Table of Contents
History of lap times
Engines for F3D pylon racing models
Propellers for F3D pylon racing models
Fixed or retractable landing gear ?
Challenging the wind
Flaps in pylon racing models ?
Landscape or portrait?
How it all works together
A Comparison of Pylon Racing Airfoils
Cyclon
HP
K&B
Metkemeyer
MVVS
Nelson
Nelson
OPS
OS
Picco
Rossi
Super Tigre
Webra


Aspects of
Pylon Racing

Engines for F3D Pylon Racing Models

During the 1970s various engines were used for pylon racing models, e.g. the Hirtenberger HP 40 or the Webra .40 Pylon or the K&B .40. Since it's debut in 1974, the Italian OPS .40 Pylon had become the dominant engine in Europe. The SuperTigre X-40, which became available in the same year, has never been so popular in Europe, but has been widely used in the USA. There, he was a main competitor of the K&B racing engines. In the 1980s, the OPS got a quite powerful rival: the Italian PICCO .40 Pylon engine. Later, the Malina brothers from Czechoslovakia became very successful with their ABC version of the MVVS .40 GRRT. The Italian Rossi brothers had been producing powerful .15 and .60 engines for some years, but pylon enthusiasts had to wait rather long for the competitive Rossi R40 Pylon to finally appear.

A bunch of IR engines in the box of Manfred Pick.

In 1990 the first samples of the North American Nelson .40 Pylon engine appeared and proved to be very powerful - even out of the box, without the tuning work, which the OPS usually required. In more recent years, pilots from the Netherlands started to use proprietary engines from the control line specialists Metkemeijer. These engines are manufactured in small numbers only and thus cannot be cheap.
Today, there are several good engines for pylon racing available, ranging from these "stock" engines to specially crafted engines from countries of the former Soviet Union («IR» from R. Ibragimov, «Cyclon» from Alexander Kalmykov or the «TEPMIJK (Termik)» made by Anatoly Kohaniuk in Moscow).

Since about 1998, front intake engines are seen more and more often, after 20 years of rear intakes dominating the scene. I am not sure, whether this is a new fashion or whether the improved cooling and mixing behavior of such engines is the reason for this. Part of the story might also be the critical gap adjustment of the rear inlet disk valves and their friction losses.

piston2.jpg (5549 Byte)
Finally you understand, what a «split second» stands for!

Of course, the manufacturing numbers for pylon racing engines are tiny, compared with engines for the average modeler or powerboats and cars. On the other hand, some pilots do not hesitate to fork out some extra bucks for a perfectly manufactured and powerful engine, which makes the business interesting for smaller companies and specialists. Nevertheless, we can safely assume, that no manufacturer of pylon racing engines will get rich - at least not from manufacturing and selling these engines.

Tuned Pipe. The possible tuning work to maximize the power output concentrates on the following areas:
  • optimizing the timing and all gas flow paths, including port openings,
  • finding the best exhaust system,
  • reduction of the masses and the friction of all moving parts,
  • get the most out of the carburetor and intake system,
  • find out the best compression ratio, glow plug combination,
  • ... and more.
  • Some parameters are dependent on atmospheric conditions and have to be changed accordingly. This is the reason, why you can see people flipping through small booklets with lots of numbers during a racing event: they are looking up values for compression ratio, tuned pipe length, glow plug selection for their specific engine and propeller, which had proven to be optimal under similar conditions. Some of them even have replaced their booklets by a small computer, which interpolates between the values.

    Left: A tuned pipe, as it is used on a .40 pylon racing engine.


    Testing the Performance

    The serious pylon racer needs to know about the power output of his engine. It does not matter whether he mechanically modifies the engine, or just performs the final tuning by adjusting the compression ratio and the length of the tuned pipe, or by selecting the best glow plug. In general it is not necessary to know the power output of the engine exactly in Watt or h.p.; instead, it is sufficient to compare the rotational speed with a known propeller.

    Comparing the r.p.m. values for different engine adjustments should lead to the maximum power output. It might be interesting, that the power to turn a propeller depends on the rotational speed to the power of 3.

    conrod.jpg (7182 Byte)
    Oops...
    piston.jpg (7820 Byte)
    Not again!
    This means, that an increase in speed from 20000 1/min to 20500 1/min corresponds to a power increase of (20500/20000)³ - 1.0 = 0.077 which means 7.7 % more power. Achieving the same difference of 500 1/min at a base speed of 25000 1/min results in a power increase of (25500/25000)³ - 1.0 = 0.061 which corresponds to 6.1 % of the initial power.

