Fox 15x Engine
November 1961 American Modeler

November 1961 American Modeler

November 1961 American Modeler magazine cover - Airplanes and Rockets Table of Contents

These pages from vintage modeling magazines like Flying Aces, Air Trails, American Modeler, American Aircraft Modeler, Young Men, Flying Models, Model Airplane News, R/C Modeler, captured the era. All copyrights acknowledged.

Fox model airplane engines had a reputation for ruggedness and contest-winning performance, but were also notoriously difficult to get started - at least without an electric starter. In 1961, when this full-page advertisement appeared in American Modeler magazine, electric starters were not in many modelers' field boxes, and particularly those owned by youngsters whose modeling budget came from meager allowances and paper routes. Born in 1958, I was 15 or 16 years old before being able to afford the luxury, and I remember relentlessly flipping the propellers on my Fox 15 and Fox 35 control line engines. Half the time when they started, they were running backwards and had to be stopped with a rag thrown into the prop, then the process started over again. Ugh. ...but I digress. Fox prided itself on their use of Meehanite iron for the piston. Per Wikipedia: "Meehanite is a trademark for an engineering process to make a range of cast irons produced under specific and carefully controlled conditions to precise internationally recognized specifications. According to the Meehanite Worldwide company, when correctly followed the Meehanite process will produce cast iron with uniform soundness, consistent physical and mechanical properties and dependable performance in service." I don't know what the difference is between the standard Fox engines and the "X" series. My Fox 15 and Fox 35, which I still have, are the standard non-X variety.

Fox 15x Engine Ad

Fox 15x Engine, November 1961 American Modeler - Airplanes and RocketsWatch for the Sensational New Fox 15x

In 15 Size, All Features of the Record-Holding Fox 29x ... For the past 3 years holder of every major speed record against all comers.

Fantastically Priced at Only 6.95

Easy Starting • Powerful • Steady Running • Long Life • Time-Tested Design • Up to 30 Thousand RPM • Finest Materials and Workmanship • Guaranteed

The Fox 15x Will Feature: Regular Fox one-piece crankcase design. Leaded steel cylinder liner, slip fitted in case, satin honed bore. Fully machined Meehanite piston, micro-ground and hand lapped. Hardened steel crankshaft. full 3/8 dia. main, ground crankpin, splined thrust washer. Bronze bearing scientifically oil-grooved and micro-honed. Scientifically shaped Swirl-Quench combustion chamber, plug tilted to fit head. Hold-down screw ribs to eliminate cylinder distortion. Blowout-proof .010 aluminum head gasket. Guaranteed by Duke Fox.

Bore .590 * Stroke .540 * Disp. .15 * Weight 4 oz. * Power up to .5 Hp * No load RPM 32,000 * Racing RPM 28,000 * Stunt RPM ,15.000

Fox Manufacturing Company, Inc.• Fort Smith, Arkansas

Controline Flyers - You will be the center of attention with your smooth, steady running Fox 15x. Free Flighters - The powerful Fox 15x will rocket your model so high that you can't miss a max. Speed Flyers - A smaller edition of the famous 29x; boosts the some winning design.

RC Flyers - Watch for the RC version of this bomb soon!

 

 

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