foosball_movie

Well, I enjoyed Bruce Tharpe's Venture Kit ( [link=http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_5723966/mpage_3/key_/tm.htm]See my build thread[/link] ) so much I thought I'd try another Bruce Tharpe creation, "The Wonder". This was designed under the SIG umbrella. I was looking for something that would go fast and I just happened to come across this kit at my local hobby shop.

Initial impressions:

The Venture kit spoiled me. I can't believe I actually have to punch the pieces out of the balsa wood and sand the edges. Come on!

Instructions look pretty thorough. Plans were folded (not rolled), but not a huge issue. I like that the entire plane will fit on my work table, unlike the much large Venture 60.

This is a fairly small plane (32 inch wingspan). It suggests a .10 to .19 engine, but I'm going to stuff a .25 into the nose.

I can already tell that this thing is going to haul a.b.c.d.e.f.g......

foosball_movie

Back from my local hobby shop. Couple of hundred bucks lighter and I have my engine, props, servos, fuel tank and servo arms.

Got lucky, because I ran into a guy that had built several "Wonders" and he filled me on what worked best for him.

So I'm going with an OS .25 FX engine and 2 HiTech Mighty Mini servos for the ailerons and elevator and a Mighty Micro for the throttle. APC 8x6 prop.

Then I ran into another guy that flies high-speed planes and he, along with the first guy, said to definitely get a radio with exponential capabilities. I currently have a Futaba 6ch Skysport 6YG that came with my Hobbico Hobbistar Trainer. I had been itching to get a DX7, so looks like that is next on my list.

foosball_movie

The wing is coming along. It's tough getting the sheeting flush with the leading edge. This picture is showing how I'm attempting to fill some the gaps that remained with yellow glue. I also thought the trailing edge sheeting was supposed to stop before the leading edge, instead of going on top of the leading edge. So I had to remove it and cut a new piece of sheeting. I keep reading posts warning about building the Wonder well or expect problems. So I went over every joint with Med-Ca hoping it makes it a little stronger.

yel914

One trick I've used on sheeting is to brush yellow glue on both the ribs and the part of the sheeting that contacts the ribs. Let it dry, and then iron it down with an iron on high heat. Weighting the sheeting down with small bags of sand or shot after gluing also works well. It's nice to have a few techniques at your disposal. Can't wait to hear how it flys

gumhead

I loved my Sig wonder. Very fun plane to fly.

Just dont fly it in a thunderstorm [X(]

http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_43...tm.htm#4320511

MinnFlyer

My Feedback: (4)

The Wonder is a great airplane! But quitcherbellyachin about having to pop the parts out of their frames - Geeze, waddya want, an ARF?

Too bad you got the engine already, I had one with a 25FX and it was almost too much. Had to custom make a battery pack to stick in the tail to balance it.

Next time, I'll use a .10

It will still be PLENTY fast enough and with less weight, it will be more maneuverable

gumhead

os 15 cv-a is a perfect match for this plane

TLH101

My Feedback: (90)

I have one and originally had a Webra .32 in it. After about 6 flights, my nerves were shot. Put in an OS 20FP, and it was still pretty damn hot.
BTW, just bit of advice. Make the top and bottom in CONTRASTING colors! You can lose orientation on this little dude fast. And never, never, ever, look away from the model when in flight. It goes a long way in a short time. I know, you can pull the throttle back, but that's for weenies.

johnnylwhite

My Feedback: (17)

Speak'in of WEENIES Terry.....Who is that holding the bullet?

TLH101

My Feedback: (90)

Greg had to hold it, if I remember correctly, you were too scared.[:-]

dennis

My Feedback: (90)

I built one and used an MVVS 21. Really did enjoy that plane. Not as fast as a diamond dust but fun just the same. Your better off though to buy a set of plans for a combat wing and build a jig and crank them out by the dozen. Then you can fly and combat till you can't stant the fun anymore.
Dennis

MP3_tilaco

Hi, I love my Sig Wonder too, I bought one of them in Ebay, it was parcialy builded and I finished it, I flow it in March and so far this day I didn't leave. I have builded 5 for my friends and they are very happy.
To my Wonder I used O.S. 25 LA and it's a bullet in the air, rolling and looping like crazy.

