Engine Setup/Weight and Balance
GP Patty Wagstaff Extra 300s w/ OS 1.60 FX
by Bob Pastorello
Update August 10th - FINALLY got the Patty out there with the OS 1.60, and Bambula 18 x 10. I have to admit, I originally thought this was going to be pretty marginal, but I was VERY pleasantly surprised.
Running 15% nitro, Bisson muffler, pressure tap (no Iron Bay Regulator - still backordered), but it ran superbly. The balance came out just fine after moving the rudder servo up under the canopy. Battery is right behind wing tube, and the OS is mounted on the DuBro "Isolation" mount.
Started it normally, ran it up, sounded great, so I blasted off. NO - it did NOT have that "slap you in the seat" acceleration, and YES - it used about 100' of runway to take off. But once airborne, it really started to feel "scale".
I flew through every maneuver I was able to do....remember, I'm not a 3D person, and it doesn't do torque rolls (but neither do I). From a level near-idle line, I can pull vertical, go to full power, start rolling....at about 600 feet, I decided the speck had to come back, so I chickened out. This motor combo has PLENTY of authority, Economy, and Super Reliability. There were absolutely NO problems with transition, sustained idle, and no leaning out, even in pretty violent manuevers.
In short, this is a great package, too. GP said it would work with the OS 1.60 and Bisson, and they weren't lying. It flew JUST FINE....
Today, I started the conversion of the PW from the Taurus T-52, to the OS 1.60.
Many reasons for this, but primarily to "see if it can be done, and produce satisfactory results". My reentry into pattern planes had me configuring the Petrel with the OS 1.60, Iron Bay Regulator, etc., so I thought I should have a backup.
And what better backup than an equally-new motor in the PW Extra?
SO - internet deal #2, consisting of the OS 1.60, Bisson Pitts muffler, Dave Brown spinner, and 3 Bambula 18 x 10 props found its way to my house.
As soon as the bearings arrive, I'll reassemble this beauty, and flight test. Of course, this also meant a new cowling, and at Tower's price of $20.49, how could I pass????