Trying to buy an new engine I came across a Thunder Tiger GP42 and it said that the bearings are plain bearings .What does this mean ? Are they ball bearings or bush bearings?If they are not ball bearings are they reliable?

Alan,
Generally, "plain bearinged" means no ball bearings.

I would not pay over $10.00 (US) for any used engine that I had not seen.

Any used engine that you have seen run a few times and know that it performed OK, I would pay up to about half the retail price for the engine.
Any more than that and you might as well buy a new one and know that it is still factory spec. and warrenty is good.

Thunder Tiger engines are a cheaper knockoff of OS engines and even with new ones; some will run OK and others will not. Just not the same quality control as say OS engines.

Bottom Line:
Used engine - I would not buy if I had not seen it run.
New engine - I would buy OS (made in Japan) or some other top of line brand, like Webra (made in Austria), Super Tiger (maded in Italy), or Enya (made in Japan).

Alvin
You really surprised me with your reply.First I want to buy a new engine but more than that in my country Thunder Tiger are considered more superior than OS.Also you told me that Super Tigre are also good.Now I am really confused :unsure:

Alan,
That is good...You are first person I have surprised so far today, but probably not the last. :P ;)

Just goes to show you why there are so many different brands of engines. If everyone liked the same one, would just be one.

Our experiance with Thunder Tiger brand engines in the states has not been as favorable as with OS and some others.

Perhaps there may be a difference in the engines imported to USA and the ones imported to Malta, but I doubt it.

Whatever brand/type engine is most used and liked in your local area would be the one to go with. You can't argue with success. Then you will have the fellows close at hand, who will know just the tricks to get that engine performing.

If we ever meet at some international model competition, my airplane with a OS engine is going to leave that Thunder Tiger in the dust. :yes:
Just my luck that you would out run me and I would have to eat crow. :crying:

Good luck with whichever engine you go with. :banana:

Thank you Alvin.Now I am in a better position to decide.I think I go for TT.

The TT42 is good engine but it isn't very powerful. The Thunder Tiger 46 Pro on the othe hand is as good if not better than OS. Buy the 46 because it is worth the difference in price.

Friends don't let friends use TT engines. :lol:
I have some OS stock.
Buy OS. OS is good.

Buzz forgot to log-in to forum this morning and lost about four post count points. :crying: , but he can shoot a potato further than I have ever seen before. :yes:

Alvin,

That must have been a different "Buzz". Maybe we can change my registered name to "Buzz". When I signed up for the forum, it was under "Mikebuzz"

Thanks,

Potato Shooter Buzz