Sig 4* Big PROBLEM!
 

Deadeye, please read your private messages.

I hope you try it out.

Sig 4* Big PROBLEM!
 

It would appear to be a bit late, but I just thought I'd point out that the red oracover is easy to find. While I don't know the specific color, it's also known as Ultracote. Oracover=Ultracote.

PS: I've never seen an ARF tank I'd install in a plane.

If it's any consolation, my first 4*60 built from kit went in inverted 15 feet after take-off because the idiot flying it (me) had the ailerons reversed. I'm now building a new fuse. Repairs didn't seem feasible. The rest of the plane was unscathed (lucky me) except for a very small ding on the wingtip. I will probably also build the wing from the new kit with one rib removed and less dihedral. Add some extra rudder and elevator? Maybe...

I didn't like the color scheme on the fuse anyway...

Sig 4* Big PROBLEM!
 

Deadeye...take a look at my gallery, there is a F-20 that crashed at nearly 200 MPH into the ground, the engine was OK as well as all the radio equipment. Dont get upset at guys for asking for pictures, its just rare for all that stuff to be destroyedin a crash. I hope you can take this in stride and dont lose faith in Sig or the Hobby, I have 5 Sig aircraft...2 of them ARF's and they are great. Take care and I wish you better luck.

Sig 4* Big PROBLEM!
 

Every plane has an expiration date. It's just not stamped on the box!

PS. Silly me ... I've used tanks from the the 9 ARFs I've built and flown (and crashed, all due to "pilot error") none of which have leaked! May the gods continue to smile upon me ;o)

It Happens
 

Deadeye...my last real bad crash was with a World Models Midget Mustang. I went up and did a split-s and pulled back on the stick and nothing happened...it went into concrete at full speed with an O.S. 1.08 on it. The damage was the worst I have ever seen in 30 years of flying...I mean it broke everything...there was not 1 usable thing to take home with me...hell even the servos exploded. These were high dollar servos but something went wrong with the elevator servo and that was one of the shortest first flights I have ever had ...so I know what it means to loose everything...I mean I REALLY know because I also fly choppers and every crash is $200.00 so get back up on that hosre and ride...better days are ahead!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Sig 4* Big PROBLEM!
 

4*60 tank...

The tank supplied with the 4*60 arf, and a number of other planes, are stamped World Models. I've personally seen four of these leak around the stopper this Spring. Two of these were in my planes.
It's as if the stopper material shrinks over a fairly short period of time. I've never had these problems with a Dubro or Sullivan.

The trash pickup here was last Thursday. They hauled my world models tanks away for me.

Larry

UPDATE
 

I contacted SIG via phone, and talked to Scott again. He suggested I send the faulty stopper and an explanation of what happened in letter form, along with the reciept of purchase (copy). I did so promptly. I sent it Monday. I recieved an email from Scott today:


Dear Mr. Rossmiller,
We have today received your package containing a letter, your receipt, your photos and the fuel tank insert. I have already authorized your replacement and it should go out today via UPS.

We are certainly sorry that you experienced this problem with the Four Star 60 ARF. We have been using World Models tanks in almost all of our ARF kits with virtually no problems. I personally fly no less than 16 of our ARF models with these tanks in place and have not experienced any problems in at least four flying seasons. I am sure that World will be interested in this sample and, again, thank you for sending it to us.

This message would not be complete without reminding you that our absolute maximum recommended engine size for this model is a .90 (.91) 4-stroke. Using engines larger than this, such as your Saito 1.00 are not recommended.

I hope this resolution meets with your satisfaction.
Regards,
Scott Christensen
SIG Mfg. Co., Inc.


Wow. I must retract anything negative I said about SIG in previous posts, and I do so with the deepest regret. Scott really went out of his way to make this customer very happy. Thank you Scott. And Thank you SIG manufacturing! You have proven to this future returning customer that your service is exceptional.

I'll be sticking my trusty old TT 61 back in the new one, as soon as I get another flight pack. And I will ALWAYS remember to fuel proof the fuel compartment in any ARF I get.

I apologize to Scott and Sig Mfg for my previous bad mouthing. I also learned to keep my dang mouth shut until a problem is resolved to the end.

Thanks to everyone who replied.

Sig 4* Big PROBLEM!
 

Keep flying. Don't be afraid to ask for help from a manufacturer or here on RCU. There are some smart-alec's out there but, the wealth of knowledge available is worth a fortune in airplanes. I typically throw out a couple of questions a week. Bravo RCU members! Bravo SIG! And bravo Deadeye!

Sig 4* Big PROBLEM!
 

Just a note on Sig's customer service....back in the early '90's (don't remember which year), I bought a Sig Mid-Star 40 about 6 days before their fly-in. I built in 5 days, test flew it on Friday, and it flew beautifully. Saturday morning I was at Sig's field in IA, ready to go. My name was number 2 on the roster, so I got into a little hurry. On Saturday morning, the second plane in the air lasted less than 10 seconds. It's not Sig's fault, the stupid pilot (me) didn't plug in the aileron servo! All the participants get a complimentary tour of the factory, and the tour guide happened to be at the field when I plowed it in earlier that morning. On our way past the Mid-Star section, this guy started handing me stuff to fix my airplane. Balsa, decals, new ribs, etc. I never asked, or even mentioned it. Very nice guy, and I've been a Sig customer since. One thing that I would like to note, though, is the price of Sig's ARF's. If you compare, Sig is a little more proud of their ARF's than most companies like H9 or GP, and I'm not sure why that is....

Sig 4* Big PROBLEM!
 

Well, at the risk of starting something I'll regret, I'll say I think SIG's ARF are worth the extra $. Compared to GP, I find SIG better in every way, stronger, better hardware, and better covering. I still couldn't build a plane for what I pay for the ARFS and mine NEVER look that good. Just my opinion.

Sig 4* Big PROBLEM!
 

I won't comment on the strength of the sig ARF, because the only ARF from Sig I have experience with is the Rascal 40. I did put my Hanger 9 Cap 232 about 25-30 high into the top of a tree, and it immediately fell straight down and hit the ground. I was very impressed that the only thing wrong with the airplane was a busted wing corner. Flew it the next day. My father was taking his Rascal off, caught a crosswind, and sheared the landing gear mounting block right out of the fuselage. I am not quick with opinions, though, and like I said, I won't comment on the structural strength of their ARF's. Just sharing an experience.

Sig 4* Big PROBLEM!
 

Hey deadeye, always do a leak test with your fuel tank system. Get a pair of hemostats or equivalent, a 50cc syringe. Clamp one line with the hemo, pump in air with the syringe through the other line and clamp it. Wait 10 mins, release one of the hemo. If you hear air rushing out, the tank is OK. If you don't, there is a leak somewhere for you to fix. Also don't overtighten the screw of the fuel tank stopper or the tank might split at the stopper mouth.

Sig 4* Big PROBLEM!
 

Deadeye, Thanks for responding and taking the time to tell us their reply.

It says something of your character to give them the benefit of the doubt after all of your frustration.

Sig 4* Big PROBLEM!
 

Why doesn't Sig produce a 4*40 ARF?

Ernie