    We also know, that the power required to pull the model through the air depends on the speed of the model to the power of 3. The relation between power and speed for two cases 1 and 2 can be written as

    v2/v1 = (P2/P1)^1/3 .

    Thus the above power increase of 6.1 % could lead to a speed increase of

     ,  which means 2 % more speed.

    To make things more complex, the engine speeds up, when the model is in the air, depending on the propeller characteristics. Also, the fuel supply system is of influence on engine behavior and power. Usually a closed fuel tank is used, which is pressurized by exhaust pressure or crankcase pressure from the engine. Both systems have their advantages and disadvantages, but for beginners it is more advisable to use exhaust pressure. There are also tanks available, which separate air and fuel by a rubber membrane, which helps to suppress the development of foam and bubbles in the fuel line.

    More information on bench testing of engines.

     

    OPS .40 Pylon
    ops40.jpg (18905 Byte) An OPS Logo.An early OPS .40 Pylon, loved and hated by many. This engine type has been one of the most successful engines in the European F3D pylon racing circus. Its power output is between 1.5 and 2.0 kW at 22000 to 28000 rpm, depending on timing. Sand case casing with ABC piston and sleeve.

    The final variant of this engine with a special, pressed in steel front housing was called the .40 MI-SSP.

    OPS 40 Pylon

    stroke: 17.8 mm
    bore: 21.5 mm
    mass: 320 g

    (engine has been donated by Ralph Freckmann, Germany)

     

    Rossi R40 Pylon
     



    The italian Rossi R40 Pylon engine.

    Modified versions of this engine by Ranjit Phelan / Australia were competitive in 2001/2002.

     

    PICCO P 40 Pylon
    A Picco Logo.One of the first engines which was able to attack the dominance of the OPS powered models in Europe: the Picco P 40 Pylon engine powered F3D models with quite some success. With its sand molded two part casing it was competing in the heavyweight class like the OPS. Picco used 4 transfer ports to improve engine performance..

     

    PICCO P 40 Pylon

    stroke: 20.2 mm
    bore: 20 mm
    mass: 400 g

    Manufactured by PICCO Micromotori, Monza, Italy

     

    Webra Speed 40 Pylon
    Webra built this modification of its widely used Speed 40 which was available with an «L» piston ring or with an ABC piston/liner. The modifications included extended timing, a venturi carburetor and a pressure tap at the rear of the cylinder. While it was an interesting and, due to its mono-bloc casing, lightweight engine, the Speed 40 Pylon never played an important role in pylon racing, but was a nice sport and training engine. Power was quoted as 1.0 kW at 16000 rpm.

    Webra Speed 40 Pylon

    stroke: 19 mm
    bore: 21 mm
    mass: 315 g

     

    HP 40 R
    hp40r.jpg (14718 Byte)
    [click on image for larger view]

    The HP 40 R-PR, designed by Peter Billes and built since 1972 by Hirtenberger in Austria, was one of the first engines developed especially for pylon racing. Its sophisticated Schnuerle porting system was responsible for the remarkable power output of 0.89 kW at 21000 rpm. Thus it was able to surpass the K&B Torpedo models 70 and 71. The rear rotary disk intake system avoided lengthy gas passages and reduced the crankcase volume. But it still featured a ringed piston, which prohibited the use of wide port openings in the cylinder sleeve.

    This cut drawing of the HP 40 R-PR demonstrates, that the engine already showed important details of a modern pylon racing engine: rear intake, a lightweight piston and wide, a closed crank web, well rounded gas channels.

    HP .40 R-PR

    stroke: 18.6 mm
    bore: 21 mm
    mass: 435 g
    1973

    Hirtenberger HP .40

     

    Super Tiger ST X .40 Glow

    Super Tigre engines from Italy are well known for their high performance. The world speed record for R/C models by W. Käseberg in 1968 was set up with a G 60 RV ABC engine, and the X .15 engines were used in different FAI classes.

    The X .40 was developed together with the X .29 speed engine and has also been widely used in the USA, often tuned by engine experts, like Terry Prather in the 1970s. Italian manufacturers like Super Tiger, Rossi and OPS pioneered the ABC piston sleeve system (aluminum piston, chromed brass cylinder) which will yield lower friction than a ringed piston when fitted properly.

    Super Tigre ST X .40

    stroke: 21.5 mm
    bore: 17.8 mm
    mass: 325 g
    1973

    Super Tigre X .40
    [click on image for larger view]

     

    MVVS 6,5 GRRT
     MVVS .40 GRRT 2-view drawing.

    An older MVVS 6,5 GRRT built in former Czechoslovakia around 1983. The upper part of the cylinder can be rotated in steps of 90°.

