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Sig Citabria - 12/17/2007 4:06:18 AM   
Minnang


 

Posts: 8
Joined: 11/7/2004
From: Duluth, MN, USA
Status: offline 		Tried this kit a few years ago as my first build and had just enough skill to build a pile of firewood out of it. Swore I'd always go back and finish one when I learned to measure then cut.

Here it is:

Covered in 21st Century fabric
Goldberg tailwheel
Dual aileron servos
Sullivan flying wires
OS 46AX with modified Pitts muffler
Dave Brown Ultimate spinner

This was a challanging kit and a bit frustrating at times, but worth everything new that I learned. It will be the first one in the air this spring.





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       Post #: 1

RE: Sig Citabria - 12/17/2007 4:12:02 AM   
Lightfoot



Posts: 3158
Status: offline 		That is a beautiful job. I have one of the kits in the box and I hope to start on it in the near future. I plan to use the same paint scheme that you used but in maroon rather than red (maroon and white, the school colors of my alma mater, Mississippi State University).

I built the A&A Bud Nosen kit several years ago and was very dissatisfied with it. It took 3 years to build because I kept getting frustrated and putting it away. The final result was nice but I expect the Sig Citabria to be much better.


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(in reply to Minnang)
       Post #: 2

RE: Sig Citabria - 12/18/2007 2:26:19 AM   
DaveB


 

Posts: 550
Joined: 7/23/2002
From: Hillsborough, NJ, USA
Status: offline 		Minnang,

Nice job, it really looks good. I am currently building the same plane and am about ready to cover. May I ask how the red was applied? Did you use the red 21st Century covering or paint over the base color? If painted, what kind of paint and was it sprayed or brushed?

Thanks,

DaveB

(in reply to Lightfoot)
       Post #: 3

RE: Sig Citabria - 12/18/2007 3:42:08 AM   
Minnang


 

Posts: 8
Joined: 11/7/2004
From: Duluth, MN, USA
Status: offline 		Thanks Dave.

It's all covering. I covered the bottom of the fuselage with white to the stringer below the windows then covered the top with red overlapping the bottom by about 1/2 inch. The wings got white out to the second rib from the tip and the tips covered seperately with red overlapping again about 1/2 inch. The stripes were then cut and ironed on. This is the first time I've used this stuff and it took a little getting used to. I had to experiment with the iron temp a little bit to get it to stick well but it produces a very smooth beautiful finish. I also applied Balsarite around areas like the wing servo openings and anywhere else there was not a lot of surface area to hold it. No worries about bubbles under the trim either.

Minnang

(in reply to DaveB)
       Post #: 4

RE: Sig Citabria - 12/18/2007 10:31:18 PM   
DaveB


 

Posts: 550
Joined: 7/23/2002
From: Hillsborough, NJ, USA
Status: offline 		Minnang,

Thanks for the prompt reply. I will be covering my Sig Citabria with Solartex. I haven't decided whether to paint over the base color (white), or use a different color of the same fabric for the trim and other areas. I would like to try painting with "rattle cans", but I am not sure I have the confidence to give it a try. I don't want to screw the job up at this point.

I am planning to rabbet the windows with a routing bit so the windows will be flush with the fuselage sides. It should work out good.

DaveB

(in reply to Minnang)
       Post #: 5

RE: Sig Citabria - 12/22/2007 3:06:39 PM   
jollyroger


 

Posts: 261
Joined: 3/10/2002
From: central Lake, MI, USA
Status: offline 		Great job on your Citabria! I have mine nearly ready for covering. I also used aileron servos as I dont like bell cranks. I used Robart hinges for the tail surface and pinned hinges for the ailerons.
Had a bit of a time with the cowl though with adding the lower scoop.
Mine will be powered by an Atlas outrunner from Hobby Lobby and 5S Lipo.
I bought Sig Aerocote in Deep red, White and red and white checkerboard.
Obviously we wont get to fly ours until the snows clear and it warms up enough so that our hands dont freeze into solid lumps.
Mine has taken me 3 years to finish as I also got a little frustrated with it. Now its almost ready.
Oh yeah, I also used pull-pull for the rudder and tailwheel.
cheers jollyroger

(in reply to DaveB)
       Post #: 6

RE: Sig Citabria - 12/28/2007 1:42:30 PM   
crashinator


 

Posts: 51
Joined: 8/27/2007
From: westport island, ME, USA
Status: offline 		Mind if I join in? I too bought a SIG Citabria kit to build this winter. what building advice would you guys give, aka: mods, improvements, ect. I plan on using a .70 fs (maybe Magnum) with Futaba gear. The 3-piece cowl will be my first "multi piece" cowl, any tips? I was gonna go for the green on white scheme.

P.S. awsome looking job Minnang!


(in reply to jollyroger)
       Post #: 7

RE: Sig Citabria - 12/28/2007 2:37:57 PM   
DaveB


 

Posts: 550
Joined: 7/23/2002
From: Hillsborough, NJ, USA
Status: offline 		With regard to the cowl, I used CA for assembly and then filled in the seams with "Squadron Putty"which is similar to "Bondo". Comes in a tube and is available from Tower. It worked good for me.

