Sig Smith Miniplane build
#976
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This one has a OS 46AX motor on it. It looks practically brand new! As for the control surfaces im still working on the throttle but the ailerons and rudder and elevator I just guessed at. So it dont need much rudder huh? How about ail, and elevator?
Also I must bragg that I picked this plane up for $100, included motor and all servos, and even a futaba receiver which looks brand new but I have no use as I use 2.4g Spektrum. All servos work nice and smooth and I have yet to try to fire up the engine, but thats next
Also am I balancing upright or inverted? And does my fingers go on bottom wing or under top wing?
Also I must bragg that I picked this plane up for $100, included motor and all servos, and even a futaba receiver which looks brand new but I have no use as I use 2.4g Spektrum. All servos work nice and smooth and I have yet to try to fire up the engine, but thats next
Also am I balancing upright or inverted? And does my fingers go on bottom wing or under top wing?
#977
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depending on the type of flying you like, I would start off with 1/2 to 3/4 on rudder, same on elev. ailerons.
use the expo in your fingers (don't move the sticks to much) till you get the feel of the plane. then fly it and then land and make the adjustments you need weather it is more or less throw.
100 bucks is great, I got mine from a guy here that gave it to me with engine/radio/transmitter/servo's/batt. ready to fly all i had to to was add fuel. so my bragging rights are better
he even shipped it to me for FREE. i helped him out on here trying to sell some other stuff and he just said i am going to give you this.
I offered to pay shipping he said no. GREAT GUY.
just have fun with this plane it fly's very well just be easy on the rudder on take off, other then that its a piece of cake to fly.
use the expo in your fingers (don't move the sticks to much) till you get the feel of the plane. then fly it and then land and make the adjustments you need weather it is more or less throw.
100 bucks is great, I got mine from a guy here that gave it to me with engine/radio/transmitter/servo's/batt. ready to fly all i had to to was add fuel. so my bragging rights are better
he even shipped it to me for FREE. i helped him out on here trying to sell some other stuff and he just said i am going to give you this.
I offered to pay shipping he said no. GREAT GUY.
just have fun with this plane it fly's very well just be easy on the rudder on take off, other then that its a piece of cake to fly.
#978
Thread Starter
My Feedback: (10)
CG actually corresponds to the center of the forward bolts that attach the top wing. You can simply finger balance the plane right side up by placing your fingers on the forward bolts and lifting the plane. This ain't rocket science
Nice score!
Also- the decals can be ordered directly from Sig for cheap
Nice score!
Also- the decals can be ordered directly from Sig for cheap
#979
My Feedback: (17)
Here is the link to the setup specs.
I didn't use the decals that came with mine. If I can find them you can have them.
http://www.sigmfg.com/BuildManuals/SIGRC38SmithMiniPlaneSP.html
I didn't use the decals that came with mine. If I can find them you can have them.
http://www.sigmfg.com/BuildManuals/SIGRC38SmithMiniPlaneSP.html
#983
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GREAT info guys!
KaP2011, if you find them let me know.
Don, its a funny thing really I was trying to look at all those pictures of the plans but I couldnt find it on there. Maybe because I have never seen the plans before, heck, I have never even built off a set of plans before, I always buy ARF's.
You know the funny story about this plane was the guy had it listed on Craigslist as called a "Great Lakes Special", but when I looked up that plane I noticed this one was not it right off due to it having one of the wings with rearward sweep and this plane having both wings straight. So I posted a picture over on RCGroups and somebody said it was a SIG Smith Miniplane. Then everything started to come together. I just hope this engine runs. It looks nice and clean like it has not been ran much.
So pretty much this plane doesn't need much throw right? Anywhere from 1/2" to 3/4" for all surfaces?
I looked on SIG web site and I found the list of parts. For me to order the decal sheet I need and a windshield (mines not there) it was going to be $7.95 + $9.95 shipping!! Wow! I hope Kap2011 finds his. And would anybody happen to have a spare windwhield??? Lol, im sure I could come out cheaper getting from you guys
KaP2011, if you find them let me know.
Don, its a funny thing really I was trying to look at all those pictures of the plans but I couldnt find it on there. Maybe because I have never seen the plans before, heck, I have never even built off a set of plans before, I always buy ARF's.
You know the funny story about this plane was the guy had it listed on Craigslist as called a "Great Lakes Special", but when I looked up that plane I noticed this one was not it right off due to it having one of the wings with rearward sweep and this plane having both wings straight. So I posted a picture over on RCGroups and somebody said it was a SIG Smith Miniplane. Then everything started to come together. I just hope this engine runs. It looks nice and clean like it has not been ran much.
So pretty much this plane doesn't need much throw right? Anywhere from 1/2" to 3/4" for all surfaces?
I looked on SIG web site and I found the list of parts. For me to order the decal sheet I need and a windshield (mines not there) it was going to be $7.95 + $9.95 shipping!! Wow! I hope Kap2011 finds his. And would anybody happen to have a spare windwhield??? Lol, im sure I could come out cheaper getting from you guys
Last edited by big_poppa49; 04-08-2014 at 08:48 AM.
#985
Senior Member
This brings back memories. I built one some 35 years ago and powered it with a K&B 40. I used silk and dope for finish back in the day when I was just learning the art of covering and finishing in dope.
