Going no where fast! Yeah Bud, the 3 blade didn't cut it...

Stuka Stunt Main Forum · 11 of 11 known posts recovered

EricV · Jul 05, 2004 12:45 PM

Instead of hijacking the other thread, I pulled Bud's observation out here:

"That is my conclusion also based on Eric V's experimentation yesterday.
Can't speak for Eric but since his Nobler wouldn't do a loop with the 3 blade, he may have reached the same conclusion.
But it looked COOL!

Bud Shipley"

EricV · Jul 05, 2004 01:02 PM

RE: Going no where fast! Yeah Bud, the 3 blade didn't cut it#1 source

Uh huh. Yeah Bud, I was going nowhere really fast! 6.2 laps with a screaming lean Fox is no fun at all! I did finally make it home though.

What happened is that I decided to try one of those Zingali 3 blade jobs on my Fox 35 Nobler. Not because the APC 10x5 wasn't working well, just for the the fun of it and the cool factor.

I started with the Zingali 9x6x3, and I wish I had put a tach on it, because it fooled me into thinking turning faster than it really was. The first flight was SLOW with the motor in a constant 2 cycle doing 6.2 laps, and climbing would produce slack lines.

Ok, this almost qualifies for Dee's bonehead collumn... because I then decided that the 9x6x3 must have been miss marked for pitch or something so I took out the other prop I bought, the Zingali 10x6x3. What a dope! It produced even slower laps screaming lean, and of course it was 92Degrees out Sunday too.

Trying to climb produced really nasty sounds from the poor Fox, so I proceeded to whip the airplane for the entire flight, keeping it low and level, trying to save what little aluminum internals I could.

Blessed relief, finally quit after at least 10 minutes. Also to my relief, there was no nasty black exhaust residue on the plane. The ABC conversion held up well.

I switched back to the APC 10x5 2 blade for the next flight and it was all back to normal.

I know experimenting is supposed to be a good thing, but when it comes to 3 blade Zingali's on a Fox, I think I'll pass from here on out!

Anyone else have input on Fox's and 3 blades? My old Torp 3 blade worked fine in the past, but they are long gone.

Eric Viglione

LNeumann · Jul 05, 2004 01:12 PM

RE: Going no where fast! Yeah Bud, the 3 blade didn't cut it#2 source

In another thread Brett mentions this, and I include it in my instruction sheet that I send out with my engines in these exact words: "All props are not created equal" (a good quote for the 4th of July holiday) There may be a 9 x 6 three blade prop that will work exceptionally well with your Fox. And there may be others that will stink. Thus, when going from a two-blade to a three-blade prop of the same design and type, you can generally go down about an inch in the sizes we use and be close. But if you switch types, you are on your own. The Master Airscrew props, fir instance, in the black plastic variety are generally under pitched. The Master Airscrew wood props are over pitched and harsh (very draggy). It makes for some interesting experimenting when trying props of different varieties.

Leonard Neumann

Tim McTigue · Jul 05, 2004 04:09 PM

RE: Going no where fast! Yeah Bud, the 3 blade didn't cut it#3 source

Oh, this is VERY un-good news. Last year a vintage stunter fell into my (at least temporary) possession, and I have every intention of flying it. It was built in the early 50's, and is a variation on the Mars. It has trike gear, and as I received it, it had an 8" prop on it (Sandcast Fox 35). Because there's not enough clearance for a 10-6 prop (which is what I would try first), I opted for... you guessed it, a Zingali 9-6 3-blade prop. Haven't tried to fly it yet, and now I'm thinking maybe I shouldn't, until I can get a better prop. Wouldn't want to risk a plane like this...

Tim

MAAC 65703

kvarley · Jul 05, 2004 04:24 PM

RE: Going no where fast! Yeah Bud, the 3 blade didn't cut it#4 source

I have fallen for the same thing.. A three blade prop that looks not bad and costs just about nothing ( Master airscrew). Anyway they just dont seem to work much. True the pitch is less than advertised but apart from that they seem to be really inefficient. and you end up reving too high with little thrust, sort of like their two blade black ones but much worse. They may be at their best posing as a real prop in a photo. Try a Bolly or Eather. You will like it . Keith V.

Tim McTigue · Jul 05, 2004 05:43 PM

RE: Going no where fast! Yeah Bud, the 3 blade didn't cut it#5 source

"Try a Bolly or Eather. You will like it ."

Yeah... like the Bare Naked Ladies sing: "If I had a million dollars..."

That's the trouble. I don't really OWN this plane... it should go to the museum eventually with the rest of the collection, it was just irresistable to try to fly this thing. It's in very good shape. But I can't modify the landing gear...

Tim

MAAC 65703

Ion Muniz · Jul 05, 2004 05:58 PM

RE: Going no where fast! Yeah Bud, the 3 blade didn't cut it#6 source

Put a bigger wheel on the front and smaller wheels on the back, you'll get more prop clearance.

Ion

Tim McTigue · Jul 05, 2004 08:42 PM

RE: Going no where fast! Yeah Bud, the 3 blade didn't cut it#7 source

Can't change the wheels... the LG is the PERMANENT type - music wire formed into "loops" that go through the wheel hub...

Nice thought, tho...

Tim

MAAC 65703

Iskandar Taib · Jul 05, 2004 10:07 PM

RE: Going no where fast! Yeah Bud, the 3 blade didn't cut it#8 source

LAST EDITED ON Jul-05-04 AT 10:07 PM (CDT)

Those Zingali prop blades remind one of dowels. I'm not surprised at all.

BudS · Jul 05, 2004 10:48 PM

RE: Going no where fast! Yeah Bud, the 3 blade didn't cut it#9 source

> I have fallen for the same thing.. A three blade prop that
>looks not bad and costs just about nothing ( Master
>airscrew). Anyway they just dont seem to work much. True the
>pitch is less than advertised but apart from that they seem
>to be really inefficient. and you end up reving too high
>with little thrust, sort of like their two blade black ones
>but much worse. They may be at their best posing as a real
>prop in a photo. Try a Bolly or Eather. You will like it .
>Keith V.
What size would be good for a Fox 35?
TIA Bud S

Bud Shipley

DarrylW · Jul 06, 2004 01:23 PM

RE: Going no where fast! Yeah Bud, the 3 blade didn't cut it#10 source

Zingali? Hmmmm...

Years ago, I tried a normal (or so I thought) 2-blade Zingali 6x3 on a Babe Bee powered Lil Wizard. It taxied a bit, but didnt develop enough thrust to even get the Wizard off the ground at full RPM. As I recall, any other prop from a grey C*x 5x3 to MA 6x4 worked just fine for training flights with this combination. I have always wondered what was with the Zingali.

Anyway - last winter I bought an MA 9x6 3-blade for my Mathis Stuka/OS 35FP so I could get a bit more ground clearance. Guess I'll just leave it in the nice cellophane bag it came in, and stick with the Zinger 10x6.

Darryl Wurtz
MAAC 41841