What Engine Should I Get?

Welcome to the forum!! We all get excited when a new young member joins and asks for advice! You've already gotten some very good advice!

I have a few things to add. There are "instruction-sheets" here on the forum that can be found on the left-hand side-bar if you scroll down a little. Amongst those are instructions on starting the engine. They are PDF documents that can be downloaded and printed. I suggest that you familiarize yourself with them.. and print one out to have as a handy reference.

What else will you need once you choose an engine? I'll list some things that I don't think were mentioned thus far.

You'll want to get a small block of hardwood (not balsa..) for mounting the engine to perform "test"/bench-runs. You'll want to clamp or "screw" this mount securely to something rigid. You'll need four small (#3 or #4) wood-screws.. at least 1/2" long, to mount the engine to the block. A small screwdriver to fit those screws is REALLY helpful. Marking and pre-drilling the holes helps to install the screws.

You'll want to source the "proper" glow-fuel for your Cox engine. Don't buy or use just "any" glow-fuel. Search "fuel" here on the forum.. and do some reading. I personally would recommend you visit "Sig Manufacturing Co." website.. and search "1/2A" (which is the size-designation of the engine that you're considering) for fuel. Sig "Champion-25" is a good "sport fuel".. and is available in "pints".. unlike other brands. Buying a pint won't cost very much $$.. and Sig also stocks just about anything you'd need to build a model airplane. Consider your design-requirements.. and surf Sig's site to see if you can "bundle" additional items to help complete your model.. and save on shipping-costs.

A glow-engine uses a glow-plug/glow-head to ignite the fuel. The plug operates on 1.5V DC current. A "clip with wires" is needed to connect the plug to a power-source (1.5V battery). The battery is NOT needed once the engine is running.. and can be disconnected. DON'T EXCEED 1.5V (volts). Doing so will destroy the coil/element. Glow-plugs/heads are expensive.. but they can last a long time. Having a "spare" is a good idea though.

It's important to always consider SAFETY. Wear safety-glasses/goggles when in the proximity of a running aero-engine. A propeller could break.. and throw a blade. A propeller's thrust will kick-up sand/grit that could get in your eyes. Don't run the engine indoors. Bench-running inside an "open" garage is ok.. but remember; glow-fuel is flammable. Glow-fuel is also poisonous.. so keep it tightly-capped and out of the reach of young children when not in use.

Don't forget about buying a Cox wrench-tool for your engine. A Cox glow-head requires a special wrench to remove it. You won't need any other special tools to service/maintain the engine. As I mentioned; small screwdrivers are very handy to have.

Best of luck buddy.. and never hesitate to ask questions here. The only dumb question.. is the one that "isn't" asked..