|
RIGHT STUFF FOR REAL STUNT Have you seen the ad in Tower's catalog for OS FP engines? Says, "Build to run one way . . . FAST!" They're right! If you've experienced the dreaded "run-away" on OS FP, or LA engines, and want it to run right for stunt, I can fix it. In 1984, I developed the liner re-timing that tames these engines. Others are only now catching on. Allow one week turnaround after I receive your engine. Setup instructions included. Send the engine PRIORITY MAIL to: Tom Dixon RIGHT STUFF PACKAGE - OS FP, OS LA -- .25 through .46, ST-51, tower 40
POWER SYSTEMS FOR STUNT Click here for Double Star Maintenance Update DOUBLE STAR ENGINES Double Star Engines General Operating Information FUEL: All Double Star engines are of aluminum, aluminum chrome (AAC) construction. As such, they need less oil than traditional control line stunt engines. I use, recommend, and sell Sig Fuels for use in these engines. All castor, or high castor content fuels can cause overcooling, rough running, and even, paradoxically, overheating and lean two cycle running. This is because the needle has to be set very lean for the engine to run at all on high castor fuels. Set this way, less overall fuel flows through the engine, which contributes to overheating. Alcohol in our fuel acts as a coolant as it flows through the engine. At lean needle settings, less alcohol goes through the engine. GLOW PLUGS: I have tested nearly every glow plug on the market, and the result is that the Sig R/C plug (p/n GP003) is clearly superior. This plug is supplied as original equipment in Double Star engines. Nearly all other glow plugs, including some popular brands, cause a power loss and sensitivity to needle settings. Stick with the Sig plugs, no matter what your experience (or your local expert) tells you. Trust me on this! The Sig R/C plug also improves performance of just about every other engine, including OS and Saito 4 strokes. PROPS: The best props I've ever used are Bollys in the appropriate size. Second-best are the newest B-Y&Os. Third-best are cleaned-up trued Zingers. Zingers tend to load an engine more for a given size. For example, a 10x6W Zinger loads an engine about like an 11x6 Bolly. BREAK-IN: None. People think I'm kidding. I'm not. I mean it, when I say, "Put it in the plane and fly it". On the ground, the engine does not experience the same cooling and loads as it does in the air. Ground break-in of a Double Star can actually cause premature wear. You don't break in your new car by letting it idle in your driveway, do you? PROBLEMS: If you have a problem with a Double Star, call me, not your local buddy who has never run one and has nothing invested; however, don't call me -don't even buy a Double Star, if you: 1. Make your own fuel.
DOUBLE STAR CLASSIC 40 - This engine is based on the Fox .35, but with greater bore and stroke, AAC construction, and now comes with its own muffler. A direct swap into Fox mounts, it weighs the same too. It easily turns 11X5 and 11X6 props on 5% nitro, and works best in 42 to 52 oz. models. Double Star Classic
40-------------------$150.00 DOUBLE STAR CLASSIC 50 - The classic 50, based on the Tigre G-21 .46, is a direct swap into Tigre mounts. It weighs 8oz. with bushing shaft and AAC style piston/sleeve. Works well in 48 to 58 oz. models such as the larger Classic models (T-Bird, NAKKE, etc.), or such as the Stiletto 660. It is delivered with DS lightweight tube-type muffler. Double Star Classic
50-------------------$200.00 DOUBLE STAR 60 LITE-RING - This engine is the 60 LITE with a ringed piston and "bridged" sleeve ports to suit the ring. It is aimed at the competition flyer who practices heavily, as the ring gives instant starts when the engine is still hot from a prior flight. This version was suggested by Bob Baron, and he used the prototype at the '98 Nats. Double Star 60
"Lite-Ring"--------------------------$250.00 DOUBLE STAR 60 BB - The original DS engine updated with AAC technology, instead of the previous ABC, saving 37 grams. Otherwise, it's a copy of the Tigre .60 and totally duplicates its performance and character. Comes with light weight DS tube muffler. Double Star 60 BB
----------------------$260.00 Double Star 61 LRE - The DS 61 LRE is the ringed, rear exhaust offering in the Double Star line. This is a very powerful, but classic running, stunt engine which is also incredibly fuel efficient, thanks to it’s unique porting arrangement. Weight, with included muffler, is about the same as a ST.60 without muffler. It makes a great engine for scale type models, as the muffler can be hidden in the fuselage.