Mine came out tail heavy as I recall. A little more nose weight in it would work just fine. Nevertheless, it was a fair flier at minimal surface throws. Someone mentioned 1/2" to 3/4" throw on aileron and elevator.....that's probably a bit much. Suggest that at low rates 1/4 to 3/8" is all you need. Set up the high rates at the 1/2-3/4 the other fellow suggested
Mine came out tail heavy as I recall. A little more nose weight in it would work just fine. Nevertheless, it was a fair flier at minimal surface throws. Someone mentioned 1/2" to 3/4" throw on aileron and elevator.....that's probably a bit much. Suggest that at low rates 1/4 to 3/8" is all you need. Set up the high rates at the 1/2-3/4 the other fellow suggested
#986
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Bob Howard if you could do that that would be great! Do you think I could cut it out of a 2 litre clear bottle? Also what about getting it to stick to the fuse, dont it have to be somewhat flat on the bottom of the windshield so it has something to stick to?
#987
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How close to the actual edge? I wish I had the plans to this plane. I have found a .pdf version of the manual though. I got some "cockpit trim" (black fuel tubing) on the way for the edge of the cockpit.
Edit: notice this plane is missing the hump behind the pilot figure?? I wonder why that is? Unless the builder just didnt like the hump, I noticed every other mini plane has the hump
Edit: notice this plane is missing the hump behind the pilot figure?? I wonder why that is? Unless the builder just didnt like the hump, I noticed every other mini plane has the hump
I didn't like the way it looked without the "hump" and was lucky(?) enough to have one left from the Sig Ryan STA that I smashed, so I put it on. Maybe Sig will sell you one with the decals.
Nick
PS. As you can see in the build photo, I moved the firewall back a couple of inches to accommodate an Enya .80 Four Stroke turning a 14/6 prop and it flew very well also. (but it did weigh ~7 lbs.) and the battery was under the tank too.
#989
My Feedback: (20)
For wheel pants, go here: http://www.fiberglassspecialtiesinc.com/wheelp.htm
Don
Last edited by hattend; 04-08-2014 at 01:35 PM. Reason: added info
#990
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(and coincidentally, right under the rear mounting bolt of the top wing,)
Nick
#993
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For CG, RV7garage said it on the FORWARD bolts on the top wing. You guys are saying the REAR bolts on the top wing. Which is it? I would think the rear bolts but what is RV7garage talking about?
#994
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Rv7garage stood corrected (and graciously concurred) in post 991. It's the rear bolt.
BTW, mine is still in one piece too but we've decided to build a new one since I plan to put a Saito FG11 in it.
Currently, the saito is pulling around my 1988 Taube (6 lbs) with a solid 50 degree climbout.
You can see how it looked back then with it's OS 40 FS by looking behind the smith in the pics in post 987. (no, I hardly ever crash ;-) )
Here are pics of the engines it's had, an OS .25, an OS .40 FS and now a Saito FG11 Gasser (.66 FS).
We've already got 2 hours on the engine and it's a sweet one!
Search youtube for saito taube to see it.
Nick
BTW, mine is still in one piece too but we've decided to build a new one since I plan to put a Saito FG11 in it.
Currently, the saito is pulling around my 1988 Taube (6 lbs) with a solid 50 degree climbout.
You can see how it looked back then with it's OS 40 FS by looking behind the smith in the pics in post 987. (no, I hardly ever crash ;-) )
Here are pics of the engines it's had, an OS .25, an OS .40 FS and now a Saito FG11 Gasser (.66 FS).
We've already got 2 hours on the engine and it's a sweet one!
Search youtube for saito taube to see it.
Nick
#996
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KaP, yes I did and I will print that out. I was just confused of your earlier post, but I got it now. Have you had a chance to look for those decals yet?
I will try and get some pictures of my progress later today. I have receiver and battery mounted and got the rubber cockpit trim glued on. Got all controls set up except for throttle, its always the hardest for me because I use a Spektrum DX6i and I like to utilize the Throttle cut-off button to cut off the motor of the plane. But I find it hard sometimes because you have to get it set up right in order for when you hit that button it closes the throttle completely.
I will try and get some pictures of my progress later today. I have receiver and battery mounted and got the rubber cockpit trim glued on. Got all controls set up except for throttle, its always the hardest for me because I use a Spektrum DX6i and I like to utilize the Throttle cut-off button to cut off the motor of the plane. But I find it hard sometimes because you have to get it set up right in order for when you hit that button it closes the throttle completely.
#997
My Feedback: (17)
KaP, yes I did and I will print that out. I was just confused of your earlier post, but I got it now. Have you had a chance to look for those decals yet?
I will try and get some pictures of my progress later today. I have receiver and battery mounted and got the rubber cockpit trim glued on. Got all controls set up except for throttle, its always the hardest for me because I use a Spektrum DX6i and I like to utilize the Throttle cut-off button to cut off the motor of the plane. But I find it hard sometimes because you have to get it set up right in order for when you hit that button it closes the throttle completely.
I will try and get some pictures of my progress later today. I have receiver and battery mounted and got the rubber cockpit trim glued on. Got all controls set up except for throttle, its always the hardest for me because I use a Spektrum DX6i and I like to utilize the Throttle cut-off button to cut off the motor of the plane. But I find it hard sometimes because you have to get it set up right in order for when you hit that button it closes the throttle completely.
#998
My Feedback: (17)
The decals are vinyl with a self adhesive backing. I would suggest that after you apply them, you seal the whole airplane with a light weight clear coat.
I read in one of your earlier posts that this was your first bi-plane. It was also my first bi-plane. Mine was destroyed 4 times before I gave up. 20 years later I decided to give it another try.
When you first fly it be ready for anything. The first time I flew the one I have now it was like jumping on the meanest horse in the barn.
I read in one of your earlier posts that this was your first bi-plane. It was also my first bi-plane. Mine was destroyed 4 times before I gave up. 20 years later I decided to give it another try.
When you first fly it be ready for anything. The first time I flew the one I have now it was like jumping on the meanest horse in the barn.