Testors series 21

I know some of you might consider these as "boat anchors", but for some reason I have a real affection for Testors stuff.

I'm sorry that I have no pictures of my own to support my story- not much of a photographer.  Hope you can follow the story.

A couple of years back I got myself a Series 21 .19 C/L engine in pretty reasonable condition except that two mounting lug holes had been elongated out.  I hate that.
Not long after, I managed to score two R/C versions in original boxes.  Can't recall what I paid but it wouldn't have been much.  I'm pretty strict on my limits, so I'm guessing about $30 the pair.  One was complete but had a broken cooling fin on the crankcase, and the other had a good case but had a bent rod, missing piston, missing prop driver and broken needle.  I stripped both and used all the best parts to make one good one.  Back in the box and into storage.  The other sat in a box in parts waiting for me to stumble on  the required parts.  

Fast forward a couple of years, I spot someone on ebay selling a heap of Series 21 parts, most of which I wouldn't ever need, but it included a series 21 .19 C/L case with crankshaft, rod and piston.  Missing cylinder, head and backplate.  The parts lot didn't sell so I negotiated with the seller to get the .19 bones for $10.  Here's the ebay pictures.



Turns out that the parts are brand new.  For some reason a previous owner has robbed a brand new engine of parts.

So, project time.  Removed cylinder and head from my "modified" engine and installed them onto the new acquisition, along with the needle.  My backplate had a damaged TESTORS label in the back, so a perfect one from the R/C junker was used to keep it all looking like new.  Managed to mount it up tonight and it started like a breeze.  Not sure what size prop I should use, but it had an 8X6 M/A.  Ran really well (very loud) but I think it sounded to be labouring a little, maybe due to the prop.

Anyway, the backplate, piston, ring and rod from my original engine was installed into the R/C junker.  All I need to complete it now is a prop driver, a couple of cylinder screws and a Perry main needle.  If anyone has these to spare I have a good, (but filed-out mount holes) .19 crankcase and crank with spray bar to trade.

While I was at it tonight, I decided to run a few engines that were just laying around. First, the old Enya .19 4002 with oval exhaust.  Sweet as a button.  Bob would be proud  
Next (because it had a muffler) was my first run for an OS MAX S .35 I picked up a while ago.  Engine is practically new and ran sweet.  Finally, an old 1949 Torpedo .29 Ex. Bill Booth who was USA SAM President at some point.  This old thing has so much wear in the crank bush that you can literally rock the prop up and down about 30 thou. but it burst into life on the first compression and took off.  The needle is sloppy worn, plus the case wear, so needling was pretty tricky.  

Nice to get the chance to make some noise and smoke after a long break.