Rich Just starting Posted September 24 Share Posted September 24 Which id best IC engine for tomboy 36' converted for radio assist (not built it yet!!) Cheers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J D 8 - Moderator Posted September 24 Share Posted September 24 Hello Rich, welcome to the forum. A bit more info about yourself will help with answers, things like what is your experience of building model planes and radio control. Would you use glow or diesel engine? Would you want a throttle? My Veron Cardinal [ similar size] has old Mills P75 diesel, goes until fuel runs out and then guided/glided back to earth. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich Griff Posted September 25 Share Posted September 25 If I remember correctly, there was an article in rcme this year about a tomboy. Cannot remember which engine was in it though. These old free flight and even rubber powered convert well to light weight RC and suitable ic engines, even electric.....good fun. Oh solar stuff like lightspan and clear coat, please come back ......... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Davis Posted September 25 Share Posted September 25 My Veron Cardinal is also fitted with a Mills 75 and in the 1960s I was given all of my uncle's models as he was dying of cancer. These included a Tomboy powered by a Mills 75 which flew it well free flight but the ED Bee was also a popular choice of engine for the Tomboy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J D 8 - Moderator Posted September 25 Share Posted September 25 Were you want a throttle, for a Diesel a PAW as in my Mercury Matador. Or if glow how about an Enya 09 or OS 10. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Lee Posted September 25 Share Posted September 25 Welcome. There is no single 'best' choice, but there are a myriad of suitable candidates. Below is the original recommendation from 1950 which still holds true today. Suitable engines are readily available on eBay whilst the upcoming BMFA auction looks like will have the choice of several hundred candidates. https://nationalcentre.bmfa.org/auction#!/ Modern replicas & retro engines such as Redfins would also fit the bill. (ps mine is electric powered! 🤢) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard Harris Posted September 25 Share Posted September 25 (edited) Like others mine has a Mills 0.75 powering it which suits it perfectly. It is purely Free Flight and I back off the motor for a steady climb. Here is a video of one of its first flights about 15 years ago, excuse the autofocus clicking. I've lost count of the amount of flights its had, a great model. Edited September 25 by Richard Harris 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phil Green Posted September 25 Share Posted September 25 54 minutes ago, J D 8 - Moderator said: Or if glow how about an Enya 09 or OS 10. In a Tomboy? 😁 😁 😁 A backed-off Mills .75 suits it perfectly and is 'period appropriate' 🙂 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Engine Doctor Posted September 25 Share Posted September 25 The go to diesel engine for small vintage models seems to be the Mills 0.75cc. They are a great easy starting engine for models like the Tomboy but they often demand quite high prices conpared to something like a DC Merlin. The Merlin 0.76cc is IMO every bit as good as a Mills and gives more power if needed and is often overlooked in favour of a Mills ? The older early production Merlins like all DC engines are far better quality than the later offerings before they ceased production. You can recognise an ealier engine by the no of fins on the head. Early version have more thinner fins and later versions have fewer much thicker fins , aviod these if you want a reliable long lived engine . Loads of diesel7 candidates to choose from in the 0.5 to 1cc range but some of the 1cc like the ED Bee are heavier and change the flying characteristics of a model like a Tomboy. Good luck and enjoy. Ps. Keep the Tomboy light especially the covering and it will fly sooo much better. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich Griff Posted September 25 Share Posted September 25 (edited) I have yet to love a mills 0.75 which came with other engines I purchased from a member on here. I intend a brief thread on each engine, some being very involved as they are stick solid... As to RC carbs/air intakes, a recent rcme article may help, but if not ( you don't have a lathe etc. ) think PAW, or possibly dens model supplies Cox 049 RC air intake. I suspect the alloy *air intake* which is RC controlable, may be glued into the grey plastic "pipe"..... Don't know if the grey plastic is diesel fuel tolerant yet. In some Welsh towns we have *inovation centres* offering laser cutting, 3 d printing, cad etc. Etc etc.. ...Porthmadog being one of them. More research to do on that subject..... Edited September 25 by Rich Griff Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Brooks Posted September 25 Share Posted September 25 I would second a DC Merlin. I have one in a Tomboy and its ideal. If you want a new engine then a PAW 049 or 06 are just about the only option. Great British engines and available with a throttle! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J D 8 - Moderator Posted September 25 Share Posted September 25 1 hour ago, Phil Green said: In a Tomboy? 😁 😁 😁 A backed-off Mills .75 suits it perfectly and is 'period appropriate' 🙂 I know I can be a heathen at times.😁😁😁 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich Just starting Posted September 25 Author Share Posted September 25 15 hours ago, Rich Just starting said: Which id best IC engine for tomboy 36' converted for radio assist (not built it yet!!) Cheers like one of these... ? The one on right has a big tank that might not fit the plan! (I'm pretty new to this... built a few balsa small things in my youth.