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FINAL THOUGHTS My goal in writing this series of fuel articles is to provide you, the sportsman/hobbyist, with sci-tech answers regarding fuel and the modern 2- stroke glow ignition engine so that you can get out to the field and fly, and your engine will perform well and maintain its longevity. CASTOR OIL HELPS TO COOL A HOTRUNNING ENGINE Another consideration for nontraditional fuels that use reduced lubricant percentages: Castor oil helps to cool any size engine, but it's especially effective with larger displacement engines where the ratio of cooling area to cylinder displacement is limiting heat rejection. Based upon traditional lubrication content, here are a few engine displacements (bore = stroke) with their calculated lubrication percentages: LARGER ENGINES DEMAND A LOWER NITROMETHANE PERCENTAGE In 1948, three American engine manufacturers released their versions of the revolutionary ½A glow engine, but the so called "baby engines" would soon cause problems for unsuspecting modelers. Although the fuel blends shown are formulated to work over a wide range of engine displacements (from approximately .19 to 2.20ci), the total lubricating oil content is probably best suited to a .40ci engine (18%). [Extracted from the article]

The article presents step by step instructions on how to clean an aircraft engine.

The article discusses the difference on the performance between ethanol and methanol as traditional glow fuel. It states that ethanol-based glow fuel has renewable resource with higher heating value compared with methanol and less expensive but it delivers less power and does not cool enough. However, remote control planes consider ethanol as an option to traditional fuel for engines to reduce carbon emissions and help the environment.

The article offers information about fuel and the modern 2-stroke glow ignition engine. According to the author, large engines requires less lubricating oil percentage and less nitromethane percentage. Moreover, when met, engine decreases pumping and bearing-drag losses, improves fuel and oxygen molecule contact within the engine's induced air, and reduces energy loss.

The article evaluates two products related to synthetic lubricants including Castrol Super M synthetic from Union Carbide Corp. and Klotz KL-200 synthetic lubricant from Klotz Synthetic Lubricant Inc.

The article offers information on piston engine fuel nitromethane. It mentions that nitromethane provides a significant power supercharge over other fuels due to its ability to release large amounts of oxygen during the combustion process. It lists the primary reasons in mixing small percentage of nitromethane with glow fuels including increased engine power, ease of starting the engine, bettered idling and sharpens throttle response. It notes tips on keeping nitromethane-induced engine cool.

The article offers tips on how remove varnish from model airplane's engine and offers suggestions on engine maintenance.

The article provides information regarding the O.S. FL-70 engine, distributed by Great Planes Model Distributors Co. It has a bore of 27.7mm and a stroke of 19.0mm, that is, a bore/stroke ratio of 1.457:1. The FL-70 incorporates a very short connecting rod. When a short connecting rod is used with a high bore/stroke ratio, the result is a compact, low-weight design. Though the FL-70 is the company's first ringless design, the ringless assembly does have disadvantages, such as piston wear and early loss of the compression seal, but this deficiency is somewhat offset by the engine's relatively low piston speed. INSETS: PROPS & POWER;OTHER PROPELLERS;IDLE RPM AND SOUND CONSIDERATIONS;FEATURES

Evaluates the Saito FA-82a model airplane engine. Design features; Break-in; Components; Normal operation. INSETS: Specifications;PROPS & POWER.

Features the O.S. Max .46AX engine for model airplanes distributed by Great Planes Model Distributors Co. Distinct feature of the product; Specifications of the engine; Price of the engine.

Probes into the importance of glow plugs for model airplanes. Comparison between short and long glow plugs; Description of the idle bar glow plugs; Functions of glow plugs; Types of special glow plugs. INSETS: SPECIAL GLOW PLUGS;THE IDLE-BAR GLOW PLUG: TREATING THE EFFECT.

Features the four-stroke engine models used in model airplanes by aeronautical sports enthusiasts in the U.S. Annotation on the performance of four strokes by its proponents; Contention among detractors for its power and maintenance features; Comparison between the four-strokes and the 2-stroke design in terms of resistance to corrosion. INSET: DEVELOPMENT OF THE 4-STROKE.

Focuses on the test conducted on engines used for airplane models by the author. Design features, fabrication techniques and materials that are common among all engines used in the test; Performance of the Fox Eagle .61 ABC racing car engine; Key features and performance comparison of the tested engines; Features of engines that should be compared in testing their efficiency.

