G'day

For a first RC kit, Sig kits are pretty hard to beat. In the manual (and usually on the box) is a list of the things you need apart from what is in the box.

Sig's kits go together well, are strong yet light and fly well.

The Kadet series are great kits. I have several Kadet Seniors ( big, slow but a bit complex to build) which fly really well and are great fun to build and fly. They are old style kits using lots of sticks to create the structure particularly at the rear.

The LT 40 and smaller LT 25 are more modern style kits which still make great flying models. They have ailerons and are more versatile than the Senior but have slightly higher wing loadings and so fly slightly faster. I have built both.

From memory, if you build any of these, you need additional nuts and bolts for the engine, fuel tanks and I like to use nylon push rods like Carl Goldberg Golden Rods (blue size).

The Senior and the LT 40 need a forty to 50 size two stroke or a 50 to 60 size four stroke. I like the four strokes as they are quieter and easier to handle. My favourite Kadet Senior has an old Saito 56 in it with others having a Laser 70 four stroke and even a Saito 90 3 cylinder radial. An OS LA 46 would be fine, cheap and a quality engine. You will also need fuel, fuel tubing and props for the engine. Some spare glow plugs is advisable too especially with two strokes.

Electric conversion is possible on all of these but that is a complete story in its self.

I think all the kits need fuel tanks, wheels, wheel retaining collars and of course glue. I use Zap medium CA (green) which I reinforce with Aliphatic Resin yellow glue. You will also need some epoxy resin for around the engine and if you use the hinges supplied with the kits, some thin CA glue like Zap (pink).

And then you need covering. There are many types of iron on covering. I like cloth covering for the larger models but Monocote, Solafilm and many other plastic films are OK. You need about 20 feet to cover a Senior, less for the smaller versions.

It is vital to fuel proof around the engine area. A coat of epoxy (slow drying type) works well.

I usually replace the nylon clevises which are supplied with the kits. These connect the push rods to the elevator and rudder horns which are provided in the kit. I prefer to use metal clevises (2-56 thread will fit the supplied threaded rods).

This is what I can remember as I sit here. I hope this helps a bit.

Mike in Oz

The photo is of one of my Kadet Seniors. It has a Laser 70 four stroke (total overkill) and is covered in English Solatex iron on cloth. Flies brilliantly - even inverted.