It is mine.




Its is from my son, I builded it from a plan, is very easy to copy and build.






I builded it for a good friend, it's has a O.S. 25 FX.





I builded it for other good friend.



Is mine after a bad crash in the field.



My last Wonder, for other friend.

carrellh

MP3,
you are a building machine. I looked at your Corsair and Mustang build threads. You are a craftsman.

MP3_tilaco

ja ja, I love build, is like a psiquiatric drug...

foosball_movie

Just wondering....

For those who have built the Wonder, how many made the "Standard" concaved type wingtips? The wingtips that the instructions say should be carved and then use a dowel with sandpaper to round off the inside of the wingtip. These look like they'd be rather difficult to cover. Can I simpy round off the wingtip like a normal plane? What are the flying advantages of using a concaved wingtip?

foosball_movie

This must be some crazy Chilean thing! Won't be maidening my Wonder on this.

MP3_tilaco

je je, I love build is the best for the stress or a hard working day.

In all my Wonders I made this concaved wintips, is not hard to do I only use a good knife and a little bit of sand paper. For covering I used a small sealing iron (Trim Seal Tool)from Top Flite.

foosball_movie

Broke in my OS .25 FX engine Sunday. This engine screams, but the 4 ounce tank doesn't last very long. Topped out around 16,000 RPM.

MP3_tilaco

I lost my Wonder (snif) [] , I was fighting with 3 friends in my club when I crashed in the air, my plane fell from 60 m.
Yesterday I was all day in my crafts workshop and I have a new plane...

foosball_movie

I'll post some updated pictures of the wing once I'm able to move my arm after it has recovered from carving and sanding the wingtips.

foosball_movie

Ok. I've recovered. I decided to create traditional wing tips instead of the concave type suggested in the manual. Another pilot at my flying field built a Wonder and he just left the wing tips off, but that seemed a little too lazy. I think I'll try the concaved type next time and purchase a little more efficient carving knife and some coarser sandpaper to make things go a little quicker. 150 Grit Sandpaper didn't do a very quick job.

I decided to go with the Russian design. Deciding between the Russian and Patriot design reminded me of when Matthew Brodrick choose to be the Russians in the movie "War Games". Completed the ailerons and began the fuselage. The ailerons seem to fit ok and move freely. I forgot to roughen up the left side bearing before I CA'd it to the wing, so hopefully it will stay on.

MP3_tilaco

Guau, your Wonder looks great.
I think the concave wing tips is not necesary but is fine.
I finished my last Wonder it was from plan, tomorrow I'll flying and I hope do a good combat in my club [>:]



Last week end I fougth and lost my first Wonder , I did a midair collision with a Shrike



That was great [>:]

gumhead

COOL! [sm=biggrin.gif][sm=thumbup.gif]

foosball_movie

I got a lot of work done this past weekend. Finished the fuselage and sanded the entire plane. Ready to cover. I butchered the two wing pegs on the leading edge that go into F2 used to attache the wing. Any suggestions on how to reliably drill the two holes for these pegs? It's basically blind faith that the drill is going through the support inside the wing.

Also, does the aft portion of the fuselage need to be capped? I don't see a cap anywhere in the instructions or the plans. Should there be a big hole in the rear of the plane under the stabilizer? See attached pic.

And one more question. I am using a OS .25 FX engine. The fuel intake will be pushed right up against the fire wall making it almost impossible to reach the fuel line once the engine is mounted. The best idead I have for fueling is to use a syringe to put 4 oz. of fuel into the take through the fuel line attached to the muffler. Any other suggestions?

blw

My Feedback: (3)

Run a small length of tubing from the carb nipple. You can use brass tubing to connect the rest of the fuel line from there. Easy to separate for fueling.