Provides information on how to balance two-, three- and four-blade aerial propellers for airplane models. Definition of the balancing process; Types of balancers; Materials needed.

Focuses on temperature tuning of engines of remote control mobile airplanes to achieve maximum engine performance. Factors affecting engine performance; Solutions to heating problems; Tips to cool engine temperature.

Provides guidelines for engine maintenance in model aircrafts. Definition and consequences of engine break-in; Determination of the general categories of engine through the type of piston and cylinder combination; Reduction of temperature in non-aluminum piston, brass cylinder and chrome-plated engine break-in. INSETS: NON-ABC ENGINE SAMPLE BREAK-IN.;ABC ENGINE SAMPLE BREAK-IN..

Introduces the Moki 2.10 series of high-performance model aircraft engines distributed by Gerard Enterprises Inc. Assessment of turbine construction; Evaluation of crankshaft and housing bearing fit; Features of the motor.

Examines low to intermediate-price .40 cubic inch engines for model airplanes. Criteria in evaluating the value of miniature engines; Advantages of ABC-type engines; Comparison of engine specifications and fuel usage; Features and performance of the OS Max .40 LA Silver from OS Engines. INSETS: AT A GLANCE.;Behind the scenes..

Provides insights on model airplane engines. Capability of the 2-stroke engine; Use of polishing for engine power improvement; Tips for engine performance measurement.

Evaluates the MCC FE-120 engine for model airplanes from Erickson. Inventor of the engine; Difference from other engines; Working mechanism; Fuel use; Accessories; Method for mounting the engine; Break-in procedure; Dynamometer test; Cost.

Forecasts developments in remote control (RC) technology and electronics used in the control of model airplanes. Increase of RC channel allocation; Simple-to-operate transmitters; Improvements in the performance of receivers; Development of innovative designs for servo actuators.

Highlights the history of the engines of model airplanes. Spark-ignition era from 1932-1946; Introduction and use of the glow plug from 1947-1962; Problems of glow plug engines; Introduction of tuned expansion chambers in 1965; Introduction of pressurized fuel system in 1975; Development of gas-turbine thrust reaction engine in 1983.

Evaluates Jett Engineering Inc.'s Sport-Jett .46 model airplane engine. Crankcase; Ball bearings; Crankshaft; Cylinder; Throttle carburetor; Break-in; Results of dynamometer test.

Focuses on the real performance measurement (RPM) of the Nelson Q-40 model airplane engine from Nelson Competition Engines company. Suggestion that progress in the production of engines can be attributed to Henry Nelson; Description of the engines which Nelson produced; Background information on Nelson; Features of the Q-40 engine; Performance of the Q-40 engine. INSET: Engine Specifications.

Evaluates Sullivan Products' Genesys in-flight generator system for model airplanes. In-flight power system; Installation; System accessories. INSET: Specifications..

Highlights the Moki 1.20 model airplane engine. Description of the engine's specifications; Details on the engine's output performance; Physical description of the plane. INSET: Specifications.

Features the Maxi .30 2-stroke single cylinder miniature engine for model airplanes from OPS company. Packaging of the Maxi .30; Description of the Maxi .30; Information on the engine; Tests conducted on the engine; Advantages offered from the size and weight of the engine.

Presents information on the Fox.46 BB ABC. Reference to the Fox.35 engine; Identification of the engine's specifications; Information on the Fox engines' history. INSET: Fifty years of Fox engines..

Focuses on the Estes Industries and its contract with MDS organization of Russia to import a line of greater displacement engines for model aircrafts. Details on MDS engines; Details on the construction of investment-cast crankcase; Other related information. INSETS: Engine specifications.;Investment casting..

Presents the Moki .61 R/C-LS ABC engine for model airplanes from Model Line Limited of Budapest, Hungary. Features of the long-stroke design of the Moki; Competitiveness with other engines; Construction of component parts such as the crankcase, piston and cylinder sleeve; Results of tests conducted on the Moki using various propellers. INSET: Super tank..

