RE: dear sig mfg

RE: dear sig mfg
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RE: dear sig mfg - 4/8/2005 2:04:45 AM

jones75

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Joined: 2/26/2005
From: Bloomfield Hills, MI, USA
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quote:

ORIGINAL: da king

Dir, Sig

I would like to thank you for the insite to build glow kit's with great wood that are light enough to be converted to electric! In this day and age of arf's or kit's with cheap, bottom of the barrel wood, you still build them with the wood that is supposta be in kit's. Easy, simple,strait forward and commen sense type of design is what will keep me buying your kit's for year's to come.

Included are pic's and a video link to my 51 oz AUW converted Sig SE. Could'nt do this with any other manufacture.

DK

http://www.rcgroups.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=16174&sort=1&cat=500&page=1

can you please tell me the modifications that you made to the SE to make it 3D like that. It would really help.

thanx.

(in reply to da king)

Post #: 26

RE: dear sig mfg - 4/8/2005 12:32:23 PM

da king

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Joined: 9/26/2002
From: sterling hts, MI, USA
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First, i replaced the ply rib's with balsa. Next i used 1/4 sq balsa stick's and built up the aileron's(stock size), added an inch to the back of the rudder and moved the hinge line to 50/50 on the elevator and added counterbalancer's. Then I had to add the carbon gear to clear the 14 or 15 inch prop. Other than that, it's pretty stock !!! All kit wood.

I do have two hs 81 on the tail and 2 3004's in the wing. I want to build a new one with 3004's all the way around and a nice cover job. I have so-lite and ultracote light on there and am happy with the covering, just not the scheme.

3lb's being pulled my a 14 or 15 inch prop help's a little too. hehe.

DK

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(in reply to jones75)

Post #: 27

RE: dear sig mfg - 4/8/2005 2:07:29 PM

Steve Campbell

Posts: 4191
Joined: 12/8/2001
From: Zachary, LA, USA
Status: offline

I'll second Prawnik's request; I would love to have a Yak 18 kit.

I bought a SkyBolt off eBay last year and paid dearly for it; and the only reason I won the auction was because I screwed up and bid $25,000!!! I meant to bid $250- and would have been outbid. I was also outbid on a Zlin and Kommander a while back; and didn't even bother to bid on a Yak that eventually sold for over $300.

C'mon, Sig; help us out here. But I'm not holding my breath; I asked about this when I called them back in February on another matter, and was told that there are no plans to bring back any discontinued kits. The fact is that the older Sig kits are definitely NOT for the faint of heart or the impatient. Great Planes has done a good job of simplifying kit design so they build fast with few hassles; but they are not in the same league as a carefully-built Sig kit. Unfortunately, it would seem that most folks today want plug'n'play. I'm afraid we kit fans, especially those who appreciate the older "builder's kits", are pretty much on our own these days.

You guys do know that an Australian firm owns Sig now? They had no kits at Toledo (at least that I saw), but plenty of ARFs. The Sundancer 50 is a neat-looking biplane; but Cox will have an Ultimate the same size that looks just as good and will be $80 less. I meant to go back and try to get some pictures of those very nice large (for Cox) Cox ARFs, but simply forgot. They had a big Pitts S-12 that was absolutely gorgeous; look for them this summer.

We need to face the fact that ARFs are "where its at" for the manufacturers today. They're in business to make money, and kits are slow sellers; I was told that exact phrase by two guys in the booths, who each worked for a large firm.

One of my flying buddies is a very talented machinist/carpenter; he is working on a two-axis CNC router table with a system that will allow us to transfer a plan into a CAD file to cut our own kits from plans. If that puppy works out like he is planning....

(in reply to da king)

Post #: 28

RE: dear sig mfg - 4/8/2005 4:23:16 PM

piper_chuck

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From: Pittsboro, NC, USA
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It seems that the big, traditional kit companies are slowly getting out of that business. They are either moving to ARFs, or going under. One bright spot is that many individuals are filling this hole by starting up their own businesses. If one looks around, it's possible to find all sorts of interesting kits out there, they're just not coming from the names that have been around for years. An example is Bob Haris with his Early RC Models Bob Harris www.earlyrcmodels.com. The demand is obviously too small to capture the attention of the big names, but as long as people keep buying, there should be kits to build. The only difference is we don't find most of this stuff through the big name retailers.

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Post #: 29

RE: dear sig mfg - 4/8/2005 5:07:13 PM

acobra

Posts: 157
Joined: 7/5/2002
From: Vincennes, IN, USA
Status: offline

Frank
Steve:
Yes, I know they are now foreign owned. Last year at Toledo I talked with Mike and told him I was wanting to stop by the plant and take a tour as my flying buddy had done a few years ago, (He couldn't keep form talking about how great he was treated) But Mike told me since they were (are) now foreign owned there was NO WAY TO TAKE A TOUR. I guess they lost that modeler friendliness that Glen and Hazel had............too bad.

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Post #: 30

RE: dear sig mfg - 4/8/2005 7:08:35 PM

Steve Campbell

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From: Zachary, LA, USA
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Yeah, when I called the fellow was curt and professional. Not rude or impolite by any means, but not "friendly".

Keep in mind I'm not complaining; just reinforcing your observation that the place is all business these days. Still, I'll take curt competence over friendly sloth any day, where my purchases are concerned...

(in reply to acobra)

Post #: 31

RE: dear sig mfg - 4/8/2005 8:56:56 PM

Volfy

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Joined: 1/4/2002
From: Houston, TX, USA
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Sad to hear an American RC icon getting bought out by a foreign company. Most of the kits I've built have been Sig, and I've always wanted to stop by to check out Hazel's Clipwing Cub or Spacewalker, if I ever chance upon their neck of the wood.

