I just opened my SIG LT-40 kit which arrived from Towerhobbies a few hours ago. At first glance, it appears a bit overwhelming, since I have never built one of these before. But, I am going to take it slow and do each step with the utmost care and not rush.

I am thinking that I want to do some custom colorization. I have always loved White/Grey/Dark Red paint schemes. I might use the included decals sparingly and customize the colors to look like that scheme.

I will post some pictures from time to time, for the other beginners to take a peak at....all the experienced kit folk wouldn't find it of much help.

Good luck and take your time


Jim

ALL kits look complex when the box gets opened....like you said, take your time and do only one step at a time

And keep us posted.....what engine you going to use?

Jerry

I was thinking of using a Super Tigre G-51. This is quite a bit more power than it needs, but I want the extra power to do prop hangs and some aerobatics once I get used to flying it.

I'm going to contradict (or modify) other people's statements....

All kits consist of two important parts, and both are really simple... (get in to the right frame of mind).

Part 1 - the wood, hardward, etc.
Part 2 - the paperwork.

Now, unfortunately, kits are just like most things in life - to succeed, you have to do the paperwork first.
So, take the inventory list, and make sure that all parts are present.
Next, read the manual.
Next, read the manual.
Next, read the manual.
Next, read the manual.
....
get my drift?
...
then, read the manual.

Then, decide whether you want to build the plane with special options (rubber-band or bolt-on wing, tail-dragger, or tricivle, etc).
Then, make sure you have the tools, sand-paper, and glues you need.

Finally, re-read the manual. Did I say that already?

Finally, get some wax-paper, and get gluing. Test every joint without glue before you try them WITH glue.

Get a fan that is big enough to create a "draft" over the work-bench, but not that strong that it ruffle the plans, and manual (need this to keep the CA vapour from your eyes, and the balsa dust from your throat).

Get a flat building surface (the flatter the better).\, clothes pegs, "T" pins, and a bunch of strong-and-big elastic bands (work fantastically as clamps).

gus

My only suggestion is:
Read the manual again.



Seriously, it helps to know what is going on 3 steps away so you don't make stupid mistakes. This is experience talking!

Start gluing! When in doubt grab a beer and forge ahead, if still in doubt grab another beer! Inventory? If you come up short call Sig and relax for a couple of days or goto the LHS for wood. One mod you might want to really consider is building a flat wing instead of one having dihedral. I built my LT40 with 1/2" and wish I'd just glued it flat. Flies awesome. Dubro landing gear is a nice upgrade to. Doesn't bend out from those hard landings. Don't worry about reinforcing the tail like many on here will mention. Just use epoxy and it will be fine. Use wood glue on the doublers. Fuel proof your tank area before gluing in the tank floor. If you want more advise just ask. This is an easy kit to build! Most of all have fun and enjoy it. Small mistakes won't stop this plane from flying great!

Just in case it hasn't been mentioned read the manual!!!! also while reading it look at the plans so you get familiar with each part of the plane as shown in the manual, oh and read the manual. The LT-40 is a sweetheart to build, done 4 all ready, kept one and the others were sold. Now enjoy yourself and if you want to see a lot of kit come and look at my 1/4 scale super Cub!!!!![X(][X(][X(]

I've only completed one kit, a four star fourty. I started on a cg super chipmunk.

It reminds me of my highschool cross country coaches advice for running up a hill. Just look right and front of your feet and dont look at the top.

I just followed the directions and I was finished before I knew it. Its not nearly as tough as it looks when you open the box and see all that wood. One step at a time, its cake!

Good luck!

You've already discovered one advantage of a kit, you get to choose your own color scheme! That's probablly the hardest part about building a SIG kit anyway. I built a Kaydet MKII and a Kougar, my first two airplanes, and both of them were a lot easier than I had expected. Just take your time, don't rush, enjoy yourself. Oh and I didn't see anyone else mention it so I'll put in a plug for reading the manual. Also study the plans, sometimes there are notes there as well.

EZ way to study manual..... take it with you when you sit on the throne. You're not doing anything else with your hands, right?

Andy

Just take your time and go one step at a time. Follow the manual and look at the plans. It's not hard.

Here is my suggestion:
Read the manual
Take your time
Read the manual again
Take your time
Re-read what you have read twice already
Take your time


Remember Rule #1: Glue is always harder to remove than any questions you have about the step you are working on.....re-read the manual.
Remember Rule #2: Re-read rule number 1

Carpenter's wisdom holds true for kits: Measure twice, cut once.

