Can I convert a Dallaire Sportster 1/2A to electric?

[Dan Snow]

I have and absolutely gorgeous Dallaire Sportster my Dad built many years ago. 52" span. I'm wondering about converting it to electric free flight? I would like to see this bird in the air again but no desire to get back into R/C, and the price of the .020 and .049 engines have gone insane.

I don't know what the covering is, on the wing it is clear, looks like thin plastic, maybe monokote? I will need to repair a couple small holes in the bottom of the fuse.

What do folks think? If so I would appreciate recommendations on motor, battery, and ways to limit motor run without radio control.

Thanks in advance for your help!

[ddock]

Check out the latest Model Aviation Mag. A Dallaire just like yours converted to electric.
Denny

[Konrad]

Yes, you can convert the model to electric.

From Page 63, Sept, 2018.
That looks like an R/C version from a Spirit of Yesteryear (SOY) kit. He is using a Rimfire "400" brushless motor on [email protected] mAh cell drawing about 130 watts. This will result in a ship that has about 3 times the performance of the Cox powered 1/2A Texaco.

For the SOY model Brodak recommends a much more economical set up. Still too powerful for FF in my opinion.
http://brodak.com/electric-kits/spirit-of-yesteryear/dallaire-sportster-free-flight.html

I don't know what is available today in the way of timers but I'm using Hubin timers in my C/L and FF models
http://brodak.com/electric-accessories-1/timers.html

All the best,
Konrad