new Saito 220 gasser - if it is affordable.

Saito?? You wouldn't!

Don that's the first I heard of a Saito gasser but I'm not surprised. Googled it and found it's a 4-stroker (naturally) called the FG 36, weighs 44 oz and makes 3 hp.

Can't say I see the point of a 4-stroke gasser -- more parts, more weight, less power and slower spool-up than 2-stroke.

Hello David. How are things back in good old Nova Scotia ? Saito ? Yes I may be tempted if it was gas. There is a video floating around here where they had this Saito in a 50cc size Edge 540 and it seemed to fly it pretty good. Not to mention it has that lovely 4 - stroke sound. But then again Dave you wouldn't know anything about that since you now have gone to the "other side"

Congrats Russell on your 1st place win. I just got done with my first competition this weekend up at Sparks. I finished 1st as well. It was a great experience. learned a whole lot this weekend.

Chris,
Way to go!!! Winning in your first contest. It doesn't get much better than that. I almost came to the SPARKS contest but decided against it because of weather concerns. They were predicting thunderstorms. My friend and I just didn't want to drive that distance and get rained out. I hope they had a good turn-out....We're planning to make the Cajun Nat's in Crowley so why don't you come there too. Then, we can have a Venus II shootout....RS

The first day of competition had perfect weather. not so much on the second day. they cancelled the last 2 flights. but yea, everyone's been telling me about the crowley contest. I would love to go but i already have plans. I have a diving meet in the morning and homecomming at night. I already asked a girl so that would be kinda bad if i ditched her for a model airplane competition lol. but if somehow there is a change of plans, i'll be up in louisiana in a heartbeat.

I must admit to laziness, sorry, but I've not searched ALL 23 pages.... wondering if, despite the naysayers, has anyone, ANYTIME, actually PUT A 26cc Gasser with a pipe on one of these???? I think proper balance could be achieved, and the wing loading may be less impacted due to lower fuel weight at takeoff.

ANYONE????

Chris,

Congratulations on your win at the SPARKS contest. You flew against some tough competition. I had the pleasure of judging you in 2 rounds and I was very impressed with your performance. Onnce again congrats !!

Glen
North Dallas RC

Have not seen it done in a Venus, but I have seen the 26cc gasser with the ES 26G carbon pipe in a 10lb. pattern plane. Performance was pretty good. I was interested enough to do the math comparing the 26cc gasser to the OS 120AX. I used the same pipe on a 120AX and Mueller header.

120AX setup is 29oz $433 for the package.
26cc gas is about 47oz with the same pipe. $596

Using the same prop the 26cc gasser was 200-300 rpm stronger.

I don't think the 26cc gasser could be lighter at takeoff.

Why don't you just do it and then you'll know. Maybe you'll be like me. I bought a MVVS 26cc gasser a few years ago and found out that with the MVVS header, pipe, ignition and battery that it was so underpowered for the weight that I sold it. Now I know better

Already did the MVVS 26 (twice) on a pipe in a couple of different planes.
Have different 26cc in mind for this experiment, and perhaps different pipe.

What's the secret? Tell us which 26cc it is and which pipe. I would love to see
an improved setup.

There were 4 guys flying the Venus II at our contest last weekend. Two in masters with
the 120AX and stock muffler. Engine and plane for about $465. Pretty good
bang for the buck.

No big deal.... this is a rear-intake http://www.peakmodel.com/index.php?m...roducts_id=327
and will be able to share my RX battery, so less weight because no ignition battery. Pipe is up in the air, if at all. But if needed, likely ES Composite. Mueller custom header, no shock mount.

Of course, all this is "concept" at this point, and determining whether it will do the job I need or not. Not after a competition setup; just a 90-size precision airplane that is pretty reasonable to get setup. Kinda like my over 2M Goldberg Obsession (soon to have a 3W-28i replacing the OS 1.60).

Even if that horsepower rating is only 75% of what they claim it will be quite adequate, based on the guideline of 1 hp per 5 lbs...

All the electronics will have to be mounted in the tail!!

Nice thing is, we know you're SUPERFAST at getting these projects done, so we'll know soon enough! Kind of a vicarious instant gratification for us.

I can't wait to see if it works. Glow fuel ain't gettin' no cheaper.[&o]

thanks. Still need much more practice though. i know i could have done alot better. especially on my 2 inside loops on center lol. but yea i loved it. I learned soo much that weekend. everyone was extremely nice and helpful to me.

Hi Everyone,

I am looking for some prop advise. I am going to be running an OS 91FX in the Venus 2, this is my first pattern ship and I have no idea how to prop them. Any suggestions ?

Thanks,

Marco

14-8 apc

Almost done with my venus II, I put my servo's in the tail and ran extensions to the receiver. My question is has anyone had any trouble with running the antenna wire inside tube in the fuse next to the servo extensions. I plan on doing a full range check before I fly, but curious how you guys did. Engine is a saito 120 had to put battery back in the turtle deck to balance. Looking forward to maiden this weekend. Thanks

Depending on the quality of your radio set up you'll have no problems with interference. That's where my antenna, is fully enclosed in a nyrod tube I glued in the fuse with a great deal of $@*^% work.

thanks good to hear, like I said I will do a thorough range check before I fly, mine had a nyrod tube for the antenna, I wish it excited the fuse in the rear like the gp chippie. Hope its good weather this weekend really need to fly been over a week,, if you know what I mean..

Yellerchamp,

My antenna is in the fuse and no problems so far. It was a royal pain getting it in the tube. I put a cross piece in there (right in the way) to mount my Rx. Finally got it in by coating antenna with baby powder and using a hemostat to thread it in the tube.

John VB

I had a number of small glitches when I ran my antenae in the tube. I used futaba digital servos and a futaba FM receiver. The plane would fly perfectly and then glitch and recover. I ran the antenae into the front of the plane away from the digital servo lead and the problem was gone. If it slips near the leads bang. Be careful if you have digital servos with the antenae lead. I have not had the same problem with analog servos in a Ucando with similar dimensions and servo lead lengths.

JVB

A tip for running antenna lead into the plastic antenna tube is to pick up the smallest size carbon rod( i foget the diameter but it seems not much larger than a hair) and a drop of ca will attach the antenna to it. Then push the rod thru the tube thus pulling the antenna with it IE pulling wire for the electrician out there .

I used to do the babay powder method but sometimes really had difficulty with the lasty few inches. INdesperation after working for several hours I gave up and started looking for something to use as a wire puller. The carbon rod wroked perfectly. Of course you do have to get to the other end of the tube to pull it out. What I did was install the antenna into the tube then install the tube, antenna RX combo into the plane.
Eddie