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Diesel engines for model airplanes usually have much higher torque than gasoline or alcohol four or two stroke engines. The diesels will generally have a lower top engine speed as compared to other engines with the same displacement. The higher torque allows the diesel to swing very large diameter propellers at scale-like speeds. The exhaust temperature is lower than gas or alcohol engines and the engine exhaust tone seems more agreeable, probably due to the lower top speeds of diesel engines. The higher torque is due in part to the high compression ratios used (around 17:1) and the fuel used (combination of ether, caster oil, and white gasoline). These engines need no glow plug or ignition system because they use the heat of compression to keep the engine running. The diesel engines seem to be more popular in Europe than here in the United States. In modern model diesel engines, a copper plug is used as a catalyst to assist in the combustion process. Most model engines are the two-stroke variety. Some modelers use the Davis Diesel head conversion button to convert their glow fuel engines to diesel fuel.
Last Updated 10/21/00 Engine Types
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