K&B question

Stuka Stunt Main Forum · 6 of 6 known posts recovered

marlll1948 · Jul 15, 2004 07:34 PM

I have aquired two K&B Sportster engines, one is a .65 the other .28. Can these engines be adapted for C/L use. Both are new and I'm wondering if they can be used for C/L or should I sell them?

L. L. Marler

Bill Little · Jul 15, 2004 09:26 PM

#1 source

I remember the late Mike Garman using the K&B Sportster series of engines, in the 28, 45, and 65 size. Biggest problem I saw in them was that they are on the heavy side for their output, but Mike had a lot of success with them on several different ships.
Bill <><

When the character of a man is not clear to you, look at his friends.
Japanese Proverb

Steve Fitton · Jul 15, 2004 11:07 PM

#2 source

>I remember the late Mike Garman using the K&B Sportster
>series of engines, in the 28, 45, and 65 size. Biggest
>problem I saw in them was that they are on the heavy side
>for their output, but Mike had a lot of success with them on
>several different ships.
>Bill <><
>
>
A bigger problem with them was their construction-it is VERY easy to strip head bolts, as the aluminium used for the case is quite soft. The 45 and 65 tended to wear out quickly, and Mike used Superfuel in them to prolong the engine. If my memory is correct there is no sleeve in those motors-the cylinder bore is just machined in the case.

That being said, they did run good for stunt, or at least Mike's did. There were no internal mods done by him on then.

The power was good but not spectacular-his 45 flew a Brodak Cardinal with about as much authority as a good LA-46. And like Bill said, they are a bit heavy. But if you've got one, heck, try it out!

Iskandar Taib · Jul 16, 2004 06:34 AM

#3 source

I forget exactly who wrote it (in one of my old magazines), but the comment was the K&B Sporsters were "slag engines done right". Slag engines being those low quality engines one could buy during the 1940s and 50s that didn't use sleeves. The K&B was supposed to be AAC, the difference being that the PISTON was chromed, rather than the cylinder.

Alan Hahn · Jul 16, 2004 09:02 AM

#4 source

The 28 is a good engine for a profile 35.

Alan

Fred Krueger · Jul 16, 2004 09:10 AM

#5 source

Alan and I have both used K&B .28 Sportsters on profiles. Generally a 10X4 prop and a 2-stroke run works quite well.

In 1993 I flew in Beginner and Intermediate using the .28 on a Twister. A year before, I noticed John Miller using this engine on a full-fuse Twister variant that flew quite well.

Fred

Too many airplanes - too little time.