My Fw-190 is in the final stages and I'm ready to start gathering for my next project. I want to do a bearcat (not ARF), and I 'm still deciding between Royal plans that I blew up to 71" or a ziroli at 86". If I do the 71", I'll probably use a Saito 170 radial. But I've never used gas, so I'm not sure what a good engine would be if I went with the Ziroli. I'm thinking of the ZDZ80 Super, I'm looking for good power but have to watch the noise at our field. Would the ZDZ be overkill for the 86" bearcat and good for a first-time gas user, or what would be a good gas engine while trying to keep the noise down?

ZDZ 80 would work well in a Ziroli Bearcat. It just depends how fast you want to go and how heavy you build it. Those two projects are miles away from each other in cost and the amount of work, but if it was me, Id' go Ziroli. Everything you need is easily available and you will end up with a real nice plane that fly's well. The Royal plans, canopy and cowl are available on Ebay but .60 size planes are to small support alot of scale stuff.

You may also consider the Bates 80" span Bearcat as well. All the accessories are readily available from Bates and you can get a glass fuselage from Vic Catalasan if you are so inclined. No doubt which one I will do eventually!

http://www.vicrc.com/Product-F8F.html

Hey Chad, thanks for that suggestion, I totally forgot about the Bates, and it's the perfect size. I'll probably go that way. The Ziroli scares me a little coming in at 30 lbs with only an 86" wing. That's like 48 oz/sq ft loading! I looked at a couple threads on the Bates and it looks like it comes in at more like 17 or 18 pounds. I think that's how I'm going to go, just need to figure out which engine to use.

I am putting a G62 in my Bates F8F. Should be PLENTY of power for that ship!

I doubt your going to end up with lower wing loading on a Bates, Ziroli planes build light and 48 OZ wing loading is not a big deal on a plane that size especially when you throw in the flaps. The Bates one is a nice size though.

NZ bear with 5.8 in nose with 4lbs lead. About 35 lbs. Its fast but flys heavy. You have to bring your A game to fly this bird

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gne6nWbYpy8

dont be afraid of the ziroli. mine is 28lbs dry with a brison 4.2 and flies wonderful. throw out the flaps on landing and it locks right in and is easy to handle. when i balanced mine i actually had to add 2oz of lead to the tail...yes the tail....