"OPS .29 Speed" ???

Does any one know where I might get information on the OPS .29 "Speed" engine? Mr. Google came up bare... It's probable not even manufactured anymore.

I'd like to know about break in procedures, prop sizes, fuel requirements/recommendations, pipe recommendations, possibly even torque/HP curves if possible (or at least where the torque/HP curves peak).

The label was created via a partnership of three model engine companies in Italy, including Rossi, to produced relatively low volume, high price (and high quality) engines. No binding legal agreements existed, they never incorporated, and just when they were beginning to do quite well, there was a personal disagreement of some sort and the company was dissolved.

George A. was disappointed in the trio's antics; he had been importing OPS 40 FIRE's to resell as piped stunt engines. The company was making engines for something on the order of three to five years, and was gone (I think as recently as this) by 1995 or so.

.

Kiwi

OPS engines came into my conscientious during the early to mid 1970's and I understand that they are still being made so they were no "flash in the pan". See http://www.tconl.com/~sjcarte/index.html

They seem to be mostly for boats and tether cars but there are a few aircraft motors as well for R/C purposes. A friend of mine who uses the 60's in c/l speed was able to rebuild his 70's era motor from a 3 porter to a 5 porter using the parts from a new boat motor from the local (Australian) dealer.

I vaguely remember some mention of a new .29 tether car motor being introduced recently, so you may be able to get some new parts.

For some authoritative information why not try the Delphiforums CLSPEED group. SEE: http://www.delphiforums.com/
You will have to register but it's free! The formal name of the group is: C/L Speed Forum

Good luck,
regards Ray

OPS was being sold by a company in Louisiana called Shamrock something-I'd need to look in some old mags to find the ads. Occadionally a few will turn up on eBay (mostly boat motors). Trying to think of more clues for you....I flew an OPS RE60 in RC pattern and it was wonderful. One of the most consistent, easy to run engines I ever saw. It even came with an integrated CF spinner when CF was a rare thing.

Found it. Shamrock Competition Imports, Inc. PO Box 26247 New Orleans LA 70186. This is a very old addy-c.1990, so it may not help. But they were the first OPS importer I was aware of.

Thanks for the leads!

At one time OPS had HP ratings of engines. Thay have not done this in a long time. (Who knows why)

This is the the last ratings I could find

Engine # - Type - Power - At rpm - Pipe used - Fuel

8770 - 3.5 (.21) - 1.80 - 30,500 - 3920-1 - STD

8710 - 7.5 (.45) - 2.75 - 24,500 - 6270 - 50%

8281 - 11 (.67) - 4.25 - 22,500 - 6280 - 50%

8500 - 13 (.80) - 4.55 - 21,000 - 5270 - 50%

8900 - 15 (.90) - 5.85 - 20,500 - 5270 - 50%

...uh, WOW!!!!

>Thanks for the leads!
>
>At one time OPS had HP ratings of engines. Thay have not
>done this in a long time. (Who knows why)
>
>This is the the last ratings I could find
>
>
>
>Engine # - Type - Power - At rpm - Pipe used -
> Fuel
>
>8770 - 3.5 (.21) - 1.80 - 30,500 - 3920-1 -
> STD
>
If I did the arithmetic right for a 10 inch prop at 30k rpm that's about 892mph tip speed (not including forward speed of the airplane) "slightly" supersonic at sea level on a standard day...

When the 90 at 9 movement was in its infancy, we were measuring sound pressure levels on anything that would sit still for a moment. That was in the days when the standard RC pattern prop was the 11/7.5 at 16,000+ RPM. And the tips were, in fact, supersonic. Just lengthening the pipe, increasing the diameter and pitch of the prop (to lower the RPM) and soft mounting the engine (to reduce airframe resonant noise) made a huge difference in overall noise. My Webra 60s so equipped were almost inaudible at 100 yards or so. It was like watching your plane fly behind glass.

I just got out my OPS Speed 29 VAA box to check the documentation provided. The date listed was 1974 which was near the start of production for the 29, possibly 1972. To the best of my knowledge the 29 Speed engine was produced sometime into the 1980's. The specs list 1.80 HP @ 25,000 RPM. Standard and high nitro pipes are listed and the pipe length is listed at 33 cm (13") measured from the plug C/L to the end of the pipe for 25,000 / 26,000 RPM.
No prop sizes or break in specs were encluded however a 7"D x 9 or 10" P were common prop sizes for C/L Speed. Normal break in for an ABC engine of that era's metallurgy called for 1 minute runs at a rich 2 cycle followed by a cool down repeated until the engine would hold a leaned out peak. Slow rich 4 cycle runs would pound out the rod bearings with the tight squeaky piston liner fits used.
Hope this answers some of your questions.