Flew the Harbinger today!

LAST EDITED ON Apr-02-04 AT 06:58 PM (CDT)
 
Went flying today guys. As you can see I refinished the Harbinger. John sent me all new dope and this time it turned pretty good. Still some minor yellowing, but acceptable. Some vitals:

58 WS
625 Sq/in
51 oz
SSW ASP 53
Bolly 12.5 x 5.5 prop
Monokote on wings, flaps, stab, and elevators.
3/10 CF and Brodak dope on fuse, fin, and rudder
Lost Foam type wing construction
Windy's CF LG
Still working on the basic trim. Gotta shim the tank tonight. Shows lots of promise. Much like last years Actroma 40 but bigger!

Crist,

A SSW Magnum 53 (same engine as the ASP) is going in my new classic plane. How do you like yours? How are you running it? Any tips?

LAST EDITED ON Apr-02-04 AT 09:18 PM (CDT)
 
Randy,
A little early to tell on my setup. First of all, I like the engine. I'm turning a Bolly 12.5 x 5.5 CF prop and release at @9500 rpm. I'm on 63" eye to eye lines and get @5.3 to 5.4 laps. I think I depitched the prop some. I'm burning @6 3/4 oz and get @7 minutes. I'm using PowerMaster 5% 50/50 oil. It would fly the plane in a deep rich 2 cycle and at the top it would have a mild break into a bit leaner 2 cycle. I have some Brian Eather props on the way and I'll let you know what I end up using. BTW I ran/run his OS 35FP's and love 'em. I expect nothing but good from this engine too. Next time out I'm gonna try 7 1/2%. The 35's like this better than the 5% so I'm gonna try it in the 53.

LAST EDITED ON Apr-03-04 AT 01:24 AM (CDT)
 
Crist,

I've gotten the Magnum 53 pretty much broken in on the stand. Seems pretty happy at a rich 2 stroke. Was mostly curious about the prop and fuel. Thanks!

I had an OS35FP that never ran right. Had nothing but problems but I certainly don't blame Len for that. I think it was just not a very good stamp from OS. Or maybe I screwed up the breakin or something. But that engine, I swear, had evil spirits or something. Or it could have been the plane somehow. The darned thing alway seemed to run fine on the test stand, but in the plane is was psychotic. One good run, 3 bad runs, 1 good run, 1 bad run. I changed tanks, fuel lines, filter, plug, NVA, fuel, you name it. Same thing. It finally did the plane in. Either it was just a bad manufacture or some sort of weird thing that happened in combination with that plane.

Anyway, I've seen too many of Len's OS35FP reworks run great in other's planes to doubt the value of the engine or Len's work. Just bad luck. I have high hopes for the Magnum. Seems very strong on the stand. Now, if I can just get the plane done...

Randy

BTW, I really like the new plane.

Did you say you were burning over 6 oz of fuel in your 53? Man I better think about a bigger tank because I have a 6 oz in my new plane with one of Len's 53's.

Crist,

Nice looking plane! Very stunt like in its lines! I like it!!!

Looks nice Crist.

Hope to see it in Iowa.