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SIG Kadet LT-40

Old 09-21-2015, 08:56 AM
  #1  
guapoman2000
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Default SIG Kadet LT-40

Hello guys,

This SIG Kadet LT-40 was acquired about one year ago and finally took it down from the hook and took out the Gas Tank out, cleaned it some from the slime and set it up as Electric.

At first, I was looking for a E-Flite Power 46 motor for it and instead found a combo motor/ESC in my hobby drawer that really does the job perfectly. My goals are long flights with very mild sport flying.

The motor is known as the Thrust-50 Brushless motor and Quantum 65-AMP Brushless ESC. This combo has been reviewed and is recommended at the Precision Acrobatic (PA) web site noting a very efficient motor/esc combo.

PA Web Site Providing additional information:
http://www.precisionaerobatics.com/t...s/thrust50.pdf

The entire setup is as follows:

* Thrust-50 Brushless motor
* APC 13 X 8 "E" Propeller.
* Quantum 65-AMP ESC (BEC Disabled).
* Separate RX Battery with switch harness (Thunder Power 2-Cell, 1800mAH, Lithium Polymer).
* Futaba 7-Channel Dual Conversion (FP-R1270F) receiver. (72-Mhz, FM)
* Futaba 4-Channel Transmitter. (72-Mhz, FM)
* Futaba Standard Servos (1303's)
* Turnigy 5-Cell, 4,000mAH, Lithium Polymer flight pack.

Flight Summary:
This model has amazing lift capabilities and as heavy as it is the thing can stay in the air with as little effort as possible. I have never had a "TRAINER" such as this and I am amazed and impressed with its manners. I believe that notwithstanding all of the FOAM Electric Trainers out in the Market, this one (SIG Kadet LT-40) is by far the best trainer that I have come across in a long time.

As a matter of fact, the model still performs even though I changed the main gear wheels (Tires) with some warbird looking 3 inch diameter tires for those occasions when the model goes off the runway. Unfortunately, the tires are flat as they are made from some cheap rubber / plastic material and they gone flat. Even though they are flat the model still manages to gain speed and take off with minimal WATTS (Power).

In Flight it is a baby doll like a true trainer should be and yet, I can manage some mild sport maneuvers such as effortless loops, rolls and hammerheads.

An amazing trainer with super design qualities.

This is not the first GLOW-TO-ELECTRIC conversion done on a slimmer SIG Kadet LT-40 as I had one with a much heavier 22oz ASTRO FLIGHT 60 direct drive motor and you can visit at:
http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1482085

PICTURES of the Latest LT-40 Conversion:

The Beginning.......




Before Cleaning the GLOW Slime:


After Cleaning the GLOW Slime:


Added Bulk Head Plywood to avoid Battery from sliding AFT into FUSE:










Never Trust an OLD Ni-MH Receiver Pack that has been lying around your hobby drawer!


Selected the Thunder Power 2-Cell, 1800mAH Li-Poly Receiver Pack instead!






VIDEOS:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dnu5s2awJLw

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c30ub-PGcy0

Last edited by guapoman2000; 09-21-2015 at 09:04 AM.
Old 09-21-2015, 10:12 AM
  #2  
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I think you're going to find that no matter which Kadet variant you might want to fly, it's going to be one of the best and most comfortable flying airplanes you'll ever have.

ALL Kadets are great!
Old 09-21-2015, 10:37 AM
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Is there such a thing as a bad flying Kadet? patched, repaired, more glue than balsa, over weight, bent twisted they still fly well. You will have fun with it.


Buzz.
Old 09-22-2015, 09:23 AM
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guapoman2000
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Thanks guys! Totally agree with your views and experiences on the Kadet Line.

My main Love is the SLOW flying characteristics as you don't need any flaps!

This model floats and I mean "FLOATS" in like nothing I have ever seen before. Well maybe a Telemaster-40.
Old 09-22-2015, 08:47 PM
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Hi guys,

I perhaps forgot to post a picture of the final internals (FUSE) showing the final setup such as servos, links etc........

Here is this picture showing such items and presently I am topping off the Separate Receiver Battery (Thunder Power 2-Cell, 1800mAH) from the switch harness.





Additionally, I didn't like the NUT look up front at the Propeller Adapter so, I changed the NUT for a nice F4U Corsair NUT.


