For quick testing of ignition engines I made up a box which contains NiCad batteries, coil, capacitor and switch. Terminal posts allow easy connection to the points and plug. You can see the ignition box in use here:-
http://homepages.tesco.net/~alanh/
Click on Baby Cyc running and Brown Jr running. The Brown Jr and Baby Cyclone are two of my favourite spark engines and are real fun to operate.
Alan

Repro sparkie -

Well, I picked up a pair of ignition engines for my collection last night. I honestly don't know the first thing about ignition engines. I've never seen anyone run one in my entire life and I've been into R/C for about 35 years. Here is the first one and here is the second. I think next I'd like to get an Orwick .29 to round out the set.

Courtesy of Model Airplane News

Courtesy of Model Airplane News

Some REAL old stuff here - look at the dates !

Here's the 28cc Wall engine mentioned above, in a model

Some Big 'uns here

Originally Posted by Mr. Wiz

......... I honestly don't know the first thing about ignition engines. I've never seen anyone run one in my entire life and I've been into R/C for about 35 years........

It's not suprising you've never seen one run. They are pretty much exclusive to old timers. Old timers (planes not pilots) are a pretty small segment of the model airplane hobby and us ignition flyers are an even smaller segment.

Not as small as they are here Warren.......basically non-existant here.

Bill

Originally Posted by Leadchucker

It's not suprising you've never seen one run. They are pretty much exclusive to old timers. Old timers (planes not pilots) are a pretty small segment of the model airplane hobby and us ignition flyers are an even smaller segment.

Well, I don't actually intend on running mine either. I'd rather collect them and keep the as new looking as possible. Still, I wouldn't mind going to an Old Timer event sometime just to see what it's all about.

.... On second thought. Can anyone recommend a fairly simple old timer that would fly well on a .29 size ignition engine? I think I'd like to try something like that.

Be fore warned. Once you fly an ign. engine, it is really easy to get hooked on them. I rarely go to the field anymore with out at least one sparker to fly. They sound different, and run different than there newer glow counterparts, and the idea that you are flying an engine that was designed over 60 years ago can put you over the edge. LOL. I am afraid I have it bad because as a youngster I use to watch the big boys fly these things back in the 40's, and I have been hooked ever since. Sparkers forever.

Originally Posted by Mr. Wiz

.... On second thought. Can anyone recommend a fairly simple old timer that would fly well on a .29 size ignition engine? I think I'd like to try something like that.

Playboy Jr. in the original 54" size would be tough to beat. It's an easy build,the .29 would be plenty of power and it soars well in the glide. Add to that a removable firewall with the entire ignition unit on an attached tray for easy access to the sparking bits.

Bob Holman has a partial kit w/plans (http://www.bhplans.com/GMPg2.html),Harry Klarich has a version (http://www.klarichkits.com/klarichkitspricelist2010.pdf),Midway Models has one (http://www.freeflightmodels.com/page...y_model_co.htm) and there are a few others as well.

Waddaya think Bill,Jim and you other sparky gize???

Don't pay any never mind to the recommended engine sizes on some site as they are for glow. Feel free to ask away with any questions about flying,running, starting,setting up an spark engine as well as what you need for R/C gear.

A Playboy Jr., eh.... That has a nice sound to it and since there are some kits of it available I think that's the one I'll go with. When I get to the point of actually running the engine I'm going to need some help and I will definitely be leaning on you guys here for guidance.

As for radio gear... I think I have that covered. Are there any issues with 2.4 mHz gear and spark ignition engines?