I built and flew the Miniplane before I'd had much experience with powered models. It was a very satisfying project, being challenging, but Sig's good materials and instructions helped the whole way. Mine was powered by a Magnum .53 2-stroke with stock muffler as per plans. (The .53 is a .40 size engine so it fit perfectly.) I'd recommend a .46 2-stroke, any 4-stroke would need the cowl cut out. I modified the wing to accept two aileron servos. The plane sure did handle and fly like a bigger, solid airplane. The first flight was a panic, it needed quite a bit of up trim and is quick and fast. Once I got used to it I loved flying it and did quite a few flights with snow skis. Eventually pilot carelessness did it in, I started thinking the pulling up into a tumble about 50 feet off the ground was great fun. Looking back, the Miniplane took me from novice to experienced and remains one of the models I'm proudest of.
I built two Hog-Bipes which both flew great from the first take-off. The kit goes together much quicker and more easily. The kit includes parts and instructions for dual aileron servos which I recommend. After modifying the first to take a round cowl I liked the stock open front end as well. After building the first one stock in every other respect, the second one had the bottom wing dihedral reduced by about half and the rudder and elevators widened and the vertical fin reshaped. I was very happy with the flight characteristics of the second. It would stall turn beautifully and do an inverted spin so nice. It also taught me to circle the field in knife-edge. Personally I think the airplane is designed for .91 4-strokes, I like the Thunder Tiger and O.S.
There's quite a few Hog-Bipes displayed at fuberhill.com with tips and modifications.
I'll agree with Ilikebipes, also like biplanes and think the Hog-bipe makes building and operating one about as easy as could be. If you take the time saved in building and put it to doing the sunburst color scheme with pinstriping it'll be the envy of your fellow modelers. Here's mine in green Ultracote with my Jungmeister. Best wishes with the Miniplane, and the Hog if you get one!
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