    Since the 1950s, MVVS engines could be seen in the first places of national and international championships. The driving forces behind the .40 pylon racing engines were the Malina brothers.

    The initial GRRT (left) has a steel sleeve and a ringed piston. The Malina brothers used their own ABC piston/sleeve combination to win the 1985 FAI F3D world championships.

    There is a special version of the GRRT pylon engine with 6-point suspension available (shown below). As I have been told, Nelson parts can be used for conrod, bearings and rotary valve.


    A hot MVVS .40 GRRT Pylon Racing Engine (1989).


    A standard MVVS .40 GRRT Pylon Racing Engine (1988).

    MVVS 6,5 GRRT

    stroke: 19.0 mm
    bore: 21.0 mm
    mass: 353 g
    1998

     

    Nelson 40 FAI
    The Nelson 40 FAI Pylon Racing engine was first used at the 1990 AMA Nationals, where it performed well enough to capture four of the five top spots. It is available in different flavors to suit the Formula I as well as the FAI racer. Whereas the Formula I version is optimized for high nitro fuel and a mini pipe, the FAI version, as it is used in Europe, is set up for a tuned pipe and no nitro.

    There are also versions available for the Quickie 500 (Q500) racing events in the United States (the German beginners class also use the Quickie 500, but the engine is unlimited). The fathers of the engine are the pylon experts Dave Shadel and Jim Shinohara and engine designer Henry Nelson, the mother is unknown.

    Nelson .40 Pylon


    The Nelson 40 FAI pylon racing engine.

    Source:
    Performance Specialties
    P.O. Box 3146
    Gardnerville, NV 89410
    U.S.A.

     

    OS-MAX .40 SR

    First production runs came with a simple barrel throttle carburetor, later engines featured this venturi racing carburetor.

    O.S. engines from Japan have always been well known for their perfect manufacturing quality. The first Schnuerle ported engine from O.S. was the O.S. MAX .40 SR, which was available in 1974. The inlet is controlled by a drum rotary valve with axial induction. Exhaust timing was a mild 156°, to permit operation without a tuned pipe. With FAI fuel, its power output was 1 kW at 20'500 1/min.

    O.S. MAX .40 SR

    stroke: 18.4 mm
    bore: 21.2 mm
    mass: 309 g
    1973

    (engine has been donated by Ralph Freckmann, Germany)


    [click on image for larger view]

     

    OS-MAX .40 PS

    That's where all the fresh air vanishes and finally gets blown up. What a life!

    The MAX-40PS production started in 1992 to follow the less powerful MAX-40VR-P engine. The engine was rarely seen in Europe, though, and has been manufactured in small numbers only (compared to standard O.S. engines). Accordingly, the engine's crankcase is not investment cast and looks a little bit rough, when compared with typical O.S. engines. Also the backplate and carburetor part is fully machined from bar stock. It has a large, rectangular inlet, feeding the engine via a drum valve. The engine features a 6-point suspension system. The maximum power output was about 2.34 kW at 26'000 rpm.

    O.S. MAX-40PS

    stroke: 18.4 mm
    bore: 21.2 mm
    mass: 380 g
    1993


    [click on image for larger view]

     

    K&B .40 Racing Engines
    A K&B Torpedo .40. K&B-Logo.In the United States, K&B engines played an important role in the pylon racing sport. In Europe, K&B engines were not very widespread, probably due to the lack of a larger distributor.

    This is one of the early K&B engines, a lightweight «Torpedo», which has been modified by engine expert Clarence Lee to increase its power output. It was used mainly in pylon racing models. The piston was already equipped with an L-ring, but the engine was still using the traditional cross flow scavenging system.

    K&B .40 Torpedo - Lee Custom

    stroke: 19 mm
    bore: 21 mm
    mass: 249 g
    1967

    (engine has been donated by Ralph Freckmann, Germany)

    The next step in performance was achieved by changing the scavenging to the Schnürle System. The piston was still equipped with an L-ring, the standard for high performance model engines before the widespread use of the ABC piston-sleeve combination.

    The K&B .40 R engine was made in a small production run to meet the racing rules requiring a minimum run of 100 engines (according to K&B advertising). This engine however is #112 which indicates that more engines were made. Engine specialist Clarence Lee knows, that 102 engines were produced in the first batch, of which only very few were held back due to low performance. A few additional engines were produced later - the highest serial number known to him is #114. This particular engine is owned by John Hall and has had the exhaust stack cut down to fit in a cowl and a simple sprinkler type carburetor installed.

    Most of these engines were passed out to elite racers and during the 1972 season they won the titles of NMPRA Champion and AMA Nats Campion in Formula I pylon racing.

