Kadet Senior
#151
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RE: Kadet Senior
As this has degerated a bit.. Generally I encourage a new flyer to go with an arf for the first plane.. Mainly because they won't have the mental attachment to it when it gets broken... Kadet is a fine model to learn on. I just gave one away to a guy to learn on that way he could save the Telemaster done in silk and dope his grandfater built for him for after he learns to fly. Some people like to build, some like to fly, to each his own.. Good luck and have fun..
#152
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RE: Kadet Senior
G'day 2Walla. I believe there is a place for ARFs and a place for kit built planes. I have some of each.
As for trainers, most people are best off simply buying an ARF but I still think that a kit built plane is generally a better built plane and they do tend to last longer.
These days with buddy cords it is rare at our club to loose a model while the plane is being used for training. Most models get crashed once the trainee solos and then gets into trouble and .... well you know the rest. The others that have short lives are kits that have had problems right out of the box and do not survive their test flight.
Then there are those of us who just like building. About half my planes are ARF and half from kits. In general I like the kit built planes better as they seem to remain "fresh" longer. Lifting covering, splitting fuel tanks and collapsing undercarriages takes the edge off ARFs and they do seem to need quite a bit of up keep to keep them looking good and flying well. I won't go into the problems of seized hinges, twisted ailerons, warped wings, poor quality hardware etc etc.
Each to his own.
As for trainers, most people are best off simply buying an ARF but I still think that a kit built plane is generally a better built plane and they do tend to last longer.
These days with buddy cords it is rare at our club to loose a model while the plane is being used for training. Most models get crashed once the trainee solos and then gets into trouble and .... well you know the rest. The others that have short lives are kits that have had problems right out of the box and do not survive their test flight.
Then there are those of us who just like building. About half my planes are ARF and half from kits. In general I like the kit built planes better as they seem to remain "fresh" longer. Lifting covering, splitting fuel tanks and collapsing undercarriages takes the edge off ARFs and they do seem to need quite a bit of up keep to keep them looking good and flying well. I won't go into the problems of seized hinges, twisted ailerons, warped wings, poor quality hardware etc etc.
Each to his own.
#153
RE: Kadet Senior
Hello shd3920 & anyone else interested
I have posted about 130 photos of my Kadet Sr. build and covering on My Space.
[link=http://www.myspace.com/cub150/photos/albums/album/1313312]http://www.myspace.com/cub150/photos/albums/album/1313312[/link]
Sorry that I didn't arrange them first.
I have posted about 130 photos of my Kadet Sr. build and covering on My Space.
[link=http://www.myspace.com/cub150/photos/albums/album/1313312]http://www.myspace.com/cub150/photos/albums/album/1313312[/link]
Sorry that I didn't arrange them first.
#155
RE: Kadet Senior
I have to give credit where credit is due.
[link=http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_603331/mpage_1/key_/tm.htm]How to make a 3D American Flag on your planes [/link]
[link=http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_603331/mpage_1/key_/tm.htm]How to make a 3D American Flag on your planes [/link]
#156
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RE: Kadet Senior
Great covering job I will try that on my next plane. How about inverting a engine on the Kadet any suggestions? Probably will go with 4 stroke on the next one. And possibly floats. Any ideas?
#158
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RE: Kadet Senior
I have constructed at least 25 Senior Kadets over the years, the last 2 being electric with full flaps and ailerons. They both fly great. I scratch built both and my friend covered both. I cannot figure out how to up load pics or I would attach them. Send me your email and I will gladly forward them to anyone who wants them. Geno
#159
RE: Kadet Senior
I believe the cowl is a Fiberglass Specialties. I got it off of Ebay.
Gravity Storm
The Kadet has great ground clearance and is a great engine test bed. Float's sound like a blast!
Genokc
Love the look of the squared off wing tips.
Gravity Storm
The Kadet has great ground clearance and is a great engine test bed. Float's sound like a blast!
Genokc
Love the look of the squared off wing tips.
#160
Senior Member
RE: Kadet Senior
ORIGINAL: Gravity Storm
Great covering job I will try that on my next plane. How about inverting a engine on the Kadet any suggestions? Probably will go with 4 stroke on the next one. And possibly floats. Any ideas?
Great covering job I will try that on my next plane. How about inverting a engine on the Kadet any suggestions? Probably will go with 4 stroke on the next one. And possibly floats. Any ideas?
Floats, 48" floats, with either a snake from the rudder to the waterrudder or a servo on top of one float to operate the water rudder.
#161
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RE: Kadet Senior
[quote]ORIGINAL: 2walla
Some people like to build, some like to fly, to each his own.. and some like to do both.
Is there really a place called Walla Walla in the United States?
It sounds more like an Australian town to me
#164
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RE: Kadet Senior
Picked up the Kadet Senior kit today at my LHS along with a brand new 4EX Futaba digital radio, and Super Tigre .45, can't wait to start building it with my brother, I seriously doubt we will be able to wait until christmas. But I am sure it will still take us through the winter to complete.
