I have completed building my first kit, a Sig Four Star 40. This was a great kit for a first build, lots of fun. The build took approximately one month including time over the Christmas holiday and lost of puttering and contemplating with beer in hand. The information provided by RC Universe members, their build logs and the LA Aeromodelers club members were a great resource. I incorporated several modification into the build that were recommended by RC Universe members (and a few that were not): I clipped each wing by one bay, drilled vent holes in the ribs and shear block to allow for venting during covering, hardwood blocks for wing hold downs, reinforced the wing sheeting around the aileron servo, added 1/2” triangular stock to support the landing gear mount and at the fin, ¼” triangular stock behind the wing TE between former F3 and F4, replaced the stock control rods with Sullivan Gold N Rods, replaced the stock tail wheel with a Sullivan tail wheel assembly, installed a 10 oz. fuel tank and enlarged the opening in F2 to allow access for the larger tank, sheeted the turtle deck with 1/16 inch balsa and tinted (Rit dye) and trimmed the canopy. I installed a TT Pro .46 engine and Futaba S3004 BB servos and covered the plane with MonoKote, using the Windex method for the stripes.
I need to complete the control rod connections and testing. Maiden flight is awaiting the accomplishment of smoother landings with my SR Mach II and decent weather. This build was a lot of fun and very satisfying, I am looking forward to the next project, likely a sailplane after a couple of home maintenance activities. I did learn that I am highly reactive to CA, nasty stuff. Thanks the RC Universe members for their suggestions.