Abstract: A combination field box and engine starter for model airplane engines is provided. The engine starter is mounted on the upper portion of one of the sidewalls of the portable field box. The field box includes a bracing assembly on the wall opposite to where the engine starter is mounted for preventing the box from sliding or tipping when pressure is applied to the starter during an engine starting operation. Additionally, the engine starter is provided with a torque enhancing gear train and an over-speed clutch which allows it to start relatively large model airplane engines with power generated by a compact battery pack formed from eight 1.2 volt nickel-cadmium cells.

Abstract: An improved glow-plug engine for use with a model airplane of the type that includes an output shaft for driving a propeller, a needle valve for controlling a flow of fuel into a carburetor, and a fuel line formed from resilient silicone rubber is provided, wherein the improvement comprises a pinch valve for controlling the flow of fuel through the fuel line which is located farther away from the propeller than the needle valve so that the fuel flow may be adjusted by the fingers of the engine's operator more safely. The pinch valve includes a valve body for securing a section of the resilient fuel line, and a pinching mechanism including a control member that is accurately extendible toward and retractable from a secured section of the fuel line to constrict or expand the fuel flow path defined by the secured section of the fuel line. In one embodiment, control member is a cam mounted on a lever which in turn is linked to a servo-mechanism.