Also, I'd recommend a very simple covering scheme. Covering takes some practice, and you'll be much happier with the results if you stick to a simple scheme.

Have fun!! I just finished building this aircraft. It is also my first time . IT WAS A BREEZE. The instructions are very detailed. good luck. and have fun!!

Aside from reading the Manual (Which I think someone already mentioned), another valuable piece of equipment is THE BOX IT CAME IN.

The box has two parts - Top and Bottom.

Keep them side-by-side.

As you take things out of the Bottom (While looking for other pieces), place them into the Top. That way you always know where a part you are looking for SHOULD be. (You would be amazed how easily you can loose parts in the mess you create)

Along the same lines....

Get some Ziplock bags. Every time you open one of the plastic parts bags, place the rest of the parts from that bag into the Ziplock, and ZIP IT! (Then, of course, place it BACK into one of the Box halves)

Its been said, but read the directions carefully, and know you are right before applying glue. You will do fine. Take your time.

First, read the man... OK, I won't say it. I am bit suprised noone has mentioned it but Sig kits are cut so well you can just about assemble them without glue! Keep this in mind while you are starting out. You can always gather just the pieces you need for the current step you are on and loosly assemble them before applying any glue. This way you know you have gotten everything right before making it permanant. As a matter of fact, when you get to the fuselage (your wing will be done by then if you follow the directions) this is exactly what you will do. After glueing the formers you will actually take all the fuselage pieces and put them together dry - using rubber bands to hold the whole works together. Once you are at this point it will be easy to tell if everything is alligned correctly because every piece will fit like a glove. Once you are satisified with the allignment you will then start applying glue at all the joints. This is when building a plane yourself is really fun because you will get to see your plane take shape in front of your eyes in just a matter of minutes.

BTW, be sure the pushrods going to the rudder and elevator have plenty of support. It is at this point that it is easy to add a couple more supports if necessary to keep the pushrods from flexing where they shouldn't. I used Sullivan Gold-n-rods on my first LT-40 and they needed a little more support than the stock ones since they were a bit more flexible but they also worked a lot smoother.

I found on my kit that the tail did need a little more reinforcement but when I built the ARF version later on Sig had changed the tail design slightly which eliminated the need for the extra reinforcement. They may have updated your kit as well. Pay attention to how the tail goes together. You will know it if it needs more - it will appear a little weak. If it is a newer design similar to the ARF it will have two pieces of balsa that extend through the top of the fuselage instead of just one as in the older design. The newer design does just fine without extra support.

In the long run, you will be happy you built the plane yourself. Fixing it will be much easier since you will have full knowledge of how every piece is supposed to fit. I hate to say it but chances are you will beat this plane up a bit before you really know what you are doing. The good thing is it is a very solid design and does just fine after being patched up a few times.

I built a sig se kit. I don't remember there being a manual. I do remember there being a lot of balsa, screws, and bolts left over. That thing never did fly right.

I usually avoid saying this because NOT ALL SIG KITS are so good.

Several of them are "Builder's Kits", and someone with a limited amount of building experience can get in over their head very quickly.

Your right MinnFlyer, I was too general in my statement. I should have said the newer Sig kits... I forgot they still have quite a few non-laser cut kits around that are great flyers but not necessarily a good choice for a first build.

Either LT-40 (kit or ARF) is an excelent choice for a first plane, however.

BUY DEBONDER!
it realy helps!

And Band-Aids!

Oh, yea... And cigarettes and beer!

Bryris

All the advice given is good ,take your time but dont necessisarily get locked into one part at a time,, most plans are designed to work a couple of things at a time ,,,

spend what time is needed in the building phase to properly CG the plane saves a lot of time at the field trying to find a way to add weight to the tail or nose.

Remember to have the plane safety checked by the safety officers at the club you fly with, listen to them and make needed ajustments before you fly the plane.

Also if you are a beginner pilot, it's not a bad Idea to have a more experianced pilot maiden the plane for you, make the major trim adjustments and then fly the plane yourself.


Highlander

Ok, now for the finishing tips, when you do pick your colors and trim schemes, make sure to consider what they will look like from far away, make sure top and bottom are totally different, will help you keep orientation much better. Large stripes, checkered patterns, the possibilities are endless, GOOD LUCK!

You'll do fine. Just remember, if you think you have to cut something that the manuel says nothing about, check REALLY good. I built the LT-40 as my first plane, and it came out REALLY nice.

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