photodoctor
Member
I've been considering for a while now which plane I'd like to build and I have it down to the Hummelbird or the BK Flier. The latter fits my specs really well but I'm hesitant to fly a plane with no long-standing track record. I really like the hummelbird but for the 1/2 VW and the limited gross weight. I've been reading up on some 2 cycle engines in particular the Hirth F23 which boasts 50hp weighing only 73 pounds with starter (Fisher Flying Products - Producing Classic Aircraft Kits read here about Hirth). My first question is does anyone know the exact weight of a 45hp 1/2 VW engine for comparison purposes? My thought is that by using the lighter Hirth engine I could build a plane with an engine I want AND I could build it lighter allowing me to get my 215lb heft off the ground with a full gas tank without going over gross. However I'm really not that interested in reinventing the wheel by trying to make the Hummelbird something that it isn't....or on the other hand am I on to a grand idea? Does anyone have experience with building an extra-light Hummelbird and/or using a 2 cycle engine??
