Installing a Dummy Rotary Engine

Installing a Dummy Rotary Engine

After finishing my recent project, the 1/4-scale Sopwith Camel, I test flew it and trimmed it out so it was performing really well, but it just did not look right without a scale rotary engine to fill that big round cowling. Starting with a molded, fiberglass dummy rotary from Balsa USA, I detailed, and painted it and installed it in the Sopwith Camel over the course of a long weekend.

engine2

The overall project took only about 10 hours which, compared to the airplane construction itself, is really no time at all considering how much it improves the model’s scale appearance.

engine3

complete with all its details and separate lifter rods, the molded engine was attached to the inside of the cowling in the typical fashion, but if you have the needed room, you could also install metal or wood standoffs on the firewall around the G-38 engine and attach the dummy rotary that way. It’s up to you.

radial-engine

The end result earned me a 2nd place win in the Designer Scale class at the 2016 WRAM show scale competition. Here’s how I did it…

 

MODEL AIRPLANE NEWS PREMIUM members can access this article and many others highlighting amazing techniques, RC airplane builds and projects. When you become a member, you’ll get instant online access to our back-issue archives, the latest Model Airplane News Digital Editions, all of our newsstand-only special issues, and much more.

Membership includes exclusive access to our enormous collection of RC information.

  • 7+ years of digital editions of Model Airplane News
  • Flight Journal and Model Airplane News special issue digital editions, previously only available on newsstands
  • Free access to our magazine app through the iTunes Store – get Model Airplane News on your mobile or tablet device
  • Aerobatic flight technique video lessons for plane & helicopter pilots
  • Contests & giveaways only for members
  • 30 years of Model Airplane News archives
  • 10 years of Electric Flight archives
  • 5% off ALL Air Age Store purchases every time you shop

https://www.airagestore.com/memberships/planes/one-full-year-of-exclusive-member-access-for-only-24-95.html
Man_newsletter-button_WEB_FINAL

 

Updated: November 17, 2016 — 10:52 AM
Air Age Media ©
WordPress Lightbox