Finally, changed out the Main Landing Gear tires as they were completely Flat and replaced them with a pair of Dubro Foam Tires (3-inch diameter) and made slight adjustments to the Main Landing Gear Wires and was able to give the model improved look and functionality.

Old 09-23-2015, 10:19 AM
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Guys,

I tried the 6S (Two 3S in series 5,000mAH) Li-Poly and my 5S (5-Cell, Turnigy 4,000mAH) Lithium Polymer.

The 6S really didn't provide any additional performance and perhaps slightly a little more airspeed. It did have a greater climb rate, however.

The 5S using the APC 13 X 8 "E" propeller is the best for this Thrust-50 power system and airplane model frame. There is just no need for additional power required.

I was thrilled to have an opportunity to fly the LT-40 Kadet before heading to work this morning and it was a total success.

The newer 3-inch diameter FOAM wheels on the Main Gear were terrific and I didn't see any bounce at all and performed a few Touch & Goes and the model handled like a baby doll.

I am having lots of fun with this model.
Old 09-23-2015, 06:10 PM
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Good evening guys!

As I was show-&-telling at the RC Club this morning, we had one sponsor for Precision Aerobatics there who informed me that these "THRUST" motors are available at the USA web site. I just got home from work and it was a long day but, I was able to find the motor at their web site like the gentleman informed me.

Here:
http://www.precisionaerobatics.com/p...ls.php?pid=592

Additionally, seems like the Quantum 65-AMP ESC has been discontinued and instead I saw the 70-AMP.

http://www.precisionaerobatics.com/p...ls.php?pid=591
Old 09-25-2015, 02:00 PM
  #8  
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Default In case you missed it!

Never Trust an OLD Ni-MH Receiver Pack that has been lying around your hobby drawer!


The above Ni-MH pack is several years old and lightly used and this battery just quit while my model was being setup on my work bench! I am glad this happened.

Here is an important Video for all to watch for those trying to setup their own models, especially Electric!

https://youtu.be/ow4VmOwIdYA

Last edited by guapoman2000; 09-25-2015 at 02:00 PM. Reason: Title
Old 09-26-2015, 06:47 PM
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Just checked the 2-Cell, 1800mAH, Lithium Polymer RECEIVER Battery pack and it is still fully charged. Checked all linkages and all Flight (Power System) battery packs are fully charged up.

Ready for another two flights in the morning!

I am hooked on this trainer.
Old 09-30-2015, 09:37 AM
  #10  
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We're ALL hooked on Kadets! Best "fun" plane ever designed.
Old 10-03-2015, 07:47 AM
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Guys,

Yes, it flew on Sunday, September 27th, 2015 for two flights and the flight battery (5-Cell, 4,000mAH, Li-Poly) measured 11.9 Volts after both flights of 6 minutes each.

Today it flew for 7 minutes with great results and with mix throttle and mild sport maneuvers such as loops, rolls and sustained inverted flight.

Just an amazing model for sure.

================================================== =============
Today!

Guys!

Just look at what was placed back into the battery after a 8-minute flight of my SIG Kadet LT-40!

A whopper of just 871 mHA and it charged back in just 20 minutes!

This was with mixed throttle so, it means that at 1/2 Throttle the AMP (current draw) must be in the area of 7-AMPs!

Amazing!
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Last edited by guapoman2000; 10-03-2015 at 07:49 AM.
Old 10-03-2015, 12:57 PM
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Any one who does not like trainers, a Kadet in particular, has issues. I enjoy flying them just above stall speeds, as slow as they will go without falling out of the air. You will be surprised at how slow they will go. A touch of throttle, nose up, holding elevator, they just sort of hang there, you wonder how they do it. Slam the power, pull straight up. climb out, bring it around, slow fly by.

I have parts of the old Tower Trainer 60. I may scratch build one with a nice "E" setup.

I have a Low Wing Trainer. I have a 60 sized E power setup, I use (4) 3250mah 3s batteries in a 2x2 setup for 6s power. I did 2 glider tows and then flew around for another 20 minutes while the gliders were in the air. Just as I was on approach, the LVC kicked in. Tons of fun, with "E" power..



Buzz.

Last edited by blvdbuzzard; 10-03-2015 at 01:04 PM. Reason: Spelling
Old 10-04-2015, 06:39 PM
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Buzz, you are so correct! I have all kinds of other airplane models and a trainer like the SIG Kadet whatever is something to marvel at!