We will continue this thread to show the building progress, and please share what you wish concerning your build (lots of photos). We will be building it stock with conventional trike gear, no ailerons or mods. And it shall be covered with blue and white Ultracote.
May be awhile for us to actually start but feel free to share your build and photos.
We will continue this thread to show the building progress, and please share what you wish concerning your build (lots of photos). We will be building it stock with conventional trike gear, no ailerons or mods. And it shall be covered with blue and white Ultracote.
May be awhile for us to actually start but feel free to share your build and photos.
#165
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RE: Kadet Senior
I have built 5 over the last 20+ years. The first one was flown with a Saito .45 four stroke. All of them were set up as taildraggers, all had 1/2 the dihedral taken out and barn door ailerons cut into the wing after it was framed up. They were all covered with transparent covering. They were all excellent fliers and enjoyed by all types of pilots. The largest engine used was a Saito .50 four stroke. You can't go wrong with the Kadet Sr. Several methods were used for the steerable tailwheel and the one that worked best was a pull/pull setup with fishing line run to and connected to the rudder servo. I have been building models for almost 50 years and the Kadet Sr. is one of my favorites.
Amatuer Modeler: Remember- amatuers built the Ark and professionals built the Titanic!
Amatuer Modeler: Remember- amatuers built the Ark and professionals built the Titanic!
#166
RE: Kadet Senior
Here is how I like to frame up the fuselage. Easier to keep things going straight.
This is one way to do the windows, and certainly not the only way. I glue the window sheets on without the plastic (use 1/32 to space it out). Then I cover it, cutting out the windows, then just cut the plastic to fit the interior rectangles and glue them in from the inside with canopy glue.
This is one way to do the windows, and certainly not the only way. I glue the window sheets on without the plastic (use 1/32 to space it out). Then I cover it, cutting out the windows, then just cut the plastic to fit the interior rectangles and glue them in from the inside with canopy glue.
#167
RE: Kadet Senior
shd, well I think that is a fine choice in kit/engine/radio. Please do check for straight lines on the plan. I had to redraw my wing. Sig plans are known to contract and the straight lines can curve. An easy check is to just take a yardstick and place along a leading edge or trailing edge. Sig gives plenty of info in the manual and on the plan, so study them both carefully. Isn't it amazing how they that much wood into that box?
#168
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RE: Kadet Senior
I want to see other builds on the Senior in this thread as well as ours so please post away, I enjoy seeing them, and don't forget those photos.
I will be completing my Kadet Mark II the next day or so (installing my new .40 OS Max I got new condition for $50, and have to hookup new pushrods) before getting into this kit, but I will be studying the Senior plans and manual in my free time.
Question: The biggest wheels I have now are 3 1/2" for the main gears and 3" for the nose. Kit suggests 3 3/4" mains and 3 1/4" nose. We are going to fly off grass so will the 3 1/2" and 3" I have be enough? If I have to buy some I will probably want to get a bit bigger than suggested like maybe 4" mains and 3 1/2" nose. What do you think?
I will be completing my Kadet Mark II the next day or so (installing my new .40 OS Max I got new condition for $50, and have to hookup new pushrods) before getting into this kit, but I will be studying the Senior plans and manual in my free time.
Question: The biggest wheels I have now are 3 1/2" for the main gears and 3" for the nose. Kit suggests 3 3/4" mains and 3 1/4" nose. We are going to fly off grass so will the 3 1/2" and 3" I have be enough? If I have to buy some I will probably want to get a bit bigger than suggested like maybe 4" mains and 3 1/2" nose. What do you think?
#169
RE: Kadet Senior
Hi shd3920,
As per request, here is a few pictures of my Senior Kadet....
I made mine as a tail dragger and a night flyer as well. It is a hoot to fly at night ! The Kadet has an OS 61 fourstroke for power and seems to be a good match. The main gear are from a Sig FourStar 120. The tail wheel is from Klett. I used pull-pull cables on the rudder to provide a more positive "feel" in the air. This is built as a three channel because I wanted a fun simple plane to operate at night.
Carlos G.
Also from Walla Walla, Washington!
As per request, here is a few pictures of my Senior Kadet....
I made mine as a tail dragger and a night flyer as well. It is a hoot to fly at night ! The Kadet has an OS 61 fourstroke for power and seems to be a good match. The main gear are from a Sig FourStar 120. The tail wheel is from Klett. I used pull-pull cables on the rudder to provide a more positive "feel" in the air. This is built as a three channel because I wanted a fun simple plane to operate at night.
Carlos G.
Also from Walla Walla, Washington!
#172
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RE: Kadet Senior
Wow, exceptional planes on this site, especially those of GenoKC +Carlos........
Carlos, want to share with us how you did that most stunning covering job?
Cheers
Bundu
Carlos, want to share with us how you did that most stunning covering job?