DIXON CUSTOM FOX 35 - Engines are carefully fitted and various subtle changes are made to gas flow to increase power and smoothness. The crankshaft is re-balanced to reduce vibration, socket screws are used for re-assembly, and each is test-run before shipping. 100's of Custom Fox .35's have been purchased over the last few years. And . . . everyone kept thinking the one used in my Nobler was a .40. Dixon Custom Fox 35
-----------------------$90.00 Adamisin Tongue Muffler----------------------------$25.00 OS 46 LA - Similar to above ----------------------$135.00 Modifications Of Your Engine I am still providing re-work services on OS-FP and LA engines supplies by customers. (Some other engines can also be re-worked.) My modifications allow the engine to run in a traditional 4-2-4 manner at lower RPM, allowing use of 5" or 6" pitch propellers. Most people find this type of run to be more pleasant, more "traditional", and there is no need for special carbon fiber low-pitch propellers. Most wood propellers on the market will work just fine. The FP-LA re-work consists of:
Re-Time sleeve Total Price $65.00 per engine Send the engine, Priority Mail, to:
Tom Dixon Payment can be made by
cash, check or money order. All OS-FP or LA engines, from .15 to .46, can be re-worked. (The LA 60 is too heavy to be useful.) Turn-around time is usually within five days from the time I receive the engine.
ENGINE CARE AND FEEDING Updated Information Requested by Many & Re-Included in The Catalog FUEL - The most important single factor for good engine runs — GOOD FUEL! Most "R/C" fuels have inadequate lube for C/L stunt use and cause lean, hot runs, and quick wear. Following are well-proven, dependable C/L stunt fuels: I use, recommend, and sell Sig Champion fuels. Other fuels may work, if you add castor oil to raise lube content to 22-25%. Most commercial fuels are 16-20%. If engine speeds up and "goes lean" in flight, and fuel isn't listed here, lube may be inadequate. If it slows during flight, there's too much lube for conditions, e.g., 25% castor in an ST-51 will eventually "put the fire out" in cool weather. Solution: Go to l/2 synthetic lube, or drop oil to volume of 18-20%. Erratic, impossible-to-set needle valve usually means water in the fuel — get new fuel! GLOW PLUGS - "Hot" plugs are necessary in stunt. Fox R/C long and short plugs are good medium-hot plugs for most engines in most conditions, but in cold weather 4-stroke plugs, such as Fox Miracle or OS Type F, may be needed, especially in ABC, ball bearing engines. In hot weather, 4-stroke plus will usually cause pre-ignition and loss of power. A few engines (OS .32, Fox .40 ABC) need 4-stroke plus all the time. In most cases, standard "C/L" plugs are too cold for stunt in non-piped engines. Hobby Shack's Thunderbolt #3 plug works well in Merco and Fox .35s, as it's a bit colder than other 4-stroke plugs. Sig R/C plugs work very well in most engines, too! Sig R/C is best overall plug I've found! PROPS - Most don't pay enough attention to props! Maximum performance for conditions depends more on props than any other variable. If the model is heavy or draggy for engine size, it usually needs 5 1/2 to 6 1/2" true pitch in diameter appropriate for engine. If it's light, clean, and in high wind, you'll need 5 to 5 1/2" pitch in appropriate diameter (non-piped models). By now, you've noticed that no one makes props in V£" degrees of pitch. Get a Prather Pitch Gauge and learn to use it. Order from Prather or R/C mail order suppliers such as Hobby Shack. Wood props can be re-pitched by sanding. Bolly & Eather glass or carbon props can be heated with a heat gun and twisted to new pitch, and allowed to cool. No one in top 20 at Nats runs stock, unmeasured, untrued props. Believe it! What is says on the blade may be only approximate pitch. Diameter controls load on engine. Pitch controls speed of the model. TANKS - I've had best results with metal tanks from GRW or Brodak — always uniflow, but NOT using pressure, which can cause lean runs if air bubbles blow into the fuel-feed. On profile models, the tank's C/L usually needs to be 5/16" above engine C/L for outboard mounted engines and tanks. A vent extension to inboard side of fuselage helps ensure proper operation or uniflow vents on profiles. ALWAYS USE IN-LINE FILTER FROM TANK TO ENGINE and replace, not just clean, if model was out of service a while. Filter screens are a place where "crud" can grow, and flushing won't get it all!
50" span, 510 sq. in. area, thick airfoil. Perfect for Double Star .40 or OS .40FP-s KIT INCLUDES:
KIT PRICE $150.00 + $10.00 Sh & H (USA & Can.) Double
Star 54 Double Star 40 Tongue Muffler - .4 oz
|
 ENGINES
|