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich Just starting Posted September 25 Author Share Posted September 25 2 hours ago, John Lee said: Welcome. There is no single 'best' choice, but there are a myriad of suitable candidates. Below is the original recommendation from 1950 which still holds true today. Suitable engines are readily available on eBay whilst the upcoming BMFA auction looks like will have the choice of several hundred candidates. https://nationalcentre.bmfa.org/auction#!/ Modern replicas & retro engines such as Redfins would also fit the bill. (ps mine is electric powered! 🤢) will a DC merlin 75 fit wit the tank?? Sorry, I'm a bit new to this! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich Just starting Posted September 25 Author Share Posted September 25 thanks for all your replies everyone Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kc Posted September 25 Share Posted September 25 Rich, Before you start - consider where you can fly ic. models. Some clubs are electric only and those that allow i.c. need silencers fitted. Obviously some people like fiddling around trying to get engines to start, but many pilots find electric power is easier especially for small models. Electric has come a long way in the last few years - Lipo batteries and brushless motors have changed everything. Your choice of course......... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich Griff Posted September 25 Share Posted September 25 As above, and diesel fuel is expensive, but these engines are frugal. Both need props, both have compression stop pins missing ( better picture of red one needed ) , spray bar missing from silver one... Silencers ???? Were an alloy tube u shaped clamped around c/case.... If you ever bump into the Dr., Take some old money with you !!!!!! 😁 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Lee Posted September 25 Share Posted September 25 2 hours ago, Rich Just starting said: will a DC merlin 75 fit wit the tank?? Sorry, I'm a bit new to this! I'm sure that you can get it to fit, the plan shows various engines with integral tanks, you may have to juggle the position of the first former &/or the engine bearers a few mm to suit. However be aware the integral tank is only about 3-4cc in capacity and will give quite a short engine run. If you want longer flights you may be better off fitting another tank either externally on the side of the fuselage or internally behind the first former. eg (Courtesy of Dens Model Supplies) Also don't overpay on eBay, perfectly good running engines go for £20-£25. More than that is for a speculator's or collector's engine rather than for one to be used. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phil Green Posted September 25 Share Posted September 25 (edited) For glow, a Cox Babe Bee is one of the most versatile model engines ever made. Cheap, available, reliable, and a radial mount with integral tank. But I would personally recommend an electric setup. 30 to 40 watts is ample with the bonus of perfect throttle control 🙂 ...however the original question was " Whats the best IC engine for a Tomboy" and for that there can be only one answer - a Mills 75 🙂 Edited September 25 by Phil Green 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Piers Bowlan Posted September 25 Share Posted September 25 (edited) The MP Jet .040 PB Classic diesel is considered a good alternative to the Mills .75cc I believe. In fact I bought one of these at a show some years ago for a Tomboy but never got around to building one! There is one for sale here. However, I agree with Phil, if I was building one today it would be electric. Edited September 25 by Piers Bowlan 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kc Posted September 25 Share Posted September 25 There is a suggested electric setup on the 4Max website but probably one of these cheaper 4Max packs would be suitable - maybe the 1400kv one would work well. But of course if you prefer to fiddle with engines and want a messy oily plane then electric won't suit! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phil Green Posted September 25 Share Posted September 25 I hate to disagree with George but the recommended 250 watt setup is ridiculous! https://www.4-max.co.uk/ppom-2321.htm on 2S and a 7x3.5 is more than enough for a Tomboy. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Lee Posted September 25 Share Posted September 25 20 hours ago, Rich Just starting said: Which id best IC engine for tomboy 36' converted for radio assist (not built it yet!!) Cheers 8 hours ago, John Lee said: There is no single 'best' choice, but there are a myriad of suitable candidates. 1 hour ago, Phil Green said: ...however the original question was " Whats the best IC engine for a Tomboy" and for that there can be only one answer - a Mills 75 🙂 I concede Phil! 🤣 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PatMc Posted September 25 Share Posted September 25 4 minutes ago, Phil Green said: I hate to disagree with George but the recommended 250 watt setup is ridiculous! That's Ollie Tiger territory 😱 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Davis Posted September 25 Share Posted September 25 21 minutes ago, Phil Green said: I hate to disagree with George but the recommended 250 watt setup is ridiculous! I've found that his recommendation for the Radio Queen also produces excessive power making the model unpleasant to fly. Of course with electric flight you can always fit a smaller propeller to reduce power. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.