engine advise for Nexstar

[Tyler2]

We just aquired a Nexstar for training and previously purchased Sev's old equipment. Will a 40LA be adequate (muffler extension required) or should we go with the 46 ? Any recommendations would be appreciated. Thank-you.

[miketoner]

Seems everyone else is using the 46LA or 46LX. In my own opinion, I would get more satisfaction flying with the 46 as long as I am doing proper "throttle management". In fact if you get an os46ax, which is a very nice motor, you can use it in lots of other "sport" type airplanes, and with proper care and maintennance it should last you for a couple of years. If you've ever seen Mike's Patriot, it has a 46ax in it.

However, a 40LA might be adequate if you are on a more of a tight budget. It doesn't have anything close to the same performance, but it should still get you off the ground I think. Just keep the rest of the airplane light. However, it might not have enough juice to get you off the snow if you are learning on skiis.

Anybody else have $0.02 to chip in?

[Sev Fontaine]

Well... looking at the specs of the Nexstar (6 lbs) compared to the Duraplane Trainer 40 (5 lbs) there is a 1 lb difference.

The Duraplane Trainer 40 is the plane I had my 40LA in as a trainer and it had more than enough power for some steep climbs. It would definitely work for a Nexstar but the performance will be on the low side.

I would recommend getting a slightly lighter trainer (max 5 lbs).
Examples of such are:

Carl Goldberg - Eagle II
http://www.greathobbies.com/productinfo/?prod_id=GOL056A

Hangar 9 - Alpha Trainer 40
http://www.greathobbies.com/productinfo/?prod_id=HAN2450

Thunder Tiger - Tiger Trainer 40
http://www.greathobbies.com/productinfo/?prod_id=TTT4504

DuraPlane - Trainer 40
http://www.greathobbies.com/productinfo/?prod_id=DUR4000

The first 3 are ARF balsa planes and resemble more like an actual airplane but crashes will do more damage and will take more time to repair. I learned on the Duraplane Trainer 40. I had a radio failure with it (flight batteries were not charged) and it crashed nose into the pavement. I changed the prop and spinner and flew again that day! :eek: If it had been a balsa plane... It probably would have gone into the trash bin.

I hope this helps.

Sev

[Sev Fontaine]

I forgot to mention that the 3 balsa planes shown above have a bigger wing resulting in more lift and lower flight speeds. This is beneficial if you are starting without simulator experience. I had some simulator experience and didn't really notice the higher flight speeds of the Duracraft. It also allowed me to fly in higher winds.

[John Weekes]

Hey Tyler...

If you're shopping for a motor for your trainer...get an OS.46AX...this is an awesome powerplant that you can use in your next model. I have a 46AX in my Somethin' Extra...and I love it! These motor are very powerful and EXTREMELY reliable...this is what you want when you are just starting out.:D

The 40LA or 46LA will do the job...but I can almost guarantee that you'll be shopping for a more powerful engine (like a 46AX) for your second and third plane. Why not get one right now??? They pretty reasonably priced.

Regardless, I strongly recommend that you go for a motor from a well-recognized company...I hear some guys who are new to the hobby asking about motors from obscure companies...or older motors or refurbed motors. Then they end up frustrated because they end up fiddling around with the motor all the time at the field instead of getting all kinds of stick time in.

I literally have not touched the settings on my AX since it was broken in...1.5 years of steady flying. IMHO, OS make the best 2-strokes and Saito make the best 4-strokers.

Here's my Somethin' Extra engine set up:

OS.46AX
OS #8 plug
15% nitro (Morgan fuels Cool Power - all synthetic - no castor)...10% will do fine for training
Fuel filter between can and tank AND between tank and motor (some might think overkill...but my history of reliability speaks for itself)
You'll probably want an 11x6 or 11x7 prop on it...get Master Airscrew...not an APC at this point (MAs hold up better for training).
I also put a screen over the intake on the carb venturi now that we're flying off grass...swipe an old pair of your mom's nylons and use some kind of small elastic or rubber ring to hold it on.

...Hope this helps...

John

[Dave_Sawatzky]

I think the NexStar is an escellent trainer. When I was an instructor at ORCC, I always was happy when I saw new students show up with NexStars. They are a very solid flying airplane with no bad habits that I ever discovered.

And I concur with the general consensus about powering it a .46 AX. It would be plenty of power for the NextStar without being grossly overpowered. There will be times when you appreciate having that extra power to get you out of trouble during your training.
I think the .40 LA would definitely be less power than desireable for the Nextstar and even the .46LA would be on the low end. I have a .46 LA... runs smoothly and very reliable but not much oomph.

I also agree with John about starting off with master airscrew props. My reasoning is that they are cheaper and you are going to be breaking props when you start learning how to land.

good luck on your engine selection.

[Tyler2]

Big thanks to everyone for their advise. We were leaning towards the 46ax so that does it. This is a father / son joint venture so we're not sure what dad does when son advances with a new plane and jacks the new 46.

The other thing is we're not planning on any crashes, rough landings, or broken props. Nobody told us about that before deciding to take up the hobby.

Thanks John for the extra tips on fuel filters and stealing nylons !

Any instructors up for the challenge of training the newbie duo ?

