Conference vmszoo::rc

    The no nitro is defitely a bonus. Not for $ or Pound strerling reasons,
    but for rust reasons.
    
    I have seen several Lasers run and they are very robust and handle very
    nicely indeed.
    
    The two used on the Vickers Vimmy bomber at the scale Top Gun in
    Florida this year ran just beautifully once they fixed the tank!. I    
    chatted to David Boddington who just loved them.
    
    Regards,
    
    EVL-1.

    >>    My wife has just ordered a .70 for me as a present! (maybe I should
    >>    start a note on my wife!).
    
    If my other half did this I would think she was unwell 8-).
    
    Amen - for no nitro for cost reasons. 
    
    Eric.
    

    I've never seen one.  Are the valves activated by cam, pushrods and
    rockers or is a belt and rotary valves used.  Are the valve
    rockers/mechanisms covered?
    
    Will
    

    	Nigel,
    
    	several members of my club, have nothing else but laser
    	engines.  In fact they must be the most popular engine
    	seen at the flying site.  One member has eleven of them
    	from the original 62, to the 150 twin. (he seems to order
    	a new one every month!)   I don't know if you are aware,
    	but Neil Tidey has just upgraded the entire range.  The 
    	original 62 is now the new 70, the old 70 becomes the new 80 etc.
    	Seems like he's managed remove some metal, increase the capacity
    	(saving weight in the process!) and power output.
    
    	cheers
    	Brian

    
    re .3
    
    The valves are operated by pushrods and rockers, which are enclosed.
    The pushrods are at the rear of the engine too, which gives good crash
    protection (important for me! 8^).
    
    Re .4, yes I'd heard about the new sizes. I have drawings of the .62,
    which is still available incidentally, I used these to check that the
    engine would fit in my airframe. The .70 is the same external
    dimensions, so I went for it on the basis that "there ain't no
    substitute for cubic inches".
    
    Keep saying nice things about them folks, it makes me feel even better
    about my decision!
    
    Cheers
    
    Nigel
    

    
    The Laser arrived in this morning's post. I am *very* pleased with it
    so far. The finish is lovely, beautiful crisp machining. The carb
    supplied is, I believe, a Super Tigre item. It feeds directly into the
    head, from the rear. Again this is good for crash-worthiness, and they
    say it gives easier adjustments. The carb and exhaust can both be
    rotated to give the best fit within a cowl. 
    
    Engine specs are:
    
    	Bore		:	1.09 in
    	Stroke		:	 .74 in
    	Weight		:	20 oz
    	Prop Size	:	12x7 - 13x8
    	
    I am now looking forward to getting a prop on, putting it in a test
    stand and firing it up! Regrettably work intrudes once again, and this
    is going to have to wait until later in the week 8^(.
    
    I'll post more when I know it, but so far I'm a happy boy.
    
    Nigel
    

    
    Well, on Saturday I finally got round to finishing the test stand and
    installing the Laser.
    
    I oiled the valvegear and bottom end (as per instructions) turned it
    over three times to prime, hooked up the glow plug and flicked it over
    by hand. It started third flick! 8^) 8^) 8^)
    
    Happy, happy, happy. I let it run a tank full through at tickover
    (which is amazingly slow for a new engine, running straight fuel a bit
    on the rich side), with occasional bursts up to full throttle. 
    
    It runs beautifully, and sounds *gorgeous*.
    
    All that remains now is to shoehorn it into my Puppeteer, and see how
    it behaves in the air. So far, so good.
    
    Nigel (A happy punter).
     

    
    Very belatedly (been a busy boy), here's a quick update on the Laser. I
    flew it in my Puppeteer, and I'm still mightily impressed. It starts
    very easily, doesn't seem in the least upset by a less than perfect
    installation in terms of tank position. It ticks over (OK, *idles*! 8^)
    very slowly, even though still new and tight. It seems to make *plenty*
    of power, although I daren't open it up fully in the Pup, it'd probably
    pull the wings off! Throttling is reliable, and it doesn't seem in the
    least sensitive to the needle valve setting. I'm letting it run on the
    rich side for the moment, since I don't need the last drop of power,
    and I don't want to risk a lean run, but it still starts easily
    (inverted, and starting by hand), and throttles up smoothly and
    reliably. Great stuff!
    
    And last but not least it's quiet, and what noise it does make is very 
    pleasant and easy on the ear. As the Pup trickles by on a low pass with 
    the engine burbling away to itself it's a sight and sound to please 
    anyone.
    
    Buy one today!
    
    Nigel.
     

    There was a good right up in one of the English mags recently on Laser
    engines and Neil etc. Several pages.
    
    
    Eric.