Mintor 38cc Gas Engine. New. Code (E040)

The Mintor 38cc (often called the Mintor 38 Gasser) is an Italian-made two-stroke gasoline RC airplane engine that represents a fascinating, bitter-sweet chapter in model aviation history. Introduced in the early 2010s, it is remembered both as a stunning triumph of mechanical aesthetic design and a cautionary tale about the perils of rapid business expansion.

• Boutique Beginnings: Mintor Motori originated as a specialized, small-scale engineering boutique in Italy. Before stepping into the RC aircraft market, the core team consisted of master craftsmen who machined precision sub-contracted components for exotic automotive giants like Ferrari.
• The “Jewel” of the Flightline: When Mintor applied this high-end automotive heritage to model aviation, the result was visually breathtaking. Unlike mass-produced Chinese budget engines that relied on standard rough cast metal blocks, Mintor engines were entirely CNC-machined from solid aerospace-grade billet aluminum. Their pristine, shiny, and aggressively lightened blocks earned them a reputation as the most beautiful engines on the market.
• Extreme Weight Savings: The Mintor 38cc was engineered to be a “giant killer” in terms of power-to-weight ratios. At just 2.2 lbs (approx. 998g) bare, it was famously celebrated as the lightest 38cc gas engine in existence, dropping weight by stripping away all non-essential metal while utilizing a compact, highly optimized case.

technical Specifications

Displacement 38 cc
Bore x Stroke 1.77 in. x 0.90 in. (45 mm x 23 mm)
Engine Weight 2.2 lbs (998g)
Power Output ~4.7 hp (when paired with a canister exhaust)
Carburetor Authentic Walbro diaphragm type
Intake System 2-petal reed valve dynamic flow system
RPM Range 1,550 – 9,000 RPM
Recommended Props Vess 19B, 20A, or standard 20×8 sport propellers

The Downfall: Supply Chain and Quality Crisis

Despite overwhelming initial praise from enthusiast spaces like Flying Giants and RC Groups, Mintor’s success quickly turned against them.
• The Production Trap: Because Mintor started as just a few highly skilled machinists in a small workshop, they lacked the infrastructure to handle the sudden avalanche of global orders. Demand exploded so quickly—especially in the massive United States market—that their internal production line completely bottlenecked.
Though Mintor tried to restructure its team, halt the outsourcing agreements, and take production back in-house to correct course, the financial and reputational damage was irreversible. Around 2011 to 2012, Mintor Motori permanently shut down its RC operations and went out of business.
Today, the Mintor 38cc is a rare “collector’s item” on vintage RC classifieds. While pilots still marvel at its clean CNC aesthetics and remarkable field manners.