As far as construction goes, be real careful assembling the fuselage. You have to pay close attention here or you could wind up with a non true fuse. The wing is fairly straight forward and in my case, I built it with 2 aileron servos. One thing I am doing different from the instructions is attaching the elevators last. I will cover both elevators and attach them to the fuselage after the fuselage has been covered. I didn't think I could get a good covering job if the elevator(s) were attached to the fuse before covering.

One last point; I am powering mine with the Magnum .52 4 stroke, side mounted. I did't have to carve up the cowl too much, so it looks good. I will be covering soon and will be using white "Solartex" with the trim scheme still to be determined.

DaveB

(in reply to crashinator)
       Post #: 8

RE: Sig Citabria - 12/28/2007 6:06:40 PM   
crashinator


 

Posts: 51
Joined: 8/27/2007
From: westport island, ME, USA
Status: offline 		I have become a fan of installing two servos instead of belcranks, I definately plan on that mod!
Do you have experience with the Mag. .52 fs? I have a .91 fs in an Edge 540 and it seems to be a good motor, its sensitive to adjustments though. I will be certain to pay close attention to construction of the fuse. The only other Sig kit I have built was a Something Extra, and I was pleased with the instructions, and the outcome.

Troy

(in reply to DaveB)
       Post #: 9

RE: Sig Citabria - 12/28/2007 6:47:54 PM   
DaveB


 

Posts: 550
Joined: 7/23/2002
From: Hillsborough, NJ, USA
Status: offline 		Troy,

I have 2 Mag 52's and 1 Mag 70, all 4 strokes. At present, only 1 52 is in a plane, specifically the GP Cherokee 40. It has very little run time on it as the plane was recently built and flown. Having said that, the engine is running very well and seems to be a good match for the Cherokee and IMO will be a good fit for the Citabria. Although, if you are into serious airbatic maneuvers, the 70 might be a better choice.

One other minor change I made in building was replacing the stock tail wheel with the Sullivan.

I think you'll find the "Something Extra" to be a much easier build. It's a modern design and laser cut, whereas the Citabria is somewhat dated. It is definitely a builder's kit, but it's a good flyer and well worth the effort. We'll see this spring.

DaveB

(in reply to crashinator)
       Post #: 10

RE: Sig Citabria - 12/29/2007 2:06:11 AM   
crashinator


 

Posts: 51
Joined: 8/27/2007
From: westport island, ME, USA
Status: offline 		Good to know, I almost always stuff as much motor in a plane as I can get. I'm really interested in owning a Citabria, it was the first real airplane I flew in, and I have always admired the appearance of them. I agree the SSE was an easy kit, but we all need a challenging build once and a while!

(in reply to DaveB)
       Post #: 11

RE: Sig Citabria - 12/29/2007 4:00:05 AM   
Minnang


 

Posts: 8
Joined: 11/7/2004
From: Duluth, MN, USA
Status: offline 		The windshield was a little tough for me. Looks simple enough, but it took a bit of trimming and fitting to get it right. As DaveB states most of the build is pretty straightforward but checking alignment of the fuselage as you go is definately a must. There's no self-aligning with this kit and building carefully pays off. I should have started a build thread with the first one I attempted as my first build. It would have been hilarious. Built the tail feathers with the wrong size stock, fuselage looked like a modern art nightmare, and the wing had a great warp solidly built into it. Oh well, I certainly enjoyed it this time around. Will finish out the winter building my GP Skybolt. The Sig Ryan I got off Ebay doesn't look so tough now and will be next winter's victim. Have fun and look forward to seeing all the Cits.


(in reply to crashinator)
       Post #: 12

RE: Sig Citabria - 12/29/2007 9:17:40 PM   
crashinator


 

Posts: 51
Joined: 8/27/2007
From: westport island, ME, USA
Status: offline 		I bought a Skybolt ARF this past spring, with a .91 fs and it may be my favorite plane (right now) the .91 made for just the right power, I probably have 30 ish flights on it and cant wait to go again.
I havent even looked at the prints yet, but i just experienced my first "non locking" fuse, I just finished an Andrews Aeromaster and the fuse had to be pinned down to the print, trued, measured, re measured, re-trued, ect.

I keep looking at your plane and I think I like the red better than the green I had in mind, covering is a long ways away and Im sure to change my mind a dozen times!!

(in reply to Minnang)
       Post #: 13

RE: Sig Citabria - 1/18/2008 5:32:42 PM   
stsch


 

Posts: 4
Joined: 1/18/2008
From: Newark, DE, USA
Status: offline 		Ordered the kit today. I am afraid that she will at some time no longer easily available, and this plane was always the one I really wanted.
The size of the wing is a little big for transport and building.
What do yoou guys think about building a 2 part wing with alu joiners? Maybe graphite holms?
Have not seen the kit yet, but that should not be so hard.
My take on that is that if you can build 3D acrobats with high g-forces and extrem forces impacting the wing with a 2 piece wing, why would that not be possible with the Citabria? That would make it a even better model.
It's an "old" kit, maybe 2 piece wings were not en vougue at that time?

After all I read here I am a little intimidated, but I love that plane so much I just HAVE to try it!

Steff

(in reply to crashinator)