So first up, the basics.

Model aircraft engines are similar to their full size equivalents. They are available in 2 stroke and 4 stroke glow (sometimes referred to as 2 cycle and 4 cycle), diesel, gasoline and jet form. You can also find Wankel rotary engines but these are incredibly rare.

Engine Size

All model aircraft engines are expressed as a given size, which is their volumetric capacity in one hundreths of a cubic inch. For example, an engine with a .60 cubic inch capacity would be called a 60.

Glow Plugs

Nitro engines differ from a standard gasoline/petrol engine in that they use a glow plug instead of a spark plug to ignite the fuel-air mix each revolution. The glow plug needs to be heated initially with an igniter, but continue to run after this. They are also one of the most common parts to fail, so having a few spares is a good idea.

Carburetors

This is where the fuel is added to the air being sucked into the engine. An engine typically has one carburetor, which can be adjusted with an idle screw and a mixture screw. The idle screw simply adjusts the idle speed of the engine while the mixture screw adjusts the mix of fuel to air which has major performance impacts on the output. The last important part is the rotating barrel. As you increase the throttle on the controls, the barrel allows more air into the engine, thus producing more power.

Model Aircraft Engine Types

Glow Engines

Two stroke glow engines are the most popular in the model airplane engines. They are capable of very high RPM and produce more power as they fire once per revolution opposed to once per two revolutions in a four stroke. They are also cheaper, easier to run and easier to maintain.

Four stoke glow engines produce more low rev torque and sound great.

Gasoline Engine

These are generally used in much larger RC airplanes. Fuel for these is less costly which can offset the extra initial cost for the engine itself. There are many variations of gasoline engine – 2 stroke, 4 stroke, magneto ignition, electronic ignition etc. If you are even considering a gasoline engine, chances are you’ve been in the RC hobby scene for a while and already know what you are talking about.

Diesel

Diesel model airplane engines are not very common among model aircraft builders, but they are still an option. These engines provide a high torque and thus are able to move a larger propellor. They also do not require a glow plug or spark plug, as diesel/air mixtures ignite under pressure with a little heat generated by friction. Diesel engines are often used in vintage aircraft to preserve authenticity and due to the large propellors.

Gas Turbine

Exactly like a real turbine engine, but small. Incredibly loud and powerful, these engines are only used by the experts in the field. Obviously, they are very expensive! But, they are this cool.

Purchasing a model airplane engine

Before you go looking for an engine, you need to know how powerful it needs to be. Sometimes model frames are given a specific number i.e. “40″ as they are ideally suited to a 40 engine. If this is not the case, you need to work out your model airplane’s dimensions, weight and know what performance you want it to have.

Chances are, especially if you are a beginner, your best choice of engine is a two stroke glow. Model engine specifications are given with any motor you buy, unless it is used or out of the box. Power and torque specs need to match the ones required for the size of your aircraft. If you are buying your first engine, your best bet is to buy from a store.

If you have a bit of experience and know what to look for, one of the cheapest ways to get your hands on an engine is Ebay. However buying motors from an untrusted source can be problematic.

As much as possible, you should try to buy engines “Brand new in box”, as most of the time these will be exactly the same as if you bought it from a store. Similar to ANY ebay purchase, checking seller feedback is incredibly important to ensure you do not get ripped off.

Buying an engine that is used or not in the box, there is no way to tell what you will get. Sometimes you can pick up a really good deal but it is also very easy to buy a piece of junk. Buying a modifed model aircraft engine is probably the most risky move, and you should stick away from these.

Ask the seller a lot of questions to figure out the history of the engine – how much it has been used and how old it is etc. If you get clear answers then you are most likely in luck. If the seller tries to avoid the questions, saying things like they don’t know, they are selling it for a friend, or give vague or incomplete answers… avoid them. Once again, check their feedback and make sure it is positive over a decent amount of time.

However, there are exceptions to all of this. You may pick up an absolute bargain because someone is selling an engine they have no idea about. Conversely, you may get ripped off by someone who appears genuine. Use common sense, and hope for the best.

There are also other sources to buy online. Check out model and RC aircraft forums. Often companies may sign up and do group buy discounts or just offer better prices to forum members.

Technorati Tags: model aircraft engine, Model Aircraft Engines, model aircraft jet engine, model airplane engine, model airplane engines, model airplane gas engine

300 Km/h It Is Real !!! – The most amazing bloopers are here

Technorati Tags: fastest model aircraft, large model aircraft, RC model aircraft

Technorati Tags: large model aircraft, model aircraft shows, model aircraft videos, radio controlled model aircraft, RC model aircraft, rc model aircraft videos

If you don’t know what I’m talking about, check this out.

