My son and I are looking for a .40 sized nitro powered 3D
plane. We like the Sig Somethin Extra for many reasons.
Can anyone tell me if it will torque roll? What size engine?

I know it needs more rudder surface for KE, but other than that how
does it stack up as a 3D fun flying plane?

Currently we both have 3DX'x that we love and are looking for something similar
in a nitro plane.

We like the flying characteristics of a UCD .40 but they are fragile.

Considering the Model Tech Magic Extra 300L too ... not sure of the durablity.

Thats one reason we like the Sig SE. It is very durable for not so perfect landings.

yes I have one,and love it.
It will torgue roll well.I did make some mods to help it into the 3D world.

Satio 72 W/14-4 zinger,20/20 morgan pattern pro,CF landing gear(needs for prop clearance for ANY prop12" or more)and saves weight.

I'm using hs-225bb's servos on all flight surfaces and an hs-85mg on throtle,battery pack is a 5 cell 650mah nimh pack the car guys use 2.3 oz. at 6 volt.Can't get much lighter than that,esp. for $24.95.
I added 1 1/4" to the rudder(along hing line,not to the top) and added 1/2" to the elevators(again along the hinge line).

The push rods & instructions for the rudder and elevator are WRONG and the rods bind!
I just ran solid wire thru the existing tubes,soldered clevis at servo,and threaded plastic clevisat control horn
very solid feel.
I don't have pants or a spinner on it and it weighs 4lbs 14oz.

good luck in your decision making.

Chas

Yes the Sig SE is a very good airframe. I flew mine with an OS 46SX. It can fly slow or moderately fast. It's easy to transport because of the removable wing panels and easy to work on with an upright engine. It's not fragile but make SURE that you have low rates on when you first take it off. I had flown mine for about a year, very successfully, then went to my helicopter. When I went back to fly the SE for the first time in many months, I had highrates on the transmitter and the hairy flight lasted about 5 seconds.

I sure do miss that plane!!

Jim

I have an OS .46 FX I could put on it. Do you think this would be enough engine to torque it?

Weelll, let me see, where should I start.

IMO the SE flies great for what it was designed for...sport flying.

If you want something that will perform similar to you 3Dx, then you need to consider the other 2 planes you mentioned (especially if you plan on using that .46). Yes, they are fragile, they're built to fly not crash. Of course, you can always modify the SE like chasot has ($$$). I guess its based on whatever you want to do. There are a quite a few planes out there that will do the job.

Another alternative is a SPA3D or SPA3DT. They're cheap, but UGLY (BTW-I prefer the 3Dx over the SPA3DT because it allows me to fly in my back yard, and its quieter).

p.s.- I never had a problem with knife edging mine (neither does the other 2 at my field), it was high alpha KE'ing though. Not sure why everyone says you need to add more rudder area (of course KE loops are out of the question). I guess I'll have to see what people are talking about to get a better understanding.

I have an SE and it's my favorite throw it in the truck and go fly plane. I have a 46FX on it and verticle is unlimited with an 11x4 APC prop. This plane is not a 3d monster, but it wasn't designed to be. You'll have a harder time hovering with this plane than a UCANDO, and the rudder leaves a little to be desired. That being said, the plane is a blast. If you can hover this plane, you'll have an easy time hovering any of the 3d planes out there. The cg can be moved WAY back from the recomendations, and it just makes the plane more fun to fly.

Here are a few things I did with mine. Hope this helps...

-Ditch the plastic pushrods and replace them with metal (or carbon fiber).

-Get the cg to a point where you're comfortabe and then put a mac's one piece muffler and a slightly heavier tail wheel on.

-Use a Nihm (or LIPO) to save an ouce or two near the cg.

This plane flies best when it's as light as possible. There aren't many places here that you can save weight (other than c/f landing gear and lighter servos) so make sure that you don't add extra weight with extra stuff.

You will lovvvvvvvvvvvvvvvve the SE. I can TR mine at half throtle with a ST 50. i elarged the ruder on mine by 2 1/2 in. i will post some pics later.

sometin extra does fine. I don't think it needs more rudder area as it does less fin area; I made a counterbalanced rudder on one to get it to knife edge better, mostly to reduce fin area; I think the fin was keeping the nose from turning up enough to maintain knife edge, except when I entered slow, rolled it on it's side, and flew it high alpha. It had good rudder in hover, especially after the canopy blew off (gotta love a.r.f. planes). was flying it on saito 72, 13-6 mas scimitar (low pitch is for 2 strokes) 15% sig fuel. am now flying sig ultimate, they make good stuff.

Hi Guys,

What 3D maneuvers can you get the SE to perform? I've got one with an OS .46 and 11x6 APC prop. It hovers OK (limition is my skill here I think). I can't get it into a good flat spin ... reguler spins nice though. It seems to be more a "fun fly" plane than a true 3D model to me, but perhaps I just don't have it set up right.

Carl

The Sig SE is really not a 3D airplane, even with an enlarged rudder. If you want a good 3D fun fly, buy something else. As a sport plane, the SE is great.

Put an Irvine .53, with a 12.25x3.75 prop, with 1 inch added to the rudder. It will absoutly scream! It will hover/trq at half to 5/8 and pull out good! If you want an all out 3d monster get an Extremeflight edge 540t profile plane. It will do anything, its absoutly amazing, so is the sig, but it can't do extreme aerobatics like the edge can...

Matt

Wow, almost a 3 year old conversation here. Funny though I was about to post the same questions so thanks for pulling it to the top guys.

Thanks guys!

I've had my SE for a while and I'm just now trying to learn 3D. I agree that it is a great sport or fun-fly plane. I'll need to add another model to my hangar to really learn 3D though

Carl

I had a SE years ago, flew it for about 2 years until it just became too boring due to its design limitations. Yes, it's an excellent sport plane but if you really have 3D in mind you have to move on to SE (something else). Why waste your time extending rudders and other mods when there are so many good (and less expensive) 3D planes out there?

I love my SSE. I have a .70 Surpass on it and it does just about anything I tell it to... but it still won't do true 3d. I can harrier ... but only against the wind. It won't do inverted loops, I can do a tail spin, but I have to be going BTW, and high enough to allow for stall out. It hovers ok ... but with enough engine, you can make a brick hover ... For a sport plane, it's a great plane. I love mine to death, but for 3D ... I gotta have my pitts S2C40 GS