Saito FA-40 MkIII A Quick Look

[@DonDegidio]

Hi Dave, That is a treasure finding those documents in the box. That was one great find.

[@johncuomo1427]

Oh Dave!' Are you bringing back memories! That was when l was in the height of the hobby and remember those receipts well and ordering by phone.

[@volksfranzl8894]

That's really a very interesting video. I got a 40 and 45 some time ago, both MK2, AAC version. They came in the original boxes with some tools but unfortunately without the papers. Great running engines. Thanks for sharing.

[@NathanWaldock]

Nice score Dave ,I'm going on eBay now to see if I can get a gem like this,the wife is asleep 😂 all the best 🤙

[@cccap232]

thanks for sharing Dave. i have two 45`s, luv em, a split head and a S, both are spectacular!! Recently saved a 90T also split heads, runs beautiful, i lost one of the air pump vanes and fabricated a replacement from a dubro horn, i must open the back end to see if it survived.

[@andrewpicard2476]

Hey Dave, I have quite a few larger 4 cycle OS & Saito engines and I love them all. I have a delima with some NIB engines to sell but I want to keep one of the smaller ones. What would your recomend a Saito FA-45mk 2 like presented here or the OS FS-52s in blue box? One day I know id wish i kept both, but i have to fund my airplane addiction somehow! Keep up the great work , love all that you do!

[@dmrcflyr2]

Easy question and answer. KEEP the SAITO. Ditch the FS-52. There is way more class and nostalgia in the MkII then that OS 52 by a long shot. Most people would keep an engine simply because they want ‘more power’. But not me. I believe in flying on the wing, properly powering an airplane per the design, and keeping classic engines. Besides, no cam shaft bearings to replace in a Saito.

[@andrewpicard2476]

@@dmrcflyr2 I can dig it. I was thrilled to find in the box all sealed a Saito mount predrilled , tools containing 3 allen keys, rocker wrench with feelers, screwdriver, even exhaust with the little crushwasher. Carb canted slightly needle left towards front. Uncoated metal parts looked like they were cut yesterday. Will install on my Balsa USA Taube 40 and remove electric drive before maiden. Hi, my name is Drew and I am a recovering Electric Flyer. Haha, Thanks again Dave!

[@chuckmcdonald4795]

Offers on Ebay will get you some deals. Have had some monster deals where i offered half of what was listed.

[@dmrcflyr2]

That’s how I got this. I offered about $15 less than asking and it was accepted. I have also purchased engines by ‘accident’ doing the same thing not expecting the seller to accept only to see I was charged for another engine….

[@chuckmcdonald4795]

@dmrcflyr2 right. Been there with other stuff.

[@perkyplanesrc9363]

Wow, talk about some history. I was 5 years old then when that engine was bought. Some odd issues there too with the engine. Whats your plans with it? Gonna give it a shot and try and run it?

[@dmrcflyr2]

As Yoda says, “There is no try. Do or do not.” Yes I’m going to run it!!!!

[@fireantsarestrange]

60 bucks. I got one used from a buddy.. A .45 mark 2 for 200 bucks in 89. I don't remember those ever being cheap. At least not "that" cheap. But yea the good old Tower Hobbies Catalog would come to your mailbox If you paid for the big one that is. Once a year. They did have the phone number to call but yea you could order form it too. The old guy that taught me to fly had the old Saito .60 with the open rockers. I needed Saito parts some years later and sent away for them by mail including the parts list etc.. I had gave up on it when I got a package in the mail from Saito probably a year later. What had happened is that I had sent the order to an old address for the company and they had moved to another State. Some nice person over there somehow got my order.. I don't know how.. and sent me the order with an updated address/phone number and an updated parts list for all the engines. They just took the check I sent even though the parts had changed price and the check I sent wasn't enough to cover the order. Sent the whole order to me without question. I thought that was super cool.

[@dmrcflyr2]

Saito never made an open rocker 60 engine.

[@michaelcasella4774]

Okay, where does one look for a nib Saito for under 100 dollars? I am addicted to eBay for engine deals but have to see such luck?

[@dmrcflyr2]

Historically, I just have a knack for finding the deals. I purchase all of my engines from eBay. There is no magic to it, except for my magic! If you know how to do an Advanced search on eBay use item number 156608377844 and check Completed and Sold items. The list price is higher than what I offered and was accepted.

[@bthanse]

When I look at my box it is stampet MK III , and on the box it is printed AAC. On a paper with pictures of all the engines the 40 is named FA-40 MK 3 ABC. The istruction paper is funny too. It is named "Instructions for FA-40 2 AAC 4 Stroke Cycle Engine " where the text "FA-40 2 AAC" has two lines on them, and there are printed FA-40 MK3 on the top of the paper. So I guess they have used the box and papers for the FA-40 MK 2 with this early MK 3. It has a note paper added with the text" Supplement of FA-40 MK3: Opening adjustment for low revolution should be made by Transmitter´s Engine Control Trim Rocker arm and valve should be lubricated as occasion demands on inspection. Here is a video when I use it in a 1/8 scale Sopwith Baby: kzbin.info/www/bejne/bZKvoJmQhpp_qpY

[@dmrcflyr2]

That is VERY interesting information! It would be cool if you could email me images of these things. Yes I am quite sure that some things ordered like boxes, labels, etc. are not wasted during the process. So they might add labels, add addendum’s, etc. to use up old stock. it is a cost saving thing. What color is the text on your box? Yellow or Orange?

[@bthanse]

@@dmrcflyr2 E mail with pictures send. Orange box. Stamped G on the engine.

[@btilentrails]

Value of $1 1986 is worth $2.88 in 2025, so $60 1986 = $172.78 2025