Is anyone on the forum using a RCV engine http://www.rcvengines.com/rcv90sp.htm The RCV seems like it would be the power plant of choice because of its shape and ability to be completely integrated inside the airframe. I hate to see beautiful scale aircraft with a cylinder head or muffler hanging out. Looks like the RCV engines are the solution!

I have the RCV 90 that I am sticking in my Wing Hellcat. One thing different is that the front end is bigger than your standard os engine. Will make it difficult to use the dummy radial engine. I am looking forward to maybe using a closer to scale 3 blade prop though.....

I know alot of guys who use this engine over here. All of them have praise. A good friend of mine has four in a Lancaster which hasn't failed on him.

The design is perfect for hiding in the cowl, which was the idea behind the concept. Bags of power and can be trusted as most reliable 4 strokes. I know Clarence Lee in RCM did an in depth review and prasied it some time ago (2004?).

D.E.D.

I have the rcv 120 and absolutely love it... get more compliments than you can imagine. I have it in a Hellcat, GSP. Currently running a very scale "Solo Prop" 3 blade 18x14 (solo props are adjustable pitch making it easier to find the right scale prop)

No deadsticks, easiest to tune, sounds great, looks great.

no complaints... break-ins take a while

I have a RCV-90 with a 4-blade prop on a TF Mustang that flies great. It is a hit at the flying field. It has never had a deadstick. I took the time to break it in properly (and the fuel) and would recommend it strongly. It replaced a Saito 100 so it had to be good.

David

I am installing one in the TF Spitfire I am building. I am working on an idea for cooling inside such a tight cowl utilizing a small ducted fan. I did my break in at the field. Every time I ran it, it drew a crowd. I am looking forward to the day I finally get airborne with it.

Scott

i'm using a RCV90SP on a Brian Taylor 109E (68" ws). you can see the progress here:
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_32...tm.htm#3269976

Do you have any pictures that you can post please, Scott? I'm keen on doing something similar but don't want to reinvent the wheel!

Richard

Hi Richard.

I have some photos in my gallery and also check out the Tubig's TF Spitfire build thread. I posted some photos there, as well as a more complete description.

Scott

Would some of you RCV owners comment on the rediculous fuel requirement stated in the manual. That 10% nitro 6% castor/synthetic blend may be common in Europe. But here I would have to have fuel just for one plane. Been down that road not something I ant to do. The manual says any fuel over 10% Nitro can damage the engine. thanks.

my experience is completely diff.

I first started running a special blend from condor models (otto cundra was the owner) his was a nitro of 15% upto 17%or 18% (might be off by 1%) anyway the main focus was having a lot of oil. 20% would be good. I no longer buy fuel from him and I have just switched to a 15%/20% 4 stroke fuel. Byron makes some. you can do the 10% with a high oil content and be fine as well.

I have 10 gallons through my rcv 120 and no problems (granted it has been a mix of 2 different kinds of fuel.)

on the RCV web site they tell you about expected rpms also. I would dis-regard this and just do tune for max rpm and temp. My rcv actually never got the 6k + rpms they talk about with the apc break in prop. I actually run my engine in 4800 - 5000rpms, I am now running the very scale "solo prop" 3 blade 18 inch adjustable pitch (I think I am running a 12 or 14 pitch.

all this is on a GSP Hellcat that is in the 11lbs range.

ps... I first read about these engines on RCU, it was a product review for the GSP corsair, on the box it said it would be 11lbs or more and that guy used the rcv 90 and he said it picked it up just fine. (in fact I understand that the 120 is just a bit more powerful than the 90.

my 2 cents.

mike

The current recommendation from RCV is 10% nitro (well they don't need more than that anyway) 15% oil (with a maximum of 6% castor). I use 15% fully synthetic oil with no problems - but did use 6% castor on some for the run in.

This is from the [link=http://www.rcvengines.co.uk/faqs.htm#fuel]RCV web site[/link]:

What fuel is recommended for use in the engines?
Methanol Based. Due to the configuration of our engines, the engines do prefer a fuel that has 10% Nitro / 15% Oil (inc. a max of 6% Castor). In the UK we use Model Technics Duraglo 10. The RCV is a little more sensitive than many other engines to fuel and plug selection (OS'F' type recommended) so it is essential this is followed.

Hope this helps.

Richard

mpriestley

I have the RCV 120 on a test stand. I am going to make a scale carbon 3 blade for a 109F 61"span and a Hurricane70" span, both around 18 'arc. I was wondering what type of thrust and speed your getting with your 3 blade set up??

Steve

This set up with a 20" 109G blade was a bit much for the 120. Only got up to 3,200 rpm. Not bad for a wide paddle scale blade for an enigne that has 1.89 hp 2:1.

Steve

Hi,

I have very different thoughs about these RCV engine, One of my club member lost the engine and went dead stick on takeoff which resulted in crash of his Beaver....He said he did proper break in on the engine, then he had it mounted on Giant Vmar Beaver, he started rolling down the runway, rotated half way across the runway, went to about 150' started to make his turn and there engine quit, plane started to dip down, he tried to bring the plane back but couldent and plane crashed into trees!...

I respect what you guys say about the RCV engines but after witnessing this myself i have very different opinion on them...

Sammy

I am only guessing when I say this but you have never seen any other brand of engine die on take-off?

Thanks, Scott, for the reply and photos of your cooling arrangement - sorry about the delay in replying. I was thinking about using a heli type fan behind the prop and drawing air through the spinner. I've not tried it yet but probably will on my next warbird.

Richard