Cheers
Bundu
#173
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RE: Kadet Senior
I, too, have a taildragger Kadet. I used the Klett tailwheel set-up and actually mounted a Hitec 225 servo on the bottom of the fuse to activate it. I also moved the elevator servo to the rear. Mine is an ARF, two piece wing set up. I overpowered mine a bit......RCGF 20 cc gasser on the nose, so to get the cg correct I spread the rcvr and ign batteries towards the rear. She flys awsome and very graceful. I just have to be careful with some manuevers due to the weight of the a/c.
I do have a 3 channel set-up on my 40T tricycle gear. I used the aileron channel for the rudder, but (because it is a 6 channel tran/rcvr) I installed another small servo just to activate the nose wheel and hooked it to the rudder port. That way, no bad habits with the rudder. She flies sweet with a 40 4stroke.
As you have noted, there are lots of combinations available with this aircraft. You will have fun with any of them. Good luck and good flying!
I do have a 3 channel set-up on my 40T tricycle gear. I used the aileron channel for the rudder, but (because it is a 6 channel tran/rcvr) I installed another small servo just to activate the nose wheel and hooked it to the rudder port. That way, no bad habits with the rudder. She flies sweet with a 40 4stroke.
As you have noted, there are lots of combinations available with this aircraft. You will have fun with any of them. Good luck and good flying!
#174
RE: Kadet Senior
Hi All,
Thanks for all the praise. I built the plane over a period of about 6 months ( I'm slow and and had other projects on the burner). I have been building models since I was a kid, (I'm now 55) and so i have been at it awhile.
The covering job begins when you start building the plane. Try and make all your joints match as close as possible. Be neat and careful when gluing joints and remember to wipe away any excess glue. Transparent coverings tend to magnify poor fitting joints and surface irregularities. Since the covering is transparent, everybody and their dog can see the good, the bad and the ugly when you use the see thru stuff! Use sanding blocks whenever possible to keep the surfaces flat and true.
The covering is transparent SuperMonokote Orange and Blue with opaque White scallops and trim. Bascially, I covered the plane with Orange and where the major white areas are there is about 1/2inch overlap of the white over the orange. The scallops were first drawn onto thin card board and cut out. I then placed the card board templates over the white monokote and cut out the scallops with an exacto knife. The edges of the fuselage were just strips of monokote applied over the orange base. Where ever there was large overlap of two or more layers of monokote I would perforate with a pin the underlying monokote to prevent air bubbles from being trapped between the layers. I have used SuperMonokote exclusively on all the models I have built and have become sort of tuned in to its handling.
However this model is about six years old now and I have yet to try any of the "New Formula" SuperMonokote. We will see how that works out
Long Live Sig and their Kadets!
Carlos G.
Thanks for all the praise. I built the plane over a period of about 6 months ( I'm slow and and had other projects on the burner). I have been building models since I was a kid, (I'm now 55) and so i have been at it awhile.
The covering job begins when you start building the plane. Try and make all your joints match as close as possible. Be neat and careful when gluing joints and remember to wipe away any excess glue. Transparent coverings tend to magnify poor fitting joints and surface irregularities. Since the covering is transparent, everybody and their dog can see the good, the bad and the ugly when you use the see thru stuff! Use sanding blocks whenever possible to keep the surfaces flat and true.
The covering is transparent SuperMonokote Orange and Blue with opaque White scallops and trim. Bascially, I covered the plane with Orange and where the major white areas are there is about 1/2inch overlap of the white over the orange. The scallops were first drawn onto thin card board and cut out. I then placed the card board templates over the white monokote and cut out the scallops with an exacto knife. The edges of the fuselage were just strips of monokote applied over the orange base. Where ever there was large overlap of two or more layers of monokote I would perforate with a pin the underlying monokote to prevent air bubbles from being trapped between the layers. I have used SuperMonokote exclusively on all the models I have built and have become sort of tuned in to its handling.
However this model is about six years old now and I have yet to try any of the "New Formula" SuperMonokote. We will see how that works out
Long Live Sig and their Kadets!
Carlos G.
#175
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RE: Kadet Senior
ORIGINAL: shd3920
Question: The biggest wheels I have now are 3 1/2'' for the main gears and 3'' for the nose. Kit suggests 3 3/4'' mains and 3 1/4'' nose. We are going to fly off grass so will the 3 1/2'' and 3'' I have be enough? If I have to buy some I will probably want to get a bit bigger than suggested like maybe 4'' mains and 3 1/2'' nose. What do you think?
Question: The biggest wheels I have now are 3 1/2'' for the main gears and 3'' for the nose. Kit suggests 3 3/4'' mains and 3 1/4'' nose. We are going to fly off grass so will the 3 1/2'' and 3'' I have be enough? If I have to buy some I will probably want to get a bit bigger than suggested like maybe 4'' mains and 3 1/2'' nose. What do you think?