Sig Smith Miniplane build
#1226
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Location: Lawrenceville,
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Good to hear about your engine. All of my experiences with HH warranty service have been good ones. We could work out some sort of trade for my SMP for the FG 11 if you were interested. Lawrenceville is not too far from me so getting together would not be difficult. My aunt actually lives in Winder.
But...
The Smith is too small for me to see when it gets out past 200 feet.
that's why Rock is the main flyer of the smith nowadays.
Everybody at the field thinks I'm super daring because of all of my low altitude maneuvers, but it's really because I have to keep it close.
Lately, I've just been flying my 6 foot tripacer, it's huge. (and bright white) no trouble seeing that one.
later dood!
#1227
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I know I should have started with more of a beginner based kit, but couldn't find one I was interested. I have great building and repair skills in general. Like you said, I got lost a little here and there. Did some improvising and I believe it went together mostly right. It is solid but still lite. I'm glad you didn't say the simple flier look simple. I will get to smith some time after the first of the year I hope. Installing laminate and ceramic floors through out the house and we all know if mamma ain't happy, no ones happy.
If you got that kit together, you should have no trouble with the smith, it's a simpler design even with two wings and the method of attaching the cabane struts (the ones at the fuselage) is really foolproof.
Strong and light are important, but remember, they are almost worthless if it's not straight too.
With a bipe especially, measure the wing and stab incidences several times, then tie a thread to a straight pin and stick it in the tail and measure the distances to the corner of the wing tips to make sure the wings are perpendicular to the fuselage when viewed from above.
Then stick it in the nose and do the same for the stab. Then pull the thread down the length of the fuselage to make sure the rudder is straight.
Thread is a handy building tool.
I like to use a Robart incidence meter for the wings and stab, but it's kinda pricey at $40.
If you need to, it's pretty easy to make one, I made a small one for the foamies, the Robart is too heavy for the flimsy a/c.
Anyway, it sounds like you have a good handle on things.
The people that get in trouble are the impatient ones who blunder ahead anyway when they don't understand the instructions.
Nick
#1228
My Feedback: (17)
Thanks for the interest, (are you ready for the but)
But...
The Smith is too small for me to see when it gets out past 200 feet.
that's why Rock is the main flyer of the smith nowadays.
Everybody at the field thinks I'm super daring because of all of my low altitude maneuvers, but it's really because I have to keep it close.
Lately, I've just been flying my 6 foot tripacer, it's huge. (and bright white) no trouble seeing that one.
later dood!
But...
The Smith is too small for me to see when it gets out past 200 feet.
that's why Rock is the main flyer of the smith nowadays.
Everybody at the field thinks I'm super daring because of all of my low altitude maneuvers, but it's really because I have to keep it close.
Lately, I've just been flying my 6 foot tripacer, it's huge. (and bright white) no trouble seeing that one.
later dood!
#1230
My Feedback: (17)
No, it's the Great Planes Super Skybolt ARF. I ran across it while doing research on the SIG Liberty Sport this past summer. It's dimensions are nearly the same as the Liberty Sport, 57" WS, and I already had all the equipment for it. As much as I enjoy building I've found in the last couple of years that I don't have as much time and patience to build but I still have the need to keep acquiring more planes. (I must be an RC hoarder) When the ARF's first came on the scene back in the 90's, I hated everyone that I saw, but now they are much better. Even the crappy ones are better that what was available back then.
My Super Skybolt is powered with a Saito .82 and weighs about 7.5 lbs. If you ever get the chance to get one and fly it you will love it. It's one of the most stable bi-planes I've ever flown.
My Super Skybolt is powered with a Saito .82 and weighs about 7.5 lbs. If you ever get the chance to get one and fly it you will love it. It's one of the most stable bi-planes I've ever flown.
#1231
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I think it was Sureflite that had a Cessna 150 that looked like a beer cooler with wings, the fuselage must have been 10" wide, for a .19!
Till then, I've got another old timer in the line up with a 56" span....
The Champion Stampe, it's nice and slow and stable with small throws, but crank up the throws and she'll do a nice slow motion lomcevak or super flat spins.
Last edited by taildragger1589; 11-04-2014 at 10:46 AM.
#1234
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Since the full sized ship only had a 17 foot span, this only needs another 7 inches to be one.
I'd rather have a 1/3 scale one. (67").
Still tiny compared to my 82" Stampe.
I'd rather have a 1/3 scale one. (67").
Still tiny compared to my 82" Stampe.
#1235
My Feedback: (17)
I think I figured out that the SIG SMP is 1/4.5 scale, so as taildragger1598 has pointed out, it is nearly 1/4 scale already. I too would like to have a 1/3 scale SMP since even at 1/4.5 it's still too small for me to keep up with at a distance. That's why I'm gravitating to larger bi-planes. My next project is the GP Super Stearman.
#1236
OK !!! you twisted my arm ! I forgot a 1/3 Miniplane was the size of most 1/4 scales out there ! hahah
Last edited by foodstick; 11-22-2014 at 05:59 AM. Reason: was asleep when I posted this I think.. !
#1237
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#1240
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Here is the maiden. I botched the landing but have since figured out why and that is no longer a problem. I did not have the throttle linkage well anchored and could not get that "little bit of throttle" needed on final.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k6kfLhUytcI
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k6kfLhUytcI
#1247
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I just got a 5 yard roll of white and a spray can of red.
That way I have plenty of patching material.
Murphy's law says little covering left = big damage
Lots covering left = no damage
Nick
PS if you like the big silver and red Stampe, I've built another over the last 11 months and have done a build thread:
This is the page with the maiden vid: http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showt...228836&page=14
All are invited.
That way I have plenty of patching material.
Murphy's law says little covering left = big damage
Lots covering left = no damage
Nick
PS if you like the big silver and red Stampe, I've built another over the last 11 months and have done a build thread:
This is the page with the maiden vid: http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showt...228836&page=14
All are invited.