I'm a noobie and picked up this Thunder Tiger Trainer. It has "Wt 40" printed on the rudder so I assume that's the model number. It's allegedly about 15 years ago and was never flown. It has a K&B engine that supposedly has only been run a short time to break it in.

I have a few questions:

1. Anyone have any idea where the Center of Gravity would be on this thing ? Or failing specific knowledge of that, is there a generic rule of thumb for setting the COG

Edit: I found a manual online for the Thunder Tiger "Classic" trainer and it recommends setting the COG 3.75 inches behind the front of the wing. The picture and dimensions of the plane in the manual appear identical to what I have (albeit a little newer) so I'll go with that unless anyone has other comments.

2. The covering is in good shape and was referred to as "shelf paper". What is it ? Is it shrinkable like monocote ? What are it's characteristics ? Can you use a heat gun and iron on it ? I see no need to replace it right now, it's not brittle and as stated is in excellent shape.

3. Regarding the K&B engine. I assume it's a .40 or .46. Any comments on it ? I'm going to fire it up tomorrow. Are those engines "adequate" the the intended purpose as a trainer engine ? I just want something that'll produce enough power and be relatively well behaved to minimize dead stick landings. Any special fuel requirements ?

4. I did a search before posting this thread and noted that some recommended epoxying the area below the gas tank to fuel proof it. Anyone know of anything else that should be "toughened up" on this thing to bullet-proof it as much as possible ?

Thanks in advance for your help.

Assemble the plane and get ity ready to fly. Fuel tank empty.
Put your fingers under the wing on the leading spare of the wing.
The plane should be slightly nose heavy.Thats good.
If tail heavy thats bad,adjust to slightly nose heavy.
What we have here is t-l-a-r. (that looks about right).
Have an experience flier take it up and trim it out.
He should be able to tell if you need to move weight around
in the plane to make it handle better.

i have the manual for this plane , if you got any questions on it let me know.. just done building it, put a 45 super tiger in it. broke the engine in, on the weekend , hopefully it will fly in a week or so.. OBWONN...