Ok, it has been a number of years since I built a kit, and I have never tried an ARF till now.

I just obtained a Sig Something Extra ARF. Couple of areas that I have a question or 2 about.

Hinges, I used to use the dubro hinge with a steel pin, and glue and pin the hinge into the aircraft. This kit includes CA hinges. I'm thinking that this is not going to work out too well, but it is something new to me ( its been 20 years ok??), so should I use the CA hinge or locate and install a better hinge. What is the best way to pin the hinge without screwing up the factory covering. I used to use a toothpick glued and cut flush, but did some pre covering with monocote so when I finished the covering it covered the pins and looked finished.

Canopy, what is the best way to secure the canopy. The 4 screws attachment looks like it will look cheap.. ideas?

Any links to sites that have info on this kit would be welcome.

I'm working on this exact ARF right now. I used to think CA hinges weren't that good then I started using them more and more on my 40 and 60 size planes. I really love 'em. Simple to install. I used the hinges furnished with the ARF SE and have no worries about them. Now the only models that get traditional hinges are my giant scale planes. Try them, you'll like them. Sig give good directions with the SE on how to install them.

For the canopy you can use clear silicone glue, another product called Shoe Goo or if you can find RC56. The last one is a white type glue that is excellent for gluing canopies on. It dries clear and is flexible. Just tape the canopy in place while the glue dries and remove it later. (look in my gallery and you can see pics of my Bearcat and Jug that I attached the canopies with using this stuff)

Good luck with your SE!

Jeff

Don't worry about the CA hinges. I had well over 250 flights on my first S.E. and never had a hinge fail. As for the canopy, a little trick for that is to drill your holes for the screws and glue some nyrod into the fuse. This gives the screws something to bite into and you don't have to worry about the balsa wallowing out.

I,m not sure how it spelled, but I bought kleet pinned hinges and going to use long music wire so I can easily change out for the the larger rudder and elevator when I build them.

Some 3d's say there needed for better KE and other manuvers.

Dennis

The CA hinges work just fine on this bird. As for the canopy attachment method... mine is attached with the supplied screws (with aded rubber 'fenders' cut from small silicone fuel line). I have no idea how many flights I have on this plane (including one inverted landing ) and it hasn't shifted.

Ok, thanks for the tips. I like the idea of the nyrod for the screws to go into.

Seems so far that CA hinges are ok so far by you, but I'm still not sure.

I wonder if my old K&B 40 will pull it?

Anyway, I still welcome your ideas, off to fly my Raptor 30 for the afternoon...

I just built assembled one of these ARF's a few weeks ago. One little tip with CA hinges that SIG didnt mention in the instructions was to drill a 1/16 " hole in the middle of the hinge slots. This helps the CA wick its way down. If you dont know what I am talking about, go the www.greatplanes.com and download any of the instruction manuals for any af their ARF's and check out their hinging instructions.

The K & B 40 will fly this plane but it really deserves a good .46, .50 or the Irvine .53. Or if you have the extra cash, pickup a Y.S. 63 and it will be an animal!

An incident with mu SE today.

I hit a rock at *just* the right angle while taxiing back and hey-presto - no landing gear.

One wheel pant is a little torn up, there's a hole in the right wingtip sheeting and I'll have to reinforce the fuselage floor. No big deal - something was bound to loosen up after 21 hours of time on the airframe (as indicated by the counter on my radio.)