Presents equipment & supplies related to airplane modelmaking. Includes ignition unit for rocket motors; Onboard battery monitor; Cline proportional fuel system; Battery backer; Air screamer; Three-channel telemetry system; Glowdriver for airplanes; Flight alarm; Maximum airspeed indicator; In-flight power system; Bubbleless fuel tank.

Features the K&B .40 ABC radio control (R/C) engine. Specifications and mechanisms; Functions in model airplane flying; Engine type; Operation of engine; Total performance. INSET: Control port technology..

Features an electric motor for model airplanes called Webra Silverline .61. Specifications; Construction; Break-in and performance. INSET: Arise 4-stroke muffler..

The article presents a part of a series of articles regarding the use of methanol and glow fuel in model airplanes. It discusses the benefits offered by methanol, including the increase of horsepower, anti-knock qualities and cooler engines. It also looks into the problems with methanol, which include high fuel consumption and difficulties in starting engines in cold weather.

The article evaluates the Saito FA-125a model-airplane engine from Saito.

Features the Saito FA-220a model airplane engine distributed by Horizon Hobby Distributors. Displacement; Bore; Stroke; Bore/stroke; Stroke/over; Weight; Crankshaft nose thread; Glow plug; Carburetor choke bore; Fuel; Length; Width; Height; Price; Peak torque; Specific torque; Peak BHP; Specific BHP. INSET: Making Torque & Horsepower.

This article presents problems of the readers about the throttle carburetors with their solution. Andrew Smith emails that he recently purchased a new Magnum .61 engine and immediately noticed a problem while running it on the break-in stand. It won't run at full throttle; it starves for fuel and quits, no matter how rich the needle valve is set. In desperation, he pressurized the fuel tank with a squeeze-bulb, and this allowed it to operate properly. He have checked the fuel lines, filter and tank for leaks and obstructions but found none. In response to the question, the solution is given that sometimes, a metal burr left over from the manufacturing process becomes lodged within a passageway or orifice, restricting fuel flow; this might be what happened, since the engine ran normally when one pressurized the tank.

Responds to inquiries pertaining to model airplane engines. Focus on engines that won't stop running; Engine mounts; Setting of the needle valve before startup; Nitro content of fuel for 1/2A engines.

Discusses the basic principles of 4-stroke valve timing for model airplanes. Intake and exhaust valves; Application of the principles of inertia to exhaust gases; 4-stroke break in.

Features the Evolution Trainer Power System, a propeller, spinner and flywheel manufactured by Evolution Engines and distributed by Horizon Hobby Inc. Design; Quality; Specification.

Presents a question and answer advisory on model aircraft engines. Concern on peak chamber pressures; Advice on fuel-delivery system problem; Effect of hot and cold weather.

Focuses on the power factor equation used in calculating the horsepower of a model airplane's engine. Other applications of the power factor equation; Compilation of APC propeller rpm data; Horsepower calculations for various engines. INSET: A real-world example..

Discusses airframes and prop selection for model airplanes. Considerations; Practical examples. INSET: The load factor formula..

Presents a questions and answers segment pertaining to model airplanes. Information on the questions asked; Highlights of the answers given.

Presents a question-and-answer advisory related to scale modeling of airplanes. Model airplane testing using dynamometers; Use of tachometers to check engine performance; Protection provided by castor oil in the fuel.

The author presents a personal narrative of his experience of following the manufacturer instruction in testing the engine of the model airplane to boost the engine's horsepower and his activity in doing the same, which resulted in the problem of the engine in sudden quit.

Several letters to the editor and replies are presented in response to articles in previous issues including an article on smoke systems for model airplanes by John Glezilles, an article on XFC Championships coverage in the October 2010 issue, and an article on Dave Girke's discussion on ABC motor break-in procedures.

Several letters to the editor are presented in response to articles in previous issues including the Hobby-Lobby Su-34 Fullback review by Greg Gimlick, "Dressing Up a Warbird ARF" in the December 2009 issue, and the Douglas A-26 Invader construction in the December 2008 issue.

Several letters to the editor are presented in response to articles published in previous issues including "Fuel Facts" in the January 2010 issue, "80 Years of Modeling," in the December 2009 issue, and the article on the design of VQ-Models FW-190.

Several letters to the editor are presented in response to articles in previous issues including "Power and Performance," by Dave Gierke in the July 2009 issue, "Today's Video Pick," and "Final Approach."