OS LA 25

I am now an owner of a brand new OS LA 25RC. The venturi and needle valve assembly is on its way from Leonard. What I need according to him is a Thunder Tiger Backplate to replace the one with the remote needle assembly. So does anyone know where I can buy, beg, borrow or steal one? I have already checked Tower Hobbies and Global. Later, -DOC

>I need a Thunder Tiger Backplate to
>replace the one with the remote needle assembly. Later, -DOC

I usually cut the needle valve off the back plate with a hacksaw. If you can get a replacement back plate it is much better to replace it and sell the plastic back plate and needle valve assembly on ebay. There are lots of people that need to replace a broken back plate and needle valve.

>
>>I need a Thunder Tiger Backplate to
>>replace the one with the remote needle assembly. Later, -DOC
>
>
>I usually cut the needle valve off the back plate with a
>hacksaw. If you can get a replacement back plate it is much
>better to replace it and sell the plastic back plate and
>needle valve assembly on ebay. There are lots of people
>that need to replace a broken back plate and needle valve.
>
>Gary Weaver

Gary, that is what I plan on doing if back plate can be found. Thanks, -DOC

I converted a 40LA to control line, and all I did for the remote needle valve was to take out the screws that hold the bracket and put them back in their original holes. Subsequently, I put in hex screws and put a very thin coat of Permatex RTV gasket maker on the contact surfaces and used Loctite on the screw threads. So far, so good. I've got a metal backplate standing by, but as long as the plastic one doesn't lead, I ain't gonna fix it.
Glen

Spelling..... should be "leak" instead of "lead".
Glen

The 25FP fits. Tower has them at $3.89

http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXCF89&P=7

I have an observation. Last time I took a plastic .40LA backcover off to replace it, I noticed that there isn't a gasket. Real observant on my part... considering I've probably done 10 or so. Didn't notice before. If you look close, OS has a "gasket" like shape molded into the plastic.... not a real gasket and doubt if it does anything at all. So this leads me to think that cutting a real gasket and using washers under the cover bolts might work just fine.

Thanks fellows, courtesy of Leonard Neumann and Tower Hobbies I will have a control line engine. Now after all get together will be posting the parts on Ebay I don't need. Later, -DOC

Doc,
The plastic back-plate works fine as long as you seal it with a small amount of silicone sealer on the back-plate and on the screws. I cut the needle support off mainly because I didn’t like looking at it, but that is just me. I have two LA 25’s, one on a P Force and the other on a S-1 Ringmaster, both are fine engines and have yet to leak. I think where most of the people are running into trouble is over-tightening the back-plate screws.

Just for fun try the APC prop 9.5” x 4.5” (#LP 09545) on your LA 25 and watch what happens. You won’t believe it!! Totally Awesome!!!!

I'll soon be joining the 25LA club as a Ebay winning should be fluttering towards me. I plan to make my own venturi, no point in having 2 lathes in the workshop and getting someone else to do the making

Any suggestions re the ideal bore would be helpful.