MikeG4936

My Feedback: (5)

Hi guys!

Here is the plane I've been working on for the past 4 months... a SIG Four Star 60 ARF!

This is the first real ARF I've put together, and I ran into many stumbling blocks along the way. Most of my troubles can be attributed to all the "off the beaten path" work I put into this plane. Being my first real project, I wanted to make it special - what came out of the box was definitely not good enough. The plain yellow covering was nice, but much too plain for me, so I made some checks (couldn't find any pre-made ones), trimmed up some black ultracote, and went to work. After a few days planning everything out in Photoshop, I went ahead and covered it. For my first (partial) covering job, I like the results.

Next came the cowl. I knew what cowl I would use after browsing through some threads on RCU - the fiberglass cowl (CAP-style) custom made for the Four-Star 60 by Fiberglass Specialties. Although a bit pricey, I think it was worth it. It was my first time working with fiberglass and I made a few mistakes, but for all I went through, I think it came out OK...

And of course, I couldn't have an ugly cylinder head sticking through the top of that beautiful cowl, so I mounted my Enya 90-4C (four stroke) inverted. It runs perfectly.

Thanks for listening to my blabber, and tell me what you think!! [8D]
-Mike

BobbyGee

My Feedback: (3)

GOOD LOOKIN' !!

BobbyG

foodstick

I like it, didn't realize they made cowls for the 4-stars. The four stars are great planes to modify...and of course they always fly good.

Kmot

My Feedback: (24)

Dude, it looks awesome!! [sm=thumbup.gif]

nrausa

Great looking mods.

Salty25

My Feedback: (9)

You definitely turned a plain jane looking 4 star into a work or art.

I like it, I like it.

bobzilla

My Feedback: (63)

Wowee..you did the hobby proud!![sm=wink.gif]

bingo field

Just add some color matched wheel pants, and it is finished. Nice job, that looks really good.

MikeG4936

My Feedback: (5)

Thanks for the input! Re the wheel pants.... I guess I can get those from Fiberglass Specialties as well, now that I have the experience working with fiberglass.

737Pilot

Mike G Absolutely awesome! Hope she flies as good as she looks. I am considering the 40 size kit. Tamiya make a plastic paint for canopy's which make them darker. I think you canopy would look better "Tinted".

Regards,

Rob

bignasdy

Cool mod,........ now......
....I just got one question.............
Is the spinner inside the cowl? Looks like a larger spinner to match the cowl ring would be the way to go.
Im guessing youd have to move the cowl rearward, or the engine forward.
Nice first project!
d

Connery

Very nicely done. I was goign to comment about he spinner being way too small, but bignasdy beat me to it

Not that you've done the ARF, you should try the kit and can make many more modifications. Check out mine below. It has a custom made balsa cowl, shortened wings, cut down and tinted canopy, and taller rudder with counter balance. She flew great for about 50 flights until I was flying too late in the evening and lost orientation and flew her into the trees on the far side of the field.

NM2K

My Feedback: (14)

You do beautiful work, Mike. Keep it up and keep posting pictures.

MikeG4936

My Feedback: (5)

Hi again, and thanks for all the comments!

I did notice that the stock spinner was very small, but remember that this is my first project. I've never worked with cowls (or 4 strokes, for that matter), and I wasn't sure how big of a spinner I could use without engine vibration making problems. But with you suggestions, a bigger spinner looks like the way to go...

And no, I did not get a chance to fly it. [] The day it was finished, I took the pictures and posted them on RCU. The next day, I was on a plane to Texas to start my first semester of college. I'm writing this from my dorm as I ponder some gen-chem questions...[:'(] I guess I'll be analyzing the chemical composition of nitromethane and other interesting chemicals for the remainder of the summer. But I will definitely keep you guys updated in August when I return home and fly the Four Star (can't wait)!

Connery - your Four Star is one of the best I've seen on RCU.... I've looked at it in the past when I was designing my plane, and I think your plane is the one that inspired me to go for the cowl. Sorry to hear about the crash!!

-Mike

Spitfire222

Very nice 4 Star! The black and the checkers really bring that covering job to life, I really like it.
You might be interested in checking out Tom Pierce's 4* mod page here:
http://www.tompierce.net/rcplanes/sig4star/index.htm

Specifically, you can do this simple mod the canopy, dye it, and make the plane look even better!

http://www.tompierce.net/rcplanes/si...ytrimguide.jpg

MikeG4936

My Feedback: (5)

Now THAT'S what I call awesome mods! Thanks a million for the link! I think that canopy tip will come in use

Connery

Mike,

Tom's website is where I got my information for the mods that I made, and it really makes for a sweet flying plane.

Which college in Texas are you at? There is most likely a flying field nearby so you should have your plane sent to you.