2 weeks ago I and the Better Half are in Cali to see her cousin and husband. He dropped, the previous day, over 5 bills to buy a nitro-powered RC truck. This got me thinking of RC airplanes that I’ve always wanted.
Because the beer was flowing, and he got differing break-in rules, we head of with a 12-pack into Sacramento to visit the hobby shop.
(The truck came with one manual, and the supplement was a manual for the engine. We literally had to mix-and-match just to get the friggin’ thing started. But that’s another thread.)
Anyway, we went to the store to get some extra glow-plugs (Nitro fuel is a lot like diesel in combustion engines in that heat and pressure ignite the fuel) and I start looking at the planes. I realize I’d rather buy from a local dealer in case of problems.
Question is, does anyone own one? Or have a friend that owns one? I have a lot of add-ons I’d like to try, but for now I just want some advice on what to look for.
More important, what should I avoid? I assume there are inherent differences in body style. But what I understand at this point, almost all models have an option of the engine. The engine is what I’m concerned with. What should I be looking at?
Another topic was already started on this subject that I’m sure you’ll find very helpful. Here, take a look http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=246118 As for myself, I too am looking into R/C Flying. But before I go out and fork over the big $$$'s for the type of plane I want, I think I’m gonna buy a good simulator first and practice with that for a while.
helpful link, thanks. But I want specifics on internal combustion planes. Anything else? My convoluted OP was to ask about the engines themselves. As I understand, engines can be used in any model config. (well, to a limit).
Heres a GREAT place to look http://rcwebboard.com/forum/forum.asp?Forum_ID=11 These are a really great bunch of guys that simply eat, drink and breath R/C. You should easily find all you help you need in there.
I’m unsure of what advice you want on engines (brand, size, 2 or 4 stroke ?). But I’ll plunge in anyway. At present, we have a bunch of RC vehicles in our house (stadium truck, offroad truck, boat, trainer plane, and a symmetrical-wing aerobatic plane). The most useful engine (it has resided in more than one vehicle) has been the O.S. brand .40 size 2-stroke. It is apparently bulletproof and has imprinted itself in the local topsoil more than once, with no apparent ill effect. (In fact, this weekend it submerged itself in Lake Texoma, as part of an unfortunate R/C seaplane incident). Your question mentioned, “add-ons” which I will assume to mean additions to the vehicle (I don’t know of any engine modifications other than tuned exhaust). The only add-ons we’ve tried are the seaplane floats (no real success so far, we’ve been defeated by wind, waves, and center-of-gravity issues).
If your question was about beginning airplane models, I’ll pass on the advice we got after joining our local R/C model club (we did this prior to buying anything). High wing, tricycle gear (-w- a nosewheel) .40 sized airplanes were the most recommended. Our mentor recommended the “Hobbico Avistar” in particular. He sez one of the problems facing beginners is boredom once the basics of takeoff/landing and normal maneuvering are learned. The Avistar has a semi-symmetrical wing which will allow the newbie to move into a surprisingly large set of aerobatic maneuvers without the expense of purchasing another plane (loops, rolls, chandelles, lazy-8’s, immelmans, and continuous inverted flight are all do-able with this airplane). When purchased as an “ARF” (Almost Ready to Fly) kit, the inexperienced user can assemble it in less than an hour.
I will HIGHLY recommend finding an instructor with a “buddy box” to teach you. It can save you a few hundred bucks and it only took my son 3 weekends (coupla hours each time) before he was flying.
Hope some of this covers what you were looking for. I’ll explain more if you wish…
Glow engines are basically the same but they aren’t uiversal. car and helicopter engines often have a big rectangular cylinder head to allow more cooling fin area that usually isn’t needed by planes. They may also have a different drive plate arrangement.
There are multi cylinder and four stroke engines but you’ll probably want a single cylinder two stroke. Ball bearings for the crankshaft are better than sleeve bearings and that’s pretty common in mid size R/C engines. There are different porting arrangements and y ou may see terms such as schurle and other variations but not so critical for a trainer.
Nitromethane is often used as a fuel additive and in some cases its the only fuel component. There is always a certain percentage of oil, usually around 20-25%. For training and sporting purposes you don’t need a nitro fuel and most sport fuels are maybe 5% nitro.
That said, get an electric park flyer if you want to learn. They can crash and survive easily. There is an old saying in the R/C world that mostly applies to glow power, “every plane is doomed.” If you can’t bear to see your beautiful plane reduced to trash in an instant it may not be the sport for you.
As a matter of fact, I just won an electric powereded WW2 F4-Corsair on ebay. It probably won’t be here for another week or so, and even when it does come I still have to wait till the weather gets better before I can take her out for a good run. I think I’m really gonna enjoy this plane
was very well said