DJokr

This is a kit from the early 70's that my dad had purchaced and started to build but didn't finish. Lucky for me the building plans were still in the kit. I decided to modify a few things along the way, such as adding ailerons and converting it to electric. Most of it has been fairly easy but I ran across a problem with the wings, they were warped and you could easly bend them probably due to being exposed to temp and moisture ranges in the basement. So, let me fill you in on the progress. I have had to build a new wing from scratch, changed the dihedral and and an area for the ailerons. The fuselage had some damage due to an animal chewing on the tail but this was an easy fix. The stabilizer had to be scratch built along with part of the rudder. But so far so good. One problem I have ran into is I don't have the main landing gear or the plastic nose section. If anyone can suggest where I can find these parts or ones that would fit I would greatly appreciate it. I contacted Sig about the nose cone but the reponse was about the MKII version not the MKI.

Here are some pics, let me know what you think, any suggestions are welcome.

huck1199

I think the MKI and MKII are the same except for the ailerons on the MKII

TFF

The gear is just bent music wire; you can extrapolate it from the plans pretty easy. You could get a wire gear from a different trainer and modify it too. If you dont want to go with the MK2 cowl you can carve one from balsa like many planes from the era did. My best friend built one when we were kids; I built the Ugly Stick. We added ailerons to his before it was an option to that kit and before the MK2 came out. When I built a MK2 for my son I did the opposite; I built it as a 3 channel like the MK1.

DJokr

Since I am adding ailerons, does anyone have any suggestions on what the throw should be? I'm thinking of going with 20 degrees for up and 10 to 15 degrees for down.

huck1199

I think the plans called for 5/8" in both directions for all surfaces.

WORNBOOTS

My Feedback: (33)

Actually it "Looks Like" from your pic that you have a Kadet (original Production kit)

The Mk II was produced next to include upgrades including an Aileron Option / Addition.

The Kadet MK I was a later re-release copying the original, and was again' meant to attract builders with little to no experience and those wanting the Classic Design.

I do not think the MK I has the same Sig Craftsman Kit stenciling as shown on your box, and I believe the separate Wing kit / Accessory kits to include Ailerons are still available from Sig.

Check this out ...-> [link=http://www.angelfire.com/indie/aerostuff/kadflap.htm]Aileron / Flap info[/link] Nice Site Too"

Also Specs for the MK II posted by Khodges Post#3 [link=http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_6351585/anchors_6351585/mpage_1/key_/anchor/tm.htm#]Kadet Mk-II Specs[/link]

Dan

DJokr

This is an original kit, I just assumed they were called MKI's.

I will post more pics soon. Thanks for the links.

TFF

I would modernize the wing a small bit and use 2 aileron servos if you have a mixable radio. You can program the amount of throw and differential easy and after flying a while you could make it into flaperons. Not that a plain TX is bad that is how my sons plane is. I know you need differential or it will have some adverse yaw.

GarySS

My Feedback: (13)

The Kadet Mark II? was my first kit/trainer.

I guess it was the II since it came with ailerons, but also with a wire main gear. I lowered the dihedral to a total of 2 inches and replaced the mains with a aluminum dural type. You could just fabricate a cowl from balsa sheet, but that is another topic. Good luck with your project.......

DJokr

The wings are almost done. I'm now starting on the ailerons but this has seemed to be quiet the headache.
I have decided to go with a top mounted aileron style but I've never tried this before so if anyone has any ideas I sure can use them.

Can anyone find my mistake?
Hint: the wings have not been glued together.

DJokr

One of the ailerons done

TFF

With the barn door ailerons use differential throws. I modified a Kadet Senior kit into a scale plane and added barn door ailerons. I did not have enough differential on the test flight and the adverse yaw turned the plane the opposite way!
They look great.

huck1199

My MKII (1984) has solid ailerons, ABS cowl, and dural main gear.

DJokr

What size dural landing gear did you use.
I'm thinking of going with the .40 size.

huck1199

The gear came with the kit, looks like .40 size.

DJokr

Well I've been able to get a few more things done. Here are a few pics of the wing.

Does anybody have any pics of top mounted hinges, I'm not sure about the best type of hinge to use on the ailerons.

Hydro Junkie

Looks like I'm doing the same thing you are, but more so. I built a Kadet Jr back in the mid 80's, only to have it destroyed during a move before I got to fly it. I'm now using all the hardware from the kit and building it from the plans. Like your Kadet, mine was designed without ailerons and has a monsterous dihedral. My build has the wingspan extended 6", NO DIHEDRAL and has 30% chord barn door ailerons designed into the wings. I figure a Futaba 9CAP should be able to handle this plane easily. The thing about the Jr is that it was designed with a carved balsa nose instead of a plastic or glass nose cowl. Now I just have to find plans for a set of floats and I'll be good to go

DJokr

I can't wait to see it , if I may make a suggestion, I would leave a small amount of dihedral or the wings will look like they are drooping.

Post some pics when you get a chance.

GarySS

My Feedback: (13)

Agree about the dihedral. As I remember now the wing tips had plastic "caps" to cover them. If I were doing it now I would get a couple of balsa blocks, say 2 inches by 2? and long enough to match the chord of the wing and carve new ones. That way you could cover them with whatever covering/color you are using and they won't pop off........just an idea, but more work.

Hydro Junkie

With mine, I'm not too worried about "drooping wings". I figure it's a trainer being set up for floats and modded for ailerons so I'm not going to worry about it. I'll probably be building a second one for land use later, that one will get maybe .5" dihedral along with the barn door ailerons. Time will tell

timd1

I just finished mine!, I have made all the final adjustments and my trainer and I will be taking her up for the maiden voyage this weekend.

DJokr

Well guys, I'm back! Had to put this project up for a while but now I've got it back out and hope to get this plane flying. I've been able to get the wings almost completed but still have a few mods to do. I will be having a lot  of questions, cuz I've been gone so long I forgot a lot, so any help will be appreciated. I will try and post some pics later tonight.

GarySS

My Feedback: (13)

Well, you have more than a casual interest in RC and this project! If you don't know how to fly please become associated with a club/trainer and get trained before committing your Kadet to the sky. We want you to stay in the hobby and not get discouraged when you crash (took me a year to get back in after crashing my Kadet on the sixth flight). Being trained will minimize the risk.[8D]

DJokr

I have flown the 3 channel Super Cub before so I plan on buying a cheap RTF foam 4 channel and play around with it before I fly this one, i have a lot of time into this plane so far. I have ordered the Cessna 337 from Chin models and waiting for it to get here, but I will be a while before i try my hands at that one. So here are some updated pics.

DJokr

Well I ordered some parts from Sig the other day, so now I'm thinking of what motor I'm going to put in this thing. I'm going electric on this one so I'm going to need some advice. What I do want is an outrunner brushless motor with enough power to pull this plane through the air. Any suggestions will be GREATLY appreciated. Also, do I need to use a separate battery for the receiver?