Three years ago I built a Sig Astro Hog. It is beautiful -- but a bit of a pig -- it's flying weight came in at just under 10 lbs instead of the recommended 7-1/2 lbs. I flew it 4 times powered by a Thunder Tiger .61. It required the full length of our club's 300 ft. asphalt runway to get airborne and the ailerons did not have much authority on take-off, however, once airborne it seemed to fly well -- but very fast.

A friend who assisted me said that the extra weight really did make the airplane a pig and that I should simply shelve the Hog and chalk up its loss as a learning experience -- which I did. Since that time, I have relocated and the local R/C club has a grass field. Now I'm considering pulling the Hog off the shelf and refitting it with a set of 2" longer landing gear (it's a tricycle) and a Saito .91 4-stroke to provide for extra power on take-off since I'll be flying off grass instead of asphalt.

I would greatly appreciate any pilot's insights and opinions as to whether the above plan is practical -- or should I leave the Hog on the shelf.

Many thanks,

JDPORKER

Just put in a bigger engine, and you have a porker that will fly in a hurricane.
Used a Saito .91 FS in my close-to-11-pounder, and had no problems whatsoever.
On the contrary. When most others found it too windy, the Hog was in its right element.
A Supertigre .90 would fit the bill, mate, as will the Saito .91.
The only thing you have to forget is knife-egde. On that score it will have all the flying characteristics of Irish confetti.

Shonny:

Thanks, I truly appreciate your insight and will do it! I fiberglassed the fuselage and used Super Coverite on all other flying surfaces -- that's why she's overweight -- but she's a doll of a porker!

That's good news about the wind because there seems to always be a strong breeze blowing here in Rockwall, Texas even on the hot days. That's OK about the knife edge, I'm building a Staudacher for aerobatics. When I built the Hog, I simply wanted a "fun" airplane to fly.

What made your porker weigh in at 11 lbs.?

Thanks again,

JDPORKER

A fellow here in Oshkosh has one. He was telling me that it had a flutter problem. He then re created it for me at low altitude to take a look. To my surprise, I could see both wings fluttering violently! He asked me what could be done, I told him that it lacked torsional rigidity and some wires might help.

With your porky weight (the hog of course), this might become an issue for you as well.

Schmleff

Thanks, Schmleff. When I get airborne, I'll be on the lookout for any signs of flutter. Jeez, I never imagined that the wings could vibrate. Unbelievable!

porker
I am doing some test with a 55" and forward swept wingspan with a 6/7" blunt nosed airplane with a ST .75 on it for a project of mine. I have the weight up to 12 lbs now and it still takes off on a grass strip ( about 275 ') and does something that looks like a loop and decent rolls. I am using full length flaperons set at 40 degrees down on take off though .....it didn't seem to want to rotate without them when it got up to 10 lbs .I plan on going up to about 14 lbs before I stop adding weight.The 12 lbs puts the wing loading up to about 55 oz/sq ft.It shouldn't fly.,but it does.....
Good luck and have fun with it.

Larry

Larry:

Sounds like a very interesting test. The results are music to my ears. I appreciate your taking the time to share the results. Let us know what occurs when the weight approaches 14lbs.

Thanks,

JDPORKER

JD
I will do that , hope to be out this weekend.
Larry

I built an electric astro hog and it came out to 9.33 lbs. It flew so well that a guy bought it from me and I did not want to sell it. He made an offer I could not refuse. I sold it and made another from the plans. This one weighed about the same and flew fine.

sure it will fly. just not as well

JD
Finally found a hole in between the rain drops and clouds.It lifted 14.25 lbs off a grass strip today. I flew one flight at 12 lbs and found that the big twin rudders didn't like the high wind.The flags were blowing straigh out.So the next two tries I just rotated and then set it back down.I think it would do more but I ran out of weight and besides more than 13 lbs was what I was looking at and it did it.

The only thing I like to do with Hogs is to drastically reduce the dihedral. It was as you maybe know made for the early radios, and needed more stability than is required these days.

I used Solartex and paint, plus in them days I built 'em pretty solid. The model in the pic was stuck one foot deep in soft clay, with no damage. Bit of a job to get all the mud out of the cowl though.
Later model had flaps, and a cowl much like a Ryan PT-22. Those cowls used to be much in demand. One went to Terrace, B.C.
The flaps on a porky Hog is a lot of fun. You come in for landing in pretty well a dive, full flaps, and it settles beautifully.
Hah, worked at last! (the picture) Live and learn.

Hi Paul! How the heck are you?? We sure miss you at the MAAW meetings.

As to your portly Hog, just stick a big motor in it and go fly. If it crashes, it crashes, right?? Personally, I'd go w/ the new Saito 100 (really a 1.1 c.i. displacement engine) that weighs only 1 oz. more than the 91, but makes as much power as most 1.20s.

Best of luck to you down in Texas,
Ivo.

Larry:

That is simply amazing! You should write an article w/pictures and publish it in one of the popular R/C magazines. It's guy's like you that push the envelope that carry us all to the next level. Congratulations!

JDPORKER

Shonny:

Jeez! That is one beautiful HOG! I especially like your gear set up. I agree with your observations regarding dihedral. Unfortunately, I stuck to the plans. I was something of a novice when I built it... now I know better... such is life.

JDPORKER

Ivo:

I recently read your outstanding review of the SIG 1/4-scale cub. A very enlightening piece and a terrific-looking airplane. I intended to e-mail you after reading the article but I don't have your current e-mail address. I miss you guys terribly. Warren has been gracious enough to continue to send me the MAAW newsletter via e-mail. I'm sorry that the club lost its field. Are you still flying in CT?

E-mail me at: [email protected]

so we can catch up...

Paul

Why not just make more wings, and maybe more fuselages.
Just see to that you can mix and match all as you please.
I have cut a set of foam wings with a different airfoil, Eppler 197, and taper.
Increased the WS to about 78". Haven't got any further yet.
One thing about the Hog: it's a very nice platform for experimenting.
Next step is of course retracts.

Paul, the email is [email protected]

I've been flying with the RCRC club in Rockland County, NY. They have a nice field behind the Palisades Mall.