Thesedays, kit building is no longer the prerequisite entrance exam to RC flying, as it once was. Whatever your feeling about that, there is no denying the fact.

Still, I was talking to All American Kit Cutter the other day, and he said their production has been going full bore for quite some time, and the fastest turn-around on any of the Hostetler kits I asked about was 4weeks. Apparently, there are still quite a number of dedicated bulders out there. Granted, these custom kit cutters cater to mostly experienced scale and "giant scale" kit builders. No one in his right mind would try to produce and sell a .40 trainer kit, when a RTF ARF package cost less and likely built far better than any novice kit builder can muster. Unfortunately, with a few rare exceptions (e.g. the 4star series), .25-.60 sport kits pretty much fall into the same category.

So if you really want to build kits, there are ways to do it, but do expect the selection in the low-end of the market to continue to dwindle.

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Si vis pacem, para bellum.

(in reply to Steve Campbell)

Post #: 32

RE: dear sig mfg - 4/8/2005 9:53:23 PM

piper_chuck

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From: Pittsboro, NC, USA
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quote:

ORIGINAL: Volfy
Unfortunately, with a few rare exceptions (e.g. the 4star series), .25-.60 sport kits pretty much fall into the same category.

Are you telling me I should sell the Kobra and Patriot kits that are on their way to me from Tower right now? What about the other 11 kits (ranging from .15 to .45 size) I've already got, should I sell them too?

Actually, from what I've read I'd have no trouble selling a few of them. I bought a Suprafly in the 80's that's still waiting to be built. Last summer I managed to get my hands on a Pilot Twin Ace kit. Eventually, I will make time to build them...

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Post #: 33

RE: dear sig mfg - 4/8/2005 9:59:41 PM

RCKen

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From: Lawton, OK, USA
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quote:

ORIGINAL: piper_chuck

What about the other 11 kits (ranging from .15 to .45 size) I've already got, should I sell them too?

Piper,
Bite you tongue man!!! There is no way that you should SELL you kits!! You should GIVE them away, to ME!!!!

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(in reply to piper_chuck)

Post #: 34

RE: dear sig mfg - 4/9/2005 9:00:13 PM

TexasSkyPilot

Posts: 658
Joined: 2/2/2004
From: San Antonio, TX, USA
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I've built for more than 25 years now. Everything you can imagine, big and small. ALL of us older builders have learned that if the model is from SIG, it's going to fly, and fly well. EVERY model SIG puts out does that. By and large, they have always had modelers and flyers creating models that fly at SIG mfg. I was the first to point a flinger at ARFs and shake it ominously, warning of the downfall of our hobby. But I have to admit, I just bought my very first ARF last week, and it is the SIG Sun Dancer Bipe. My spare time is just that...very spare. I like building, but I love flying. I've built a Hog Bipe before, and I know for a fact that by the time I had it ready to add the radio that I had better than 500 bucks into it. Fancy covering job, glues, you name it. My hobby dealer just got me my Sun Dancer ARF Bipe for under 400 bucks, shipping included (Tax, of course, not included). This Bipe is amazing. The paint job on the fiberglass cowling alone is enough to convince me. Covering job you'd half-kill yourself trying to do. Right down to the super-nice foamy tires which I personally am so fond of. I could NEVER build that Bipe for that price.
Getting back to my earlier reference to my finger-pointing, ARFs may have brought some of the lazier element into the hobby, but it has brought folks that cannot find the extra time to build and who dearly love to fly into the hobby as well, and I have to admit, I'm pleased by the renewed interest locally. It was just getting harder and harder to find people who want to build, or perhaps, who CAN take the time to build. I'm certainly all for SIG kitting everything they have that's an ARF for those who want to build them, but I'm delighted that SIG took the initiative and found a way to keep me flying when my time is at a premium. And best of all, I get to fly SIG stuff!! My Spacewalker II is going to have a few new brothers.
I'm glad I read this thread, I had no idea that they were about to come out with a .50 size Sun Dancer Bipe. I'm also hot for that new Little Something Extra ARF in a .30 size....Turquoise, of course. Can't seem to get one of them yet, but still waiting for one!

Hey, what can I say??? SIG rules the modeling skies, and I'm a loyal follower.

Jim

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Post #: 35

RE: dear sig mfg - 4/9/2005 9:07:57 PM

piper_chuck

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From: Pittsboro, NC, USA
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quote:

ORIGINAL: RCKen

quote:

ORIGINAL: piper_chuck

What about the other 11 kits (ranging from .15 to .45 size) I've already got, should I sell them too?

Piper,
Bite you tongue man!!! There is no way that you should SELL you kits!! You should GIVE them away, to ME!!!!

Now I understand

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Post #: 36

RE: dear sig mfg - 4/10/2005 12:15:18 AM

Pilot Chad

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Joined: 1/22/2005
From: Madison, AL, USA
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I am going to be adding to this thread very soon with my Flying Auburn Tiger.

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Post #: 37

RE: dear sig mfg - 4/10/2005 2:37:12 AM

PilotFighter

Posts: 1978
Joined: 10/9/2002
From: Houston, TX, USA
Status: offline

I had the Colt, the Kougar and a Kadet Jr.

I am currently building the Bonanza.

I have a Kommander and a Cessna 170 kit that Sig got from Berkeley

I am considering another Kougar as the winds were gusting to nearly 30kts today. Kougars seem to defy the wind. Although the Goldberg Chipmunk did OK. But a Koug can actually be relaxing in 30kts.

Hats off to Glen and Hazel Sig, their good will still brightens our lives.

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(in reply to Pilot Chad)

Post #: 38