There are so many variants that I’m not going to detail them all out but here are some of the cooler ones you can get pretty cheaply.

Standard mini dragonfly rc helicopter by Syma. Buy here.

A step up to the Version two Mosquito. Buy here.

Combat equivalents of the mini dragonfly – with infrared emitters and sensors they can shoot each other out of the sky. Awesome! Buy here.

Mini chinook version! Buy here.

Technorati Tags: best mini helicopter, best mini rc helicopter, electric mini radio controlled helicopter, mini combat helicopter, mini dragonfly helicopter, mini electric helicopter, mini rc helicopter, mini rc helicopter parts, mini remote helicopter

“The ‘World’s Largest Gathering of Airline Enthusiasts’ will meet in Orlando, Florida between July 23-25, 2009 (Thursday through Saturday) at the Wyndham Orlando Resort. You don’t need to be a member of WAHS to participate in Airliners International 2009 or attend the trade show – you only need to have an interest in commercial aviation!”

What is this event? The most important part is bolded

• “Meet fellow airline fanatics from all over the world!
• Exhibition hall for buying, selling and swapping airline memorabilia!
• Tours of local aviation museums!
• Special Saturday night banquet and guest speakers
• Seminars devoted to the airline enthusiast. Talk to the men and woman who flew for the airlines during the ‘Golden Age of Aviation’ in the 1950s and 1960s!
• Aviation Slide & Photography Evening
• Model Contest!
• Photography Contest! Slide Contest! Postcard Contest!
• And many other surprises to come!”

Find out more at Airliners International 2009 or register here.

Flyer - Click to enlarge

Technorati Tags: Scale model aircraft

If you can’t tell yet, I’m pretty big on military model kits. What’s cooler then a huge chunk of metal that flies through the air? A huge chunk of metal that flies through the air with guns.

The Superfortress was used mostly in the China, Burma and India area, the South West Pacific during WWII and then in the Korean conflict. Iit was originally designed and built as a high altitude, long range strategic heavy bomber. It was capable of carrying a 20,000 lb payload! How good is that.

Defensive armament included 4 remotely controlled turrets, each utilizing two .50 caliber machine guns. I loved driving those in Call of Duty.

Kit Features

Bomb load, complete interior, Hamilton Standard hydromatic propellers.

1:48 Scale

Skill Level 2-requires paint and glue.

Most importantly, it’s huge.

Excellent.

Get it at amazon.

I found a site where you can find pretty much any information you are after, provided it’s in blog form. It’s also great if you are just chasing some random reading – just hit “Random Blog” on their home page. Pretty neat, hope you find some good stuff on it.

1. Dremel or rotary tool

Used mainly for drilling, cutting and buffing, a Dremel is one of the most handy tools I have ever owned. And not only for use on scale models, but all around the house and on the car too. As usual, brand names aren’t cheap, but depending on how much you use it you can probably get away with a cheap one.

2. Helping Hands and/or tweezers

Helping hands have two alligator clips that allow you to hold tricky parts in place while you paint or glue. Usually also have a removable magnifying glass for that extra detail or for those who need it. Tweezers are also great for those tiny parts. Anything to get your fingers out of the way and free of paint.

3. Fine Grain Sandpaper

Used for cleaning up small burrs (especially if you don’t have a dremel), surface defects and shaping wooden and fiberglass models. Can also be used to add texture in the finishing process.

4. Hobby File(s)

These are great for removing the larger burrs in plastic kits and can also be used for shaping components. A variety of grades is optional, but only necessary for expert detail.

I could go on and list things like hobby knives and glue, but if you didn’t already have those, you probably wouldn’t be here.

Technorati Tags: Model Building Tools, Model Makers Tools, model making power tools, Model Making Tools, scale model aircraft building, scale model tools

I thought I’d share a model of my favourite plane of all time – The SR-71 Blackbird. It was a long-range, mach 3 recon aircraft built by Lockheed. They went out of service in 1998, and in their 34 years of operation, not one was taken out by an enemy. Given that it is a sealth aircraft that cruises at mach 3.2, it’s not really suprising. But more to the point, it looks cool as hell and Amazon have a few variations of it available in model form. Judging by the reviews, I think I have found the best one and ordered mine today. You can check it out at 1/48 HSO SR71 Blackbird – made by Testors.

Also, here’s some links to other hobby related websites:
http://www.rc-cars-guide.com/index.html (Don’t worry, it has planes as well!)
Die Cast Wings

And non-hobby related ones:
Find great Dog Names at seeFIDO. This site is listed under Model Aviation Directory
http://www.feeds4all.nl

Technorati Tags: favourite, Military model kits, Scale model aircraft

I challenge you to beat them, but please try not to lose an arm in the process…

Worlds Largest Model RC Plane

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