Sam has enjoyed electric powered modeling events for many years and currently has four events: Electric LMR, Electric Texaco, Spirit of SAM and Electric Wakefield. Why do we need a SAM International Speed 400 LMR event?
One Word: FUN!
The SAM Europe community started an event it called “1/2A Texaco Electric” which employed the same general size Old Timer models as the Cox Engine 1/2A Texaco but used an un-geared 6 Volt Speed 400 Electric motor with plain bearings.(no ball bearings) The battery packs were to be 7.2 volts and they ingeniously allowed all battery chemistries by saying that Li-ion or Li-poly cells were limited to two cells totaling 7.4 Volts. There is no limit on the cell capacities because the engine run time and the type of motor sets the basic power package at a level field for all.
Low Cost Fun
Think of it, a “under-$10” motor that is manufactured by Mabuchi in lots that are measured in hundreds of millions that provides a reliable, stable level of thrust and generates sufficient height to be competitive in the run time allotted. It’s a formula for an easy-to-fly event that the modeler can participate in with a low investment in time and money and build replicas of models from the past that might not be competitive in other sizes in other events, while having a ball flying what is essentially a “Park Flyer” electric model. While the Cox Motor event has specialized in 288-square inch models, as the optimum size for ½-A Texaco, Slightly larger 300 to 320 Square inch renditions might prove more beneficial for this new event, or not. The SAM community will make that determination as it always does, via trial and error. When you compare this event to the Cox 1/2-A Texaco event, who wouldn't’t welcome a motor that always starts when the throttle is advanced as opposed to the frustrating fussing that Cox .049s requires? Or, Some may simply build another (electric) fuselage for their existing Cox Event model and have two events for one set of wings and empennage.
The low powered Speed 400 on direct drive will not produce a spine-tingling vertical climb but with a normally built 1/2 A Texaco model will produce a steady, manageable climb that will place the model, after 3 minutes, at a very reasonable height from which to thermal hunt. And will repeat this performance consistently time after time. The rules allow a modeler to advance the timing on the Speed 400 motor but otherwise no other modifications. As a practical matter, this would provide only a marginal increase in RPM which would be mostly lost in the ferrite motor's heating during operation so those who want to do this would be gaiuning very little. (but by allowing it, the Contest Director doesn't have to police the entries for an arcane modification of dubious value) There are plans and kits for models out there that are nearly perfect for this event. See the Side-bar features on this page for information.
SAM International Speed 400 LMR Event Rules
1. Any approved SAM Old Timer gas model airplane. By rule, North American Old Timer designs are limited to December 31, 1942 and older (Section I, C). Other designs are limited to local SAM Chapter design date rules (Article XII, 2) but in no case later than December 31, 1950. Scaling is allowed but there is no minimum weight requirement. The model’s name and design year should appear somewhere on the model.
2. Thrust will be provided by a non-folding, non- metal, propeller of any size driven directly by a Graupner Speed 400, 6 volt permanent magnet ferrite motor without ball bearings. After purchase timing adjustments are allowed.
3. The battery may be six NiCad cells, or six NiMh cells, or two LiIon or LiPoly cells of any capacity with producer's visibly
rated voltage not to exceed 7.4 volts.
4. The power to the motor must be radio controlled but may be on/off or ESC.
5. Flights may be hand launched with landing area determined by field rules.
6. The motor may be run only during the first 180 seconds of the flight; any running of the motor afterwards results in a zero score for that flight.
7. The model is the entry in the event. A model may be entered only once in this event but one contestant may enter up to five models of different designs without regard to the builder of the model rule.
8. At local contests where flyoffs are possible, a model's score is the sum of the best two of three 15 minute max flights. For postal contests, three models will constitute a team entry and all three 15 minute max flights are scored.
GWS Motor Heat Sink S-400
GWS heat sink. Works with EPS 400, 480 motors. Aluminium, 18 grams/0.6oz.
SKU Number:GWS400HS
Price:
$2.00
Tim McDonoaugh's Laser Cut Motor Mount Firewalls
Tim McDonough's laser cut motor mounts for Speed 300, 400, 500, and 600 size motors. Precision laser cut from 1/16 plywood and provide a solid, easy to use firewall motor mount that provides unrestricted airflow through the front of the motor. These mounts come three (3) to a package and include metric mounting screws for the Graupner, Robbe, or similar Mabuchi ferrite motors. Any size just $5.00/Package. Available in both round and square motor mounts. Please specify configuration and size below.
SKU Number:TMLASFW
Featuring a continuous current rating of 20 amps, the Pixie-20P is remarkably small and light. Just 0.4" x 0.7" (smaller than most "indoor" controls) the Pixie-20P is small and light enough to be used in the lightest indoor models, but has the current capability to handle hot Speed-480 pylon racers. The Pixie-20P features a full 1.25A BEC for use with up to three servos. Now with programmable cut-off, the Pixie-20P can be set to get full use of your pack. Five cut-off choices allow the Pixie to be used with Lithium cells.
Here is Roselle’s Dallaire 300 in2 S400 entry. Plane was
originally built by Dave Lewis as a Cox 1/2A Texaco model:
Airframe:no powertrain/radio 7.00oz
S400 with heatsink mount 3.25
R/C 1.50
GWS ESC GS400LI 0.75
TP 1320 LiPo 2s 2.00
TARGET weight TOTAL 14.5 oz
This would be a 7 oz W.L. Dallaire. Hmmm!
Calculated 3 minute climb at 8 oz/fts is 1100 feet.
A 15 minute MAX flight will require an average sink rate of
less then 75 fpm. Thus a smaller model should do better
if it can be kept in sight!
PS . Those calc.s suggested a 6-4 prop as optimum
. Now, if a larger model is desired, Spirit of Yesteryear has a dynamite DAllaire Kit Laser cut and complete that will build to 325 square inches and should be light enough to get upo there and stay visible. Here is a photo and link to MAN Review of the kit:
A full-sized Kerswap would make a good entry at 288 Sq. Inches and it would build quite lightly too. Bob Holman sells a Tom Hunt electric Kerswap plan and parts at 630 square inches and He probably can make one at 288 for you as well.
A Drobshoff Little Diamond can be built from plans at about 300 square inches for another delightful pylon entry and, there's always a Playboy Senior or Junior scaled to 300 square inches to make an excellent competitor.
Hobby Lobby in Tennessee, has all the hardwarew you might need and Richard Beck, VP of SAM 27 and proprietor of Sonoma R/C Hobbies can order whatever you might need (if he doesn't already have it on his shelves!)
GR3321 SPEED 400 6V Electric
Motor ..... $ 7.90 IN STOCK
Collet type prop shaft adapters center themselves on a motor or gearbox prop shaft and hold securely as the collet squeezes the shaft.
For best performance in your Berg receivers, use only Berg Crystals!
Berg brand crystals are manufactured to the highest tolerances in order to maximize the superior selectivity, sensitivity, and noise rejection qualities of our Berg receivers. We don't recommend using any other brand of crystal for these reasons.
SAM International Speed 400 
SPEED 400 6V Electric 
See the 