    K&B .40 R

    stroke: 19 mm
    bore: 21 mm
    early 1972

    Sources:
    upper picture and story courtesy John Hall, for more details see the NMPRA pylon racing book 1973.

    So far I was able to find a very rare raw casting of the crankcase, but I am still looking for a complete engine. Would consider swapping the casting for an engine)

    A K&B .40 S. This is a K&B .40 S with Schnuerle porting, which was successful in Lakehurst (1974). It resembles its predecessor, the .40 R shown above but was produced in larger quantities. The piston is still equipped with an L-ring.

    K&B .40 S

    SN #001471
    stroke: 18 mm
    bore: 21 mm
    mass: 280 g
    late 1972

    Two samples of Bill Wisniewski's pylon racing engine design are shown on the left.

    At first, both engines look similar, but a closer look shows that they have different crankcases, backplates, cylinders, cylinder heads, etc.

    Both have ABC piston/sleeve combinations and were flown with a short exhaust pipe only - not a tuned pipe. Today this would be impossible on the one hand due to the ear splitting noise and on the other hand because of the additional power which can be gained with a full length tuned pipe.

    The upper engine is serial #(1?) 0497, the lower bears no number.

    We also remember that Bill has been the first to use a tuned pipe with his TWA .15 engines in control line speed.

    K&B .40 SR II

    stroke: 19 mm
    bore: 21 mm
    mass: 315 g
    1975

     

    Cyclon-40 Eagle

     
    Cyclon-40 Eagle

    mass: 375 g
    1997

    A Cyclon-40 Eagle, one of a series of pylon racing engines manufactured in Russia. The Cyclon-40 Turbo (how I love those names) front intake / rear exhaust is rated at 3.2 kW at 31000 rpm; it weighs 310 grams. Like most modern pylon racing engines, it features additional mounting lugs between the bearings to reduce crankcase warping and bending. The cylinder head is a screw-on cap and fits Nelson glow plugs. The engine is beautifully manufactured by Alexander Kalmykov in Novosibirsk, who is also manufacturing several smaller competition engines for free flight and control line models.
    For my test results and some photos of this engine jump to «Performance of a Cyclon Pylon Racing Engine».

    Source:
    Alexander Kalmykov,
    pr. Dzerjinskogo 2-67,
    630112 Novosibirsk,
    Russia.
    root@cyclon.nsk.su


    The rear view shows the large quarter circle rotary disk inlet without any sign of a rounded venturi.

     

    IR .40
    The IR .40, which is quite successful in Germany and in Europe. The engine shown here, is a rear intake, rear exhaust version. The latest, presumably even more powerful type, features a front intake, which is pointing downwards. This makes it well suited for upside down installation, where the intake is located on top of the fuselage, far away from dust and dirt.
    The casing has four mounting lugs only, the piston is running in a sleeve with interestingly shaped transfer and exhaust ports; adjustable bearings. The manufacturer was Ravel Ibragimov.

    IR .40: rear view.
    An IR .40 with rear rotary valve.

     

    MB .40

    [click on image for other view]

    This photo shows an MB .40 (MB stands for Metkemeijer/Brendel). The detachable cylinder is clearly visible, as well as the enormously large transfer channels close to the exhaust. The oily fingers belong to Robbert van der Bosch.
    (Photo courtesy Peter van Doesburg)
    The Metkemeijer brothers have designed, built and flown high performance .15 engines for control line team racing models for years. At first the usage of the new .40 pylon racing engines has been restricted to pilots from the Netherlands (like the DU airfoils), but they have become available for mere mortals in 2001. The engines show some technical highlights, like detachable, sleeveless integral cylinders with extremely wide transfer ports and unique twin bearings. The latest model has a (bench tested) power output of more than 2.5 kW at 30000 1/min and development is still proceeding towards higher power output.

    More information can be found on the Metkemeijer web pages.

    M. Huismans Tsunami.
    This sleek «Tsunami» of Marcel Huisman (Netherlands) is powered by a Metkemeijer engine.

     

    Jett .40
     

    Jett F3-D .40

    stroke: 17.9 mm
    bore: 21.5 mm
    mass: 340 g
    2000

    Former champion Dub Jett is manufacturing a complete range of engines, including several .40 racing engines. The high end product is the .40 F3-D engine for the FAI events, a front intake rear exhaust engine. The catalogue also includes engines for the Q500 and other events.

    JETT Engineering, Inc.
    6110 Milwee, Suite J
    Houston, TX 77092
    Phone: 713-680-8113
    Fax: 713-680-8164
    (photo reproduced with permission)

     

    History of lap times
    Engines for F3D pylon racing models
    Propellers for F3D pylon racing models

    Last modification of this page: 16.02.08

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