Hyper Viper with power to spare

Gave up on the stock engine today, after all the SSW mods and fuels and props on and on, still not enough power at my altitude (5000ft). So I installed a Norvel Big Mig .061 now we are talking!!!!!!!! Took it out and flew it this afternoon, WOW. Will fly all manuvers with authority. I was using 35ft lines and will need to go to 42ft lines or get screwed into the ground. The entire install only took about 1.5 hours and really dosen't look to bad. This might not be the best fix but I had the Norvel and had lost my patience with the stock power plant. Respectifully submitted, Dave Markley

Can you post a photo of the mounting details?

Actually, I have recommended to him going to 45 to 50 ft. lines. I am flying on 44s with the Killer Bee. If you look at the equation for centripetal force (line pull), you win by going faster and adding line length. With the benefit that the Reynolds number improves for better airfoil performance, and, you have more room to maneuver and time to react.

I am going to try to attach some photo's of the Norvel install. I know it's not a pretty installation but it flys well, Dave Markley

Looks clean, and I see you are able to use the stock tank.

BTW, it appears you have repainted the black on the nose. If so, what did you use?

I thought it looked pretty good as well. I need to add Larry's balloon tank and then I think I'll be done with my Viper. Power with the Teedee .051 c/l assy on the Black Widow case and the product backplate is plenty fine so I don't think I'll do much more to the little plane, but it has gotten me interested again in building a Leprecan model. Of course as scatterbrained as I am that isn't much of an accomplishment. But my last flight had verticle, overhead, one hourglass and several other loops and such before the tank let me down and made for a boring last half of the flight. Reminds me I have to get the balloon in there before I go to Topeka next week for the outdoor club meeting.

Your installation isn't that bad though I can imagine now that you know where everything sits you could clean it up even more. Have you thought about ordering a new fuse? Does Cox have parts for this wee beastie?

If you want a Leprechaun model, and build kits, there are three good ones. The Brodak Baby Flite Streak, Baby Clown and RSM Pinto will all do a clean pattern if built right.

In fact the Baby Clown won the Leprechaun trophy last year. However, I think the Pinto would be the best flyer, especially with a Norvel .061 up front (Way overpowered, but loving it!) swinging an APC 6x2 prop at umpti-gazillion rpm. Balloon tank, of course!

Of course if you are into scratch-building, you can just scale any Classic or OT model to an appropriate size, and start building.

We discussed scaling sizes, ratios and structure in previous threads, so you can do a search for that info.

We will have Leprechaun again at the Palmer meet in June. The rules currently only require a maximum .061 size engine, AMA legal lines, and a reasonably faithful reproduction of OT or Classic model. No profile versions of full-fuselage planes.