Okay, did a little flying with it at the local Middle School near my house rain and clouds were coming in fast so, I wasted no time to go to this middle school with a terrific Track and my mom even came with me and we both enjoyed two walking laps after flying my Kadet LT-40.

Additionally, I did a little shopping for it and went to a HOBBY TOWN USA (only Hobby Store open on Sundays), I found a pair of some beefier 3.5 inch diameter wheels by Dubro and found an APC 12 X 8 "E" so, off I went back home and installed the new main gear Wheels and they look fantastic plus it raised the rear FUSE section a whopper of 4.25 inches.

Another thing I did was to finally stop guessing on the weight of this model and got accurate readings with my digital weight scale and can you believe this thing is just slightly over seven (7) pounds fully flight ready!

Weight1 (FUSE): 4.0lbs. (64oz.)
Weight2 (Wing): 1lbs. - 13oz. (29oz.)
Weight3 (Battery): 1lbs.-3 3/4oz. (19.75oz.)

Adding the Ounces all together: 112.75oz. (7.047 lbs.)

================================================== ==================================================

Pictures of main gear wheel retrofit:











Weigh-In Session:










A few pictures!
Old 10-04-2015, 06:49 PM
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A few pictures at the Track!








Last edited by guapoman2000; 10-04-2015 at 07:08 PM.
Old 10-06-2015, 07:18 AM
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You won't be sorry that you changed tires. I fly from rather rough grass/ground and every one of my planes has somewhat oversize Dubro tires. They help a lot when you're out in the rough taxiing around.
Old 10-08-2015, 01:12 PM
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Originally Posted by skylark-flier
You won't be sorry that you changed tires. I fly from rather rough grass/ground and every one of my planes has somewhat oversize Dubro tires. They help a lot when you're out in the rough taxiing around.
Thanks Skylark-flier!

Yes, the larger wheels really make things much more easier!

Thanks for your reply.
Old 10-15-2015, 01:39 AM
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Guys,

Enjoyed both hobbies on Sunday morning, 10-11-2015!

Flew my SIG Kadet LT-40 and transported it using my 1987BMW 325i Convertible Project. Both did great!

The picture showing the Charger represents how much charge placed back into the battery after a typical 12 minute flight.

A few pictures!




















Last edited by guapoman2000; 10-15-2015 at 01:41 AM.
Old 10-15-2015, 05:48 AM
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SWEET!!!!!!!

Cool plane, fabulous wheels!
Old 10-15-2015, 08:17 AM
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Originally Posted by skylark-flier
SWEET!!!!!!!

Cool plane, fabulous wheels!
Thanks so much Skylark-Flier!

Those larger 3.5 inch tires did great!

Guapo
Old 10-15-2015, 07:55 PM
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Yeah, but I meant the BMW. That's OK though, it's ALL good.
Old 10-15-2015, 10:38 PM
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Originally Posted by skylark-flier
Yeah, but I meant the BMW. That's OK though, it's ALL good.
Ha! Yes, I know you were referring to the BMW.

Funny how things get muddle up as I posted the bit of the larger wheels on the RC model and forgot to say....

"Thanks for the kind words of my BMW"

"Oh, I almost forgot how well the newer 3.5-inch wheels performed on my Kadet LT-40."

Old 02-01-2016, 06:13 PM
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Well, all things come to an end and I will be selling the LT-40 as an RTF minus the Battery Pack!

Let me know if anyone would like to purchase a super nice flying LT-40
Old 02-06-2016, 02:29 AM
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Going to fly this majestic lady again in a few hours!

Central Florida's weather is like a Yoo Yoo! You have to be vigilant on the weather forecast!

Heading to the RC Club in a few hours!
Old 10-07-2016, 07:04 PM
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Nice looking Kadet

Where did you get the motor mount;
it doesn't appear to be on the PA website
Old 10-08-2016, 02:20 AM
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Originally Posted by averagebear
Nice looking Kadet

Where did you get the motor mount;
it doesn't appear to be on the PA website

Hello!

I don't recall where I got this Electric Motor Mount / Stand-Off but, it seems like it came with a model I purchased used from someone and re-used it on the Kadet.

However, I did some searching for you and found this one that looks even better!

http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/s..._85_36mm_.html

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