Thanks again,

Dave Blackwell

[nantha]

Even though everyone seems to like ox46ax. I found Evolution 46 much more easier to maintain and comes broken in ready to go. It also has similar spec vs ox46ax.

spec

OS .46 Ax
Displa 0.45
Bore 0.86
Stroke 0.77
Out put 1.65hp @ 16,000rpm
Rpm range 2000 to 17,000
Weight 17.2

Evloution 0.46NT

Displ 0.47
Bore 0.80
Stroke 0.80
Rpm range 2000 - 12,500
Carb barrel with 2 needles

chek the horrizonhobby.com for more detail

[John Weekes]

That's easy, Dave...just buy another .46AX! :p

...Remember, Dave, you are now sliding quickly down a steep slope to a bottomless pit!!! :D ...We can barely move around our basement w/o bumping into a model airplane...and that's the way I like it! :) One flight ready model is never enough...you need to have 3-4 ready to go! ;) Presently, I have 6 in flying condition and another 6-8 in various stages of construction, etc.

...Just watch the flood gate open now with similar postings from the gang...

Hey, but what a great father/son activity. ...This is the stuff of memories. I can't tell you the number of guys I've spoken with who have some positive association with model airplanes and their dads. ...Great stuff...

I just checked the Greathobbies site - OS.46AX is now $124.99. This is an excellent deal.

Sounds like Nantha likes the Evolution...I'd buy the AX hands down. ...Sorry Nantha...

Anyone flying this week-end???

John

[Sev Fontaine]

I'd have to agree with John... The 46AX is definitely the engine to get in a 46 size. It has gobs of power... will run with absolute reliability... and sounds absolutely amazing. I had one in my Rapier Delta and couldn't have been happier with it.
Also very interestingly... OS just came out with the 55AX. It has the exact same mounting dimensions of the 46AX for only a few extra dollars.:cool:

[John Weekes]

OS.55AX - had also looked it up on Greathobbies... $169.99. About $10 less than what I paid years ago for my old OS.46FX (another great motor!). I think this is a great price for what appears to be a really high performance sport motor.

...There's also the OS.50SX (ringed)...but I think both of these motors are over kill for a trainer...and even a second or third-type model.

My OS.46AX will hover my ~5lb. Somethin' Extra no problem...gobs of power to pull it straight up and out of sight! Full throttle straight and level is really overspeed for this type of airframe.

BTW, I think Shahram is going to buy a .55AX for the seaplane he's building for next summer's ORCC float fly. ...A SeaBird? ...I saw this kit on consignment at Multi-hobby recently before Shahram picked it up. Basically a 40-46 size model. The .55AX should honk the plane off the water... :D

Happy landings...

John

[Dave_Sawatzky]

I'd be curious to hear any feedback on the .55 AX from anybody who has run one or seen one. I recently bought one for my Funtana .40 to replace the .50 SX which has been living happily in my Tantrum for the last season. I haven't run the AX yet so I don't know how it runs. I was a bit disappointed to find that it does not have the remote needle valve that I though was a hallmark of all O.S. 2-strokes. However, the needle valve is at least angled back.

Also got new wheel pants and a new cowl for the Funtana. It'll be like having a new plane next season.:)

By the way... apparently Funtanas are VERY "in" this year. Sort of a retro thing I guess, like bell bottoms or VW beetles. Too bad for all you guys who don't have Funtanas any more.:(

[nantha]

Actually I have three generation of OS SF, FX and AX..i did liked the two previous John.

Since..I am not afraid to try other makes..i did try Irvine 40 since they are not available for purchase in Canada. I try the Evloution..it atleast kept my Ultra Stick in the Air:p

so what else i can hope from an engine. I still have .25 OS engine, love them.

also evloution is lot cheaper $ 89.99 US

[ablais007]

Hey Dave. If OS makes it, you know you will like it!!!

Cya.

[Tom Hastie]

By the way... apparently Funtanas are VERY "in" this year. Sort of a retro thing I guess, like bell bottoms or VW beetles. Too bad for all you guys who don't have Funtanas any more.:(

Yup... I agree. they're cool again! :)

http://www.engsoc.org/~thastie/Tos-Big-Electric.MPG

Tom

[ablais007]

I have seen alot of Thunder Tiger 46 Pros as well. They seem to run very well. Mike Torunskki swears by Thunder Tiger!
I have had my 46 AX for 3 years.... awesome engine. I had bearing trouble with mine but after Hobby services replaced it 2 times, I have had no bearing trobles at all.:) Gotta love the warranties!

Very versitile engine when the proper props are used!

Some people like the underdogs.. Like MDS and Evolution. Ya, they are cheaper.

[John Weekes]

I'm curious...what did you decide to buy? An OS.46AX?;)

John

[Tyler2]

Thanks for the interest John. Yes, we went with OS46AX. I had my eye on it from the get-go and with all the great advise that was it. How's that goose coming along ? I think our father/son tag team will involve my building skills and Ty's flying skills. The reverse could be a disaster !

Dave

[HORSEMAN]

I got tired of breaking the plastic needle valve on the OS 46 so I put
in the os 55ax into my nexstar trainer and what a surprise my sluggish
plane can now climb almost verticle with no problem and the needle valve
design is much better. The engine ran great from the 1st time I started it.